Pastor Rick Warren: What Does It Mean to Put God First in Your Life?

November 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment

What Does It Mean to Put God First in Your Life?

by Rick Warren

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“You should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12 GW).

The Kingdom of God is a present reality. It’s what we’re to be doing on the earth right now. The power of God is the present resource. It’s the energy God gives you so that you can do what he wants you to do once you’ve surrendered and submitted to his will.Romans 11:36 says, “Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory” (NLT).

I talk to people all the time who say, “I have so much, yet I feel unfulfilled. I’ve got a good family. I’ve got a good job. I’ve got great kids. I’ve got good friends. I’m part of a good congregation. Why am I so unfulfilled?” It’s because you were made for more than this! You were made for more than survival. You will never find fulfillment in life until you begin to live in God’s Kingdom, by God’s power, and for God’s glory.

How do you live a fulfilled life—the kind of life that you were designed by God to live?

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, “You should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory” (GW).

What does it mean to live in God’s Kingdom? It means you make God’s agenda your agenda. You make God’s will your will. You care about what God cares about. Whatever you want God to bless, you put him first in that area.

What does it mean to put God first in your life? I made up a little acrostic, FIRST, to give you five things you need to put God first in.

Finances. If you want God to bless your finances, even during difficult seasons, you must tithe. Sorry! There’s no other alternative.

Interests. Put him first in your hobbies, your career, and your recreation. Give God first consideration in every decision.

Relationships. Put him first in your family, your marriage, and your friendships.

Schedule. Give him the first part of every day. Get up and sit on the side of your bed every morning and say, “God, if I don’t get anything else done today, I just want to love you a little bit more and know you a little bit better.”

Troubles. You need to turn to God first when you have a problem. Prayer should never be your last resort. It should be your first choice.

Hopefully, this will help you keep God FIRST.

Talk It Over

  • Are you living a fulfilled life—the kind of life that you were designed by God to live? If not, what’s missing?
  • What specific changes would place God first in your finances, interests, relationships, and schedule?
  • What is your first reaction to trouble?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: Grateful Prayer Brings Peace

November 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Rick Warren

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

In Philippians 4:6-7 we find one of the most difficult passages in the entire Bible to obey: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace” (NLT).It’s not easy to stop worrying about the often-scary, everyday parts of our lives, but God tells us how to do it: “Pray about everything. . . . Thank him for all he has done.” Grateful prayer brings peace. God says that when you start to worry, stop to pray.

Parents understand the power of gratitude. Most parents wouldn’t appreciate their children always making requests without saying “thank you” for what they’ve already received. God sees it the same way. He wants us to ask him for what we need and want. More than 20 times in the New Testament, we’re told to “ask” him. But he wants us to ask with gratefulness.

The Bible urges us to be specific in our requests—and our praises. Instead of a simple “thank you for everything,” he wants us to tell him what we’re grateful for. When I say to my wife, “I’m so grateful for you,” she tells me to be specific. She likes to hear what I appreciate about her and what I’m grateful for about her.

God wants to hear the same things. So when you pray, tell God what you’re thankful for. Prayer is one of the most important ways we tell God “thank you.”

Thanking God in advance is a big step of faith. The Bible says that when we have the faith to thank God ahead of time for an answer to our prayers, miracles happen. The more thankful we are, the more God works in our lives. The Bible says that God inhabits the praise of his people. He empowers and uses our thanksgiving as an instrument of power in our lives.

Talk It Over

  • Why is gratitude so important for our spiritual lives?
  • Being as specific as possible, what are the reasons you’re thankful to God? Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for those things.
  • What are some ways you believe God will bless you in the future? Thank God for those things—even before they happen.

Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart?

Do you want to receive God’s gift of grace to you? It’s a simple prayer that will tell God you accept the gift of Jesus.

Prayer:

“Dear God, I’m scared, but I want to get to know you. I don’t understand it all, but I thank you that you love me. I thank you that you were with me, even when I didn’t recognize it. I thank you that you are for me—that you didn’t send Jesus to condemn me but to save me.

“I admit that I never even realized I needed a Savior, but today I want to receive the gift of your Son. I ask you to save me from my past, my regrets, my mistakes, my sins, my habits, my hurts, and my hang-ups. I need you to take away the stress and fill me with your love. I need to be at peace with you, and I need you to put your peace in my heart.

“I ask you to save me for your purpose. I want to know why you put me on this planet. And I want to fulfill what you made me to do. I want to learn to love you and trust you and have a relationship with you. I pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I’d love to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

America will get Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco values if Democrats take the House

November 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Democratic Party kingpin Nancy Pelosi – the once and future Speaker of the House if Democrats retake the chamber on Tuesday –foreshadowed just how radical her party’s agenda will be.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.

Filed Under: Columns

Your Daily Prayer – A Prayer for Those Who Feel Wounded

November 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment

 

 

Your Daily Prayer Devotional Banner

A Prayer for Those Who Feel Wounded
By Debbie McDaniel

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3

Over and over in scripture, God reminds us that He heals. That He alone has the power to restore us, redeem the painful times we walk through, and make all things new again. Yet often, when we find ourselves right in the midst of the battle, or in the heat of hard times; when we’ve felt wounded and hurt, rejected or broken; we may begin to wonder if God Himself really cares.

Don’t doubt for a minute that He sees and knows the pain you feel. He understands what it is to be betrayed. He knows what it is to feel loneliness, rejection, and huge grief. He cares about every moment that you have felt deep loss and hurt. He too was wounded, yet far beyond what we could ever comprehend.

Whatever hardship you’ve faced, your story has a greater purpose. It doesn’t have to end with the wound. Don’t allow the enemy to label you with the struggle you’ve faced, or allow you to get stuck in your pain. For God has far better in store. Keep pressing through the battle. He promises to carry you through, and bring you forth as gold.

7 Promises to Remind You that He Will Heal and Restore:

“…By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“…for I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” Psa 103:2-4

“Behold, I am making all things new…” Revelation 21:5

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psa 147:3

Dear God,

We feel wounded, betrayed, and brokenhearted. We wonder sometimes if we can ever fully recover from the deep hurt we feel inside. Thank you that you know what we’ve been through and the struggles we still carry. Help us to forgive. Help us to let go. We know that we can move forward with you in peace and freedom. We pray for those who have hurt us right now, and ask for your power to work mightily within their lives. We leave them in your hands and find our comfort and strength in your spirit.

Thank you that you understand all that we’ve faced, that you see and you care. We ask that when the enemy taunts us with lies and tries to bring up the hurt of the past, you would silence his voice and allow us to walk free. We bring you all the stuff that he would use to try to trap us or stop us – the pain, the past, the mistakes, the struggles. And we lay it at your feet, again. Thank you for your healing, for your grace, for your hope. Thank you that you have set us free and will not waste the pain that we’ve carried. We look forward to the greater good and purpose you will bring through this struggle.

We love you Lord, we need you, we trust you.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: Grateful Prayer Brings Peace

November 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

In Philippians 4:6-7 we find one of the most difficult passages in the entire Bible to obey: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace” (NLT).It’s not easy to stop worrying about the often-scary, everyday parts of our lives, but God tells us how to do it: “Pray about everything. . . . Thank him for all he has done.” Grateful prayer brings peace. God says that when you start to worry, stop to pray.

Parents understand the power of gratitude. Most parents wouldn’t appreciate their children always making requests without saying “thank you” for what they’ve already received. God sees it the same way. He wants us to ask him for what we need and want. More than 20 times in the New Testament, we’re told to “ask” him. But he wants us to ask with gratefulness.

The Bible urges us to be specific in our requests—and our praises. Instead of a simple “thank you for everything,” he wants us to tell him what we’re grateful for. When I say to my wife, “I’m so grateful for you,” she tells me to be specific. She likes to hear what I appreciate about her and what I’m grateful for about her.

God wants to hear the same things. So when you pray, tell God what you’re thankful for. Prayer is one of the most important ways we tell God “thank you.”

Thanking God in advance is a big step of faith. The Bible says that when we have the faith to thank God ahead of time for an answer to our prayers, miracles happen. The more thankful we are, the more God works in our lives. The Bible says that God inhabits the praise of his people. He empowers and uses our thanksgiving as an instrument of power in our lives.

Talk It Over

  • Why is gratitude so important for our spiritual lives?
  • Being as specific as possible, what are the reasons you’re thankful to God? Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for those things.
  • What are some ways you believe God will bless you in the future? Thank God for those things—even before they happen.

Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart?

Do you want to receive God’s gift of grace to you? It’s a simple prayer that will tell God you accept the gift of Jesus.

Prayer:

“Dear God, I’m scared, but I want to get to know you. I don’t understand it all, but I thank you that you love me. I thank you that you were with me, even when I didn’t recognize it. I thank you that you are for me—that you didn’t send Jesus to condemn me but to save me.

“I admit that I never even realized I needed a Savior, but today I want to receive the gift of your Son. I ask you to save me from my past, my regrets, my mistakes, my sins, my habits, my hurts, and my hang-ups. I need you to take away the stress and fill me with your love. I need to be at peace with you, and I need you to put your peace in my heart.

“I ask you to save me for your purpose. I want to know why you put me on this planet. And I want to fulfill what you made me to do. I want to learn to love you and trust you and have a relationship with you. I pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I’d love to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

Editorial: This election is a showdown between Rauner and Madigan

November 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

On Feb. 18, 2015, Gov. Bruce Rauner delivered his first state budget address from the House dais in Springfield. He proposed spending cuts. He called for changes to workers’ compensation law. He asked for public pension benefit reductions. He wanted a cap on lawsuit awards. And in exchange for those reforms, he would consider raising taxes.

Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.

Filed Under: Columns

Midterm elections offer America a simple choice – More progress or a return to pain

November 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

In the midterm elections Tuesday, every American will have an important choice to make at the ballot box.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: If You Don’t Use the Talents God Gave You, Other People Get Cheated

November 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
By Rick Warren
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Devotional image from Rick Warren

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).

The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:10, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (NLT). When you use your abilities to help each other, God is glorified.

God wired you to make a contribution. God did not give you talents and abilities for your benefit. They are for the benefit of other people, and their talents are for the benefit of you.

I am so grateful for people who are talented in areas that I’m not good at. For instance, I’m grateful for accountants. Because I stink at accounting! I’m grateful for people who know how to do taxes.

I’m grateful for people who have mechanical ability. I couldn’t fix a carburetor if I had to. I wouldn’t even know where to find it!

Everybody has different talents.

God has given me some talents. One of my talents is taking the Word of God and making it clear for other people to understand. When I use that ability, you get blessed. My talent is for you. It’s to help you.

But here’s the point: You’ve got talents, too. Are you using them to bless others? Are you using them to help others?

If you don’t use the talents God gave you, other people get cheated. The way you bring glory to God is by using your talents. “Use your gifts well to serve one another.” God is glorified when you use your abilities to serve others.PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk About It

  • What gifts has God given to you?
  • How are you using your God-given gifts to serve others? What are some other ways God might want you to use them for the benefit of others?
  • How do you need to accept help from someone so that person is able to use his or her gifts to bring glory to God?

 

Filed Under: Columns

A Prayer for God’s Strength – Your Daily Prayer

November 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Your Daily Prayer Devotional Banner

A Prayer for God’s Strength
By Rebecca Barlow Jordan

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint. –Isaiah 40:31

Have you ever needed supernatural strength to face a situation head-on, but not known what to pray? God is waiting and wants to offer us strength in time of need. Do not be afraid to pray and ask God for His strength to fall upon you! When you are weak, weary or unready to stand, and unsure of what to ask, pray along with these words!

Lord, I’m weary. My energy is sagging, and my motivation is lagging. And I am so in need of you. I need your strength and your fresh touch to get back on track again. Your Word says the joy of the Lord is my strength. If that’s true, then I need your joy to replace all the bone-tired parts of my mind, body, and soul.

The pressures of life sometimes push me into a corner, rendering me helpless to move forward. A hundred voices call my name, and I feel paralyzed at times to answer, not knowing where to turn. Lord, help me not to quit, to keep running the race faithfully, and to find strength in that safe, secret place of yours, under the shadow of the Almighty.

I need your strength to say no when I’m tempted to surrender to harmful things, or when selfishness clings to my clothes and won’t let go. I need your strength to say yes, when cowardice and fear nudge me to deny the convictions of my heart. I need your strength to reach out in love to those both close to me and all around me. When don’t I need your strength, God?

You are my rock, and I run to you today, believing that you will lift up my heavy arms, that you will fuel me for the tasks you’ve given me, and that your joy will completely consume the weakness of my life and make me strong again. I don’t want to stay grounded, crippled by limitations and failed attempts. I’m tired of feeble efforts. Lord, I want to mount up with wings like an eagle and not just fly. I want to soar.

Renew my strength, Lord. Fill me with your supernatural power to overcome each obstacle in my path. With my eyes on you, Lord, with you walking beside me, working through me, I can make it. Thank you, Lord!

In Jesus‘s name, Amen.

Filed Under: Columns

Op-Ed: As a registered voter you have one job. Do it.

November 1, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Voter apathy has been a problem in the United States for, well, much of this country’s existence.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Columns
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