His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 2 Peter 12:15

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18

And we have the words of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21

How then can we know Scripture is true?

It would be widely distributed so man could attain it easily It would be preserved through time without corruption It would be completely accurate historically It would not be prone to scientific error or false beliefs held by the people of that time It would present true, unified answers to the difficult questions of life. If God created man with a desire to know Him, we would expect His message to have some unique properties: Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict

It would be widely distributed so man could attain it easily It would be preserved through time without corruption It would be completely accurate historically It would not be prone to scientific error or false beliefs held by the people of that time It would present true, unified answers to the difficult questions of life. If God created man with a desire to know Him, we would expect His message to have some unique properties: Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict

1.Discovery Phase. What are my talents? 2.Odyssey Phase. What is my purpose? 3.Actualization Phase. How can I use my talents to accomplish my purpose? Three Life Phases

1.Who am I? 2.Where am I going? 3.What are my obstacles? 4.Who will help me? Difficult Questions of Life

1.Who am I? 2.Where am I going? 3.What are my obstacles? 4.Who will help me? Difficult Questions of Life

1.Light“It was good.” 2.Water and ground“It was good.” 3.Plants“It was good.” 4.Sun, moon, and stars“It was good.” 5.Birds and fish“It was good.” 6.Land animals“It was good.” God Created God Said

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them … God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:27, 31a

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

You’re not good enough You’re not talented enough You need to be more like them You need to look more like her Your paycheck needs to be more like his Learned View of Self “Maybe they were created in God’s image, but certainly not you.”

We become what we think of ourselves … What determines one’s being is the image one adopts. Rabbi Abraham Herschel

Be all you can be! Experience all you can experience! Do all you can do! Fulfill your potential! Eat better! Repeat positive and affirming statements! WORK your way into fulfillment! What They Say

Fulfillment can only be found and potential can only be achieved through the power of the Cross. You cannot find it through works, but by simply accepting God’s grace and seeing yourself as God sees you. What the Bible Says

What God thinks of me matters infinitely more than what I think of me. But my perception affects my performance.

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world… 1 Peter 2:9-11a

1.You are a chosen people (9) Who Am I?

You are a chosen people… 1 Peter 2:9a

1.You are a chosen race (9) 2.You have received mercy (10a) Who Am I?

Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:10

1.You are a chosen race (9) 2.You have received mercy (10a) 3.You are God’s possession (9, 10a) Who Am I?

You are … a people belonging to God … Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. 1 Peter 2:9b-10a

My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people. Ezekiel 37:27

1.You are a chosen race (9) 2.You have received mercy (10a) 3.You are God’s possession (9, 10a) 4.You are holy (9) Who Am I?

You are … a holy nation. 1 Peter 2:9b

He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. Ephesians 1:4

1.You are a chosen race (9) 2.You have received mercy (10a) 3.You are God’s possession (9, 10a) 4.You are holy (9) 5.You are a royal priest (9) Who Am I?

We were created fearfully and wonderfully (Psa. 139) God wants us to prosper and be in health (3 John 2) We are faithful (Eph. 1:1) We are God’s friend (John 15:15) God desires us to be at peace (Col. 3) We have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21-22) God desires to give us wisdom and answers (James 1) What Does God Say About You?

We are citizens of Heaven (Phil. 3:20) God desires to listen to us (1 John 5) We bring glory to God (Eph. 3) God delights in blessing us without request (Gen. 1) God is concerned about our troubles (Psa. 31) God has good things already planned for us (Eph. 2) We are victorious (1 John 5, 1 Cor. 15) What Does God Say About You?

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord. “Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Your life … re:Imagined.

When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Jeremiah 29:11

Three Questions 1.How do I see myself? 2.Is there anything I need to re-imagine in my life to more closely line up with how God sees me? 3.How well am I reflecting the image of God to others?