THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY AND WILL BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE VISIT ME ANYTIME! I LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER GIVEAWAY CARNIVAL IN JANUARY!!
I have been SOOOO excited about this month's Bloggy giveaway!! I'm hoping to win my family some great Christmas presents!!
I have THREE giveaways taking place on my blogs. You can check out the other two at:
http://www.boyiloveolivegarden.blogspot.com/ and http://www.elizardbreath8.blogspot.com/.
For this giveaway, I'd like you to think about and respond to the following thought:
Tonight I read the introduction to Kay Arthur's book, Our Covenant God. In it she says of Jesus, "To understand covenant is to hear Him say to you, 'you are precious in my sight', and to believe Him." As I read that, I really thought it through...do I believe that? Honestly, no. I mean, my head knows it is true but my heart does not believe it. My walk with Jesus does not portray that. My faith is way to small to ascribe to that.
I find myself coming up with a list of "if onlys":
If only I spent more time with Him (then I'd be precious...)
If only I made following Him a bigger priority (then I'd be precious...)
If only I didn't come to Him more often when things were bad then when things were good (then I'd be precious...)
If only I could get past these "if onlys"---then I could believe that I am precious in His sight. I have no problem seeing that someone else is precious to the Lord. In fact, I often think of this as I'm people watching (or people cursing)--I remind myself that that person is the Lord's child just as much as I am. Why can't I believe that I am just as precious to Him as those other believers that I look up to and see Jesus in?
So, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this. Whether you put your faith in Jesus or not...what do you think about Arthur's statement?
One winner will be chosen to receive a fall package of goodies. Please don't forget to leave your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win!
More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!
98 comments:
I am trying to learn to believe it. I *know* (in my head) that I am precious to Him. Sometimes my heart forgets.
The more I know my savior, the more sure I am that He loves me beyond compare. I have no doubt of my value to Him, considering that He gave all for me when I was so worthless. He is indeed a loving God.
tm
Oh how I would love this book! I took Kay Arthur's covenant course in 1997 and soaked it up like a sponge. (http://momintransition.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/09/see-i-told-you.html)
About her statement, it is so hard to believe it. I know it's true because God's word is true, but it's still hard to believe more often than not.
No matter who you are where you have been Jesus will never forsake you.
Shannon
palmersf(at)bellsouth.net
Check out my giveaway too
http://palmersf1.blogspot.com/2008/10/bloggy-giveaway-time.html
I don't have a problem believing that I'm precious to Him, but I sometimes question His methods.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sometimes it's hard to remember but I try.
HI this post is one of the most interesting give aways, faith in faith, faith in a higher power, God, for me is a convoluted history, as a child and yound adult i believed , i believed he held me in the palm of his hand all knowing all loving, i strayed as an adult and came back, and then my son died in my arms. i then could not believe that HE had my back, that he loved me, he had taken away my heart, today 7 yrs later, its still cloudy for me, i believe that he is much too busy for little ole me, he gave me a brain to do with my life as i needed to, and then i struggle with all of it. its hard to have faith and to believe.
i just don';t know anymore
Ang
I am precious in his eyes whether or not I do all those things. He loves me even in my sins.
I have always had problems holding onto faith like I feel I should -- I so admire those who seem to have a good understanding and belief that they are indeed precious to Him. I don't know that I've ever truly believed that -- I always make things much harder then they need to be I suspect. I get lost easily is the way I would answer that question right now.
vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu
It is hard at times to believe and have faith that we are all worthy! Isn't it great that he is such a Loving, and Forgiving God!!
Sometimes it just depends on the day. Most of the time, I do not feel worthy of His love. And it isn't because I'm out doing awful things, but it is because EVERYTHING else comes first.
My heart sometimes has a hard time with this. My head totally gets it. When my "if onlys" get in my way, I go back to His grace...how can I not believe that i am precious, after what my savior did for me?
It is an almost impossible concept to realize how precious we all are in His sight. I see how precious I am every day, though, when I watch my boys play, when we pray before a meal, when I share a smile or greeting with a stranger, when I watch my little one hold a door open for another...these things touch my heart in a way that can only be because of the love Jesus has for me, and the faith and love I have for Him.
I have to agree with you, it is hard at times to believe that, especially with all the what ifs in the world. It's hard to understand things that we cannot see, making it tough to respond to the question.
princess3sah(at)cs(dot)com
I totally and most assuredly believe and KNOW that I am precious in God's sight. How do I know? He has been there for me in big trials and small. There have been many tender mercies throughout my life reaffirming that God is there and does care for me.
I have seven children and love each one with all my heart, even though they aren't perfect. If I can have that kind of love for my children even though I'm not perfect I know God, He being absolutely perfect, can have that same love for me, His daughter even with all my imperfections.
Cocoa
chocolateonmycranium [at] live [dot] com
Sometimes I do have a hard time believing it...but I've started listening for God more than ever lately. Actually talking to him many times throughout the day. My faith is growing daily and I am so excited about it!
elkmeese at yahoo dot com
I know God loves me beyond anything I can ever imagine. I put all my faith and trust in Him. But sometimes, yes, I do ponder the thought of how can He find me so precious when I am of little value at times.
-Terra
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Logically I know I am precious to God, so on a logical level, I guess I understand "covenant" pretty well. On a heart level, though, I sometimes forget. When things are going poorly and I see no way out with my human eyes, no way for things to get better, it's then that it's tough for me to really believe, deep down in my heart, that I am truly precious to God. I do get some idea, though, when I realize how precious my son is to me. If I love my son, how much more does God love me, if he gave His only Son as a sacrifice for me? When I can remember that, it brings tears to my eyes, and I can't imagine anyone caring for me or treasuring me more than that.
I agree with Kay Author...she is a favorite of mine, too.
I John 4:19, "We love Him because He first loved us."
Deborah
dbstout{at}juno{dot}com
I think the important thing to remember is the atonement is for each and everyone of us- we are so precious to him that he would have given his life to even save just one of us. I love the max lucado children's books- I think that they are a simple yet profound reminder of his love for us
my faith is too small too. i'm not sure that his statement describes what i believe as covenant theology type stuff, but it is true. isn't it funny how our sinful nature even gets in the way of the very very simplest truths?
andrewandkristan(at)hotmail(dot)com
First, I adore Kay Arthur! She is an amazing Bible teacher.
Second, I totally believe that I am precious to Him. I grew up with conditional love from earthly parents....and found Christ as a teenager. As I grew in maturity in my faith...that unconditional love came easy for me! It's a total God-thing!
I'm sure of His love and His adoration of me (even when I don't deserve it!).
Nice prizes....lovely blog too.
makes me think...do i really believe? i think belief is something we can always grow deeper in. roots can always grow stronger. this is no different.
asanders @ bellsouth (dot) net
I struggled with that concept until I went through Beth Moore's study "Believing God"! Life-changing! But as a previous poster said, I know my head "know's it", sometimes my heart doesn't always remember! Thanks for giving me something to think about! Great giveaway - thanks for offering!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
Yes I put my faith in Jesus.We are all precious to Him no matter what.He loves us all the same. It's not anything of us.It's all about Him and what He has done for us. monk5@charter.net
I find it comforting to know I am precious no matter what. Grace is a wonderful thing! Thanks for the chance to win!
I think it's a daily struggle to believe that. The Bible says I am, and that should be enough, but sometimes my heart fights believing it.
I have to make that decision daily.
If we really believed a lot of what we claim to, our lives would look so different. It's hard to accept that God really loves us, and is willing to forgive us of everythings. It's good to remind our selves of his promises, so that they DO become true beliefs.
michelleharrod at hotmail dot com
I am learning this right now -- in tangible ways -- both via love and cherishing that I receive from my own parents, but also from our two children, who mirror God's love to me daily.
Thanks!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
Well, it is hard to believe lots of things that happened in the Bible, but that is why we need faith. Without faith, we can not please the Lord. Forget about all the "have to's" and read God's Word for what it says. God shows his loving character over and over again. I invite you to jump over to my blog Embracing Grace.
Thanks for the contest.
I want to believe. I know he CAN do anything, I just don't think he WILL.
I will admit in the past, I would not have believed it...but this past year has been such a difficult one for my family...and I found myself turning to God for answers..for hope... I realized my faith in Him is stronger than I even knew it to be. I have placed all my burdens in His capable hands...and I know His will for us will be done....
I have issues wth this sometimes. I know it with my head, but I definately don't always FEEL like I am precious to anyone. Let alone Jesus. I get too ruled by my circumstances.
Someone told me recently that "feelings follow focus", meaning if we keep upmost that God loves us and does what's best in our lives, our feelings will follow and we won't be ruled by circumstance.
Wow, Sorry, didn't mean to soapbox - guess you hit a nerve. :)
Lalycairn @ gmail.com
I can't help BUT believe it because I look at other people and see it in them. My mother taught me that everyone has some good in them so I look really, really hard sometimes but I do find it in everyone.
Since that's the case, it would be kind of selfish of me then to think that I was so different than everyone else.
Yes, I truly believe that I am special just as you are and everyone else is.
God doesn't make mistakes.
I admit that I struggle with this comment, just like you. I also come up with my list of what-ifs. However, I know deep down that this comment is true.
I find myself having to repent for believing lies- usually the ones i tell myself about myself. I don't take Christ at His word when I don't count myself worthy of his love and live in the authority that this means! we lie to ourselves all too often!
I know I am precious to him. I know I can depend on him. But I don't always place myself upon him.
thanks for the reminder to do so!
karissag at gmail.com
To see people (ourselves as well as others) they way Jesus does is so hard. I want to, but it's easy to forget
I am a lot closer now to fully embracing this concept. I still struggle, I never feel worthy. But I am working on it, daily.
I am very much like you I know it, but very seldom act like I believe it, Thank you for the reminder for tomorrow is another day, and perhaps I'll take a step forward, and live my life out in this reality!
I believe in my head what she says it is true in my head but getting my heart to accept it is a difficult thing. Every day is a battle for me to die to myself. This world has wounded me so many times that the pain is so hard to let go somedays and just let God have his way in my heart.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
I believe you, and I understand how you feel since I feel that way at times myself.
lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net
I think we all struggle to believe God really loves us. Sure, somewhere inside, I know it's true. But I also know that if I really believed, I wouldn't get so down on myself all the time. I wish that what He thinks would be good enough for me, instead of letting myself care what others think.
It is hard for me to think of myself as precious in anyone's sight, know what I mean? I believe, I just forget!
onlycancan at hotmail dot com
I absolutely do believe that with all my heart though I fall short of being worthy of it. I strive on a daily basis to walk more closely with the Lord.
doot65[at]comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth
Jesus is always with you- He may not answer the way you want but He is with you please enter me- very nice- thanks mrs.mommyyatgmail.com
i think that i have to consciously tell myself that belief does not depend on my emotions, b/c there are times when i certainly do not feel precious to anyone, but i do believe that God never lies. therefore the statement must be true. i just have to remember that just b/c i don't feel precious doesn't mean i am not, it just means i have an attitude adjustment to make
I'm very similar to you, I know in my head but I have to tell myself that to know it in my heart. The other thing I think about is that I want to instill that in my kids so they know know know how true it is that Jesus loves them and thinks they are precious in His sight.
Heather
poncey76@hotmail.com
I'm like you...I know it in my head but dont take it to heart. I constantly remind myself of my shortcomings and dwell on how unworthy I am. But "if only" I'd remember that Satan the great deceiver has a part in reminding me of those things I'd turn more to God for what he wants me to dwell on.
Great post!
sj3girls AT hotmail DOT com
Yes I believe this always. If we believe in him it does not mean we might question things, but we still believe God is in control of everything and we are precious to him. semtaylor(at)yahoo.com
God is my all...I dont know where I would be if I didnt have faith in Him
mariajoy@hotmail.com
Yes, I do believe this and I have a very strong faith in God.
After numerous surgeries and going through cancer I know that I am precious to him. And that he has left me here on earth to do good.
Sometimes it only takes a look around to see how you have been blessed to understand that in his eyes you are precious to him in so many ways.
Thank you so much for offering this wonderful giveaway.
I would LOVE to win !!
Thank you so much for offering this wonderful giveaway.
I would LOVE to win !!
It's important to remind myself because if someone asked me I'd say yes, but I need to show it in how I live my life.
I don't have any problems believing it, but belief is a verb, an action, and if we REALLY believed, we'd have to take action. Through faith, and love and following.
I totally believe it. I don't want to doubt what Jesus/God tells me. He is my maker and I will forever follow and trust in him. Bad things happen in my life and I go straight to him for help. Good things happen and I go to him in praise! Everything in between I talk to him about.
I know I am precious in His sight, whether I'm precious to anyone else or not!
Wow, that quote was a little overwhelming to read. I feel like there are times when I realize that I am precious, you know those little A-HA moments when you realize how lucky you are to be in a relationship with Christ. But there are other times (and sadly this is the majority of the time) when I just don't feel deserving enough or close enough or that I've spent enough time with Him or prayed enough or praised enough. But then I guess that's not what its really all about is it? Regardless of what we do or don't do, He sees us as precious to him. At all times, not just when we feel closest to Him. Wow, I wish I could get myself to grasp that...Sorry for the long post!
jackieksheaffer at yahoo dot com
I know that I am precious in His sight I just need to be reminded everyday.
katie_mmartin at yahoo dot com.
To be honest, I understand "covenant" this way. Which may have been what the author was trying to say and I just missed it. But "covenant" means to cut, like a sacrifice. To have a covenant relationship with God we need to have an understanding that a sacrifice was made, His Son Jesus Christ. Blood was shed for our sins. The only way we can fully accept Christ as our Savior is to understand that a sacrifice was made on our behalf. It is this covenant relationship that defines God's love for us. Sorry to get kinda preachy, but you wanted feedback.
I know that HE thinks I'm worth it - my struggle is believing it. I find that the more I try to BE worth it, the easier it is to believe.
When I just coast along doing whatever I want, I can't imagine being worthy.
But when I Try to be His daughter and shine for Him, I know I'm still not worthy, but at least I'm not ashamed. :o)
I almost started crying when I read that...this is one of my biggest struggles, believing that I am truly precious to Him, that He loves ME. I know it in my head...trying to get it down to my heart now.
I have a hard time believing it as well. I wish that my faith was just a little stronger, but all I can do is continue to trust in Him, and to grow in Him everyday.
purehrt555(at)yahoo(dot)com
I put my faith in Jesus Christ!! I do know that I He loves me and that he thinks I am precious in His sight!
Wow. Arthur's statement really hit me hard. I say I have faith but do I truly feel that I am precious to God? Somedays yes and somedays no. My faith in God is definitely an area I need help in.
I know that I am precious to God. The problem I have is often understanding HOW precious. He loves me and as I seek him all that he brings into my life is for my best and his glory, thats how much. I can only compare it to my love for my children, but I know that is not even an equal comparison. I was his enemy and he made me his child. What love is this!? I am actually more precious to him than I can know.
I struggle with that daily, but like to think that is part of the whole thing about being human. He made us who we are, and we do question. As long as you lead a godly life and do what is right, in the end I think the doubt goes away.
I am absolutely in covenant with God. I've just recently begun learning about covenant... And it shocks me that this isn't something that's more widely taught. It's amazing!
Thank you for the opportunity to win. I'm having giveaways all week on my blog, too! Feel free to stop by and drop your name in the hat. :)
I really want to believe that I am precious in His sight. Some days I can believe it, but most days I struggle with it.
rlgrady [at] yahoo [dot] com
I know that Jesus is my Saviour and he has my best interests at heart, but sometimes I just get impatient waiting on Him to do things in my life.
tex2309@verizon.net
Well, I see his point. The author's statement means that in order to fully appreciate and live the promise He has made with us is to fully embrace the fact that I am precious enough in His sight for Him to make a covenant with me.
Following the same logic, who am I to say that I am not precious enough, beautiful enough, smart enough, talented enough, old enough, thin enough, etc?
This may be true, but it is all to easy to remember.
Ladies of all ages, please remember that you are precious enough the next time you wear "that" Halloween costume.
the_outsider01AThotmailDOTcom
I don't have a hard time believing that I'm precious in His sight because He paid the price on the cross to redeem me and He wouldn't have done that if He didn't think I am precious. His mercy and lovingkindness is great and He is slow to anger. Those qualities just reinforce that fact.
Kathy
bigfamily8 (at) yahoo (dot ) com
I do believe it 100%
I try to believe it, but it's not always easy. There are a lot of things in the world that drag you down, but God is always there!
charlotte(dot)evard(at)comcast(dot)net
I think I have the opposite problem that you do. My *heart* believes that I am precious to God... but my head really has a hard time getting on board. I truly do believe I am a child of God. But it's hard to see past my imperfections, sometimes. I recently had sort of a spiritual epiphany that I blogged about, if you ever care to read it.
http://newsonnarrative.blogspot.com/2008/09/shove-in-right-direction.html
Yes, I believe I am precious in His sight and I believe Him.
Sometimes though I think I can do it myself and I lose sight of what's important - and it's Him.
I just keep coming back to Him each and every day (sometimes minute by minute) and thank Him for the new mercies.
It is so hard to practice unconditional love - either to give or to receive it. We are just so used to grading everything and handing out measured love and acceptance.
I am finally learning the true measure of God's love, the true meaning of the cross. Jesus gave up everything in advance of coming to earth. He was not surprised by Calvary.
Thanks for having the giveaway!
I believe it, but I know there is so much more I could do to be even more precious in HIS sights :(
My faith doesn't waiver on that point. My struggle is in attempting to live up to His belief in me and what I can be because it is so great and powerful.
Jen
mariettaseller(AT)yahoo(dot)com
I know it in my head, but sometimes life can be so brutal that you do question how you can be precious to anyone. I am queenesperfect at yahoo.com
I am not sure you will like my answer but it is honest. I am not sure that I believe in God, therefore I do not believe in her statement either.
newmommyin08@yahoo.com
I believe. But, I like many others, wonder do I BELIEVE. I know without a doubt that I am loved by Him and that His death is what gives me eternal life. I know and believe because this is what I have been taught for 30 years. The "taught" part remains, but the more I study His word the more I really beleive and trust!
daniwilliams30 AT gmail DOT com
I think I am like you, my head knows it but my heart has a hard time accepting that I alone am precious, just me, not as part of my family, or because of my church, or whatever. I can easily accept that he loves the WORLD, or the CHURCH, but it's a bit harder to truely believe just lil ole me! (But I am trying, and he shows me every day)
When you break it all down, all we have is our faith. Faith is believing, not seeing. Believe that we are all God's creation, but not all of us are His children and trust in His salvific work on the cross for our sins.
mcginnis135 at bellsouth dot net
I can look at my children and grandchildren and know they are precious to Him but it seems I find too many faults in myself. I do have days when I have done something for someone else that I think that I am good with Him for that moment but then the days where my patience is thin and I lash out that I know all is not right with Him at that moment. It is those moments I need to work on.
Thanks so much!
I agree with the statement, though it is hard sometimes to think that way.
shoreview3(at)hotmail(dot)com
I know and believe that I am precious to him, but my struggle is trying to be the best I can so that I am striving to be worthy of his love!
I struggle with this daily. I know what she says is right, but many times I cannot believe it to be true
I know I am precious in His sight. He shows me on a daily basis that He is with me. I am always blown away by how He shows me His love. My walk isn't always the best. I have a long way to go, but He is awesome. I have to praise Him every day for standing by me through it all.
Hello, I have many "if only's" like yours. Then, I remind myself that God's love is unconditional. If I were deserving on my own, Jesus would not have lived and been crucified!
My belief during prayer is "Thy Will Be Done!" God know far more than I ever will. Blessings.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I am not quite sure I understand exactly what the saying is saying. I would need to read more to make a decision. Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
Please enter me in your contest.
manyblessing@gmail.com
I think the statement she makes is very true. I came to a similar revelation when I read The Shack. In it, God tells Mack that the reason he has so much fear in his life is because he doesn't believe that God truly loves him. He says, "To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe that I am good nor know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it; you talk about it; but you don't know it."
I find that true in my life. I have a lot of fear, even though I'm a Christian. But, I'm working on trying to change that. :)
I still struggle with that thought. Maybe I should tape it on my mirror. I agree, it's easier to think someone else is more precious. (I'm also glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has to remind themselves that the person annoying me is also precious to God). I have gotten better over the past week, having lost my job over something I was innocent of and putting my trust in Jesus has made me feel very close to Him right now.
I have to agree with the statment. It can be hard to remember that we are all precious to Him. Especially when the little details and annoyances (and annoying people)of life can pile up and just bring us down. But I try to reach for the good moments when those minor things don't get in the way and I can see how special and unique we all must appear to Him.
Wow! I just recently made a post about this on my blog. I have been struggling with how my outward life is not reflective of me being a Christian. Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that I really matter to Him with everyone else in the world, people more worthy, more wise, more Christian.
ruthkerri (at) yahoo (dot) com
I have faith, but it is not as strong as it could be. I have been tested with a very personal loss and my doubts are there.
Thank you,
Dina
dlsmilad(at)yahoo(dot)com
I put my faith in Jesus. I have my own list of what ifs that i have to work on daily. I don't understand the quote, but i do understand my faith.
babychooch (at) gmail {dot} com
I seem to be backward my heart always knows my head sometimes forgets. :)
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
Yes and Amen I put my Faith in Jesus!!! Acts 4:12
skyskyaa11[at]gmail[dot]com
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