How to Pray Effectively

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CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

How to Pray Effectively By Rick Warren — Oct 24, 2015 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them … I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’” (Nehemiah 1:8-9 NLT, second edition) Here are four secrets to answered prayer from the life of Nehemiah: Base your request on God’s character. Pray like you know God will answer you: “I’m expecting you to answer this prayer because of who you are. You are a faithful God. You are a great God. You are a loving God. You are a wonderful God. You can handle this problem, God!" Confess the sins of which you’re aware. After Nehemiah bases his prayer on who God is, he confesses his sins. He says, “I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us” (Nehemiah 1:6b-7 NLT, second edition). It wasn’t Nehemiah’s fault that Israel went into captivity. He wasn’t even born when it happened; he was most likely born in captivity. Yet he’s including himself in the national sins. He says, “I’ve been a part of the problem.” Claim the promises of God. Nehemiah prays to the Lord, saying, “Please remember what you told your servant Moses” (Nehemiah 1:8a). Can you imagine saying “remember” to God? Nehemiah reminds God of a promise he made to the nation of Israel. In effect, he prays, “God, you warned through Moses that if we were unfaithful, we would lose the land of Israel. But you also promised that if we repent, you’d give it back to us.” Does God have to be reminded? No. Does he forget what he’s promised? No. Then why do we do this? Because it helps us remember what God has promised. Be very specific in what you ask for. If you want specific answers to prayer, then make specific requests. If your prayers consist of general requests, how will you know if they’re answered? PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over What is a request you’ve recently made of God but for which you haven’t received an answer? Pray again for that request, and follow the steps above. How does your prayer change? What are the promises of God that you need to claim?

Today’s Scripture “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear...” (1 John 4:18, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Perfect Love God is love. He is perfect, and His love for us is perfect. There is nothing you can do right now to make God love you more, and there’s nothing you can do to make Him love you any less. His love toward you is steadfast; it’s unchanging. His arms are always stretched out toward you. He’s always ready for you to come to Him. Sometimes people aren’t sure how God feels about them. They think He might be mad at them, but Scripture tells us just the opposite. God’s not mad at you; He’s madly in love with you! It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you’ve come from, God’s arms are open to you. He’s longing to show you His goodness and grace. Today, meditate on the truth that it is His kindness that leads us to repent and change our ways. Open your heart and receive His love. Let it give you confidence and make you new. Trust His perfect love and let Him transform every area of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, I humbly come before You, giving You all that I am. I invite You to show me Your perfect love which casts out all fear. Fill me with Your peace and joy today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

All Things New: The Revelation

PowerPoint Today - Daily Devotional with Pastor Jack Graham

CURRENT RADIO SERIES All Things New: The Revelation   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New: The Revelation

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. --Philippians 4:8 If you are single… and your desire is to be married… I have some biblically-based guidelines for you today. First, make sure that you are fully committed to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you’re going to find the right person, you must become the right person. Second, set the highest possible standards in your relationships. Don’t cheat yourself. Don’t jump into relationships and end up taking less than the best. You deserve God’s very best! This includes making sure that any person you consider for marriage is a believer in Jesus Christ. No question about it. The Bible says do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Third, if you are considering marriage to someone, be sure that you sincerely love that person. Ensure that you’re not taking the relationship further for what you can get out of it, but what you can give to it. Fourth, stay pure! Moral purity is a non-negotiable in Scripture. So flee from temptation. You can live a holy and pure life with God’s help and the help of Christian friends around you. It’s my prayer that these principles will guide you as you seek to glorify God as a single adult! If you are single, are there any areas above that you need to work on?  If so, talk to God about them.

God Is Always Present, Regardless of How You Feel

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

God Is Always Present, Regardless of How You Feel By Rick Warren — Oct 23, 2015 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21 NIV) When you are a baby Christian, God gives you a lot of confirming emotions and often answers the most immature, self-centered prayers so you’ll know he exists. But as you grow in faith, he will wean you of these dependencies. God’s omnipresence and the manifestation of his presence are two different things. One is a fact; the other is often a feeling. God is always present, even when you are unaware of him, and his presence is too profound to be measured by mere emotion. Yes, he wants you to sense his presence, but he’s more concerned that you trust him than that you feel him. Faith, not feelings, pleases God. The situations that will stretch your faith most will be those times when life falls apart and God is nowhere to be found. This happened to Job. On a single day he lost everything — his family, his business, his health, and everything he owned. And then, for 37 chapters, God said nothing! How do you praise God when you don’t understand what’s happening in your life and God is silent? How do you stay connected in a crisis without communication? How do you keep your eyes on Jesus when they’re full of tears? You do what Job did: “Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised’” (Job 1:20b-21 NIV). Tell God exactly how you feel. Pour out your heart to him. Unload every emotion that you’re feeling. Job did this when he said, “I can’t be quiet! I am angry and bitter. I have to speak” (Job 7:11 TEV). He cried out when God seemed distant: “Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house” (Job 29:4 NIV). God can handle your doubt, anger, fear, grief, confusion, and questions. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Who is the person you go to when life gets tough? What do you say to them that you also need to say to God? How is your faith in God on display when you go through a crisis? Why do you think God is more concerned about your faith than your feelings? Today’s Scripture “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Fix Your Mind What you think about the most determines the quality and direction of your life. Naturally, people who think positive, uplifting thoughts have happier, healthier, longer lives. They are less stressed, more vibrant and enjoy better sleep. That’s why the Scripture encourages us to think on good things—things that are true, noble and lovely. Some translations say to “fix your mind” on them. When you fix your mind on noble things, you close the door to the negative voices and open your heart to allow God to work in your life. Choose today to fix your mind on good things. Do whatever you need to in order to keep those good thoughts before you. Write them on note cards and put them in a place where you can see them. Confess God’s promises over your life and declare His blessing on a daily basis. As you fix your mind on the goodness of God, you will be filled with His peace and victory, and see every dream and desire in your heart come to pass. A Prayer for Today “Father, Today I choose to fix my mind on noble things. I choose thoughts of peace and victory. Fill my heart with Your goodness that I may glorify You in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Why Should We Care About Being Right With God?

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

Why Should We Care About Being Right With God? By Rick Warren — Oct 22, 2015 “The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself.” (Romans 1:17 NCV) Righteousness is a big word in the Bible. It’s used hundreds of times. The Bible says that God loves righteousness and that God is righteous. It says that one day God is going to judge the world in righteousness. Psalm 23 says that God leads us in the paths of righteousness. So what in the world does this word mean? I once looked it up in a theological dictionary, and there were 27 pages on the definition! But I’ll boil it down to two words: Righteousness is a relationship and a lifestyle. Righteousness simply means being right with God. Romans 1:17 says, “The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself” (NCV). The Good News is that God made us right with himself through Jesus’ death as a payment for our sins. Because of Jesus’ death, we can have a personal relationship with God. Righteousness is also a lifestyle. It means living right as God intends. The Bible says in 1 John 2:29, “All who practice righteousness are God’s true children” (MSG). So why should you care about being right with God? Because it’s the only way to live, and it’s the only way to Heaven. When you are disconnected from God, you’re not really living; you just exist. Most people in the world aren’t really fully alive. They just exist, trying to make it to the weekend. But to be disconnected from your Creator who made you for a purpose is nonsense. Life is not about the acquisition of things or the achievement of goals. Life is about getting to know God — the one who loves you and made you for a purpose. You’re not really living until you’re right with God and have a relationship with him. Righteousness is also the way you get to Heaven. God created Heaven as a place for his children that he loves, and he wants you to be with him forever. He wants you to be in Heaven, but he’s not going to force you to go to Heaven. You can choose to be disconnected from God here on Earth, but when your life on Earth is done, you will not have a second chance to choose where you spend eternity. You can’t blame God, because he gives you the choice right now to have a relationship with him. He wants you to choose to love him! And when you do, you will be made right with him. It will change your life, here on Earth and for eternity! PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over If God makes you right with him, why does he still want you to learn and grow in spiritual maturity? What does it mean to have a relationship with God? What does it look like in your life? How would you explain righteousness in your own words to someone else? What difference has it made in your life to be made right with God? Today’s Scripture “Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.’” (1 Kings 17:2–4, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS The Place of Blessing As a child of the Most High God, your steps are ordered by Him. He has a specific place of blessing prepared for you. When you live a life of obedience to the Word of God, He promises to supply every one of your needs. Just as God directed Elijah to his place of blessing, God is directing you, too. He’s aligning the right opportunities for you and causing the right people to come along your path to help you. He’s constantly working behind the scenes. But in order to get to that place of blessing, you have to do your part to keep your heart open and stay in step with Him. A major key to keeping your heart in the right place is choosing peace and unity in Christ. The Bible says that when we live in unity, there He has commanded the blessing. When your heart is in the place of blessing, then the rest of your life will be in the place of blessing, too! A Prayer for Today “Father, I come to You with a grateful heart. Thank You for leading me and directing my steps. Draw me close to You so that I can live in unity with You all the days of my life in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Gentleness Is an “Inside” Job

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

Gentleness Is an “Inside” Job By Rick Warren — Oct 21, 2015 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29 NIV) Gentleness is an important quality for you to practice. It diffuses conflict. It disarms critics. It’s persuasive. It’s attractive. It communicates love. Most importantly, gentleness makes you more like Jesus. Matthew 11:28-29 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (NIV). Wait. Does this mean that the stress you’re feeling in your life and the pressure you’re feeling in your life is because you are not gentle? Yes. Because the Bible says that the more gentle you become, the more Christ-like you become and the more at rest you will be. Do you want to be at peace? Do you want to be like Jesus? You can’t just walk out your door and force yourself to be gentle. You can’t manufacture gentleness, because inside you’re still going to be under stress. It’s got to be an “inside” job. It has to be the fruit of God’s Spirit inside you. Jesus is gentle and humble. When you let him share your burden, you will walk with him in a close relationship. You will learn how to be more gentle and humble, and he will give you rest and peace, not stress and pressure. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What does it mean to take Jesus’ yoke upon you? Have you or someone you know ever used the excuse that you’re “just not a gentle person”? What other learned traits do we sometimes treat like they are inherent? How have you seen a difference in your life, including becoming gentler, since you became a believer and received the Holy Spirit?   CURRENT RADIO SERIES All Things New: The Revelation   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New: The Revelation   Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.’ --1 Corinthians 7:1 Are you a single? If so, the Bible has some words of affirmation for you. In our Scripture verse for today, Paul is responding to questions that many of the Corinthian Christians were asking. Regarding the question of whether it was better to be single or married, Paul responds by saying that it is good when a Christian can, by the call of God, live a celibate, pure Christian life. He is not saying that those who are married are less spiritual. So the message from the Scripture is clear. If you sense that it is God’s plan that you remain single, don’t think you’re missing out on fulfillment in life. And if you are married, you must be careful not to put down those who choose to remain single. There are many things that are worse than living a single life. And one of those is to be married to the wrong person! Remember, if you are single today, God affirms your lifestyle as good. Do not be discouraged. He has a purpose and a plan for your life that can be fulfilling and full of joy! There are many things that are worse than living a single life. And one of those is to be married to the wrong person!

If People Like You, They Will Listen to You

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

If People Like You, They Will Listen to You By Rick Warren — Oct 20, 2015 “Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.” (Titus 3:2 GW) Gentleness is a witness to unbelievers. They’re watching you all the time to see if you are any different when you’re under stress. When you respond to pressure with gentleness, it is an incredible testimony to the world. The Bible says in Titus 3:2, “Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone” (GW). If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, you are not allowed to speak evil of anyone. You are not allowed to be quarrelsome. Instead you must be gentle with everybody, and you must show courtesy to everybody. Does that mean even people of a different political party? Yes. God gave me the gift of evangelism, which means I spend most of my time when I’m not at Saddleback Church speaking to people I totally disagree with. But I believe that you cannot win your enemies to Christ; you can only win your friends. People aren’t going to trust Jesus until they trust you first. People usually don’t ask me if the Bible is credible. They want to see that I am credible. Do I live with integrity? Am I gentle? Am I loving? Am I compassionate? If people like what they see, they will listen to what you say. Here’s the thing: If you actually obey Titus 3:2, you’re going to be criticized by other Christians. They’re going to say you’re compromising. I know this from experience. When I say I have friends who are Muslims or atheists or gay or Democrats or Republicans, they say, “How could you do that?” And they accuse me of compromising. Treating other people with respect does not mean you have to compromise what you believe. Being nice to liberal people does not make you a liberal. Being nice to a conservative person does not make you conservative. Nobody gets it right all the time. I have friends who are Republicans. I have friends who are Democrats. I’m for my friends. Why? Because there’s something more important than politics: Do they know Jesus? “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15b NIV). PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over How are you intentionally making friends from all walks of life so that you can talk to them about Jesus? Why do you think gentleness stands out so much in today’s world? What do you need to do to be better prepared to “give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have”? Today’s Scripture “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10–11, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Living in the Rain Rain is symbolic of God’s blessing, favor and refreshing. His Word is like rain that causes us to flourish and blossom in every area. Scripture says we should live like a well-watered garden, vibrant and growing. We should live under a cloud of God’s blessing. How do we do that? In the natural, a cloud is formed when moisture vapors rise up from the earth into the atmosphere. Eventually, the moisture is so abundant that the rain begins to fall. In the same way, your praise is like the invisible vapors that rise up to heaven and form a cloud. Eventually, your praise will activate an outpouring of God’s blessing, favor and provision in your life. Do you feel like you are in a dry season? Begin to praise and thank God that He is bringing you through to a place of refreshing. Magnify and bless Him for His goodness in your life. As you turn up your praise, God will turn up the rain, and you will experience His abundant outpouring in every area of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I choose to bless and honor You. Thank You for this day. Thank You for giving me life. Thank You for making me new. Thank You for saving me and filling me with Your peace and joy. Rain on me today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”