(by pastor Norman)

Sometimes in our humility as Christians we are unwilling to accept how precious and important we are to God. It was King David that praised God because he had been, “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God (Ps 139:14; NKJV). This applies to all of us. What love God has for us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; NKJV). Through this sacrifice on the cross Jesus paid the price for our forgiveness that we could be born again spiritually and have fellowship with God (Col 1:14, John 3:1-7, 1 John 1:3). God loves us so much that He calls us His children (1 John 3:1-2), we have been adopted as His sons and daughters (Gal 4:4-5). The apostle Paul wrote that we have been picked by God (Col 3:12) and in the first epistle of Peter we read, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9; NKJV). Paul calls us His workmanship, masterpiece, handiwork or poem (Eph 2:10). At the day of judgment in the end times the Lord said His Christian people will be called His “jewels” or “special treasures” (Mal 3:17). Wow! Whenever anyone talks to you in a demeaning manner as a Christian, just smile and reflect on how precious you are to God, His jewel!