As we have lived daily, we have chased money or power or love, yet even in pursuing those things, they are just symptoms of our never-ending search for one thing- AM I ENOUGH? Have you ever pondered in your thoughts that I am worthy and deserving, and does my life serve a purpose? After carefully asking myself the same questions, this message spoke volumes to my heart. There have been moments when I question whether I matter in this life. Church, Joyce Meyers wrote the book - Battlefield of the Mind. This book teaches you how every decision we make, our words, and our actions begin in our minds. Therefore, God spoke to my soul and stated I created you to play your instrument in my Symphony and compose your story. At that moment, I understood that my intimate relationship with God has so much more value. So Monumental, allow this message to speak to your hearts that YOU ARE ENOUGH!
Life, as we all know, is harsh some days and even cruel in this world. And as we strive through this life journey, we all wonder if we matter. We must come to understand that God knows our story. We are valuable to our God because He created each of us for his Symphony. We all are a part of his master plan. As clearly stated in Genesis 1:27, God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself, male and female, he created them. Each of us plays a unique instrument in God’s creation. Nicky Gumbel stated it best in his quote, “Don’t undervalue yourself; God loves you. Your worth is what you are worth to God. Jesus Died for you. Therefore, YOU are created in infinite value.” Church, allow me a moment this morning to expound on three key points to answer the text question: ARE YOU ENOUGH?
1. Do not undervalue your Worth – You are Enough
Psalms 139:1-4;
2. Let go of anxieties and Be Content – You are Enough
Philippians 4:6 -12
3. Let God’s Character Preach your Worth – You are Enough - Psalms 113:1-4
Allow these three points to saturate your thoughts this morning to evaluate how we view ourselves in good and bad times. How many of us can be honest this morning about judging ourselves hard because of a decision that did not turn out as planned? Let me be the first to admit I have done so in my life; judge hard and question why I decided to do that. First of all, that is our carnal thoughts attempting to overtake our spiritual thoughts. Let us look at many in the bible that God used many individuals for his purpose regardless of their flaws. There is a book, “Lord Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late.” The author opens in the introduction, “READY FOR PROMISE LAND LIVING? This means life is in the wilderness, and it is time for a change!
At this point, we must learn that We Are Enough and that we are worthy of God’s Love in our lives. Let me define the word Undervalued - if someone is undervalued, people think they are less able, skillful, or important than they are. How many of us here today have had that same feeling about ourselves? Be honest about those feelings and thoughts because they can place you in depression, brokenness, anxiety, and even bitterness. How often have we made the mistake of pointing the finger and stating I am not good enough for this or that? And we have even been guilty of doing the same to others. But we must all understand that we are all broken people and need Jesus. Let us look at how this passage starts:
Psalms 139:1-4
O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether
Allow me a moment to return to the old church with an old Gospel Song, “Search Me, Lord,” Composed by Thomas A. Dorsey:
Search Me Lord; Turn the light from heaven
On my soul, If you find anything that shouldn't be
Take it out And straighten me
I wanna be right, I wanna be saved, I've got to be whole
These lyrics express the need for God to cleanse from any impurities deep within our souls by the statement - “I’ve Got to be Whole,” emphasizing the topic YOU ARE ENOUGH! Therefore, we must lose ourselves to find ourselves in Christ Jesus. Let me expound on precisely what it means. We all live hectic lives today, and when we allow life's obligations, such as family, work, bills, and so forth, we tend to lose sight of our relationship with God.
What I mean by this statement is that we live in a time where we have so many responsibilities that sometimes we get off track. For when we begin to realize how we have all stumbled off our spiritual commitment. Therefore, we are at a critical point where we turn to Psalms 139 because we need God to search our hearts and souls to show us ourselves. You know when you look in the mirror and see the real you. That offers you everything about your flaws, both good and bad. And at that moment, we realize we must lose ourselves in unknown territory with no agenda or itinerary. Honestly, Church, it can seem challenging to let go of yourself and embrace a new intimacy with God. And know that the beauty of God looks beyond your faults and sees our needs; at that moment, he will shift the atmosphere in our lives. We must not let our brokenness hinder us from our restoration. In Psalms 139:14-15 - I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
As stated in the word, we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God's hands. And remember, God does not make any mess. You are enough!
Now it is time to pivot to the second point: Let go of anxieties and Be Content for in Christ Jesus gain peace in the midst of life. For in
Philippians 4:6-12 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you indeed did care, you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak regarding need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am in
See Church, to be content, we must lose ourselves in God. Content is defined as a state of peaceful happiness or satisfaction. In this place, the Holy Spirit surrounds us and fills us with the Grace of God. Disregard the whispers in your ear that tempt you to question your value, for there is a war between guilt and grace. Grace wins every time. Today, I want each of us to understand that with God’s Grace, we can be content, for, in Grace, we find peace in the midst of it all. To be strong through the storms of life, contentment is our key to not allowing the circumstances to cause conflict, anger, depression, anxiety, hurt, or shame. Because the brokenness heals through God’s Grace, you find peace and calm. Be content in whatever state is when we call the old hymn “Spirit of the LIVING GOD Fall Fresh On Me.” Furthermore, it is crucial that when we call upon the Spirit of God, we must pray the Model Prayer found in:
Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
This prayer is our restoration, for we seek forgiveness for debts and temptations. No matter what you may lose in this world, watch God provide; his Grace will win the battle for you. See, asking God to search in our hearts to remove anything not of him when content because you have peace. We shift our thoughts and attitudes from the emotional to letting God lay us down in his green pastures. Keep holding on to God’s unchanging hand because life is filled with swift transitions. And know YOU ARE ENOUGH!
This morning, we are at the final point: Let God’s Character Preach Your Worth – You are Enough. There is a particular message in Psalms that speaks of Praises unto our God, which is
Psalms 113: 1- 4 (MESSAGE BIBLE)
Hallelujah!
You who serve GOD, praise GOD! Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember GOD is a blessing— now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to GOD! GOD is higher than anything and anyone, outshining everything you can see in the skies. Who can compare with GOD, our God,
so majestically enthroned, Surveying his magnificent
heavens and earth? He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,
rescues the forgotten who’ve been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best. He gives childless couples a family
gives them joy as the parents of children.
Hallelujah!
Looking at the way of the world today and in the past, several have attempted to analyze God. Which, to many, has been confusing; therefore, it is essential that you truly understand how God’s Character preaches our worth. We all have torn pages in our book of life and many chapters that we care not to discuss, but God, who is writing the story, is pouring his character into you. See, when we Praise God, the character of Love begins to overflow one to another. Then, we shift our emotions from that addictive state of I am not enough. Because of his details for us, sacrificing his son for the gift of salvation is the wondrous love to know. God’s Character brings so much unto each of us, which all begins in his Holy Word. Here are just a few of the attributes of God’s Character:
1. God is Infinite and Powerful
2. God never changes, and all-knowing
3. God is self-sufficient
4. God is our Wise and Loving
5. God is Faithful and Righteous
6. God is Glorious and Holy
7. God is Merciful and Graceful
Now, these character qualities can preach our lives when we surrender ourselves to God completely. For he is your story, for he frees you from the prison of life, holds your sorrow and pain, heals you from all illness, and never leaves you alone. And know that everything is working according to his plan. God understands that we have thoughts and desires, but the key is to trust in Jesus; our foundation through his sacrifice on Calvary gave us the gift of Salvation and Eternal Life. Nevertheless, we are God’s creation; rest assured that he knows how much you can bear in this life. He is there to supply your every need and know that He is GOD ALMIGHTY the GREAT I AM THAT I AM. Know today that when you let GOD’S CHARACTER PREACH YOUR STORY and know that in him, YOU ARE ENOUGH!
That is the word of God!
