Rick Warren's Blog, page 136

Ten Dominio de la Palabra de Dios

“Y ahora los encomiendo a Dios y al mensaje de su gracia, que tiene poder para edificarlos y darles una herencia junto con todos los que él ha consagrado para sí mismo”. Hechos 20:32 (NTV)

 Cuando te alimentas de la Palabra de Dios, creces. La Biblia es el alimento de tu alma. No puedes estar físicamente sano si comes comida chatarra todo el tiempo. De la misma manera, no puedes estar espiritualmente saludable a menos que te alimentes de la verdad de la Palabra de Dios.

¿Te gustaría tener todas las bendiciones que Dios tiene para ti? ¡Por supuesto que sí! Yo también quiero eso para ti.

¿Cómo obtienes esas bendiciones? Son el resultado directo de la madurez espiritual. La Biblia dice: “Y ahora los encomiendo a Dios y al mensaje de su gracia, que tiene poder para edificarlos y darles una herencia junto con todos los que él ha consagrado para sí mismo” Hechos 20:32 (NTV).

La Palabra de gracia te edificará. Cuando creces en madurez espiritual, Dios puede darte todas las bendiciones que tiene para ti. Hay algunos regalos que no puedes dar a un bebé o un niño pequeño porque aún no son lo suficientemente maduros para ellos. De la misma manera, hay algunos regalos que Dios quiere darte, pero Él está esperando que crezcas.

De hecho, puedes usar tu mano para recordar cómo usar la Biblia para crecer en madurez espiritual. Te alimentas de la Palabra de Dios haciendo seis cosas: escuchas la Palabra de Dios, ese es tu dedo meñique. La lees, ese es tu dedo anular. La estudias, ese es tu dedo medio. La memorizas, ese es tu dedo índice. Luego, meditas en ella, ese es tu pulgar. Tu palma representa la aplicación de la Palabra de Dios.

Es importante que hagas estas seis cosas mientras te alimentas de la Palabra de Dios. Si el único aporte espiritual que recibes es escuchar la Palabra de Dios en la iglesia, entonces no tendrás un agarre muy fuerte con solo tu dedo meñique. ¡Olvidamos el 95 por ciento de todo lo que escuchamos en 72 horas! Satanás podrá robar tu gozo muy fácilmente.

Si escuchas la Palabra de Dios y luego la lees todos los días, la entenderás mejor. Satanás no puede quitártelo tan rápido. Si la oyes, la lees y la estudias, entonces tienes un agarre más fuerte.

Cuando hagas estas seis cosas, tendrás un control firme y fuerte de la Palabra de Dios. Nadie podrá quitártelo. Y te encontrarás creciendo hacia la madurez espiritual y recibiendo las bendiciones que la acompañan.

Reflexiona sobre esto:

Para crecer, debes comprometerte a pasar tiempo en la Palabra de Dios todos los días. Comienza con solo cinco minutos al día. Fíjate la meta de estudiar la Biblia durante la misma cantidad de tiempo, a la misma hora todos los días durante las próximas seis semanas. Ponlo por escrito y díselo a un amigo de confianza que pueda ayudarte a responsabilizarse.¿Cuáles son las mayores distracciones que te impiden estudiar la Biblia todos los días? ¿Son esas cosas más importantes para ti que crecer espiritualmente?¿Qué significa meditar en la Palabra de Dios?Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración .Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA.

The post Ten Dominio de la Palabra de Dios appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Your Name Is Engraved On God’s Hand

“Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”

Isaiah 49:15-16 (NLT)

Just like a mother cannot forget her child, God cannot forget you.

Have you been abandoned in life by a spouse or a parent? God will never abandon you.

Have you been rejected by those you trusted the most? God will never reject you.

Have you been left behind by the people who were supposed to walk through life with you? God will never leave you alone.

When you go through any of those painful experiences, you will be tempted to think that God has forgotten you. But that’s impossible! You were made to be loved by God. He created you as an object of his love.

In fact, did you know God has a tattoo of your name engraved on the palms of his hands? The Bible says in Isaiah 49:15-16, “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands” (NLT).

Where did he get the tattoo? On the cross. With nail-pierced hands and outstretched arms, he showed you just how much he loves you. He loves you so much it hurts! He loves you so much he’d rather die than live without you. He loves you with an everlasting love.

In heaven, no one is going to have any scars except Jesus. His body will have all the scars of the cross. Why? Because he wants to always remember how much he loves you. 

When you don’t understand what’s going on in your life, you need to remember this: You may not have a solution. You won’t always have the answers. And you won’t always get an explanation.

But you do have God’s presence and his love in your life. When life doesn’t make sense, you have to hold on to that promise.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

How does knowing God’s ways are “far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8) help you when you don’t understand what he is doing?
Is God’s presence enough for you when you don’t have answers for your suffering? Why or why not?
Who in your life needs to hear that God has not forgotten them? How will you reach out to them today?

Where will you spend eternity?

The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. You can’t earn your way into heaven: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, start by praying this prayer:

“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

The post appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Invierte en la Eternidad a través de lo que Das

“Pues viajan en servicio al Señor… Por lo tanto, somos nosotros los que debemos apoyarlos y así ser sus colaboradores cuando enseñan la verdad”. 3 Juan 1:7-8 (NTV)

Dios quiere que usemos algo de dinero para llevar las Buenas Nuevas a todo el mundo. Invertimos en la eternidad cada vez que usamos dinero para llevar a otros a Jesús.

Cuando ahorras para ir a un viaje misionero, eso es una inversión en el fondo mutuo de Dios. Cuando ayudas a otros a ir a un viaje misionero, eso también es una inversión en fondo mutuo de Dios.

Esto también incluye usar tu dinero para animar a tus amigos a confiar en Jesús. Lucas 16:9 dice: “Usen sus recursos mundanos para beneficiar a otros y para hacer amigos. Entonces, cuando esas posesiones terrenales se acaben, ellos les darán la bienvenida a un hogar eterno” (NTV).

Imagina que cuando mueras y llegues al cielo, encontrarás amigos que dirán: “Gracias por invertir en mí. ¡Estoy en el cielo gracias a ti! No soy tu amigo de por vida; soy tu amigo por la eternidad. Estoy en el cielo porque te importé lo suficiente. Tú me compraste una Biblia. Me compraste un boleto para ese evento que cambió mi vida. Me diste un libro que me dirigió a Jesús”.

Otros dirán: “Usaste tu dinero para ayudar a difundir las Buenas Nuevas en mi aldea, aunque nunca nos viste antes. Debido a que diste, me convertí en un seguidor de Cristo. ¡Estoy en el cielo gracias a ti!”.

Ayudar a otros a encontrar a Jesús es el mayor uso de tu dinero. ¿Cómo vas a invertir en el fondo mutuo de Dios? ¿Realizarás un viaje misionero o proporcionarás fondos para que otra persona pueda realizar un viaje misionero? ¿Darás para que tus amigos o completos desconocidos escuchen acerca de Jesús?

Reflexiona sobre esto :

¿Qué inversiones has realizado en el fondo mutuo de Dios y qué resultados has visto?¿Cuáles son algunos sacrificios que puedes hacer para poder dar más al fondo mutuo de Dios?¿En qué piensas que puedes usar tu dinero para ayudar a tus amigos a confiar en Jesús?Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración .Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA.

The post Invierte en la Eternidad a través de lo que Das appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Devastated, but Not Destroyed

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

You’re going to go through tough times and experience major losses in life. Why? Because there is no growth without change; there is no change without loss; there is no loss without pain; and there is no pain without grief.

For 27 years, I prayed every day that God would heal my son’s mental illness. Matthew lived a very tortured, painful life. We went to the best doctors in the nation and had the best medications. We had thousands of people praying. We have a strong, supportive family that is full of faith.

And yet, my prayer for Matthew’s healing was never answered on Earth. I know he was healed the moment he entered God’s presence in heaven. But why not here? Why did he have to suffer so much? It just didn’t make sense. 

After Matthew died, I wrote in my journal, “I’d rather walk with God with none of my questions answered than walk through life without him and know all the answers.” 

Whenever you have a major loss, the tendency is to immediately look for a cause or a reason or an explanation: Why did he leave me? Why did I lose my job? Why did I get cancer? Why, why, why?

When you’re in pain, explanations don’t help. You don’t need an explanation. You need God. You need his comfort and his presence. 

God says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT). 

You may be devastated, but you will not be destroyed. The fire will not consume you, because God is with you in your pain and grief. 

If the person closest to you were to suddenly die tomorrow, knowing the reason why wouldn’t lessen the pain any bit. So stop looking for an explanation. You don’t need it!

God has not promised an explanation for why everything happens in the world. But for everyone that follows Jesus, he has promised you’re not going to go through any of it on your own.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What questions have you continually asked God that have gone unanswered? After reading today’s devotional, what will you do with those questions?
How does God show you that he is close to you?
Think of the ways God has provided for you in the past when you have experienced loss and pain. How does God’s past provision help you believe that he will show you grace and be faithful in the future?

The post Devastated, but Not Destroyed appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Sé Generoso Como Dios es Generoso Contigo

“Dale de comer al hambriento, y un día serás recompensado. Comparte lo que tienes con siete y hasta ocho amigos, pues no sabes si mañana el país estará en problemas”. Eclesiastés 11:1-2 (TLA)

Dios quiere que uses parte de tu dinero para ayudar a las personas necesitadas. Dios no nos puso en esta tierra para vivir para nosotros mismos. Él nos bendice para que podamos bendecir a otros.

Esto es parte de cómo Dios nos hace más como Él. Dios es generoso Todo lo que tenemos en la vida se debe a la generosidad de Dios. No tendríamos nada, ni siquiera estaríamos vivos, si no fuera por la generosidad de Dios. Y Dios quiere que seamos generosos como Él.

Imagínate si tu padre fuera multimillonario y quisiera compartir su fortuna contigo. Pero Él sabía que tenías que ser probado primero para ver si podías manejarlo.

Así que te daría una cantidad fija de dinero y te diría: “Quiero que aprendas a vivir con menos para que puedas usar el resto para ayudar a los demás”. Te voy a observar para ver cómo administras y distribuyes mis recursos. Si lo haces bien, te lo confiaré todo”.

¿Cómo usarías ese dinero?

Dios particularmente quiere que seamos generosos con los pobres. A lo largo de la Biblia, Dios nos dice que Él está viendo cómo ayudamos a los pobres, y Él nos da tremendas promesas si lo hacemos. Por ejemplo:

“Al que ayuda al pobre no le faltará nada, en cambio, los que cierran sus ojos ante la pobreza serán maldecidos” Proverbios 28:27 (NTV). “Si ayudas al pobre, le prestas al Señor, ¡y él te lo pagará!” Proverbios 19:17 (NTV).

Mientras más ayudes a otros, más te bendecirá Dios. Él te da para que puedas dar a otros.

¿Por qué? Porque Dios quiere que seas como Él, ¡y Dios es un dador!

Reflexiona sobre esto :

Tómate tu tiempo para contar tus bendiciones. ¿Cómo te ha bendecido Dios en tu familia, tus amistades, tu carrera y tu vida espiritual?Si hoy te presentaras ante Dios y le dieras cuenta de cómo has usado tus bendiciones, ¿te sentirías avergonzado u orgulloso de tu informe? ¿Por qué?¿De qué manera puedes usar tus recursos esta semana para bendecir a alguien que lo necesita?Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración .Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA.

The post Sé Generoso Como Dios es Generoso Contigo appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

The Right Question to Ask When You’re in Pain

“This is the reason why we never collapse . . . These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (Phillips)

When life becomes really hard, most people will eventually ask, “Why is this happening to me?”

But that’s the wrong question to ask when things get dark. Instead, try asking, “God, what’s your purpose in this?”

The Bible says in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “You are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold” (Phillips).

Nothing comes into your life accidentally. God does not cause evil. But he can bring good from every single thing, even from evil. Trials reveal your character, your maturity, your security, your values, and your faith.  

One of the major figures in the Bible is the apostle Paul. He devoted his entire life to serving God. But, in many ways, Paul’s life was worse than you can imagine. He was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, imprisoned, whipped, and robbed, and he went thirsty and hungry.

But he was never bitter. Instead of asking, “Why me?” he looked for and trusted God’s purpose. He learned to trust God in his problems, even when he didn’t understand.

What is the secret to his persistence? “This is the reason why we never collapse . . . These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Phillips).

Like Paul, you can hold on to hope because God has a purpose and even a reward that exceeds your pain. 

When Jesus died on the cross, his followers thought it was a senseless tragedy. They thought God had made a mistake! But what they couldn’t see was God still on his throne, carrying out a bigger purpose. 

After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to the disciples and said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21 NIV).

Just moments before, they could see no reason for their pain. But here Jesus was, telling them that God was giving them a new assignment that was part of a grand purpose.

God’s purpose for your life is always greater than your problems. Trust him. He loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections. He specializes in hopeless situations.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

During what circumstances in your life have you asked, “Why me?”
When have you seen God bring good out of very difficult circumstances?
In what part of your life do you need to start asking, “God, what’s your purpose?”

The post The Right Question to Ask When You’re in Pain appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Cómo Invertir en el Compañerismo de tu Iglesia

“Estén listos para ayudar a los hijos de Dios cuando pasen necesidad. Estén siempre dispuestos a brindar hospitalidad”. Romanos 12:13 (NTV)

Dios quiere que usemos algo de nuestro dinero para animar el compañerismo, para mostrar amor a otros creyentes, y para construir relaciones.

En cualquier ocasión en que doy de mi dinero a Dios, me acerca más a Dios. Cualquier ocasión que doy mi dinero a otra persona, me hace más cercano a esa persona. Cuando le doy dinero a personas en mi congregación o invierto en mi congregación, me vuelvo más cercano a la congregación.

Cuando salgo y compro una bonita tarjeta y escribo una nota de ánimo, simplemente estoy invirtiendo en el fondo mutuo de Dios. Cuando otro creyente está desanimado y necesita a alguien con quien hablar y le compro a esa persona una comida, solo he invertido en el fondo mutuo de Dios.

La Biblia dice, “Querido hermano, tú te portas muy bien cuando ayudas a los otros seguidores de Cristo, especialmente a los que llegan de otros lugares” 3 Juan 1:5 (TLA). Cuando invertimos nuestro dinero en desarrollar relaciones dentro de la iglesia, acercas a otros a Dios. En otras palabras, cuando inviertes en el compañerismo de tu iglesia, ayudas a traer personas a Cristo.

¡Se creativo! ¡Se innovador! Piensa en algo. “Pensemos en maneras de motivarnos unos a otros a realizar actos de amor y buenas acciones” Hebreos 10:24 (NTV).

En cualquier ocasión que le das a otros creyentes, ¡te hace más cercano a ellos!

Reflexiona sobre esto :

¿Dónde ves una necesidad en tu congregación o en la familia de Cristo de tu iglesia?¿Cuáles son tus temores relacionados con alcanzar a extraños invirtiendo en sus vidas? Pídele ayuda a Dios para sobreponerte a tus temores y confiar en Él en tu ministerio.¿Cómo ayudan las relaciones fuertes dentro de la iglesia a acercar personas a Dios?Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración .Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA.

The post Cómo Invertir en el Compañerismo de tu Iglesia appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

On Your Best Days and Your Worst Days, God Is With You

“The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.”

Psalm 34:18 (GNT)

Life is filled with unexpected circumstances. Some of them knock you flat on your back! They make you feel like the roof of your life has caved in.

What do you do when your world collapses? When the dreaded phone call comes? When the divorce papers arrive? When the bankruptcy is filed? 

The first question many people ask is, “Who cares about me?”

After Jesus was killed, his disciples met together but locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders who had sent Jesus to the cross. The disciples felt like they were alone, and because of that, they were afraid and expected the worst.

But then something happened that changed everything: “Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord” (John 20:19-20 NIV).

The difference was immediate. The presence of Christ turned their panic into a party, their fear into good cheer. 

During every moment of your life, from the very best to the very worst, God is with you. He cares for you. You will never walk through tough times alone. In fact, God is never closer than when you are in pain.

He tells you, “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2 TLB). 

Are you hurting today? Are you asking, “Who cares about me?” Are you afraid that no one does? You can rest more easily today knowing that God cares. He has never left you. He is with you now. He has been with you all along. You are not alone!

Believe that today, and experience the peace that Christ brings.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

When have you felt like everything in your life was falling apart? How did you experience God’s presence?
In what ways does being confident in God’s love for you help you rest?
Why do you need other people to remind you of God’s presence when you are struggling? Who in your life needs you to remind them of God’s care for them today?

Will you follow Jesus today?

God proved his goodness through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 CSB).

Are you ready to trust God to fulfill his promise of eternal life? If so, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

The post On Your Best Days and Your Worst Days, God Is With You appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Usa Tu Dinero Para Hacer Crecer Tu Carácter

“Adquiere la verdad y la sabiduría, la disciplina y el discernimiento, ¡y no los vendas!”. Proverbios 23:23 (NVI)

Nos gusta gastar el dinero en la comodidad, pero la Biblia enseña que es más prudente invertir en el carácter.

Dios quiere que tomemos parte de nuestro dinero y lo invirtamos en nosotros mismos, para mejorar en lo personal y en lo espiritual. La Biblia dice: “Crezcan en la gracia y el conocimiento de nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo” 2 Pedro 3:18 (NTV).

La Biblia también dice: “Adquiere la verdad y la sabiduría, la disciplina y el discernimiento, ¡y no los vendas!” Proverbios 23:23 (NVI). Dios quiere que desarrolles habilidades y te eduques para que puedas convertirte en el tipo de persona que Él ha diseñado que seas.

Cada vez que usamos nuestro dinero para comprar un libro cristiano o un recurso que nos ayuda a crecer, estamos invirtiendo en el fondo de crecimiento de Dios. Cada vez que usamos nuestro dinero para tomar una clase o aprender algo que nos hace más de lo que Dios quiere que seamos, estamos invirtiendo en nuestro crecimiento. Y Dios sonríe porque estamos usando nuestro dinero de la manera correcta.

Reflexiona sobre esto :

¿Qué te impide invertir en hacer crecer tu carácter?¿Cómo quieres crecer espiritualmente este año? ¿De qué manera tu inversión refleja tu prioridad de crecer como seguidor de Cristo?¿Qué paso darás hoy para invertir en tu crecimiento hacia un carácter cristiano?Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración .Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA.

The post Usa Tu Dinero Para Hacer Crecer Tu Carácter appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

In Tough Times, Cling to Christ

“Now that the worst is over, we're pleased we can report that we’ve come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world—and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn’t by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised.”

2 Corinthians 1:12 (MSG)

When life feels overwhelming or chaotic, it can be hard to know what to hold on to. But there’s one thing that never changes and is always trustworthy: God’s unchanging character.

No matter what is happening in or around you, God’s grace is still in full force. He is still for you, even when you don’t feel it. 

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:12, “Now that the worst is over, we’re pleased we can report that we’ve come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world—and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn’t by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised” (MSG).

How can you face whatever is in front of you with confidence in God’s grace and come out of difficult circumstances with your faith intact? Here are three ways:

Lean on Christ for stability. The Bible says, “Such a man . . . does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen.  For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him” (Psalm 112:6-7 TLB).

Listen to Christ for direction. He will always lead you toward a good future: “‘I know what I am planning for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NCV).

Look to Christ for salvation. The Bible promises that Jesus will always be there to help you: “He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2 NCV).

Times of crisis offer you the chance to shift your dependence to something that can never be taken from you: God and his unchanging character. You may lose your home, career, marriage, or health, but you will never, ever lose your relationship with God. 

Raymond Edman, one of Billy Graham’s mentors, once said, “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.”

These things are eternally true: God is good, he loves you, he is with you, he knows what you’re going through, he cares, and he has a good plan for your life. He will never leave you or forsake you. That’s an eternal security you can build your life on.  

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

In the good times of your life, what have you learned about God and his love for you?
How will those truths help you get through the difficult seasons of your life?
 When you start to doubt God’s faithfulness, what promises from his Word can encourage you?

Will you believe God’s promise today?

The Bible says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 CSB).

Are you ready to trust God to fulfill his promise of eternal life? If so, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

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