Good Day To You,

In economics, the value of an item is often determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. With that said, according to New Yorker Magazine, there's a new status symbol dog for the very rich. It's not a Goldendoodle (or any doodle mix for that matter) or even anything you can fit in a purse. And it costs $150,000! It's a guard dog - specifically, a guard dog trained by Svalinn, a Montana-based breeder and training outfit that specializes in "protection dogs.” This is the dog to have. Now think with me for a minute. If you paid that kind of money for a dog, a few things would follow in your behavior. You would take intentional care and look after the canine with great interest and concern. You would not feed it any old Sam’s Club cheap kibble dog food. You would be personally invested and not let anyone who comes along look after your prized possession. So with that in mind, Scripture says,

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. Isa. 43:1

Our Father God is telling you and me that he has ransomed us - paid the price to free us from captivity, from the imprisonment of the enemy’s lair. He has paid a great deal to free us from the bondage of our sinfulness and oppression that was our experience in the kingdom of darkness.

“You are not your own, you have been brought with a price” 1 Cor. 6:20

Jesus paid for your freedom and kinship with the highest price, his own body abused, his blood spilled, deep lacerations and blows. Then he took on mankind’s sin which created separation from his relationship with Father God, resulting in death.

So as we stated earlier; that which one is willing to pay establishes the value. You have great value and meaning to God the Father. He paid with His one and only son. That’s why if this thought sinks into our heart and mind, the outcome would be a soul at greater rest and not afraid. Why? Because Jesus is personally invested in your life and calls his personal possession by name. So tell those lies and feelings of inadequacy to take a hike. You have great value and Jesus will watch over you, for you are now in His house and a part of his family. Trust it.

Q: Do you prefer a mutt or a special breed of dog?

Q: Fear gets a foot hold when value and acceptance is questioned. How can you relate love and value to those around you?