Quotes from Darlene Zschech

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 1 Peter 2:9—10

I know firsthand that once you've tasted the reality of God—not hype or excitement, but the great filling of His glory through your veins—your spiritual taste buds are simply ruined for anything counterfeit.

Now that you've cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. 1 Peter 1:22

You are chosen by the Creator of the universe—the One who knows you by name and never forgets you. He is the One who took us from "nothing to something, from rejected to accepted".

Anything worth achieving in this life requires time, patience, and some discomfort.

Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. 1 Peter 4:1—2, THE MESSAGE

Don't be quick to get angry, because anger is typical of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:9). But Paul points out it is possible to be angry without sin when he says, "Be angry without sinning" (Ephesians 4:26).

The heart of the Father is always to put us back on track, a little wiser, and ever grateful for another chance.

Not every circumstance feels good. But we can always determine to be joyful. Yes, oftentimes joy is a choice, an act of the will. That's why grumbling and complaining is so dangerous. Negative thoughts and words take us down a path to where everything feels impossible, too hard, unfair. But positive words and thoughts—as an act of the will and as an expression of our salvation—lead us to joy.

Things not going your way? Are you facing hardships? What an opportunity to experience true freedom. Take this season to focus on desiring God's will in every area of your life. Then celebrate the freedom of living life as God intended you to.

I realized that my identity was not in my leading but in my relationship with God.

And even though we have an enemy that would try to rob us of our faith, God has given us everything we need to stand strong and be victorious.