Ephesians 5:28-29
New International Version (NIV)
28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—
Today I will use this verse for something other than the normal lesson- that being the lesson of love of your spouse. Today I am referencing Love for yourself, which is mentioned in verse 29. Obviously, God expects us to have a healthy amount of love for ourselves, as it is taken for granted "...that no one ever hated their own body." But many of us do, or at least act that way. Many of us look at the negative in ourselves without even considering the miracle of our existence.
I know it's tough out there. Life beats us up and often drags us down. But God knows your value. God knows that you have it in you to be everything that He intended. God didn't make you to be a failure. God made you to be the best you that you can be. So let's start out with a little affirmation; say to yourself " I am created in the image of God to do His bidding! I am His child and no one can take that away from me!" Say that every day before you start your daily rituals of life. Remind yourself that God thinks that you're pretty special; after all, he knows the number of hairs on your head and that make you VERY special.
Next, make a commitment to get in His word daily this coming year, for only by knowing His Word can you truly know your value in the sight of God and others. Also, don't put yourself down. Negativity will get you nowhere fast. Be thankful for what you have and expect further blessings as your faith in God and yourself grows. Self-love is NOT conceit, self-love is a healthy realization of what you are made of.
So here is your assignment should you choose to take it: Take out a sheet of paper and do an inventory of your strengths, don't be shy, these are your gifts from God so write down all you can think of. Then right down ALL of your blessings. I don't care where you are in life, you should be able to come up with at least 12. If you are an average North American you should have many more.
Last for this lesson: Make the commitment for this to be a year of self-improvement. Read Scripture, read self-help, drop a bad habit. Start a good habit. Make this your best year ever by making positive steps toward a closer relationship with God and attaining some of your goals. Make God your partner this year, you'll be blessed for it.
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
New International Version (NIV)
28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—
Today I will use this verse for something other than the normal lesson- that being the lesson of love of your spouse. Today I am referencing Love for yourself, which is mentioned in verse 29. Obviously, God expects us to have a healthy amount of love for ourselves, as it is taken for granted "...that no one ever hated their own body." But many of us do, or at least act that way. Many of us look at the negative in ourselves without even considering the miracle of our existence.
I know it's tough out there. Life beats us up and often drags us down. But God knows your value. God knows that you have it in you to be everything that He intended. God didn't make you to be a failure. God made you to be the best you that you can be. So let's start out with a little affirmation; say to yourself " I am created in the image of God to do His bidding! I am His child and no one can take that away from me!" Say that every day before you start your daily rituals of life. Remind yourself that God thinks that you're pretty special; after all, he knows the number of hairs on your head and that make you VERY special.
Next, make a commitment to get in His word daily this coming year, for only by knowing His Word can you truly know your value in the sight of God and others. Also, don't put yourself down. Negativity will get you nowhere fast. Be thankful for what you have and expect further blessings as your faith in God and yourself grows. Self-love is NOT conceit, self-love is a healthy realization of what you are made of.
So here is your assignment should you choose to take it: Take out a sheet of paper and do an inventory of your strengths, don't be shy, these are your gifts from God so write down all you can think of. Then right down ALL of your blessings. I don't care where you are in life, you should be able to come up with at least 12. If you are an average North American you should have many more.
Last for this lesson: Make the commitment for this to be a year of self-improvement. Read Scripture, read self-help, drop a bad habit. Start a good habit. Make this your best year ever by making positive steps toward a closer relationship with God and attaining some of your goals. Make God your partner this year, you'll be blessed for it.
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
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