You Are Worth It

It amazes me how people spend large amounts of money on stuff I consider frivolous. Back in 1992, Super Bowl XXVI took place in the Minneapolis area where I lived at the time. A man from my Toastmasters club bought a ticket at the last minute for $350 (the average face value was $150). Perhaps I would’ve considered buying a ticket if the Minnesota Vikings played in that game. Tickets for this year’s Super Bowl start at $5,950 per person. Depending on seat location and package details, listings have been as high as $21,250!

Once I visited a grocery store that sold truffles at $999.99 per pound and bottles of wine for over $2,000 each. Days later, two friends and I talked about God not being limited by finances. I pointed out when I’ve traveled on the mission field by bus or train, the Lord often provided money at the last minute when I had to buy the most expensive ticket. It puzzled me why the money didn’t manifest earlier. I could have purchased a cheaper ticket.


Then I realized how much God would spend to help us get to wherever He wants us to be. That includes eternal life in heaven. In the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, Jesus said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46) 


So the next time you are about to put yourself down, remember the price the Lord paid for your salvation. You are worth it!


“How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” - Psalm 36:7 (NIV)


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

Is That Gold Dust Real?

Image
Twenty years ago I made my first visit to Calvary Campground in Ashland, Virginia. One of the speakers for their Winter Campmeeting was a Brazilian named Silvania Machado. After standing on the platform for about twenty minutes during praise and worship, Sister Silvania brushed gold dust out of her short blonde hair plus had oil flow from her hands. I didn’t dismiss these signs but questioned the purpose of them. A few people in the congregation later testified of being healed. I’ve seen gold manifestations at other places. The year before during a church service in Oklahoma, the fillings in my mouth changed from black to a whitish-gold color. Other people supernaturally received gold teeth (I later met a man in Germany who received four of them). I’ve also seen gold dust appear on ministers such as Joshua Mills while they are preaching. Although I don’t seek after signs like this, gold dust has shown up on my face and in my Bible. One time with the latter, I found some w
Read more