Be Honest with Yourself

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us”- Romans 12:3 NLT

Healthy self-esteem is important because some of us think too little of ourselves: on the other hand, some of us overestimate ourselves. Honest and accurate self- evaluation comes by knowing the basis of our self-worth, our identity in Yeshua. Apart from Him, we aren’t capable of very much eternal standard; in Him, we are valuable and capable of worthy service. Evaluating yourself by the worldly standards of success and achievement can cause you to think too much about your worth in the eyes of others and thus your true value in God’s eyes.

He called apostles and prophets, like Paul, to instruct us in the way of salvation and so Paul rightly reminds us, "that through the Grace given to me, I say to everyone among you, not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think."

There is nothing in the gospel that can be credited to our account, because Yeshua did it all. We are saved by Grace through faith in Yeshua’s work on Calvary and there is no ritual, religious activity, Sabbath rule, or Church-imposed regulation that could ever elevate our position before God or exaggerate our spiritual importance. ALL that we have and ALL that we are have been given to us by God's Grace.

God has given us all that we need for life and godliness, because we trusted in Yeshua’s finished work, by faith. By His Word and through His Spirit, we have received all that we require, including certain spiritual gifts, so that we may live a life that honors His Name. Each believer has a unique function and each person has been thoroughly equipped, by the Holy Spirit, with sound judgement and spiritual gifts so that we may carry out the work that God has prepared for us to do.

It is good if we recognize and employ the spiritual gifts that God has bestowed upon us, but we should never be puffed up by them or use them to falsely exaggerate our own importance or spirituality. All spiritual gifts are given by Grace and all are exercised by faith. We were saved by faith, we are to live by faith, and we are to exercise our spiritual gifts by faith - and all is to be done to the Glory of God and not for the elevation of self.

Each one of us has been blessed by God with certain spiritual gifts and we are to exercise those gifts according to the measure of faith we have received and according to the Grace we have been given. We should neither exaggerate nor minimize the gifts we received from above - but should do everything to the glory of God. Therefore, walk in integrity.

In The Palm of My Hand

“See I have written your name in the palms of My hands. Always in My mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins” - Isaiah 49:16 NLT

The people of Israel felt that God had forgotten and forsaken them in Babylon, but Isaiah assured them that God would never forget them, just as a loving mother which is often seen as a strong bond, would not forget her baby. When we feel that God has forsaken us, we must do some self-evaluation and ask if we have forsaken and forgotten Him (Deuteronomy 31:6). The imagery of being inscribed on God's hands signifies a deep, personal connection and a promise of remembrance, even in times of distress. When we feel abandoned may we be reminded of God’s Presence and care. Our struggles do not diminish our worth in God’s eyes.   

Understanding that we are engraved on God’s hands calls us to respond with gratitude and love. God’s love and commitment is eternal. We are invited to deepen our relationship with Him, recognize the significance of His sacrifice and commitment to us. God assures us that we are always on His mind no matter our circumstances.

May we be reminded of God's Love and Faithfulness. Isaiah 49:16 reminds us that we are always remembered, cherished, and valued by our Creator. As we meditate on this verse, let us embrace the comfort it brings and allow it to strengthen our faith in God's everlasting care.

When we bless or praise God, we recognize and attribute to Him His true worth. “Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms” means that because we are united with Yeshua, we have all benefits of knowing God - we have been chosen for salvation, as His children and forgiven. God gives us insight into His Word, the gifts of the Spirit, power to do His will, and hope of living forever with Yeshua. Because we have an intimate relationship with Yeshua we can enjoy these eternal blessings now. The use of the phrase heavenly realms tells us these blessings come from eternity with God and not originate with our human experience. The blessings come from God's spiritual realm, not the earthly realm.

Keep God's Covenant Priority

"My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips". – Psalm 89:34

God is a God of covenant. From the beginning, He has bound Himself to His people through unbreakable promises. Covenant is the foundation of scripture...understanding it reveals who God is, what He does, and why. His faithfulness is not random; It is covenantal, steadfast an eternal.

A covenant is more than a contract. It is a solemn, permanent binding agreement of devotion, often sealed with blood. In ancient times, covenant were “cut”...an animal was slain, split in two, and the parties walked through the blood, signifying the gravity of the promise; “May I be as this slain animal if I break this covenant.” It was not entered into lightly, and never without cost.

God's covenant with Abraham was different. When God made a covenant with Abraham, He alone passed through the blood…declaring that He Himself would bear the cost if the covenant was broken. And He did. Messiah, the choice sacrifice, seal the eternal covenant with His own blood, securing forgiveness, redemption, and access for all who belong to Him.

Through the new covenant, you are made new. No longer an outsider, but a co-heir. No longer condemned but declared righteous. You have access, inheritance, and authority because The King has bound Himself to you in an unbreakable bond.

You are engaged to Messiah. This is not just a metaphor. The price has been paid, the bridegroom has left to prepare a place, and he will three time period you are set apart, sanctified, washed in the word, and being made ready for the wedding feast of the lamb. May the understanding of this covenant demolish strongholds. It will silence the voice of shame. It crushes the spirit of condemnation. It destroys fear and doubt. It secures your identity, your authority, and your place in God's eternal Kingdom.

You belong to Him! And He will NOT break His covenant with you.