God’s Goal for You Is Character, Not Comfort

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CURRENT TEACHING SERIES What On Earth Am I Here For?

God’s Goal for You Is Character, Not Comfort By Rick Warren — Oct 4, 2015 “Take on an entirely new way of life — a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 MSG) Many religions and New Age philosophies promote the old lie that we are divine or can become gods. Let me be absolutely clear: You will never become God or even a god. That prideful lie is Satan’s oldest temptation. Satan promised Adam and Eve that if they followed his advice, “You shall be as gods” (Genesis 3:5 KJV). This desire to be a god shows up every time we try to control our circumstances, our future, and people around us. But as creatures, we will never be the Creator. God doesn’t want you to become a god; he wants you to become godly, taking on his values, attitudes, and character. We are meant to “take on an entirely new way of life — a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you” (Ephesians 4:22-24 MSG). God’s ultimate goal for your life on Earth is not comfort but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created your uniqueness, so he certainly doesn’t want to destroy it. Christlikeness is all about transforming your character, not your personality. Every time you forget that character is one of God’s purposes for your life, you will become frustrated by your circumstances. You’ll wonder, “Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time?” One answer is that life is supposed to be difficult! It’s what enables us to grow. Remember, Earth is not Heaven. Many Christians misinterpret Jesus’ promise of the “abundant life” (John 10:10) to mean perfect health, a comfortable lifestyle, constant happiness, full realization of your dreams, and instant relief from problems through faith and prayer. In a word, they expect the Christian life to be easy. They expect Heaven on Earth. This self-absorbed perspective treats God as a genie who simply exists to serve you in your selfish pursuit of personal fulfillment. But God is not your servant, and if you fall for the idea that life is supposed to be easy, either you will become severely disillusioned or you will live in denial of reality. Never forget that life is not about you! You exist for God’s purposes, not vice versa. Why would God provide Heaven on Earth when he’s planned the real thing for you in eternity? God gives us our time on Earth to build and strengthen our character for Heaven. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over How does this devotional encourage you in light of the ways that the world is changing, often not for the better? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OICArFHAa9c What Scripture verses will you memorize to help you when you are facing discouragement or difficult circumstances? What do you expect from God? Where does the motivation for those expectations come from? Today’s Scripture “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight...” (Isaiah 45:2, NKJV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS He Prepares Your Path Do you ever feel like every time you try to move forward in something, you hit a roadblock, or something happens that throws you off course? Be encouraged today because God is going before you! You may not see it, but He is preparing a way for you. He’s making your crooked places straight. He’s making your rough places smooth. You may be going through a difficult time right now, but it’s not the end. It’s only the beginning, and God has equipped you for this journey! Don’t look at your circumstances today, look at the promise of God! Keep speaking words of faith because God promises to anoint your head with oil. He’ll cause your cup to run over. That means when you seek Him, you’ll be refreshed and anointed to do what He’s called you to do. What do you need today to keep moving forward? Start by checking your attitude. Don’t go around complaining and focused on the negative side of things. Instead, put on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Thank Him for making your crooked places straight. Keep your eyes on Him and let Him lead you into victory all the days of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for Your goodness in my life. Thank You for preparing my path and for making my crooked places straight. Restore my soul and lead me in the good plan You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

♥ Gorgeous as you =)

God Has Work for You to Do

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CURRENT TEACHING SERIES What On Earth Am I Here For?

God Has Work for You to Do By Rick Warren — Oct 3, 2015 “It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” (Ephesians 2:10 TLB) God calls you to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine. You were put on Earth to make a contribution. You weren’t created just to consume resources — to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. You were created to add to life on Earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back. The Bible says, “God … has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 TEV). These “good deeds” are your service to the world. Whenever you serve others in any way, you are actually serving God (Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 25:34-45; Ephesians 6:7). What God told Jeremiah is also true for you: “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work” (Jeremiah 1:5a NCV). When most people think of this “special work,” they think of pastors, priests, and professional clergy, but God says every member of his family is to minister. In the Bible, the words “servant” and “minister” are synonyms, as are “service” and “ministry.” If you are a Christian, you are a minister, and when you’re serving, you’re ministering. Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t just immediately take us to Heaven the moment we accept his grace? Why does he leave us in a fallen world? He leaves us here to fulfill his purposes. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for his goals. God has a ministry for you in his Church and a mission for you in the world. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over What is holding you back from accepting God’s call to serve him? If every member is a minister, what is the responsibility of church leaders? How can you pray for your church leaders? God has a ministry for you in his Church and a mission for you in the world. What is he calling you to do today right where you live — in your home or neighborhood or community — no matter how small it seems? How will you respond? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXeCQgOlx4Q Today’s Scripture “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” (Psalm 32:1, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS The Blessing of Forgiveness The Scripture is filled with keys to obtaining God’s promise of blessing. It says in Psalm 32 that you are blessed when your transgressions are forgiven. God extends forgiveness to everyone, but we have to do our part to receive the forgiveness. We have to repent, or change our ways, with open hearts. The Bible also tells us that if we don’t forgive others, we cannot be forgiven. Is there anyone in your life today that you need to forgive? Is there someone who has hurt or wronged you? Make the decision to forgive so that you can walk in the blessing of God’s forgiveness for you. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t excuse wrong behavior. It simply releases the person from the debt they owe you so that God can release you from the debt you owe for your transgressions. When you make the choice to forgive and allow God to heal your heart, you will be able to receive His forgiveness, and you will walk in His abundant blessing all the days of your life. A Prayer for Today “Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of blessing in my life. I open my heart to You and ask that You cleanse me of anything that isn’t pleasing to You. Search me and show me if there is any unforgiveness in my heart so that I can release it and walk in Your blessing for me today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A Song Review =)

What a
great message from a beautiful song; a life lesson from other people embracing the true and simple meaning of paradise…
=)

We Serve Because We Are Saved

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CURRENT TEACHING SERIES What On Earth Am I Here For?

We Serve Because We Are Saved By Rick Warren — Oct 2, 2015 “It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not because we deserved it but because that was his plan.” (2 Timothy 1:9a TLB) You were saved to serve God. The Bible says, “It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not because we deserved it but because that was his plan” (2 Timothy 1:9a TLB). God redeemed you so you could do his “holy work.” You’re not saved by service, but you are saved for service. In God’s Kingdom, you have a place, a purpose, a role, and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value. It cost Jesus his own life to purchase your salvation. The Bible reminds us, “God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God” (1 Corinthians 6:20 CEV). We don’t serve God out of guilt or fear or even duty but out of joy and deep gratitude for what he’s done for us. We owe him our lives. Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured. In light of these incredible benefits Paul concluded, “Because of God’s great mercy …. Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service” (Romans 12:1a TEV). The apostle John taught that our loving service to others shows that we are truly saved. He said, “Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life” (1 John 3:14 CEV). If you have no love for others, no desire to serve others, and you’re only concerned about your needs, you should question whether Christ is really in your life. A saved heart is one that wants to serve. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over Why is serving others so significant in our walk with Jesus? In what ways are you using your body to honor God (1 Corinthians 6:20)? Many people think they are too busy or have too many responsibilities to serve others. If that’s how you feel, take some time to pray, and ask God to show you what needs to change in your life so that you can be obedient to him. Today’s Scripture “‘I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 30:17, NKJV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Be in the Right Position Did you know that the human body is designed to heal itself? Many problems are easily fixed if the body is prepared. You may constantly struggle with a physical problem, but perhaps you would see better results if you would live a healthier lifestyle. Of course, there are some problems the body cannot fix by itself, but God has promised to heal you and bless you if you would be faithful and put yourself in the right position for healing. Examine your daily habits and lifestyle to see if there’s anything that you could do more faithfully. That may sound easy, but it takes a true commitment to make it happen. Getting yourself in the right position is important to receive God’s blessings and healing. A Prayer for Today “God, thank You for Your promise to bless me and heal me. Help me to have the strength and dedication to deal with my problem areas and be ready for Your blessings. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

You Are Called to Serve Others, Not Yourself

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES What On Earth Am I Here For?

You Are Called to Serve Others, Not Yourself By Rick Warren — Oct 1, 2015 “Each of us will give a personal account to God.” (Romans 14:12 NLT, second edition) At the end of your life on Earth, you will stand before God, and he is going to evaluate how well you served others with your life. The Bible says, “Each of us will give a personal account to God” (Romans 14:12 NLT, second edition). Think about the implications of that. One day God will compare how much time and energy we spent on ourselves compared with what we invested in serving others. At that point, all our excuses for self-centeredness will sound hollow: “I was too busy” or “I had my own goals” or “I was preoccupied with working, having fun, or preparing for retirement.” To all excuses God will respond, “Sorry, wrong answer. I created, saved, and called you and commanded you to live a life of service. What part did you not understand?” The Bible warns unbelievers, “He will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves,” but for Christians it will mean a loss of eternal rewards (Romans 2:8a). We are only fully alive when we’re helping others. Jesus said, “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” (Mark 8:35 TLB; see also Matthew 10:39, 16:25; Luke 9:24, 17:33). This truth is so important that it is repeated five times in the gospels. If you are not serving, you are just existing, because life is meant for ministry. God wants you to learn to love and serve others unselfishly. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over What has been the effect on you when you serve others? Why does God want us to learn to love and serve others? What does that say about him? What service has God called you to that you didn’t think you had enough time or energy to do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkPgph8-yHY Today’s Scripture “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness...” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS His Grace is Enough Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It’s kindness from Him that we don’t deserve. Grace empowers us and strengthens us. No matter what has happened in your past, you can receive God’s grace and start fresh today. You can hold your head up high because His grace is enough. You may not be perfect, but you are forgiven and empowered to live in victory. Today, receive His grace. Don’t hold on to past mistakes. Jesus has already paid for them. All you have to do is receive His grace and thank Him. Take it one step further and extend that grace to others. Don’t try to punish people for their past mistakes; instead, give them favor to start over. As you allow God’s grace to flow through you, you’ll see yourself rise higher, and you will enjoy God’s blessing all the days of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace today. I receive Your strength and favor in my life. Help me to extend that grace to others in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Bible Study: Keep It Simple

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES What On Earth Am I Here For?   Bible Study: Keep It Simple By Rick Warren — Sep 30, 2015 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV) Once you’re convinced that a daily quiet time is necessary for spiritual growth, how do you go about having one? You may be motivated to do it but don’t know how. Someone has said, “If you aim at nothing, you are sure to hit it!” To have a meaningful quiet time, you will need a plan or some kind of general outline to follow. The main rule is this: Keep your plan simple. First, make sure you have a Bible in a contemporary translation, a notebook for writing down what the Lord shows you and for making a prayer list, and a hymnbook in case you want to sing your praise. Then, follow these three simple steps: Relax, request, and read. 1. Wait on God (relax). Be still for a minute; don’t come running into God’s presence and start talking immediately. Follow God’s admonition: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a NIV). Be quiet for a short time to put yourself into a reverent mood. 2. Pray briefly (request). This is not your prayer time, but a short opening prayer to ask God to cleanse your heart and guide you into the time together. You need to be in tune with the Author before you can understand his Book! Two good passages of Scripture to memorize are Psalm 139:23-24 and Psalm 119:18. 3. Read a section of Scripture (read). This is where your conversation with God begins. He speaks to you through his Word, and you speak with him in prayer. Read your Bible: Slowly. Don’t be in a hurry; don’t try to read too large an amount; don’t race through it. Repeatedly. Read a passage over and over until you start to picture it in your mind. Without stopping. Don’t stop in the middle of a sentence to go off on a tangent and do a doctrinal study. Just read that section for the pure joy of it, allowing God to speak to you. Aloud but quietly. Reading it aloud will improve your concentration. It will also help you understand what you are reading better because you will both see and hear what you are reading. Read softly enough, however, so that you won’t disturb anyone. Systematically. Don’t use the “random dip” method — a passage here, a chapter there, what you like here, an interesting portion there. Read through the Bible as it was written — a book or letter at a time in an orderly method. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Why is it important to write down what God says to you or shows you in your quiet time? What do you need to change about your schedule or the time of day you do your quiet time so that you have time for each of these steps? What are some other aspects of your quiet time that help you stay on track and have a meaningful time with God? Today’s Scripture “...Seek me and live.” (Amos 5:4, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Seek Him The Bible tells us that Jesus came to give us abundant life. Not only did He come to give you life in eternity, but He desires that you experience abundant life here on earth. He wants your relationships to be vibrant and alive. He wants your dreams to be alive. He wants your body, heart and mind to be alive and full of vitality. God is the source of all life, and when you seek Him, you will find Him, and the result will be everlasting life. Are there areas in your life that need to be resurrected? Are there dreams that you’ve put on the back burner that you need to revive again? Do you need hope or faith for something today? Seek God and allow Him to breathe His life into you. Seek Him with your dreams; seek Him with your plans. Seek Him in all things, and you will find His abundant life, and everything you set your hand to will prosper in Jesus’ name. A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that I can have abundant life, both now and in eternity. I humbly come before You, giving You all that I am. I ask for Your hand of blessing and guidance in everything I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”