Self-Worth!

For Wednesday, October 26, 2022:

Galatians 6:4 NLT: “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.”

Self-esteem seems to be an important topic nowadays. It gets mixed in with encouragement. In the effort to not hurt anyone’s self-esteem, everyone typically gets some kind of reward. Children who lose a tournament still go home with a trophy.

It’s good that we support each other like this, but we shouldn’t count on it. Paul is coaching the Galatians to always do their best work. Then they will have the satisfaction of a job well done. They will know self-worth having done their best. Doing your best is what God asks, and if God’s OK with it, I’m OK with it!

Sometimes we need to trade our self-esteem for self-worth!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Self-worth

For Wednesday, September 28, 2022:

Galatians 6:4 NLT: “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.”

Mankind seems to count on having others boost our self-esteem. People write thank-you notes and send out congratulations. Our children play sports, and – win or lose – every student comes home with a trophy! Some people expect a framed “Certificate of Participation” just for living!

None of that is bad, but Paul is suggesting trading our self-esteem for self-worth. Self-worth comes from doing the right things for the right reasons, and from doing a good job. Self-worth means you can be proud of what you’ve done, regardless of what others may say, or even if they say nothing at all. If you believe it’s good and God says it’s good, you already know you’re valuable!

Sometimes your reward is in the life after this life. Let God be the one to boost your self-esteem! Then you can truly feel good about yourself!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

The Grass is Always Greener

March 25, 2013 Monday Message:

Today we wrap up our 10 Commandments series with #10, "Do not covet…” Ex. 20

We are forbidden to desire and plan how we may obtain that which God has given to another. Now, the Bible says that with the Lord as our shepherd, we’ll have everything we “need.” We shall not be left wanting. But it does not say that we’ll be rich, or that we’ll have everything that we desire. Coveting is the cousin of jealousy, and we are told specifically to not desire our neighbor’s spouse. This goes right back to #7!

We’re also not to desire his workers, those who do such a nice job at his home and business. We’re not to desire his means of transportation. Your Civic will get you there just fine, even if your neighbor drives a Jaguar.

We need to be OK with our lot in life, so that we’re not constantly coveting other stuff. Being content with our situation puts coveting on the back burner. Don’t wait for boosted “self esteem,” where others pat you on the back and give you accolades. Instead, make your own “self worth,” where you do the right things for the right reasons - you’re OK with it, and God’s OK with it. If anyone else approves, fine, but you and God are already walking together on the high road, and you can be content with that.

Norton Lawellin

Celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday, March 31, 10:30am, with Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF), in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. We’ll look inside the empty tomb!

NL