Rick Warren's Blog, page 197

Si le Agradas a las Personas, Te Escucharán

“No hablen mal de nadie, vivan en paz con los demás, sean comprensivos y traten a todos con amabilidad”. Tito 3:2 (PDT)

La gentileza es un testimonio a los no creyentes. Ellos te están mirando todo el tiempo para ver si eres diferente cuando estás bajo estrés. Cuando respondes a la presión con gentileza, es un testimonio increíble para el mundo.

La Biblia dice en Tito 3:2, “No hablen mal de nadie, vivan en paz con los demás, sean comprensivos y traten a todos con amabilidad” (PDT).

Si dices ser un seguidor de Jesús, no se te permite hablar mal de nadie. No se te permite ser conflictivo. Por el contrario, debes ser amable con todo el mundo, y debes mostrar cortesía con todos. ¿Se refiere eso incluso a las personas de un partido político diferente? Sí.

Dios me dio el don de la evangelización, lo que significa que paso la mayor parte de mi tiempo cuando no estoy en la Iglesia Saddleback hablando con gente con la que estoy totalmente en desacuerdo. Pero yo creo que tú no puedes ganar a tus enemigos para Cristo; sólo se puedes ganar a tus amigos.

La gente no va a confiar en Jesús hasta que confíen primero en ti. La gente por lo general no me pregunta si la Biblia es creíble. Quieren ver que yo sea creíble. ¿Vivo con integridad? ¿soy gentil? ¿muestro amor? ¿soy compasivo?

Si a la gente le gusta lo que ve, escuchará lo que dices.

Este es el punto: si en realidad obedeces Tito 3:2, vas a ser criticado por otros cristianos. Van a decir que estás cediendo. Lo sé por experiencia propia. Cuando digo que tengo amigos que son musulmanes o ateos o homosexuales o demócratas —liberales— o republicanos —conservadores— dicen, “¿cómo puedes hacer eso?” Y ellos me acusan de comprometer mis valores.

Tratar a otras personas con respeto no significa que tienes que comprometer lo que crees. Ser amable con gente liberal no te hace un liberal. Ser amable con una persona conservadora no te hace un conservador.

Nadie lo hace bien todo el tiempo. Tengo amigos que son republicanos. Tengo amigos que son demócratas. Estoy con mis amigos. ¿Por qué? Porque hay algo más importante que la política: ¿Conocen ellos a Jesús?

“estando siempre preparados para presentar defensa ante todo el que les demande razón de la esperanza que hay en ustedes. Pero háganlo con mansedumbre y reverencia” 1 Pedro 3:15b (NBLA).

Reflexiona sobre esto:

¿Estás haciendo amigos intencionalmente en todas las sendas que caminas para que puedas hablar con ellos acerca de Jesús? ¿Cómo?¿Por qué crees que la gentileza se aprecia tanto en el mundo de hoy?¿Qué necesitas hacer que te ayude a prepararte mejor para “presentar defensa ante todo el que demande razón de la esperanza que hay en ti”?

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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 .

The post Si le Agradas a las Personas, Te Escucharán appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Be Faithful With the Work You’ve Been Given

“For unless you are honest in small matters, you won’t be in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”

Luke 16:10-11 (TLB)

If you think you’re going to be bored in heaven, think again.

You’re not going to sit around on a cloud doing nothing in heaven. God wired you and knows what you’re interested in. All your hobbies, skills, and talents come from him. He shaped you with your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences. God didn’t make you extraordinarily unique just for Earth. He’s going to use your shape in eternity.

You will have work in heaven, but here’s the difference between work in heaven and work on Earth: In heaven, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your work. You won’t experience any heartache or stress over your work. It will be meaningful, enjoyable, and fulfilling all the time. You’ll have your dream job forever!

I don’t know what your specific roles or responsibilities will be in heaven. But I do know that they will be based on how faithful you are with the roles and responsibilities God has given you on Earth. 

God is watching you, and he’s testing you. Life is a temporary assignment, and God wants to see how responsible, faithful, and trustworthy you are with the responsibilities you have now.

What are you doing with what you’ve been given? If you make the most of what you’ve been given, then God is going to give you more in heaven. You’ll make it into heaven because of God’s grace, but your rewards and responsibilities once you get there will be based on how faithfully you served God on Earth.

The Bible explains: “For unless you are honest in small matters, you won’t be in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” (Luke 16:10-11 TLB).

God is watching to see how you manage your finances, your time, your relationships, your health, and your opportunities. 

The way you manage your money is a test of your faithfulness, and it’s going to help determine what you do in heaven. If God can’t trust you with worldly wealth—you’re always in debt, you can’t afford to tithe, and you’re not generous—then what do you think he’s going to trust you with in eternity?

God is watching how you handle your responsibilities too—not because he wants to make you feel guilty but because he wants you to enjoy all the wonderful things heaven has to offer.

When you choose faithfulness in everything God has entrusted to you on Earth, then you will be entrusted with much more in heaven.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What difference does it make when you see your work as a test of faithfulness?
What do you think God wants you to do with a job that does not feel fulfilling or meaningful?
How can you choose faithfulness in your work today?

The post Be Faithful With the Work You’ve Been Given appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Cómo la Amabilidad Calma Conflicto

“La respuesta amable calma los ánimos, pero la respuesta áspera aumenta el enojo”. Proverbios 15:1 (PDT)

¿Has notado que los seres humanos tenemos la tendencia a imitar las emociones de la gente con que nos relacionamos? La razón por la que hacemos esto, es por las neuronas espejo que hay en tu cerebro. Ellas te permiten simpatizar y también reflejar lo que sienten otras personas.

Por ejemplo, si alguien se enfada contigo, le respondes enfadado. Si alguien está muy deprimido y te juntas frecuentemente con esa persona, terminarás deprimido.

De la misma manera, cuando las personas te levantan la voz, generalmente contestas con un tono de voz aún más alto. Entonces ellos levantan su voz más alta y tú levantas aún más la tuya. Entonces de repente todo se incrementa y tus emociones están fuera de control.

La Biblia dice: “La respuesta amable calma los ánimos, pero la respuesta áspera aumenta el enojo” Proverbios 15:1 (PDT).

Déjame darte un pequeño consejo que te ahorrará muchos dolores de cabeza y conflictos en tu vida: Cuando otras personas levanten su voz, baja la tuya —en tu matrimonio, en la crianza de tus hijos, con tus amistades y en el trabajo. Eso se llama fuerza bajo control.

La gentileza desactiva el conflicto. Reduce la ira.

He aquí un buen versículo que vas a necesitar algún día —tal vez incluso esta semana. Eclesiastés 10:4 dice: “Si tu jefe se enoja contigo, ¡no renuncies a tu puesto! Un espíritu sereno puede superar grandes errores” (NTV).

Cuando tu jefe te ataque o tu cónyuge levante la voz con ira, es necesario darse cuenta que puede que no tenga nada que ver contigo. En lugar de ponerte a la defensiva, práctica la gentileza. Deja que tu respuesta amable desarme a la otra persona y aplaque la situación.

Reflexiona sobre esto:

¿Cuál es tu reacción normal cuando alguien levanta la voz, como cuando tus hijos se están portando mal o hay desacuerdos con tu cónyuge o tu pareja?¿Por qué crees que responder gentilmente en lugar de con ira desarma tanto? ¿Por qué llama esto la atención de los demás?Busca maneras de practicar la mansedumbre esta semana. ¿Cómo reacciona la gente cuando les respondes con gentileza? Podrías incluso tomar notas de tus esfuerzos y sus efectos para compartirlos con tu grupo pequeño.

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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 .

The post Cómo la Amabilidad Calma Conflicto appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

God Sees, and God Rewards

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great.”

Luke 6:35 (NLT)

Heaven probably already sounds pretty good to you. But did you know there are going to be rewards in heaven?

You will be rewarded for everything you did in obedience to Jesus while on this Earth.

God is watching everything in your life. You will be rewarded in heaven for your good actions, speech, and thoughts; for your character and good decisions; and for your generosity and sacrifices. You’ll be rewarded for loving your enemies and for not giving up when it was difficult to do the right thing.

You will be rewarded for bringing other people to Jesus Christ. (Is anybody going to be in heaven because of you?) 

You will be rewarded for putting up with criticism for being a Christian and for being persecuted as a believer. That’s why Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12 NIV).

God is watching it all and is going to reward it all.

These rewards have nothing to do with your salvation. The only way you get into heaven is by faith in what Jesus Christ has already done for you. You can’t get into heaven by your good works. But the Bible says that when you get to heaven, you will be rewarded according to your good works.

There are all kinds of verses about this. Matthew 10:42 says, “If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded” (NLT). It seems like such a simple thing to give a cup of water to someone or to share a meal. But, every time you do that, it’s like God says, “I’m writing that one down. I’ve got them all recorded.”

You get to decide where you want your rewards. Do you want them in this life, or do you want them in the next life?

Jesus said, “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great” (Luke 6:35 NLT).

If you choose this life’s rewards—like popularity, wealth, fame, success, and comfort—then you will enjoy them for only 80 years or so. But if you build up rewards in heaven, you get to enjoy those rewards forever.

Don’t settle for the rewards this world has to offer. As a child of God, you have so much more to work for and look forward to!

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

The phrase, “What would Jesus do?” may seem overused in Christian culture, but how is it helpful for making choices that will be rewarded in heaven?
Why do you think God wants to reward you for your obedience?
In what ways are you working for rewards on Earth? In what ways are you working for rewards in heaven?

The post God Sees, and God Rewards appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Persuadir con Gentileza

“Los sabios son conocidos por su entendimiento, y las palabras agradables son persuasivas”. Proverbios 16:21 (NTV)

La gentileza es persuasiva. Esto es extremadamente importante si es que tienes una carrera de vendedor. ¿Por qué? Porque la venta agresiva ya no funciona más. Ya no respondemos al tipo que nos grita diciéndonos que tiene el negocio del siglo sin el cual no podemos vivir.

En estos días no compramos porque alguien nos empuja a hacerlo. Compramos porque alguien nos lo recomienda. Tus amigos recomiendan cierto carro, película o restaurante, y eso es suficiente para que quieras probarlo, y hasta comprarlo. ¿Por qué? Porque su trato fue gentil, sin una segunda intención. Y esto es muchísimo más persuasivo.

Proverbios 25:15 dice: “La cortesía vence toda oposición” (TLA). ¿Quieres convencer a tu novio o novia o a tu cónyuge para que haga algo? No lo obligues ni presiones. Incluso cuando la gente está a la defensiva, la cortesía consigue su atención, porque derriba hasta las defensas más sólidas.

Entonces, si eres padre, los gritos nunca te funcionarán, aun con los niños más tercos. Nunca ejerzas disciplina cuando estás airado o frustrado. Siempre hazlo como fruto del amor y de manera gentil. Proverbios 25:15 dice que, “las palabras suaves pueden quebrar los huesos” (NTV).

Si en mi iglesia quiero persuadir a la gente para que viva más intensamente su fe, debo hacerlo de manera gentil. Podría decir cada semana: “Estas son todas las cosas que ustedes están haciendo mal”, pero esa forma de comunicar solo levanta barreras emocionales. ¡Las personas probablemente dejarán de venir a la iglesia! No funciona en la iglesia, no funciona en el hogar, y no funciona en el trabajo con tu jefe. Lo irritante nunca funciona.

Pero la gentileza es persuasiva. La Biblia dice en Proverbios 16:21, “Los sabios son conocidos por su entendimiento, y las palabras agradables son persuasivas” (NTV).

Esta es la marca de la madurez. Las personas sabias y maduras son agradables. Los inmaduros son rudos. Nunca puedes ser persuasivo cuando eres áspero. 

Reflexiona sobre esto :

¿Por qué la gentileza es deseada tanto en nuestra sociedad?Piensa en la manera que respondías en las discusiones con parientes y amigos cuando eras más joven. ¿Cómo han cambiado tus respuestas en la medida que creciste y maduraste?¿Qué cosas prácticas puedes hacer cuando estás disciplinando a tus hijos, que te ayuden a responder con gentileza y no con ira?

Síguenos en Instagram  & Facebook

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 .

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

Three Realities of Heaven

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

Colossians 3:1 (NLT)

People have many misconceptions about what heaven is like. You won’t be an angel. You won’t have wings. You’re not going to be a little chubby cherub, wear a white robe, or float on clouds.

You need a correct view of heaven. The Bible says in Colossians 3:1, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (NLT).

So what does the Bible say about these “realities of heaven”?

Heaven is where God lives and rules. The Bible calls heaven “the dwelling place of God,” “the house of God,” and “the city of God.” As these phrases suggest, heaven is where God lives.

But Jesus also calls heaven “the Kingdom of God” or “the Kingdom of heaven” 31 times in Scripture. So heaven isn’t just where God lives; it’s also where he rules. Psalm 123:1 says, “Lord, I look up to you, up to heaven, where you rule” (GNT).

Heaven is a real place. Heaven isn’t a state of mind. It isn’t a state of being. And it isn’t a place where your essence floats around like a ghost. It’s a real place. In fact, the Bible says there will be streets, trees, water, and homes in heaven. Many Scripture passages allude to the fact that animals are there. You’ll have your physical body, renewed through your resurrection. And there will be a real place for your real body to live: There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you (John 14:2 CEV).

And Jesus said in Matthew 6:20, “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal” (NLT). You can’t store up treasures in a place that isn’t real.

Heaven is designed for you and me. God didn’t design heaven for himself. He designed it for his followers. The Bible says, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you” (Matthew 25:34 NIV).

When God started thinking about Earth, he started thinking about heaven. The Bible says God made the entire universe because he wanted a family to spend eternity with. Heaven is the place he’s designed for his family, and heaven is an amazing expression of his love.

People weren’t meant to live on Earth forever. You and I were made for heaven! Hebrews 13:14 says, “For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven” (TLB). Once you’ve become a part of God’s family, there’s a whole lot more to life than just here and now. Really, this world is not your home; you’re just passing through!  

When it comes to heaven, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 GW). No matter what you’ve dreamed up about heaven, the reality will far exceed it!

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

How has your understanding of heaven changed after reading this devotional?
Consider how this statement from today’s Daily Hope devotional influences your thinking about God: “God didn’t design heaven for himself. He designed it for his children. When God started thinking about Earth, he started thinking about heaven.”
What most surprised you about the three realities of heaven from this devotional?

You can be certain you’re going to heaven!

Many people fear death and judgment—but Jesus’ death and resurrection can free you from that fear.

The Bible says that every one of us sins and that the penalty of sin is death. But God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty of your sins, to bring you into the family of God, and to save you from judgment.

If you’re ready to join God’s family, here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know that when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all I’ve done wrong so that I can have eternal life with you instead of judgment. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I ask you to save me from my sins and from judgment. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe that you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.comom 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 Three Realities of Heaven appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Una Respuesta Apacible Demuestra tu Amor

“Maridos, ame cada uno a su esposa y nunca la trate con aspereza”. Colosenses 3:19 (NTV)

La gentileza reduce los conflictos, desarma a los críticos, es persuasiva, es atractiva y  la amabilidad comunica amor.

Hombres: si están casados, la forma más rápida de mejorar su matrimonio es comenzar a hablar con sus esposas más gentilmente. ¡Hará maravillas! Colosenses 3:19 dice: “Maridos, ame cada uno a su esposa y nunca la trate con aspereza” (NTV). Cualquier tonto puede ser egoísta. Cualquier tonto puede ser duro. Cualquier tonto puede ser grosero. Pero los hombres gentiles son caballerosos.

Un gran matrimonio es sencillamente la unión de dos grandes perdonadores, porque ustedes se van a herir mucho el uno al otro a lo largo de la vida. He estado casado con Kay por casi 40 años. La he herido muchas veces, y ella me ha herido a mí muchas veces. Pero ambos somos grandes perdonadores. Y esto es parte de la gentileza.

La gentileza no es solo la clave para un matrimonio efectivo; lo es también para una paternidad efectiva. Nunca disciplines con ira o frustración, sino hazlo de manera gentil y con amor. La Biblia dice en Efesios 6:4, “Padres, no hagan enojar a sus hijos con la forma en que los tratan. Más bien, críenlos con la disciplina e instrucción que proviene del Señor” (NTV).

Honestamente puedo decirles que no recuerdo una sola vez en que mi padre me levantara la voz mientras yo estaba creciendo. ¿Estuvo alguna vez enojado conmigo? Por supuesto. ¿Alguna vez hice las cosas mal y le di razones para enojarse? Muchas, muchas veces. ¡Casi a diario! Pero él era un hombre gentil. Él tenía su fuerza bajo control, y no me gritaba. Me mostró su amor mediante su naturaleza gentil.

Permite que tu respuesta gentil haga lo mismo en tus relaciones.

Reflexiona sobre esto :

Decide responder gentilmente a tu cónyuge e hijos esta semana. ¿Qué diferencia hace?¿Cómo la gentileza le comunica amor a alguien? ¿Qué le dices a esa persona cuando escoges responder con gentileza?¿Es importante para ti ser conocido como una persona gentil? ¿Por qué sí o por qué no?

Síguenos en Instagram  & Facebook

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 .

The post Una Respuesta Apacible Demuestra tu Amor appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Five Things You Won’t Find in Heaven

“Can you understand the mysteries surrounding God All-Powerful? They are higher than the heavens and deeper than the grave. So what can you do when you know so little, and these mysteries outreach the earth and the ocean?”

Job 11:7-9 (CEV)

When I was a little boy, we traveled to Disneyland for a family vacation. On the way there, my dad explained to me what it was going to be like. But no matter how he tried, there was no way for me to understand just how amazing that place was until I walked into the park for the first time. It far surpassed anything I had imagined it to be!

The Bible says in Job 11:7-9, “Can you understand the mysteries surrounding God All-Powerful? They are higher than the heavens and deeper than the grave. So what can you do when you know so little, and these mysteries outreach the earth and the ocean?” (CEV).

Heaven is a mystery that you will not fully understand until you arrive there. But the Bible does give important information about eternity, including five things that will not be in heaven.

In heaven, there will be no sickness. The Bible says, “This is how it will be when the dead are raised to life. When the body is buried . . . it is ugly and weak; when raised, it will be beautiful and strong” (1 Corinthians 15:42-43 GNT). There won’t be any sickness because you’re going to get a new, perfect body.

In heaven, there will be no sadness. God “will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4 NIV). God has kept a record of your tears and pain because he cares about you. But when you get to heaven, there will be no more broken hearts, rejection, loneliness, grief, or heartache.

In heaven, there will be no suffering. The Bible says, “‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat” (Revelation 7:16 NIV). Every one of your needs will be satisfied in heaven.

In heaven, there will be no sin. “God . . . will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault” (Jude 1:24 NLT). Jesus Christ died on the cross and paid for all your sin so that when you see him face to face, your character will be instantly changed to be like him.

In heaven, there will be no death. “There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:4 NLT). Heaven is glorious in a lot of ways, but the best thing is that you get to be in God’s presence—forever.

The Bible says, “We don’t know everything, and our prophecies are not complete…. Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understand us” (1 Corinthians 13:9, 12 CEV).

One day it’s all going to be clear. It’s all going to make sense. You’re going to be able to say, “So that’s why God allowed that in my life!” Until then, God wants you to trust him.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

Is God’s promise to take away all suffering, sickness, and sadness in heaven enough for you, even though you must endure those things now? Why or why not?
What are you most looking forward to about heaven?
In what ways can you become more like Christ while you are here on Earth? Why is it important to do so?

The post Five Things You Won’t Find in Heaven appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Cómo Dios Usa el Duelo para Ayudarnos a Crecer

“Sabemos que Dios dispone todas las cosas para el bien de quienes lo aman”. Romanos 8:28 (NVI)

El duelo, la pérdida y el dolor son una parte inevitable de la vida. Pero ¿sabías que Dios usa nuestro dolor para ayudarnos a crecer? Lo hace de tres maneras.

En primer lugar, Dios usa el dolor para llamar nuestra atención. C.S. Lewis escribió: “Dios nos susurra en nuestro placer, pero nos grita en nuestro dolor”. El dolor es el megáfono de Dios. Rara vez cambiamos cuando vemos la luz. Cambiamos cuando sentimos el calor.

Proverbios 20:30 dice: “El castigo le quita lo malo al perverso, porque el castigo hace cambiar a la gente” (PDT).

En segundo lugar, Él saca algo bueno de lo malo. Uno de los versos más famosos de la Biblia es romanos 8:28: “Sabemos que Dios dispone todas las cosas para el bien de quienes lo aman” (NVI).

Cuando experimentas una pérdida, es una oportunidad para crecer en carácter. Tú no puedes controlar por lo que estás pasando, pero puedes decidir si te va a amargar o si te va a mejorar. Tú decides si el dolor va a ser un escalón o un obstáculo. Hay que recordar que incluso en tu dolor, Dios está obrando para tu bien.

En tercer lugar, Dios nos prepara para la eternidad. La Biblia dice en 2 Corintios 4:17-18, “Nuestros sufrimientos son pasajeros y pequeños en comparación con la gloria eterna y grandiosa a la que ellos nos conducen. A nosotros no nos interesa lo que se puede ver, sino lo que no se puede ver, porque lo que se puede ver, sólo dura poco tiempo. En cambio, lo que no se puede ver, dura para siempre” (PDT).

Probablemente me has escuchado decir esto antes; no te vas a llevar tu automóvil al Cielo. No te vas a llevar tu porcelana o tu ropa al Cielo; no te vas a llevar tu carrera al Cielo. Pero si te llevarás tu carácter. Te llevarás a ti mismo.

Dios está más interesado en el desarrollo de tu carácter que en tu comodidad. ¿Por qué? Porque tú estarás cómodo en el Cielo, pero el tiempo aquí en la tierra es la etapa para prepararse. Esta es la etapa de aprendizaje. Este es el acto de calentamiento. Tus problemas aquí en la Tierra te están alistando para la gloria eterna y esto es un consuelo.

Cuando estés pasando por dolor o algún sufrimiento, necesitas preguntarte: “¿Qué está haciendo Dios?” ¿Está tratando de llamar mi atención? ¿Está tratando de sacar algo bueno de todo este mal? ¿Está preparando mi carácter para el cielo?

Reflexiona sobre esto:

¿Qué significa que Dios dispone todas las cosas para el bien? ¿Significa que Dios sólo permite que le sucedan cosas buenas a los creyentes?¿Por qué es a veces más fácil enfocarse en el aquí y el ahora y no en el Cielo?¿Cómo te puedes preparar ahora, para que estés listo a escuchar a Dios cuando te encuentres en un momento de dolor?Síguenos en Instagram  & Facebook 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 .

The post Cómo Dios Usa el Duelo para Ayudarnos a Crecer appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

You Were Made to Last Forever

“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.”

Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)

Heaven is the place God is preparing for his family.

When God started thinking up Earth, he also started thinking up heaven. Why? Because he knew you were not meant to live here forever. This is not all there is!

That’s a good thing—because you don’t want to live in an imperfect place forever. You want to live in a perfect place that was made just for you, as a member of God’s family.

God’s plan for eternity is such an amazing expression of his love. The Bible tells us that God created the entire universe because he wanted a family that would live with him forever. It wasn’t because he was lonely—because God is fulfilled in himself. He wanted to express his love by creating human beings in his image, so that he could adopt us into his family, and we could live with him forever.

Ephesians 1:5 says, “[God’s] unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to!” (TLB).

There’s a word for God’s family: church. The only thing in this world that’s going to last is the church—the people who have chosen to be part of God’s family in faith and obedience.

As the Bible says, “We have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay” (1 Peter 1:4 NLT).

Because you were made to last forever, you can choose to spend eternity in one of two places: heaven or hell.

When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you accept your inheritance as God’s child and your forever home in heaven. That inheritance can never be taken away from you! It is God’s amazing gift to you. It changes not just where you spend eternity but how you live life now.

The Bible says in Hebrews 13:14, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come” (NLT).

Once you become part of God’s family, there’s a whole lot more to life than just the here and now. You realize that this world really is not your home. You’re just passing through!

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

How do you look at life differently when you understand how short it is compared to eternity and how much you have to look forward to as a follower of Jesus?
What are some ways you have experienced God as your heavenly Father? What is it like to be his child?
Does thinking about heaven give you an urgency to tell others about it? Why or why not?

God wants you in his family. Are you ready to come home?

God made you to love you, and one of the places you see that most clearly is on the cross. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God made it possible for you to become part of his family for eternity. No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you’ve got a place in God’s forever family ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.

Are you ready? Here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord.

“Jesus, I believe in you, and I commit my life to you. I will follow you as my Lord from this day forward. 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 You Were Made to Last Forever appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.