Your Daily Prayer: A Prayer for When You Don’t Measure Up

October 1, 2018 By Leave a Comment

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A Prayer for When You Don’t Measure Up
By Renee Swope

“When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” – 2 Corinthians 10:12b

Do you ever compare yourself to other women and feel like you don’t quite measure up? Maybe you feel like you’re not as smart, pretty, fun, organized or as good at _______ as they are.

It’s so easy to think that if we had more or knew more, we’d be secure. But the truth is, even people who “have it all” still struggle with feelings of insecurity. The Bible opens with the story of a woman who had everything, but it still wasn’t enough (Genesis 2).

God had established Eve’s worth as His child and the crown of His creation. He also supplied Eve with every woman’s desire: intimacy, beauty, security, significance and purpose. Yet Satan conjured up feelings of insecurity by luring Eve’s eyes off what she had and on to what she didn’t have.

The enemy’s whispers tempted Eve to try to “be” more and “have” more by seeking significance apart from God’s provision. He convinced her something was missing in her life and that the forbidden fruit would make her be “like God.” It was a foolish comparison. All comparisons are.

Comparison will always leave us feeling like we don’t measure up. We can try to do more and be more, yet it’s never enough.

So, the next time we’re tempted to use the measuring stick of comparison — let’s commit to measure UP by focusing upward on Christ and who we are in HIM!

Lord, thank You that in Christ I’m chosen, holy and dearly loved. When I’m tempted to measure myself according to the world’s standards or my foolish comparisons, help me recognize Satan’s lies, refuse his temptations and rely on Your truth about me instead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: Stay Focused on God’s Plan for Your Life

October 1, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Rick Warren

”Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 TLB).

I have met thousands of people who’ve told me they want to be used by God but who will never be used by God. Why? They’re too busy. They’ve got their own agenda going. They’ve got their plans and dreams and ambitions, and they don’t have any time! In the midst of their busyness, they try to carve out a little sliver from the pie of life and say, “I’ll give this to God.” But it doesn’t work that way.If you’re serious about being used by God, you have to say, “Lord, what do I need to let go of? What do I need to cut out? What barriers are holding me back and keeping me from running the race you have for me?”

Lots of different barriers will hold you back from God’s plan for your life. One of the biggest categories: distractions. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom of God” (TLB).

Here are a few of the many things that could distract you from your life mission:

The expectations of other people. You’ve got to decide whom you’re going to please first in life. You can only have one number one.

Hobbies. There’s nothing wrong with these things. But if they distract you from the most important things, then you need to let go of them.

Your past. Maybe you refuse to let go of your past—whether it’s guilt or resentment or grief. But if you’re stuck in the past, you cannot get on with the present, and you certainly can’t get on with God’s future for you. Your past is past. It’s over! You need to let it go.

What do you need to let go of? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “‘Everything is permissible,’ but not everything is helpful” (HCSB). What does that mean? It means this: A lot of things aren’t necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. Life often means choosing either “Am I going to do something good?” or “Am I going to do what’s best?”

If the Devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy. He’ll get you so busy that you don’t have time for the important stuff—time alone with God, ministry, and mission.

You need to simplify your life and eliminate distractions so God can use you. Don’t try to do it all. Do what matters most!

Talk It Over

  • What are the most important things in your life?
  • Think of some of the good things that you’ve put first in your life. How have they distracted you from the most important things and from God’s mission for you?
  • Why are we so easily distracted by seemingly good things that are not God’s best for us?

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

Filed Under: Columns

Editorial: A vote against Kavanaugh is a vote for ambush tactics and against due process

October 1, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The Ford-Kavanaugh hearing consumed most of Thursday, and unsurprisingly we learned nothing from the spectacle. Christine Ford remains unable to marshal any evidence for her claim of a sexual assault. Brett Kavanaugh continues to deny the charge adamantly and categorically, and with persuasive emotion.

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

Filed Under: Columns

I’m one of many women who still want Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court – And it’s not why you think

September 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Those trying to keep Judge Brett Kavanaugh off the Supreme Court would have you believe that the women who support his confirmation by the Senate – despite unsubstantiated allegations of sexual misconduct over three decades old – are conservative activists bent on overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. They’re wrong about me.

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

Filed Under: Columns

A Word for Today — Solid Foundation

September 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

SOLID FOUNDATION

READ ISAIAH 18:1 THROUGH 20:6; 2 CORINTHIANS 13:1–14

Drive through American suburbia and witness the abundance of architectural home styles on display, from Colonials to modern McMansions. Each variety offers its own unique look and approach to living areas, bedrooms, and the like, but they all shelter humans from the elements and share one nonnegotiable feature—a foundation (a strong, solid base of support) without which they would collapse into rubble.

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth (2 Corinthians 13:8).

Christians may disagree on details here and there, but there are lines that cannot be crossed without collapsing our faith into meaninglessness. Unwavering truths are the foundation of our lives in Christ—the truth of the gospel, God’s Word, Christ’s divinity, and His resurrection. Take any of those foundational truths away, and we’re left homeless in this broken world. Make God’s truth the foundation of your life, and make your home in Him. 

Challenge for Today: Lovingly speak truth to someone.

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Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: God Remains Patient with Our World

September 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Rick Warren

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”The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT).

History is moving toward a climax. Why doesn’t God just shut the earth down now? Because he wants to demonstrate his grace.The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent” (NLT).

God puts up with all the grief that he sees on this planet because he’s being patient. And he’s waiting for more of us to step across the line and start a relationship with him.

When somebody comes to you and says, “I can’t believe in a God who would stand by and watch people suffer,” here’s what you say: “I don’t believe in that kind of God, either. God isn’t that kind of God. In fact, you have no idea how much it hurts God when he sees all the sin on Earth. It hurts him more than anybody else! It grieves him when he sees what his creation is doing to each other.”

I believe in a God who one day is going to stop evil dead in its tracks. There’s going to be an accounting. One day he’s going to judge all evildoers, and he’s going to bring those in his family to live with him forever in a perfect place.

If you’ve never turned your life over to Jesus, I am confident you received today’s devotion because God wants you to hear this message. Jesus says in John 10:10 that he came to give us a full and abundant life, but we will only find that life by following him.

Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart?
Are you ready 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 created 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.”

Talk It Over

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

Kavanaugh vs. Ford showdown is no way to confirm a Supreme Court justice

September 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Until two weeks ago, President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court seemed a sure thing. He ably handled more than 1,200 questions put to him by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He demonstrated even to his adversaries a masterful command of constitutional jurisprudence. The FBI had completed six background investigations of Kavanaugh throughout his career in government, and it found no blemishes.

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

Filed Under: Columns

If Kavanaugh’s nomination can be derailed by allegations without evidence then no one is safe

September 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Senate Democrats seeking to derail Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination knew they had a problem. In other prominent cases of the #MeToo era, multiple victims had come forward to corroborate each other’s stories and present a pattern of predatory behavior. But in Kavanaugh’s case, not only was there no corroboration for Christine Blasey Ford’s accusations, no other women had come forward to accuse him of misconduct.

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

Filed Under: Columns

A Word for Today — Jimmy Russell

September 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BROKENHEARTED

READ ISAIAH 15:1 THROUGH 17:14; 2 CORINTHIANS 12:1–21

Discipline is one of the most important responsibilities of parenthood, but it’s generally the one parents hate the most. Of course, children have to learn there are unpleasant consequences to selfish, dangerous behavior. But no parents enjoy seeing their children miserable, even if it’s the children’s own fault, and even if it’s a learning experience.

The pagan cultures had to face the consequences of rejecting God. This brought God no joy. 

So I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vines of Sibmah. Heshbon and Elealeh, I drench you with tears! The shouts of joy over your ripened fruit and over your harvests have been stilled (Isaiah 16:9).

Still today, people reject God and reap the consequences. God responds with sadness. God loves every human being on this planet, and it breaks His heart to see even one of them reject Him. Show that same love to those who don’t know God. Lead them away from disaster and toward a gracious and forgiving God.

Prayer Suggestion: Lord, give me Your broken heart for the lost.

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: Use Your Money to Invest in Character, not Comfort

September 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Rick Warren

”Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 TLB).

God wants you to grow up spiritually and become more like Jesus Christ. How do you do that? By taking some of your money and investing it in yourself and your personal growth.The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:18, “Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (TLB).

You grow in spiritual strength by using your money to develop skills and educate yourself, to become a better leader, a better speaker, a better prayer, or just a better person.

I hate to tell you this, but you’re not taking your car to heaven with you. You’re not taking your condo or your couch or your clothes or your china to heaven.

But you are going to take your character. It may be tempting to use your money to invest in comfort, but God wants you to use your money to invest in something that’s going to heaven: your character.

That means anytime you use your money to buy a Christian book that helps you grow, you’ve invested in what I call God’s “Growth Fund.” Anytime you use some of your money to pay for a retreat or a conference that helps you improve your life, you’ve invested in the Growth Fund. Anytime you spend money on a class that helps makes you more of what God wants you to be, God smiles and says that’s a good use of money.

I’ll never forget when I bought my first Bible. I was a teenager and I thought, “This is the most important book to me, so I’m going to get the best one I can find.” I did a little research and found one that I like called the Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Then I said, “I want a binding that lasts, so I’m going to get it in the nicest leather I can find.” It costs me 60 bucks to buy that Bible—two months of my allowance. I gave up two months’ worth of snacks and movies and stuff like that, but I got a really cool Bible that I knew I could use for the rest of my life.

I still have that Bible. It’s my most treasured possession because I’ve been through it so many times and underlined and marked it all up.

The Bible says, “Why spend your money on something that is not real food? . . . Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies” (Isaiah 55:2 NCV).

You can spend your money on “junk food” or “soul food.” Choose to spend your money on food for your soul that helps you grow spiritually.

Talk It Over

  • How does our society try to convince you that your comfort is more important than your character?
  • Why does “soul food” spiritually satisfy more than “junk food”?
  • What is a comfort item that you can give up so that you have more money to invest in your character?

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

Filed Under: Columns
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