Romans 12:3 (NIV)
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
“Remember that you are absolutely unique.
Just like everyone else.”
(sometimes attributed to Margaret Mead)
How’s your self-esteem?
What does the Bible say?
We are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). Can’t get better than that.
We’re reminded not to think too highly of ourselves (Romans 12:3). We all sin and fall short of the glory (Romans 3:23). That’s humbling.
A final word from God’s Word:
Galatians 3:28 (NIV)
You are all one in Christ Jesus.
Self-esteem isn’t a contest. You aren’t better because someone else is worse. We’re all better in Christ.
“Ashley Myers and her family . . . ate a breakfast of biscuits and gravy from paper plates outside the CrossPointe Community Church. The family had been at the church, now a shelter, for three days, after evacuating their home in Redding’s Westwood neighborhood . . . ‘All that matters is we’re alive.'”
From The Bulletin, Central Oregon (read the whole story here)
As wildfires rage in many places, let us pray for those seeking shelter and those providing it.
Lord God, protect those who fight the fires, those who flee the fires and those who step up to supply food, shelter, supplies and comfort. May your people, Lord, be your hands, the cup of cold water offered in your name.
Isaiah 30:21 (NASB)
Your ears will hear a word behind you,
“This is the way, walk in it.”
Sometimes, Lord God, I pretend I don’t hear, because I don’t want to go there. Forgive my stubborn selfishness.
You stick with me when I walk the wrong way. You could abandon me in my rebellion. But you walk beside me, no matter what, no matter where.
I think my toes are ugly.
God’s got a beauty program for my feet:
Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Apparently, my feet are a reflection of my words. 
Luke 10:39 (ERV)
Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach.
At his feet. Not beside him at the dinner table. Not on the other side of the desk. Not across the room in a comfy chair.
Settle in, pipe down and listen up. There’s plenty of room for you at Jesus’ feet. 
How do you take the load off your feet?
A footstool. A humble piece of furniture that brings comfort to your tired feet.
Isaiah 66:1 (NIV)
This is what the LORD says:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.”
As your footstool is to you, our world is to God. Not a chore. Not a stepping stone. Not a doormat.
A comfort.
Every now and then, someone crosses my path who seems to have no connection to any people of faith. I wonder if this lost soul is on anyone’s prayer list.
James 5:16 (KJV)
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
“Availeth,” in Greek, energeó. Energizes, like electricity powers a light bulb.
Turn on the power. Light a dark soul. Pray.
Lord God, I don’t know what’s happening behind this person’s angry face. You do. Turn on the light, sweep out the garbage, flood every cell with your power, shelter this soul in your love.
Be content with my lot in life, yes. But not with everything.
For example, not content with our inner city schools. In this Detroit High School, 90% of incoming freshmen read below the 5th grade level.
That’s simply not good enough.
