God has in mind a picture of what He intends to create. He breaks, cracks, chisels, and polishes until one day there emerges His vision . . . God has not yet finished with us.

God takes the weak and makes them strong. He takes the vile and makes them clean. He takes the worthless and makes them worthwhile. He takes the sinful and makes them sinless.

One of Satan's most effective ways of blocking God's work is to convince us God can't use us to make an impact for Christ. But it isn't true. All around you are people no one else will ever be able to reach with the Gospel.

Often our self-esteem is tied to our work. In our culture, men and women often define themselves by the jobs they hold . . . But a person's job tells you nothing about a person's character or value.

God didn't make Adam and Eve because He was lonely or because He needed someone to love Him in return. God is complete in Himself; He lacks nothing. God's love compelled Him to create [humanity]. His love was expressed in the creation of the human race.

You will never understand who you are until you understand who God is.

Where do we get the notion that our idea of success and God's are the same? You have written a book; you are a clever manager and promoter; you are a talented artist; you are independently wealthy; you have achieved fame and fortune. Without the gifts of intelligence, imagination, personality, and physical energy—which are all endowed by God—where would you be?

End your journey well. Don't waste your life, and don't be satisfied with anything less than God's plan.

There are three of you. There is the person you think you are. There is the person others think you are. There is the person God knows you are and can be through Christ.

Our personalities, our intelligence, and our capabilities are gifts from [God's] own bountiful hand. If we divert their use for our own profit, we become guilty of selfishness.

The central theme of the universe is the purpose and destiny of every individual. Every person is important in God's eyes.

God isn't finished with you when you retire! When we know Christ, we never retire from His service.