Low Self Esteem

Happy Sunday!
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued his series, "7 Deadly Emotions" today. Emotion number five is "Low Self Esteem". Bishop used Numbers 13:31-33 as his reference scripture. Bishop entitled the message, "This Is the Smallest I Will Ever Be!"

"But the men who had gone with him said, “We can’t attack those people! They’re too strong for us!” So they began to spread lies among the Israelites about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored is one that devours those who live there. All the people we saw there are very tall. We saw Nephilim there. (The descendants of Anak are Nephilim.) We felt as small as grasshoppers, and that’s how we must have looked to them.”- Numbers 13:31-33. (God's Word Translation)

Our enemy wants to keep us small! He is in the "Ministry of Reduction". He strategically assigns imps to our lives and their sole purpose is to keep us from realizing who we really are. The enemy wants to you to believe the negative reports instead of the truth of God.

Think about it. God's Word says, "anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" How many times has the enemy tried to make you think you are are the same old sinner you used to be? Sure, we make mistakes but what does the Word say? "But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done." 1 John 1:9 (Easy-To-Read Version)

What about this? God gave you a vision of what you can do or what you can become. The enemy uses family, friends, co-workers, and even your enemies to tell you, "You Can't Do That!" But what does the Word say?"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13 (King James Version)

In the reference scripture, ten of the Israelite spies came back with a negative report. They lied and convinced the people that they could not go in an possess the Promised Land. Did you hear that? It was the "PROMISED LAND!" God promised the land to them! Just because they couldn't figure it out intellectually, they missed out on the blessing. You know the story. That bunch wandered around in the wilderness for another 40 years, just long enough for the nay-sayers to die off!

No matter what you see with your eyes, always remember the "Promises of God". What did you say? You don't have any promises? Well, get in your Bible and find some! Check these out.

Psalm 23:1 - "The Lordis my shepherd; I have all that I need." (New Living Translation)

Isaiah 54:17 - "But no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God’s servants can expect. I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.” (Message Translation)

Ephesians 3:20 - "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." (New Living Translation)

Psalm 84:11 - "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." (English Standard Version)

2 Corinthians 9:8 - "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." (New Living Translation)

YOU are awesome! YOU are intelligent and capable!YOU are Blessed! YOU have wonderful gifts and talents to offer to humanity! YOU are unique. YOU are valuable! YOU are Loved! YOUR future is brighter than your past! YOU can do it! YOU can make it! YOU have what it takes! YOU can succeed!YOU are Beautiful!

"Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." Philippians 4:8-9 (Message Translation)

Love and prayers, Cynthia