Caroline HalesThe phone rang at my desk. My manager wanted to see me right away. The call sounded unusual. Curious, I strode into his office and sat. He thanked me for my work and proceeded to say the organization had restructured and eliminated my position. He handed me an envelope with a severance package to review, told me to collect my belongings, and sent me home. I left, stunned. My life revolved around my job. My work required my input. It could not continue without me . . . or so I thought. Once I got home, tears streamed down my face. My daily work routine had shattered. No one from work called to ask about the tasks I had planned to complete. I felt I had no value or worth without my job. Inwardly, I knew the importance of my relationship with God. Outwardly, I lived for myself. As I poured myself into a new job search, I also reflected on my position as a child of God. I remembered how God values me far more than sparrows. During the time of Jesus, the poor would buy the least expensive birds for food. The lowest valued coin could buy two sparrows. Jesus told of how God cares for the sparrows, saying that not one sparrow dies without God knowing. God values a person made in His image far more than an inexpensive bird. God knows our great worth. I felt worthless after losing my job, but God saw me as valuable. I thought my life had ended, but in many ways, it had just begun. In God’s time, He provided a new and better job. With this hard lesson, I hope always to remember how much God cares for me. And I have seen that God will provide for me, even if I lose my job. What truth can you embrace about the great value God places on you? (Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care." Matthew 10:29 NIV (For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Father, when we stop trying to be like someone else, not following the dreams You have put in our hearts, we will see that You will give us the desires of our hearts which align with Your will. If our delight is to obey Your Word, we can commit our ways to You and trust in the unique variety You have put in each of us. We pray for Your directions for us, so we can be what You have designed. We pray this in the name of Jesus for our good, and for His glory! Amen
821-825 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
821- Ps. 145:4 "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts."
822- Ps. 139:3 "Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art aquainted with all my ways."
823- Rom. 12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
824- Eph. 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
825- Ps. 119:30 "I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgements have I laid before me."
Quote for today-
-Laura Bailey- "Remember that this life is a race today, especially if you're currently running the most challenging mile and feel unsure if you can keep going. Maybe you're not sprinting on this stretch like the people around you. That's okay, stay focused on Christ and keep putting one foot in front of the other. We can trust that as we make choices to sacrifice and persevere, our character and endurance have the opportunity to grow. And when we cross that finish line, we will finally be rewarded with the words we long to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)
"Be still, my soul and listen, For God would speak to thee, And while the tempest's raging Thy refuge He would be.
Be still, and cease to struggle, Seek not to understand; The flames will not destroy thee, Thou'rt in the Father's hand.
And when the burden's heavy He seeks to make thee pure, To give thee faith and patience And courage to endure.
The way is not too hard for thee, Endure the chastening rod; Thy gold shall only be refined, Be still, submit to God." -G.W.S.
Today's Popular post-
Jesus Loves Me
Diana Leagh Matthews shares with us, “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus Loves Me! Yes, Jesus Loves Me! Yes, Jesus Loves Me! For the Bible tells me so."
"Everyone has dark days and bleak times in their lives but the reminder we are loved with an everlasting and unconditional love brings hope."
Upcoming posts:
19th- The Power of Scripture Mike Wittmer
26th- Happy Thanksgiving Elisa Morgan
12/2- Our Heart's True Home James Banks
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts) Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage | 
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