Rick Warren's Blog, page 291

Antes de Juzgar, Escucha con Amor

“Según nuestra ley, no podemos condenar a un hombre sin antes haberlo oído para saber qué es lo que ha hecho”. Juan 7:51 (DHH)

Es difícil criticar y condenar, cuando procuras escuchar con compasión, honestidad, sinceridad y equidad. Santiago 1:19 dice: “Todos deben estar listos para escuchar, y ser lentos para hablar y para enojarse” (NVI). Escucha antes de juzgar.

Una vez los fariseos estaban tratando de juzgar a Jesús, sin dejar que Él pudiera decir algo o explicarse. No querían escuchar su versión de los hechos. Pero Nicodemo, uno de los fariseos, habló y dijo: “Según nuestra ley, no podemos condenar a un hombre sin antes haberlo oído para saber qué es lo que ha hecho” Juan 7:51 (DHH).

¿Cuántas veces has juzgado a alguien —tu hijo, tu cónyuge, tu vecino, tu enemigo—, sin escuchar primero su historia? ¿Te has encontrado tratando a alguien de la misma manera en que los fariseos trataron a Jesús?

Cuando sientas la necesidad de juzgar a alguien, detente y respira. ¡Aguanta la respiración si es lo que necesitas para escuchar antes de hablar! Si no escuchas primero, estás cometiendo el pecado de juzgar a los demás.

¿Crees que algo debe salir a la luz en la vida de alguien? Probablemente no seas tú quien deba exponerlo. Deja que Dios se encargue de ello. Tu trabajo es, primero, escuchar. Trata de comprender antes de juzgar la lucha de alguien.

Jesús dijo: “No juzguen a nadie, para que nadie los juzgue a ustedes. Porque tal como juzguen se les juzgará, y con la medida que midan a otros, se les medirá a ustedes” Mateo 7:1-2 (NVI).

Haz a los demás lo que te gustaría que te hicieran a ti. Escucha con amor y deja que Dios sea el juez.

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Reflexiona sobre esto

¿Por qué crees que muchas personas piensan que pueden hacer un trabajo mejor que Dios al juzgar a los demás?¿En qué formas el hecho de escuchar a tus seres queridos antes de juzgarlos te ayuda a comprenderlos verdaderamente?¿Qué podrías poner en práctica durante tus conversaciones a fin de ser un mejor oyente?

The post Antes de Juzgar, Escucha con Amor appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

How to Help Someone Find Hope and Healing, Part 2

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Have you ever felt that someone was a hopeless case? That they never were going to come to Christ? Maybe it was an alcoholic relative, a drug-addicted parent, or a codependent neighbor—someone with a hurt, hang-up, or habit that kept them from knowing God.

The truth is, no one is outside of Jesus’ reach!

Yesterday you learned about the importance of small groups in helping “hopeless” people find healing. We looked at the story in Luke 5 of a group of men bringing their paralyzed friend to Jesus to be healed. That story showed three characteristics (compassion, faith, and intervention) of a small group that God uses to heal. Today we’re going to look at four more characteristics:

Persistence. You may get discouraged as you try to reach your family, friends, and acquaintances with the Gospel. But you can’t give up! The friends in Luke 5 didn’t let difficulties discourage them. It didn’t matter that crowds were between them and Jesus. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (NIV).

Innovation. These friends dared to do something different. It’s pretty innovative to get up on a roof and tear it apart to get a guy to Jesus. Imagine the mess they made! Ministry is messy because it involves people. Small groups that won’t step out of the box won’t be willing to be messy enough to be instruments of healing.

Cooperation. Obviously, these men worked together to bring their friend to Jesus. It was too big of a job for one guy. It’s the same way with small groups. People come to Christ faster when they do it in the context of a supportive small group. A supportive community is a powerful witness for God.

Sacrifice. Have you ever wondered who paid for the roof after this story? I think the group of friends did. They wouldn’t just tear it up and leave it for someone else to fix. Whether it’s time, money, effort, or something else, there is always a cost to bringing someone to Christ. Luke 16:9 says, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home” (NLT). Small groups must be willing to make sacrifices if they’re going to be agents of healing in the world.

God wants to use you to bring healing to those without hope. But he doesn’t expect you to do it alone. Form a good small group of Christians. Then ask God for the persistence, innovation, cooperation, and sacrifice it will take to reach the hopeless with the hope of the Gospel.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

Describe a time when your ministry got messy and you wanted to give up. What kept you going? Did someone help you through it?
What are some ways small group members can encourage each other when they are discouraged by difficulties?
What people in your life have you witnessed to or prayed for God to save? How can your small group help you in your witness to these friends?

The post How to Help Someone Find Hope and Healing, Part 2 appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Cómo Ver tus Puntos Ciegos

“¿Y por qué miras la paja que está en el ojo de tu hermano, y no echas de ver la viga que está en tu propio ojo?”. Mateo 7:3 (RVR1960)

Antes de juzgar a otra persona, recuerda que tú tienes puntos ciegos en tu propia vida. Los puntos ciegos son actitudes o debilidades en tu vida que no puedes ver o te reúsas a ver, aun cuando ocasionan conflictos con otros.

Por ejemplo, puede que seas constantemente argumentativo y no darte cuenta que sigues convirtiendo conversaciones simples en debates. Jesús dijo que cuando sientas la urgencia de juzgar a otro por sus puntos ciegos, lo veas como una oportunidad para descubrir las tuyas propias y tratar con ellas.

Él habló sobre esto en el Sermón del Monte: “¿Y por qué miras la paja que está en el ojo de tu hermano, y no echas de ver la viga que está en tu propio ojo? ¿O cómo dirás a tu hermano: Déjame sacar la paja de tu ojo, y he aquí la viga en el ojo tuyo? ¡Hipócrita! saca primero la viga de tu propio ojo, y entonces verás bien para sacar la paja del ojo de tu hermano” Mateo 7:3-5 (RVR1960).

Él está diciendo, “¿Cómo te atreves? ¿Por qué estas tan preocupado por los pecados de la vida de alguien más, cuando no has lidiado con los pecados en tu propia vida? Ocúpate de tus puntos ciegos para que puedas ver claramente y luego puedas ayudar a otros”.

¿Te has dado cuenta de que tiendes a juzgar en otros lo que no te gusta de ti? Si eres perezoso y lo sabes —y no te agrada eso de ti— entonces tiendes a verlo más en otros y juzgarlos. Si eres orgulloso o codicioso, tiendes a ver eso rápidamente en otras personas. Notarás en otros fácilmente, aquello con lo que tú luchas.

La Biblia dice en 1 Corintios 11:31, “Si, pues, nos examinásemos a nosotros mismos, no seríamos juzgados” (RVR1960).

Piensa en lo que ese versículo está diciendo: Si nosotros examináramos seriamente nuestras vidas y autoevaluamos nuestras propias debilidades, faltas y caídas, entonces Dios no tendría que juzgarnos.

Dios está para ti, no en tu contra. Él ya conoce tus puntos ciegos, y quiere que los atiendas para que puedas madurar en tu fe.

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Reflexiona sobre esto

¿Cuál pecado tiendes a ver más clara y fácilmente en los demás? ¿Qué te dice eso sobre los pecados que pueden estar en tu propia vida?¿Qué significa autoevaluarse?Cuando sientes la urgencia de juzgar a alguien, en vez de hacer eso ¿qué deberías recordar hacer?

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How to Help Someone Find Hope and Healing, Part 1

“Therefore [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

Do you know someone who seems like a hopeless case—someone who seems like they’ll never come to Christ? Maybe you once thought you were a hopeless case yourself.

I’ve found that a small group is the best place for a hopeless person to find healing. One of the parts I like best about being in a small group is that you can pray together for hopeless cases. And you can lean on the faith of each other when you start to doubt.

Luke 5 tells a great story of a small group of men who took a friend who was paralyzed and in need of healing to the feet of Jesus. Those men did what small groups of Christian friends still do today—they take you to Jesus when it feels too hard to get there by yourself.

In this story, you find seven characteristics of a small group that God uses to heal. Today we’re going to look at three of those characteristics, and tomorrow we’ll look at the rest. Here are the first three:

Compassion. This man was healed because his friends cared. It all starts with you caring about people who are hurting. Romans 15:2 says, “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord” (NLT). God used these guys because they were sensitive to a friend’s need. And he’ll use you when you aren’t preoccupied with your own needs and when you start caring more about others than you do yourself.

Faith. The men believed God would heal their friend. Take a look at Luke 5:20: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven’” (NIV). It wasn’t the paralytic’s faith that made him well; it was the faith of his friends. How many people do you know who are so paralyzed they can’t believe in God? That’s when you have to believe for them.

Intervention. These friends didn’t just pray for their friend; they took action as well. They intervened! It’s not enough just to pray for someone who is hurting and caught in sin. You also have to do something. Jesus says in Luke 14:23, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full” (NIV). The Bible is full of examples of people taking others to Jesus.

So remember—when you’re with a friend in need of hope and healing, show compassion, have faith, and intervene on your friend’s behalf. No one was made to do life alone. God made us to need each other.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What does it look like to have faith for another person?
Do you believe that no one is outside Jesus’ reach? If so, what are you willing to do about bringing “hopeless” people to Jesus?
What hurting friend have you been praying for? What can you do to take action and help this person find healing?

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer?

Your sins separate you from God. And it’s only God’s grace that can get you back into right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “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 make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. I’ve looked for the truth about my life in many places, but now I know the truth is only found in you. You have promised that if I believe in you, 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 my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. 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 How to Help Someone Find Hope and Healing, Part 1 appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Enfócate en lo que Durará Para Siempre

“Por lo tanto, no nos importa lo que ahora se ve, sino que fijamos la mirada en lo que todavía no vemos. Porque lo que se ve es pasajero, mientras que lo que no se ve no cesará jamás”. 2 Corintios 4:18 (NBV)

Los seres humanos pueden manejar una enorme cantidad de frustración, retrasos y dolor mientras tengan esperanza.

Pero cuando la esperanza se acaba, la gente se da por vencida.

Jesús ofrece la única esperanza eterna. Y es una esperanza que nunca defraudará. Pero necesitas la perspectiva correcta para comprender la esperanza que se encuentra en Jesús.

Eso significa que no solo miras lo que está sucediendo en este momento. En lugar de enfocarte en lo temporal, enfócate en lo eterno. Por ejemplo, presta más atención a la Palabra de Dios que a las noticias en tu teléfono celular.

Las dificultades no duran. Pero la esperanza en Dios es para siempre. La Biblia dice: “Tres virtudes hay que ahora permanecen: la fe, la esperanza y el amor. Pero la más excelente de ellas es el amor” 1 Corintios 13:13 (NBV).

Hay una placa grabada con letras hebreas que cuelga de la pared de mi oficina. La gente me pregunta todo el tiempo qué significa el hebreo. Simplemente dice: “Esto también pasará”.

Me gusta mirarlo cuando estoy pasando por un momento difícil. Me recuerda que no importa cuáles sean mis circunstancias, son temporales. Ningún problema viene para quedarse en tu vida. Pasará. Incluso si es un problema crónico de por vida, no lo llevará a la eternidad.

Pablo nos recuerda esto en 2 Corintios 4:18: “Por lo tanto, no nos importa lo que ahora se ve, sino que fijamos la mirada en lo que todavía no vemos. Porque lo que se ve es pasajero, mientras que lo que no se ve no cesará jamás” (NBV).

Tus problemas no durarán para siempre. La pandemia de coronavirus no durará para siempre. La incertidumbre con la economía no durará para siempre.

Pero hay cosas en el universo de Dios que no puedes ver, que durarán para siempre. La fe, la esperanza y el amor durarán para siempre. Y si confías en Jesús, estarás con Dios para siempre en la eternidad.

Pon tu esperanza en Jesús. “Llenen sus pensamientos de las cosas de arriba y no en las cosas de este mundo” Colosenses 3:2 (NBV).

Tu esperanza en Cristo se convertirá en una esperanza de vida plena.

Reflexiona Sobre Esto

¿Cómo es poner tu esperanza en Jesús en un momento tan incierto?¿Cómo puedes ayudar a otros a mantener su esperanza en Cristo?¿Cuáles son algunos ejemplos de asuntos eternos en los que podemos enfocarnos cuando enfrentamos problemas?

¿Has puesto tu esperanza en Jesús?

La Biblia dice que solo podemos llegar al cielo confiando en Dios a través de su Hijo, Jesucristo. Y no tenemos que ganarnos el amor de Dios o abrirnos camino al cielo. La Biblia dice: “Porque por gracia ustedes han sido salvados mediante la fe; esto no procede de ustedes, sino que el regalo de Dios, no por obras, para que nadie se jacte” Efesios 2:8-9 (NVI).

Si no has depositado tu confianza 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: “Querido Jesús, me has prometido que, si creo en ti, todo lo que he hecho mal será perdonado, aprenderé el propósito de mi vida y algún día me aceptarás en tu hogar eterno en el cielo.

“Confieso mi pecado y creo que tú eres mi Salvador. Me has prometido que, si confieso mi pecado y confío en ti, seré salvo. Confío en ti cuando dices que la salvación viene por gracia, por fe, y no por nada de lo que hago. Te recibo en mi vida como mi Señor. Hoy entrego cada parte de mi vida a su dirección. Tienes derecho a tomar las decisiones en mi vida”.

“Jesús, quiero usar el resto de mi vida para servirte en lugar de servirme a mí mismo. Te entrego mi vida y te pido que me salves y me aceptes en tu familia. En tu nombre oro. Amén”.

Si oraste para aceptar a Jesús, por favor envíame un correo electrónico a Esperanza@PastorRick.com y házmelo saber. Me gustaría enviarte algunos materiales gratuitos para ayudarte a comenzar tu viaje con Jesús.

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Nothing Worthwhile Is Ever Easy

“Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

Many different things can keep you from completing your life mission. Over the years, I’ve debated whether the worst enemy is procrastination or discouragement. If Satan can’t get you to put off your life mission, then he’ll try to get you to quit altogether.

The apostle Paul teaches that you need to resist discouragement: “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).

Do you ever get tired of doing what’s right? I think we all do. Sometimes it seems easier to do the wrong thing than the right thing.

When you’re discouraged, you become ineffective. When you’re discouraged, you work against your own faith.

When you’re discouraged, it’s as if you’re saying, “It can’t be done.” That’s the exact opposite of saying, “I know God can do it because of what he said.”

As you consider how well you resist discouragement, ask yourself these questions:

How do I handle failure?When things don’t go my way, do I get grumpy?When things don’t go my way, do I get frustrated?When things don’t go my way, do I start complaining?Do I finish what I start?How persistent am I?

If you’re discouraged, it’s time to resist. Don’t give up without a fight. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without endurance and energy.

When an artist creates a sculpture, he has to keep chipping away. He doesn’t hit the chisel with the hammer once, and suddenly all the excess stone falls away, revealing a beautiful masterpiece. He keeps hitting and hitting, chipping away at the stone.

That’s true of life too. Nothing really worthwhile ever comes easy. You keep hitting it and going after it, and little by little your life becomes a masterpiece of God’s grace.

The fact is that great people are really just ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. Great people don’t know how to quit. The next time you feel discouraged, remember God is with you and God is for you.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What does your attitude toward tough situations reveal about your faith?
What have you been ready to give up on?
How can God’s Word help you endure? Who in your life can you reach out to today to encourage you to keep going?

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer?

Sometimes you have to work hard to keep doing the right thing, day after day, without being discouraged. But you don’t have to work hard for your salvation. In fact, you can’t earn God’s love or work your way into heaven. Salvation is a gift! The Bible says, “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 him, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, 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 my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. 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 Nothing Worthwhile Is Ever Easy appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Deja de Emitir Juicios

“Hablen y pórtense como quienes han de ser juzgados por la ley que nos da libertad, porque habrá un juicio sin compasión para el que actúe sin compasión. ¡La compasión triunfa en el juicio!”. Santiago 2:12-13 (NVI)

Como seguidores de Jesús, vivimos en una tensión constante.

Por un lado, queremos honrar a Dios y hacer lo que Él quiere. Por otro lado, todo en nuestro mundo se opone directamente a Dios.

La vida en el Reino de Dios está en desacuerdo con los caminos del mundo. Verás muchas cosas que no están de acuerdo con tus valores y, lo que es más importante, con los valores de Dios.

¿Cómo respondes?

Desafortunadamente, muchos cristianos responden juzgando a otros.

Santiago nos dice que, si juzgamos a los demás sin mostrar misericordia, entonces Dios no tendrá misericordia de nosotros. Dios desea misericordia sobre el juicio.

Puedes evitar juzgar si dices la verdad con amabilidad. Puedes decirle a alguien que desobedecer a Dios tendrá consecuencias negativas de una manera en la que no estás juzgando.

Te vuelves crítico cuando tomas la verdad y la tienes sobre la cabeza de la gente, para hacerte sentir superior. Estamos llamados a decir la verdad para ayudar a las personas, no para dañarlas o menospreciarlas.

Puedes estar en desacuerdo con alguien sin ser desagradable. Incluso si tienes razón en algo, ser descortés al respecto es un error.

Ser crítico, esperar que un incrédulo actúe como un creyente, no tiene sentido. La Biblia dice que las personas no pueden actuar de la manera que Dios quiere que actúen hasta que inviten a Jesús a sus vidas y acepten su poder para cambiar sus caminos.

Podrás dejar de juzgar a los demás cuando recuerdes que todos son responsables ante Dios. Eso significa que ellos no son responsables ante ti, pero recuerda, tú eres responsable de dejar de juzgar a los demás.

Jesús dice: “No juzguen a los demás, y no serán juzgados. No condenen a otros, para que no se vuelva en su contra. Perdonen a otros, y ustedes serán perdonados” Lucas 6:37 (NTV).

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Reflexiona Sobre Esto

Considera tu respuesta a esta afirmación: esperar que un incrédulo actúe como un creyente no tiene sentido.¿Cómo se relaciona el siguiente versículo con el devocional de hoy? “Cada uno de nosotros tendrá que dar cuentas de sí a Dios. Por tanto, dejemos de juzgarnos unos a otros” Romanos 14:12-13 (NVI).¿Cuáles son algunas formas en las que puedes estar en desacuerdo con alguien sin ser desagradable?

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Take the Fear out of Decision-Making

“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 23:3 (NIV)

People often fear making the wrong decision, and that creates stress.

Maybe you’re facing a decision about a major issue: Should I hold on, or should I let go? Should I get in, or should I get out? Should I get married? Should I find a new job? Should I move?

When you can’t make up your mind, you stagger through life. In fact, the Bible says in James 1 that when you remain double-minded, you become unstable in everything you do. The Greek word for unstable literally means “stagger like a drunk.”

But God says there is an antidote to your indecision. Psalm 23:3 says, “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (NIV). You’ll be able to handle the stress of decision-making when you let God guide you.

You may be thinking, “But I’ve tried this!” You asked God to guide you, but then you became more confused than you were before. You still couldn’t figure it out. Now you wonder, “Why is knowing God’s will so difficult?”

Is God playing games with you? Of course not! God wants to guide you. He wants you to know his will more than you want to know it. The problem is you often look for the wrong thing when you’re trying to find God’s will.

For example, you may look for a feeling. You want to be swept off our feet by some emotion so you can say, “That’s how I know what God’s will is!” You may want a methodical approach to God’s will. You want someone to give you a recipe or a formula to follow. Or perhaps you take a magical approach to God’s will. You’re looking for God to do some fantastic sign—write it in the sky, call you on the phone, send you an email.

All of these ways lead to frustration and cause you to miss God’s will. God’s will is not a feeling, a formula, or something he wants you to be frustrated or fearful about.

God does not want you confused, and he does not want you to stress over making any decision. The next time you’re making a big decision, rest in the truth that God will guide you along the right paths—every step of the way.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What big decision have you recently faced? How did you seek God’s will?
What keeps you from trusting that God will guide you through every decision you have to make?
How has God shown you his will in past decisions?

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer?

Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace that can get you back into right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “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 make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. I’ve looked for the truth about my life in many places, but now I know the truth is only found in you. You have promised that if I believe in you, 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 my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. 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 Take the Fear out of Decision-Making appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Puedes Perdonar a los Demás

“ Sean amables unos con otros, sean de buen corazón, y perdónense unos a otros, tal como Dios los ha perdonado a ustedes por medio de Cristo “. Efesios 4:32 (NTV)

Dios nos llama a perdonar a los demás, pero ¿cómo hacemos eso? Aquí hay cuatro maneras para ayudarte a dejar tu dolor y amargura.

Reconoce que nadie es perfecto. Cuando nos han lastimado, tendemos a perder nuestra perspectiva sobre la persona que nos ofendió. Pero debemos recordar que todos somos imperfectos. Colosenses 3:13 dice:  “Sean comprensivos con las faltas de los demás y perdonen a todo el que los ofenda. Recuerden que el Señor los perdonó a ustedes, así que ustedes deben perdonar a otros” (NTV).

Renuncia a tu derecho de desquitarte. Confía en Dios para enfrentar a la persona que te lastimó y confía en Él para resolver las cosas. Elige la compasión sobre tu deseo de vengarte. La Biblia dice, “Nunca tomen venganza. Dejen que se encargue la justa ira de Dios” Romanos 12:19 (NTV).

Responde al mal con el bien. Romanos 12:21 dice: “No dejen que el mal los venza, más bien venzan el mal haciendo el bien” (NTV). Desquitarte sólo te pone al nivel de la otra persona. Toma el camino de hacer el bien en su lugar. La Biblia dice que trates a tus enemigos con bondad. Es casi imposible hacer esto por tu cuenta. Por eso necesitas llenarte del amor de Jesús.

Reenfócate en el plan de Dios para tu vida. Cuando te enfocas en las personas que te lastiman, en realidad estás dejando que ellas controlen tu vida. Cuando las perdonas, encuentras la libertad de reenfocarte en el propósito de Dios para tu vida. Isaías 26:3 dice:  “¡Tú guardarás en perfecta paz a todos los que confían en ti, a todos los que concentran en ti sus pensamientos!” (NTV).

No sigas otro día con resentimiento, amargura y falta de perdón en tu corazón. Comienza a practicar estas cuatro opciones y pasa a vivir la vida para la que Dios te creó.

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Reflexiona sobre esto:

Renunciar a tu derecho de desquitarte requiere un acto de fe. ¿Por qué?Cuando alguien te lastima, ¿por qué es importante recordar que todos somos personas imperfectas?Si lastimas a alguien, ¿cómo querrías que se acercara a ti? ¿Por qué esperarías que te perdonen a ti?¿Por qué es más importante enfocarte en el plan de Dios para tu vida que enfocarte en cómo te han lastimado?

The post Puedes Perdonar a los Demás appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)

God is far more interested in changing your mind than changing your circumstances.

You want God to take away all of the problems, pain, sorrow, suffering, sickness, and sadness. But God wants to work on you first—because transformation won’t happen in your life until you renew your mind, until your thoughts begin to change.

Why is it so important that you learn how to manage your mind? Let me give you three reasons . . .

Manage your mind because your thoughts control your life.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (GNT). Your thoughts have tremendous ability to shape your life for good or for bad. For example, maybe you accepted the thought someone told you when you were growing up: “You’re worthless. You don’t matter.” If you accepted that thought, even though it was wrong, it shaped your life.

Manage your mind because the mind is the battleground for sin.
All temptation happens in the mind. Paul says in Romans 7:22-23, “I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin” (TLB).

One of the reasons why you get mentally fatigued is because there’s a battle in your brain 24 hours a day. It’s debilitating because it’s intense, and it’s intense because your mind is your greatest asset. Satan wants your greatest asset!

Manage your mind because it’s the key to peace and happiness.
An unmanaged mind leads to tension; a managed mind leads to tranquility. An unmanaged mind leads to conflict; a managed mind leads to confidence. An unmanaged mind leads to stress. (When you don’t try to control your mind and the way you direct your thoughts, you will have an enormous amount of stress in your life.) But a managed mind leads to strength, security, and serenity.

The Bible teaches, “Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:6 NLT). Choose life and peace for yourself today.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What do you fill your mind with that causes stress? What do you fill your mind with that brings peace?
How do you practice managing your mind?
What role does Scripture play in managing your mind?

The post Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.