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Here’s How to Become a Trustworthy Person

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Better Together   Here’s How to Become a Trustworthy Person By Rick Warren — May 30, 2015 “Many people claim to be loyal, but it is hard to find a trustworthy person.” (Proverbs 20:6 NCV) Trust is the emotional glue that draws you closer to your friends, your family, and your small group. Without trust, you’re never going to have the intimate relationship that God wants you to have. Teamwork without trust is impossible. Proverbs 20:6 says, “Many people claim to be loyal, but it is hard to find a trustworthy person” (NCV). That was written thousands of years ago, and yet we have the same dilemma today: Who do you trust? How do you find a trustworthy person? More importantly, how do you become a trustworthy person so that people trust you? You earn people’s trust by being consistent. The Bible says in Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (NIV). Today everybody wants to serve God in the obvious and showy ways. But God says you build trust by being faithful in little things. Even when no one is watching you, God is. He sees what you’re doing. And he says that if you’re faithful in little things, he will give you greater and greater responsibility. You earn people’s trust by being confidential. People trust you when you can keep a secret. One of the rules for our small groups at Saddleback Church is that what is said in the group stays in the group. Your group trusts you to keep private whatever they share. Proverbs11:13 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” You earn people’s trust by being close. You have to spend time with people in order to earn their trust. The Bible says, “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble” (Proverbs 17:17 MSG). That implies proximity. Distance creates distrust. You don’t trust people you don’t know! So if you want people to trust you, you’ve got to spend time with them. Time creates trust. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What will you do this week to show God that you can be faithful in the small things? Why is it so hard to keep a secret? What is the motivation behind gossip? What sacrifices will you have to make so that you can spend time with people and earn their trust? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83octoWj31w Today’s Scripture

“Keep on asking and it will be given to you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, AMP)

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Press Through

In Mark, chapter five, there was a woman who had been sick for twelve years. The doctors gave her no hope. When she heard that Jesus was coming through her town, something deep on the inside said to her, “This is your season. This is your time to get well.” In the natural, when she saw all the people around Him, she thought, “I’ll never get to Him. It’s so crowded and I’m weak. I just don’t think I can do this.” She almost missed her season. But instead of dwelling on those negative thoughts, she started reminding herself, “If I can just get to Jesus, I will be whole.” She made the choice to turn her thoughts in the right direction. She kept pressing her way through the crowd until she got just close enough to Jesus to reach out and touch the edge of His robe. Instantly, she was made whole. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Notice it’s our faith that activates God’s power. If you’ve been standing and belieivng for a while, don’t give up! Press through! Keep praying! Keep asking! Keep seeking, and He’ll meet your faith with His miraculous power!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, I come to You today with an open and humble heart. I ask You to fill me with Your strength and peace so that I can press through to victory. Show me the good plan You have for me and fill me with Your spirit of faith in Jesus’ name. Amen”

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You Serve God By Serving Other People

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Better Together

You Serve God By Serving Other People By Rick Warren — May 29, 2015 “Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” (Philippians 2:2 NLT, second edition) There’s only one way you can serve God: by serving other people. Whenever you use your talents, time, energy, and resources to help other people, that’s called ministry. But God doesn’t want you to minister alone! Philippians 2:2 says, “Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (NLT, second edition). Why does God require this? Why can’t you just serve God on your own? Because we’re family. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:9, “We are co-workers in God’s service” (NIV). If you’re in God’s family, God wants you to get along with the other family members. In fact, God is more interested in the relationships you build during service together than he is in the service that you do. He wants you to learn to get along with the family of God. Because we need each other. We need each other to serve. Nobody has all the talents. Nobody has all the gifts. God did it that way intentionally so that you would need me and I would need you and we would need each other. “Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of [Christ’s] body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we?” (Romans 12:5 MSG) Because we get more done. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively” (GNT). Teamwork multiplies effectiveness. God wants to use you in ways you’ve never expected. You may say, “What do I have to offer?” You have something, but you don’t have enough on your own. That’s why you need other people in your life. God wants to use you, but he also wants to use you in a team where you help each other out. God wired us so that we feel most alive when we’re part of a team that’s accomplishing something for God’s Kingdom. Teams cause us to get closer to each other, to get more done, and to have more fun. The fastest way to get have your small group grow closer to each other is by serving together. When you get together for an eternal purpose, it builds an unstoppable team that can accomplish great things for God. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Why is it important for people outside the Body of Christ to see its members serving together with joy and unity? Have you ever felt isolated in ministry? How did serving or not serving on a team affect how you felt? What do you want God to accomplish through you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWXWgbMDedY How can you do that thing better by working with other people?   Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. --Romans 12:11-12     Authentic Christians don’t lag behind when it comes to service for the Lord Jesus Christ. They lead the way, taking care of God’s business! I believe there ought to be a sense of urgency, a sense of intensity, and a passion for spiritual ministry. And certainly there is no room for laziness and there is no room for lukewarmness when it comes to serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” If it’s worthy to do, then it’s worthy to do with all of your might. Ephesians 5:16 says that we are to make “the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Friend, we’re to turn it up a notch or two in these evil days, and redouble and triple our efforts. Not our self-efforts, but our spiritually energized efforts in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ! So are you working hard in the service of Jesus Christ? Or are you hardly working? Don’t be like so many Christians who are rusting out instead of wearing out in serving the Lord Jesus Christ! DETERMINE TO SERVE GOD WITH ALL OF YOUR MIGHT.

♥ it made me smile =)

Four Benefits to Admitting Your Mistakes

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Better Together

Four Benefits to Admitting Your Mistakes By Rick Warren — May 28, 2015 “Admit your faults to one other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16a TLB) There’s a secret ingredient that builds community faster than anything else: admitting our mistakes. But why in the world would anybody risk honesty? Because it’s worth the risk. God says there are four benefits of being honest about our mistakes, our feelings, our faults, and our fears. Emotional Healing The Bible says in James 5:16, “Admit your faults to one other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (TLB). There is a big difference between forgiveness and emotional healing. If you need forgiveness for something in your life, all you need to do is confess it to God. Emotional healing comes from telling somebody else. A Fresh Start Proverbs 28:13 says, “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” One of the most helpful things you can do in your small group is help people forgive themselves. A lot of people need somebody to say, “You’ve admitted it to God? Then you are forgiven. You’ve confessed it? Then you are forgiven. Let it go.” God’s Power to Change “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor”(James 4:10 NLT, second edition). How does this work? The Bible says that God resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. God’s grace is the power to change. When you get God’s grace, you can change the things you’ve always wanted to change in your life. But it only comes through humility, and humility comes through honesty. Deeper Fellowship The Bible says, “If we live in the light — just as he is in the light — then we have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7a TEV). We think that if we’re open about our fears, hang-ups, imperfections, and secret faults, people are going to think less of us. The opposite is true! Actually the more honest you are, the more people like you and want to be with you. Many of you have realized, “My life is messed up. I’ve got some serious hang-ups, habits, bad responses, and bad relationships. There’s no way I could admit to all of the bad stuff in my life.” God wants to turn your hurt into healing. Then he wants to use you in the lives of other people. He’s just waiting for you to surrender. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick. Talk It Over Is it sometimes harder to admit your mistakes to people within God’s family? Why do you think this is so? What are the things that you need to accept forgiveness for so that you can move forward to emotional healing? What does it mean to “live in the light”? Today’s Scripture “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?” (Romans 3:3, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Don’t Let Others Limit Your Dreams Have the opinions of other people caused you to water down your dreams? There will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself. One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life — you do. In Romans 3:3, the Apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps. Remember, God sees the hidden treasures that you’ve had buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits and live the abundant life God has in store for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Today, I take off the limits and embrace the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. Empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill Your plan for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.” PS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPh8peG1Hlg

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When You Help Others Grow, You Grow, Too

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Better Together   When You Help Others Grow, You Grow, Too By Rick Warren — May 27, 2015 “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” (Romans 1:12b NCV) God wired it so that when you help other people grow, God helps you grow. You never grow faster than when you’re in fellowship with other believers and encouraging each other’s commitment to following Jesus Christ. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:7, “Keep yourself in training for a godly life” (TEV). How do you keep training for a godly life? You stay in a small group, and you get a spiritual partner. Have you noticed that it’s always easier to work out when you’re working with somebody else? You need someone to walk alongside side you through your journey of faith, and you need to make the same commitment to other people. Nothing affects your life more than your commitments. Tell me what you’re committed to, and I’ll tell you what you’re going to be in 20 years, because you are becoming whatever you are committed to. Your commitments shape your life! And if you’re not committed to anything, other people are shaping your life. Your commitments not only affect here and now; they also affect eternity, because every choice you make has eternal consequences. That’s why the Bible says in Romans 1:12, “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you” (NCV). That’s why you need a church family, and that’s why you need a small group. We help each other out! Talk It Over What does it look like to have a spiritual partner? Do you have this kind of accountability in your life? Why or why not? Why do you think God wired us to need each other? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIEbtYuynM Today’s Scripture “...If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS God is on Your Side As a believer in Jesus and a child of His, God is on your side today! If you haven’t thought about it yet today, remember, you were created for greatness. You have the seed of Almighty God inside of you. There is no obstacle that can stop you. There is no disadvantage that can hold you back! You’re in the palm of God’s hand, and He has equipped and empowered you for everything. When God is on your side, He sets the right people in your path. In fact, He’s already released favor into your future. He’s planning for you to come into new seasons of increase. He has a plan for victory in every area of your life! Let that sink down into your heart today. Begin to expect His favor. Expect Him to work in your life. Focus on the fact that God has equipped you. He has anointed you. Your best days are still out in front of you! If God is for you, no one can rise against you! Meditate on this promise so you can walk in the favor and victory God has in store for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for being on my side today. Thank You for equipping and empowering me to accomplish everything You’ve called me to. Give me a revelation of Your love for me today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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The Greatest Gift of Love Is Attention

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Better Together

The Greatest Gift of Love Is Attention By Rick Warren — May 26, 2015 “Give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10 NCV) The Bible says in Galatians 6:10, “Give special attention to those who are in the family of believers”(NCV). So why do people in the family of God get special attention? Because whatever you pay attention to is going to grow. If I pay attention to my garden, it’s going to grow. If I pay attention to my kids, they’re going to grow. If I pay attention to my marriage, it’s going to grow. If I pay attention to my work, it’s going to grow. What is the greatest gift of love? It’s not diamonds, flowers, or chocolate. The greatest gift of love you can give is focused attention. You can affirm people just by looking them in the eye, which essentially tells them, “I value you. What you have to say is important to me because you matter to me.” What people want more than anything else is focused attention. They want to know that their thoughts matter, that their lives matter, that they are valuable. The essence of relationships is not what we do for each other or what we give to each other. The essence of relationships is how much of ourselves we give to each other. I can’t tell you how many men I’ve talked to who said, “I don’t understand it. I provide everything my family needs. I give my wife everything she needs. I give my kids everything they need. What more do they want?” They want you! They want your time. They want your attention. They want your focus. They want to know that you think they matter. Nothing can replace time. Kids don’t need things; they need time. Marriages need time and friendships need time and small groups need time. This weekend, look for opportunities to show attention to the people in your life. That is the greatest gift of love you can give! But don’t just wait for it to happen; make opportunities to show attention. If you have to put it in your schedule, do it. If you have to give up Netflix time, do it. If it means putting off housework, do it. If you have to make sacrifices, do it. Do whatever you need to do to give your relationships attention. It is essential to their growth! Talk It Over What kind of attention do you think God wants you to give to people outside the family of believers? How can you practice giving more attention and focus to the time that you spend with people? What are the things that take time away from growing your relationships? Today’s Scripture “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:31, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Refuse Bitterness Bitterness is an extremely destructive force. It can seep into the depths of your heart if you choose not to forgive someone. Scripture tells us that if we choose not to forgive others, it will even hinder our prayers. Thank God that He has empowered us to forgive and release bitterness! It all begins with a choice. You may have been through unfair situations, but it’s not over until God says it’s over. God always has the final say. He is a God of justice. He sees every wrong that’s ever been done to you and every unfair situation. If you will stay in faith and choose to forgive, God will make your wrongs right. He’ll bring justice into your life. Your attitude should be, “It may have been unfair. They may have done me wrong, but I refuse to get bitter. I know my time is coming.” Choose forgiveness, honor God and walk in complete freedom in every area of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I refuse bitterness. I refuse to allow the past to keep me stuck. Right now I forgive those who have hurt me. I pray blessing on them, that they would come to know Your truth. Father, thank You for setting my heart free today in Jesus’ name. Amen.” PS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFHowWhVG2E