You Are Priceless!
Introduction
Have you ever felt discouraged and worthless? Sometimes our emotions can get us down. If we look in God’s Word, we can find encouragement for ourselves and others. God also calls us to encourage those around us.
Program Ideas
Room Set Up
Place around the room different sizes heart or flower shaped cut outs with words of encouragement. Following are quotes and words to put on your hearts and flowers.
https://www.happierhuman.com/words-of-encouragement/
https://dailyverses.net/encouragement
Craft – Paper Flowers
Check the Internet or Pinterst for ideas and directions. Country Living – 21DIYPaperFlowers.
Snack Ideas
If you are using a Valentine theme, make small bags of trail mix and attach encouraging quotes to them. Or serve heart shaped cookies.
Ice Breaker Ideas
This game will lighten up the mood and help the women put aside any difficult situations even for a short time.
https://womensministrytoolbox.com/valentine-candy-pass/
Activity (after devotion)
Encourage the women to write a letter to their future self with compliments and encouragement. Have them choose a scripture verse that resonates with them from those listed below.
John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV), “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Philippians 4:6, 7 (NIV), “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 34:4–5, 8, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Matthew 6:31–34 (NIV), “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or “What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV), “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Philippians 2:3–4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Isaiah 41:13, “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'”
1 Peter 5:6, 7, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”
Psalm 94:18, 19, “When I thought, “My foot slips,” Your steadfast love, O LORD, helped me up. When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”
Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
You Are Priceless!
We read in Isaiah 43:4, “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”
Do you ever wake up in the morning and think to yourself, “Why am I going to work or school? I can’t do the work properly or complete the tasks required.” Or you may say to yourself, “Why bother being part of (Insert activity or relationship, etc.)? No one listens or cares.” Sometimes you must encourage yourselves. A good way to do this is to turn to the Bible. There are many scriptures that will encourage you in your time of doubt or disappointments.
I know encouraging yourself can be a difficult task for some of us. We must look inside ourselves and find what motivates us or what our strengths are, what is good about us. What can we do to change in a positive manner not just in us but around us? My husband likes to refer to it as “Your Muchness” which is a quote from the Mad Hatter:
This is from Alice in Wonderland. But it speaks to who we are and how a change of situation can make you lose who you were inside, the ‘aboutness’ of you. I know this feeling all too well. There was a time in my life where I was ready to fight against all things negative. Where I wanted to be positive and achieve my goals and do all the things that were required of me. But there were often repeated setbacks. I felt like all the goals and things I was trying to accomplish seemed so impossible. I started to doubt myself. I was living every day discouraged. I had lost my “muchness.” I had a few friends and my husband who would try to encourage me. But I wasn’t truly encouraged until I put my focus and source of encouragement in God’s word and then repeating it over and over. “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.
Isaiah 43:4 says, “Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.” Discouragement is a favorite tool of the enemy of your soul. Satan would love for you to doubt your worth. Your heavenly Father makes your value clear through the prophet Isaiah. He will be with you. He will not allow you to perish. See yourself through your Father’s words. You are more valuable than the nations.
Close in prayer.
