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“You were created as an object of God’s love.”

A thought by Rick Warren (2008-11-04) from his book, The Purpose of Christmas  (Kindle Location 162). Howard Books. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Do you believe that, do you believe that you are an object of someone’s love?   You may say, nobody loves me because I am unlovable.   I am mess.   Rick says, “The Bible tells us that God is love. It doesn’t say God has love, but God is love. Love is the essence of God’s character. It is his very nature. The reason that everything in the universe exists is because God wanted to love it. ‘ The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. ’” (Psalm 145: 9 NIV) Rick goes on, “You were created as an object of God’s love. He made you in order to love you! His love is the reason you’re alive and breathing... Every time your heart beats and every time you take a breath, God is saying, ‘I love you.’” He continues, “Because God’s love for you is unconditional, he loves you on

“God has given us, as human beings, the capacity to know him in ways animals can’t.”

A thought by Rick Warren (2008-11-04) from his book, The Purpose of Christmas   (Kindle Locations 137-138). Howard Books. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Rick says, “He created us in his image, which includes the ability to enjoy a personal relationship with him. Then he took the initiative to send Jesus so we could understand his love and our need for him.” He goes on, “Of course, we know a little about God by simply observing his creation. For instance, by looking at nature we know that our Creator loves variety: he created an incredibly diverse universe. Think of the limitless array of plants, animals, rock formations, snowflakes, and people. No two human beings, even twins, are exactly alike. God doesn’t make clones or copies. Every one of us is an original. After you were born, God broke the mold.” He then says, “By surveying natural phenomena, we also know that God is powerful and organized, and that he loves beauty. We all

“Remember that I don’t need anyone’s approval to be happy.”

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book,  The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 432). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) This is such an important fact to remember.   Happiness is a choice.   I choose to be happy.   But so many people live in such despair because they are looking to please someone who is unpleasable.   It is impossible to please some people.   And that is their problem not yours.   Rick says, “It is a fact of life that on our broken planet filled with broken people, there will always be those who will demean how you look, dislike what you do, disapprove of what you believe, dispute what you say, and disrespect who you are. But they cannot control your emotions unless you let them. Disapproval doesn’t have to devastate you.” I love this verse in Psalm 27: 10 (NLT). “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” Does that comfort you today?

“Anytime we accuse God of unfairness, we are actually doubting his goodness.”

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book,  The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 420). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) There are phrases that are there for us to say that are phrases that don’t need to be said.   Like the phrase, “Life isn’t fair.”   Of course it isn’t.   But that is not where we need to dwell. Now I start each day with the phrase, “God is good.”   That gives me the focus that everything that happens to me may not be fair or may not be good but as it goes through a good God then it is changed into something that happens for my good. But it is so easy to hit the “live isn’t fair” button. Rick says, “Anytime I accuse God of being unfair, I am foolishly implying, ‘God, I’d make a better god than you, because if I was God, I’d be more fair than you are.’   The next time you start to rant about God’s unfairness to you, remind yourself of these facts: 1. Everything I hav

“God only creates original masterpieces.”

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book,  The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For ? (p. 411). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) That is a tremendous thing to realize and to come to grips with.   We want everyone to do it our way, to think like we think.   I understand the way we sometimes look at our kids and someone will say that they are just like you but is that a good compliment?   God only creates original masterpieces.   And that is where acceptance comes in. But too many times envy and rejection can come in.   We envy someone else for what they look like.   I wish I could be tall like them.   Or we reject them because they are different than us.   But as Rick says, “God distinctively shaped you for a life unlike any other. Only you can be you. Only you can live the life God designed you to live. But it’s also true that you cannot live a life that God designed for someone else. To attempt to