For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 1 Corinthians 3:21–22 (NKJV) Did God create laughter just for certain people? No, He wants us all to enjoy life. Did God create healing only for some? No, God wants us all to be healthy and whole. Did God create life as something to be endured? No way! God not only made everything good for us, but it all belongs to us! First Corinthians 3:21–22 says that all things are yours. Verse 23 says, “And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (NKJV). In other words, everything belongs to you, you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to …

And [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ… that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. Ephesians 3:19 (AMP) Love can only be experienced when it is believed. This is true of every kind of love—whether it’s from God, your spouse or your children. For example, if a husband is absolutely in love with his wife, but she doesn’t believe it, she’ll hold him at arm’s length. He may bend over backward to demonstrate his love, but she’ll always wonder if he has ulterior motives. If someone is sending a message …

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. Ephesians 3:17 (AMPC) At my childhood home, there was a huge, 50-foot oak tree in the yard. I remember how that tree would sway in powerful storm winds. But its roots went down so deep, nothing could push it down. What kind of ground are you rooted in? If your roots are in your talents, abilities or people’s opinions of you, you’re planted in shallow soil. At some point, all of those things will fail you. Only the love and presence of God gives you security and strength—spiritually, emotionally, physically and relationally. This is the foundation you need for …

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 (NKJV) We’ve all met people who withhold love from us until they feel we’ve earned it. But God’s love is different. It’s not attached to your performance. His approval of you was there before any of your good or bad actions took place. When Jesus was baptized, God announced, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” At that point, had Jesus done anything to earn God’s love? No. Jesus hadn’t performed a single miracle, taught a crowd or given up His life yet. But God still declared that He was well pleased with His Son. I don’t know what kind of home you …

But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (AMP) Yesterday we saw how searching for significance in anything outside of God results in counterfeit love. Today let’s look at how this affects our human relationships. Everyone wants to be accepted and loved the way they are. But counterfeit love says, “You have to meet my conditions to receive my love.” For example, if a child gets praise and special attention only when he does well in sports or gets good grades, he’ll grow up believing he’s loved only for his achievements. He will quickly become empty and burnt out. Not only that, but he’ll begin to judge others …