Week Four . . . 

Resolution #3 - I will accept and celebrate my uniqueness, and will esteem and encourage the distinctions I admire in others. 

Authentically me!

Intelligent Design . . .

Basing a decorating decision on a tassel? How often do we base a decision on a half-truth fed to us? Do we allow our mins to be controlled by someone other than Jesus Christ? Perhaps a friend? News broadcaster? Have we let memories in our past control our present or our future?

Our lives need to be balanced.

• Do all things decently and in order. I Cor. 14:40
• A false balance is an abomination to the Lord; but a just weight is His delight. Proverbs 11:1
• A false balance is not good. Proverbs 20:23b

We need to give ourselves value. God has chosen us for this place, this time, this part of His will. Orbit your life around this truth (not a tassel). 

• I Peter 2: 9-10 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; which in times past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Supernatural Selection. . . 

Healthy self-esteem.

Jeremiah 1:5 - chose you, separated you, appointed you.

God made you, and placed you here. On purpose. His choice was based on an intimate knowledge of you and who you are. Is it hard for me to believe that an Almighty, Powerful God would take the time to really know me and who I am . . . Psalm 139

You are uniquely equipped for this time, this place, this assignment.

 You. Are. The. One.

Even when we are rejected by others, God chose us. John 15:16 - You did not choose me, but I chose you! :)

We have been set apart. God has a specific task for you. Don't look at the past, or your past. Focus on the goal ahead. Set apart shows a specific purpose like china, or a specific part of a marathon race. God's toolbox. . . every tool has a specific purpose for a specific job. Embrace your role. Enjoy the thrill of capitalizing on your strengths without wallowing in misery over your lacks and differences or allowing yourself to feel threatened by those traits you should be celebrating in those you admire. You are NOT a mistake!

He has appointed you. Even if you are not pleased with the person He has made you to be, you can be sure that God has planted you here with design and intention. He has selected the "soil" to place you in, and has watered the correct amount -- it is your job to produce. 

Bring all your gifts, talents, propensities, and passions into this thing called life, and believe that they are good enough to produce the fruit that is expected of you. 

Trust Him. He KNOWS you. He has special plans for you.

Happy to be you. . . 

the REAL you.

Do you know who you really are?

Trials can often help us to find that out.

Ask those closest to you to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Accepting yourself. 

The Affirmation Crusade. . . 

Praising others in a genuine way. No ulterior motives. 

We cannot hinge our self-worth on other's praise.

Mary Kay told us to imagine that every woman we saw was wearing a sign that said, "Make me feel special."

Natural progression - once you are comfortable with the real you, you are freed to complement others.

A word fitly spoken . . .  apples of silver, and pitchers of gold. . .