Friday 31 October 2014
Change Requires Learning the Truth
Change Requires Learning the Truth
BY RICK WARREN — OCTOBER 30, 2014
“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT)
You will never change the things in your life that you know are defective unless you learn the truth. Change requires learning the truth.
Jesus said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NLT). You’re not going to be free until you know the truth. The secret to personal change is not a pill, program, or process. It’s not therapy, a book, or a seminar. It’s not positive thinking or psychology. The proof of personal change is found in the truth. You have to know and face the truth about yourself, God, and your relationships before you can change.
Behind every self-defeating behavior in your life is a lie you’re believing. If you’re deeply in debt right now, it’s because you believed some lies. You thought, “I can just keep charging it forever and get away with it.” Oh really? “I have to have this house.” Oh really? Do you really have to have it? Is it true? Can you prove it?
We lie to ourselves all the time. But you have to know and face the truth if you’re going to change.
Jesus said the truth will set you free. But first it makes you miserable! It makes you miserable as long as you deny it. The moment that you are honest with the truth about you and everything else in life, then it starts to set you free.
Who is the truth? Jesus said, “I am the truth.” Not “I have it.” Not “I point the way.” Not “I teach it.” He said, “I’m it. I am the truth.”
You can trust his Word. His Word is the Bible.
The Bible is good for four things: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).
The Bible is like a path. It shows us where to walk and how to stay on the path. It shows us when we get off the path and how to get back on the path. When you use God’s Word to show you where and how you should walk, it will give you the instruction and knowledge you need to change your life.
Talk About It
- What is it in your life that you’re pretending isn’t a problem but needs to change?
- How are you doing at equipping yourself through study of the Bible?
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Thursday 30 October 2014
Sinful People Can Sin Less
Sinful People Can Sin Less
BY RICK WARREN — OCTOBER 29, 2014
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” (1 John 1:8 NLT)
We’re all defective. We all have parts of our lives that simply don’t work. None of us measure up to a standard of perfection. To pretend like you’ve got it all together when everybody knows you don’t is silly. In fact, the Bible tells us it’s self-deception.
You will never be sinless on this planet, but it is possible to sin less. So why is it so hard to change stuff in us that we really don’t like?
- Because we’ve had our defects so long. Some of our destructive patterns were developed in childhood, perhaps in resistance to a pain or as a stress coping devise. These defects may be self-defeating, but at least they’re familiar!
- Because we identify with our defects. We often confuse our identity with our defects. When you see yourself connected to your defect, you set yourself up to perpetuate it.
- Because our defects have a payoff. Whatever is rewarded gets repeated. the payoff for the defects you have in your life may be to mask your pain, cover up a fear, give you an excuse to fail, or compensate for guilt.
- Because Satan discourages us. Once you start to work on something in your life that you want to change, Satan starts saying, “Who do you think you are? You’re never going to change. You haven’t been able to change in the past. Do you think you’re going to be able to change now? It’s hopeless. It’s not going to work.” Those fears arebeing planted in your mind by the Devil himself.
These things keep us from changing the hurts, habits, and hang-ups that we know are unhealthy.
So what does it take to change those deep patterns in my life that I really don’t like about me?
“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” (Ephesians 4:21-27 NLT).
Talk About It
- Have you ever tried to change a bad habit in the past and felt discouraged? Why do you think you felt that way? How did you respond?
- What defect do you perpetuate by thinking it is part of your make-up? Try changing your thinking: Instead of saying, “I’m a workaholic,” say, “I work too much.” Instead of saying, “I’m lazy,” say, “I have a tendency to put things off and procrastinate.”
| Love Gives |
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| TODAY’S SCRIPTURE |
| “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” |
| (John 3:16, NIV) |
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| TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria |
Have you ever thought about how love affects giving? Someone once said, “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.” Love prompts us to give of ourselves, our time, abilities and resources. The Bible tells us that God is love, and the world will know that we are His followers by the love we show. Giving is what shows our love!
We are entering into a time of the year that the world knows as the season of giving, but let’s remember to take time to focus on the greatest gift of all, the gift of eternal, abundant life through Jesus. If you’ve never received this gift, open your heart and pray this simple prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today, giving You all that I am. I repent of my sins and confess that I need You. I believe You died and rose for me. Be my Lord and Savior and make me new today. I receive Your love and Your gift of eternal life.” Then, go out and share the gift of love with someone else because it’s the gift that will last in eternity!
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| A PRAYER FOR TODAY |
| Father, thank You for loving me and setting me free. I choose to serve You with my whole heart all the days of my life. Help me to love others the way You love me. Give me opportunities to be a blessing everywhere I go in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Wednesday 29 October 2014
The Power of Eternal Thinking
The Power of Eternal Thinking
BY RICK WARREN — OCTOBER 28, 2014
“Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory. I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:17-18 GNT)
A famous Harvard study once showed a direct connection between long-term thinking and success. The more people focused on short-term gain, the more likely they were to fail. Those who focus on what “feels good” right now are doomed to be unsuccessful.
For Christians, this should be easy. When we talk of long-term thinking, we call it eternity. We’re not thinking 40 or 50 years into the future. We’re thinking trillions and trillions of years in the future.
Living with eternity in mind will make you the most successful person possible. When you think long-term, you can handle the momentary problems that come your way.
Romans 8:17-18 says, “Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory. I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (GNT).
One day, if you’re a follower of Christ, you’ll be rewarded for what you’ve done with what you’ve been given. Use your talents, time, treasure, and influence for God’s purposes, and you’ll be rewarded for those choices. The verses above also say we’ll be rewarded in Heaven for what Jesus did: “We will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him.”
You’ve got a lot to look forward to in Heaven. Compared to what’s in store for you in Heaven, your current pain and problems are petty.
It’s not easy to be a believer. It’s not easy to do what’s right. Sometimes it’s not easy to tell others about Jesus. It’s not easy to tithe. But the benefits of following Jesus and obeying what he teaches will far outlast the pain.
It’s simply foolish to focus only on short-term results.
Talk It Over
- Describe a specific struggle you’re facing that would change if you saw it from an eternal perspective.
- How many of your concerns would seem less important if you thought of them in relation to eternity?
- By thinking eternally, what will become important to us?https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=-ULXGQxb10E
Overcome with Good
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
(Romans 12:21, NIV)
(Romans 12:21, NIV)
TODAY'S WORD:
The scripture says, “We overcome evil with good.” In other words, when somebody’s rude or inconsiderate, don’t sink down to their level. Don’t be rude and inconsiderate back to them. No, if you are going to rise higher, if you are going to overcome, you have to do just the opposite. You have to show kindness, grace and mercy. It isn’t always easy; in fact, it’s almost never easy. It takes a lot of humility to treat someone with respect who is disrespecting you. But do you know what happens when you walk in humility? God gives you His grace. He empowers you to walk in His goodness. Scripture plainly says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Today, walk humbly with God and overcome evil with good. Show mercy and sow mercy. Receive His grace, receive His power, and receive His strength to be everything He’s called you to be.
Today, walk humbly with God and overcome evil with good. Show mercy and sow mercy. Receive His grace, receive His power, and receive His strength to be everything He’s called you to be.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father, thank You for the grace to overcome in this life. I choose Your goodness. I choose Your ways. Help me to show Your love and walk in peace in every circumstance in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Truth Is the Antidote to Fear
Truth Is the Antidote to Fear
BY RICK WARREN — OCTOBER 27, 2014
“Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, ‘Father! my Father!’ God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children.” (Romans 8:14-16 GNT)
When I was a kid, I didn’t get scared often. I played fearlessly. But whenever I did get scared, I always cried out to my daddy. I knew he was strong. I knew he could take on anyone.
That’s what you and I are called to do when we’re scared, too. Stop focusing on your fear. Focus on your Father. Ask God for help. Romans 8:14-16 says, “Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, ‘Father! My Father!’ God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children” (GNT).
The antidote to fear is the truth that you’re no longer a slave but a child of God. Being a child of God changes everything. You’re part of a family now. And families take care of one another.
Let’s say you grew up in a big city, and your family was a part of the family — the Mafia. And, as a kid, someone starts to assault you. You could say, “Wait just a minute! Do you know who I am? My father is Guido. He’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse! Are you sure you want to touch me? Because I’m in the family.”
That’s what God wants you to know when you’re scared. You’re part of his family, and God takes care of his children. He has your back. Knowing you’re a child of the creator of the universe changes everything.
Call out to him. Ask him for help.
Talk It Over
- What scares you more than anything else right now? What is the truth about the situation? How is God engaged in the situation?
- Can you recall an experience from your past where God has protected you in the midst of a fearful event or period of your life?
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Monday 27 October 2014
Love like Jesus daily =)
Nag-usap kami ni
kuya Edward kanina and sobrang nakakatuwa talaga sya. Hindi pa rin sya
nagbabago. Wala man ang tunay kong kuya, alam ko naman kahit papaano, nakikita
ko ang pagiging kuya nya sa akin. Thank you. =)
You Have the Power to Say “No”
You Have the Power to Say “No”
BY RICK WARREN — OCTOBER 26, 2014
“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are now controlled by the Spirit, if you have the Spirit of God living in you.” (Romans 8:9 NLT)
Some people today insist that we should just give in to any desire that comes our way. It’s a destructive mindset. Just because you have the desire to eat an entire chocolate cake doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
Romans 8:9 says, “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are now controlled by the Spirit, if you have the Spirit of God living in you” (NLT).
Before you became a believer, you only had willpower to fight against temptations. But it never was enough. You were relatively powerless against the great cravings that drove you.
As a believer, now you’ve got the Holy Spirit — and a new ability to say “no.” You still have the same compulsions, desires, lusts, and impulses you had before you began a relationship with Jesus, but now the power of God resides inside of you. Now you can say “no.”
Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” The Bible doesn’t say you won’t have sinful desires after you become a Christian, but it says the Holy Spirit will help you choose not to satisfy them.
If you ever hear someone say, “I’m a Christian, but I couldn’t stop myself,” they’re lying. They simply never called on the power of the Holy Spirit in the moment of temptation.
You have the power to say “no.” Use it.
Talk It Over
- What’s dragging down your spiritual life that you need to say “no” to?
- What factors (like friends, family, work, and other external stresses) make it difficult for you to say “no” to temptations you’re facing? How can you reduce some of those factors?
- Who can encourage you and help you say “no” to temptations?
This is the Will of God
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV
TODAY'S WORD:
So many people today wonder what God’s will is for their lives. Oftentimes, they look for big things, signs and supernatural events. But really, God’s will for us unfolds each and every day as we obey Him and serve Him with a thankful heart.
When you wake up every morning with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you just took a step toward your destiny—you are walking in the will of God. When you go throughout your day, thanking God that His hand of blessing is on you, thanking Him for ordering your steps, thanking Him for a new day, you are taking another step in His will.
Today, remember to keep the right perspective. We should have goals and dreams and look forward to a bright future, but the way you live your life today is what’s going to get you to where you need to be tomorrow. Keep praising, keep believing and keep thanking Him because that’s what will keep you moving forward. Submit every area of your heart to Him and walk forward in His will for your life!
When you wake up every morning with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you just took a step toward your destiny—you are walking in the will of God. When you go throughout your day, thanking God that His hand of blessing is on you, thanking Him for ordering your steps, thanking Him for a new day, you are taking another step in His will.
Today, remember to keep the right perspective. We should have goals and dreams and look forward to a bright future, but the way you live your life today is what’s going to get you to where you need to be tomorrow. Keep praising, keep believing and keep thanking Him because that’s what will keep you moving forward. Submit every area of your heart to Him and walk forward in His will for your life!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father, I come to You today with thanksgiving in my heart and a mouth full of praise! I bless You because You are worthy! Thank You for redeeming my life from the pit. Thank You for leading me in the way everlasting as I keep my heart and mind on You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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