Rick Warren's Blog, page 312

Do You Need a Fresh Start?

“Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven.”

1 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message)

If you google the phrase “fresh start,” you’ll get more than 2 billion results! Evidently, a lot of people would like to have a fresh start in life. They think, “I’ve blown it. I’ve really made a mess of things in my life. I’d like a fresh start.”

Perhaps you are one of those people. You may feel hopeless or helpless. You may think you’re unworthy. You may think you’re too old or too young. You may think you’ve done too many bad things.

You may think you don’t need God—you do. Or maybe you think God doesn’t want you—he does. You may think you’ve committed the unpardonable sin—you haven’t.

No matter what’s happened in your life, God wants a relationship with you.

Jesus is in the business of giving people a fresh start. The apostle Peter said, “Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven” (1 Peter 1:3-4 The Message).

The apostle Paul said it a different way: “Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30 The Message).

When you give your life to Christ, several things happen:

You open up your life to God and get to know him.You’re given a brand new life, which gives you everything to live for.You get a future in heaven.

I like to say it this way: You get your past forgiven, a purpose for livin’, and a home in heaven. What a deal! Your past, present, and future are taken care of as you put your trust in Jesus.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What has a fresh start with Jesus looked like in your life?
When you know you have “your past forgiven, a purpose for livin’, and a home in heaven,” how does that change the way you live?
Who in your life needs to hear the Good News that Jesus gives a fresh start? How can you reach out to that person?

Have a fresh start with Jesus.

Have you realized during this Easter season that you’re ready for a fresh start with Jesus? If you are, pray this prayer and receive his salvation today:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, I will have a fresh start. 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 ask for your forgiveness. I believe you are God, my Savior. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do.

“Jesus, I am grateful for your love and your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I 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 Do You Need a Fresh Start? appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

La Característica Número uno de Dios

“¡EL SEÑOR! ¡EL SEÑOR! ¡Dios misericordioso y clemente! ¡Lento para la ira, y grande en misericordia y verdad!”.  Éxodo 34:6b (RVC)

La característica número uno de Dios en la Biblia no es su soberanía, omnisciencia, omnipotencia, omnipresencia, ira o justicia.

La característica número uno de Dios es su misericordia.

El mundo quiere que presentemos a Dios como alguien que está completamente enfocado en el juicio. Pero Dios se describe a sí mismo ante todo como un Dios de misericordia.

Cuando Dios reveló Su gloria a Moisés, dijo: “¡EL SEÑOR! ¡EL SEÑOR! ¡Dios misericordioso y clemente! ¡Lento para la ira, y grande en misericordia y verdad!”  Éxodo 34:6b (RVC).

La misericordia es la primera característica que Dios usa para definirse en la Biblia. Debe ser la más importante.

En pocas palabras, la misericordia es el amor en acción. Tiene dos partes distintas. El Diccionario Webster define la misericordia de dos maneras, como “abstenerse de daño o castigo” y como “bondad inesperada”. Dios quiere que hagamos ambas cosas. El lado perdonador se está absteniendo de castigo. Y el lado compasivo se esfuerza por ayudar a alguien con una amabilidad inesperada. Tenemos que demostrar ambas.

Es más que una actitud. Es un estilo de vida.

Reflexiona sobre esto:

¿Por qué crees que el mundo tiende a describir a Dios usando características distintas de la misericordia (su justicia, su poder, etc.)?Si la característica número uno de Dios es la misericordia, ¿cómo afecta esto nuestra comprensión de cómo Dios quiere que vivamos y de la persona que Dios quiere que seamos?¿Te resulta más fácil demostrar el lado perdonador o el lado compasivo de la misericordia? ¿Por qué?Síguenos en nuestra cuenta de Instagram: @esperanzadiariadelpastorrick

The post La Característica Número uno de Dios appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Jesus Says, ‘Come as You Are’

“God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

Everything that Jesus did for you, he did out of love. The Bible says God made you to love you. The only reason you’re alive is because you were made to be loved by God.

God didn’t just say he loved you; he showed it. The Bible says, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). It says while we were still sinners. Before you even knew you needed God in your life, Jesus died for you.

There’s a myth that says you’ve got to clean up your act before you can come to God. People say, “There are a few things I’ve got to get right in my life first, and then I’ll come to God.” No! You can come to God with your problems—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It’s like brushing your teeth before you go to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned! Why do we do things like that?

God says, “You don’t have to clean up your act. Just bring it all to me. Bring me all your problems and all your mess. I have all the answers. Come as you are.”

Easter shows the depth of God’s love for you. The Bible says, “He will send down help from heaven to save me because of his love” (Psalm 57:3 TLB). That’s what Jesus did on Easter. He sent himself from heaven to save you because of his love. So you can bring your problems to God—because he loves you and he has the answers.

If you don’t act on this Good News, then the death of Jesus Christ and his Resurrection are wasted for you personally; they’ll make no difference in your life. It’s not enough to recognize God’s gift; you have to receive it.

“You will be saved, if you honestly say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others” (Romans 10:9-10 CEV).

God is not asking you to make a promise you cannot keep. God is asking you to believe a promise that only he can keep.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What part of your life have you been trying to clean up before approaching God? Will you let go of that today?
What does Easter mean to you personally? How does celebrating it draw you closer to God?
How does your life reflect the extravagant love God has for you? If you haven’t accepted that love, will you accept it today?

Come as you are to Jesus.

The Bible promises: “You will be saved, if you honestly say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others” (Romans 10:9-10 CEV).

You don’t have to clean up your life before you come to God for salvation. You just have to come as you are, ready to repent of your sins and turn your life over to him. If you’re ready to do that, pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, I will be saved. 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. I trust you when you say that if I believe with my whole heart, you will save me. 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 want to tell other people about your saving love. 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 Jesus Says, ‘Come as You Are’ appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Puedes Aceptar las Personas Sin la Aprobación de Todo lo que Ellos Hacen

“Por lo tanto, acéptense unos a otros, tal como Cristo los aceptó a ustedes, para que Dios reciba la gloria”. Romanos 15:7 (NTV)

¿Sabías que cada vez que muestras amor, eso le da gloria a Dios? Porque Dios es amor, y la gloria da a conocer quien es realmente Dios.

En un sentido, Dios dice, “Soy amoroso. Soy compasivo. Quiero que seas como yo. Quiero que desarrolles mi carácter”. Nunca serás Dios. Nunca serás ni siquiera un Dios pequeñísimo. Pero Dios quiere que te vuelvas como Él. Quiere que desarrolles Su carácter. De tal Padre, tal hijo; de tal Padre, tal hija. Él quiere que aprendas a amar a las personas de la forma en que Él ama a las personas. Dios es amor.

Cada vez que haces eso, muestras la gloria de Dios.

Desde luego, una de las formas de amar a otros es simplemente aceptándolos. Solo porque no te gusta lo que las personas hacen no significa que no las puedas aceptar.

Es importante recordar la diferencia entre aceptación y aprobación. Puedes aceptar a las personas sin aprobar todo lo que ellas hacen. ¡Hay una gran diferencia! Estamos para aceptar a todos, no para aprobar todo lo que hacen. Así que no importa lo que las personas hacen, ni a quien se lo hacen o como lo hacen o cuanto tiempo lo hacen, estás para amarlas. Estás para aceptarlas. Eso no significa que apruebas lo que hacen. Dios te ama, pero eso no significa que aprueba todo lo que haces.

El amor no es decir yo apruebo todo lo que haces. El amor es decir yo te acepto a pesar de lo que haces.

Romanos 15:7 dice, “Por lo tanto, acéptense unos a otros, tal como Cristo los aceptó a ustedes, para que Dios reciba la gloria” (NTV).

Reflexiona sobre esto:  

¿A quién necesitas aceptar en tu vida, aun cuando no apruebes sus creencias ni las cosas que hace?¿En qué áreas de la cultura, la aceptación es un tema aparentemente difícil para los cristianos?¿Cuáles son algunas formas prácticas en las que puedes mostrar aceptación y amor por las personas, especialmente a las que el mundo espera que rechaces por sus creencias o por lo que hacen?Síguenos en nuestra cuenta de Instagram @EsperanzaDiariaDelPastorRick

The post Puedes Aceptar las Personas Sin la Aprobación de Todo lo que Ellos Hacen appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

You’re Secure in God’s Hands

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish . . . My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

John 10:28-29 (NIV)

When I was growing up, one of the things that impressed me about my dad was his hands. From my perspective as a child, his hands were huge! When he would do carpentry, the hammer just looked so small in his hands.

Our heavenly Father has really big hands. He’s got the whole world in his hands!

How big are God’s hands?

God’s hands are big enough to bless you. Jesus would lay his hands on people and bless them. He does the same for you. Isaiah 62:3 says, “The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God” (NLT).

God’s hands are scarred to never forget you. In heaven, the only scars will be on Jesus. Do you think God can forget you? He has a constant reminder of you in his nail-scarred hands. The Bible says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion for the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV).

God’s hands are strong enough to keep you eternally secure. John 10:28-29 says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish . . . My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (NIV).

Once you put your life in God’s hands, nobody can snatch you out of them. You may wonder, “Can’t you just jump out?” How big do you think God’s hands are? You’re never going to get to the edge of his hands. Every aspect of your life is in his hands.

Your Father is waiting for you to jump today. He’s saying, “Trust me. I can be trusted. I’m working behind the scenes. And I can handle anything you give me.”

Don’t you want your life to be in God’s hands? You can trust him today and forever.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

How have you seen God provide for you and take care of you in the past?
What big problem or circumstance in your life have you been reluctant to entrust to God?
You’re eternally secure in God’s hands. How does that change how you live your life?

The post You’re Secure in God’s Hands appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Como Vivir Por el Poder de Dios

“Pues el reino de Dios no consiste en las muchas palabras sino en vivir por el poder de Dios”. 1 Corintios 4:20 (NTV)

Para vivir una vida plena, tienes que vivir por el poder de Dios.

La Biblia dice en 1 Corintios 4:20, “Pues el reino de Dios no consiste en las muchas palabras sino en vivir por el poder de Dios” (NTV).

¿Sabías que Dios no bendice a las personas autosuficientes? Él bendice a las personas que dependen de Él y se entregan a Él.

Dios quiere usarte, pero debes vivir por Su poder. Efesios 3:20 dice: “Por el poder de Dios que obra en nosotros, él puede hacer mucho más de lo que jamás podríamos pedir o imaginar” (PDT).

Dios es capaz de hacer más de lo que puedas imaginar. Entonces, ¿cómo obtienes el poder de Dios en tu vida? Hay tres maneras.

Obtienes el poder de Dios al orar.

Si no tienes ningún poder en tu vida, podría significar que no estás orando. La oración y el poder van juntos.

Obtienes el poder de Dios al tomar riesgos para obedecer a Dios.

Cuando te arriesgas a hacer lo que Dios te dice que hagas, incluso cuando sea difícil o no sea común, incluso cuando te pueda costar, incluso cuando no tenga sentido, incluso cuando nadie más lo esté haciendo, Dios derramará su poder en tu vida.

Obtienes el poder de Dios al no rendirte.

¡No te rindas! Para que Dios pueda hacer crecer tu fe, Él tiene que probarte. Cuando estás atravesando dificultades, retrasos, callejones sin salida, desesperación y desaliento, Dios te está enseñando a confiar en Él. Espera, y Dios te bendecirá.

Reflexiona sobre esto:  

¿Cómo puedes saber cuándo tienes el poder de Dios en tu vida?¿Cómo está Dios probando tu fe en este momento? ¿Cómo quieres que te bendiga a través de esto?¿Qué riesgos estás tomando para Dios?Síguenos en nuestra cuenta de Instagram @EsperanzaDiariaDelPastorRick

The post Como Vivir Por el Poder de Dios appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Who Should You Trust?

“For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does.”

Psalm 33:4 (NLT)

One of the great questions of life is, “Who are you going to trust?” The way you answer this question will determine whether you’re happy or miserable, whether you succeed or fail, whether you make something of your life or waste your life.

To determine who you should trust, ask yourself questions like these: Who always has your best interest in mind? Who will help you make important decisions? Who wants to see you succeed?

Should you trust popular opinion? That may not be a good idea since it constantly changes. Should you trust celebrities who set the latest trends? Trends change, and fads fade. Should you make critical life decisions based on what you read on social media? Just because it’s online doesn’t mean it’s truly trustworthy or reliable.

What about trusting yourself? The truth is, your emotions can lie to you. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). When you live by your emotions, you can be easily manipulated by other people and by your changing moods.

If you’re going to entrust your life and your future to someone or something, you better choose someone who has your best interest at heart, knows everything, is perfect, and will never lie to you. That kind of limits your options—to God.

No one else is ever going to always tell you the truth. They’re going to shade it. They’re going to filter it. They’re going to make it sound nice. They may not tell you what you need to hear. But what you need to hear is the truth—because it is the truth that sets you free. Lies about yourself, others, the world, and how life really is will only keep you in bondage.

And even though the truth will set you free, it may make you miserable at first. That’s why people don’t like the truth and often avoid it. You don’t want to hear that most of your problems were brought on by poor decisions. You don’t want to hear that your own stubbornness, ego, and insecurity cause the stress in your life, but it’s true.

Psalm 33:4 says, “For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does” (NLT).

God said it, and that settles it—whether or not you believe it. God isn’t waiting on your opinion to figure out what’s right and what’s wrong. If God says it, it’s true.

Each day voices all around you are trying to get you to trust them. But there’s only one voice you can trust that will always have your best in mind. Trust God for your present and your future. He will never let you down.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

What voices do you tend to listen to other than God’s?
Why is it often easier to believe what we hear from other sources rather than trusting in God’s truth?
What will you trust God for today?

The post Who Should You Trust? appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Daily Hope Earns a “Give with Confidence” 100/100 Rating From Charity Navigator!

 

Daily Hope Earns a “Give with Confidence” 100/100 Rating From Charity Navigator!

Daily Hope is proud to announce that its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency have earned a 100/100 rating from Charity Navigator’s Encompass Rating System. This score designates Daily Hope as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria. Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator.

“We are delighted to provide Daily Hope with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “We are eager to see the good work that the organization is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”

For more details, you can find Daily Hope listed under Purpose Driven Connection at charitynavigator.org.

The post Daily Hope Earns a “Give with Confidence” 100/100 Rating From Charity Navigator! appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

¿Qué Significa Poner a Dios Primero en Tu Vida?

“Los hemos animado y consolado y hemos insistido en que vivan como lo hacen los que son de Dios, que es el que los llama a compartir su reino y su gloria”. 1 Tesalonicenses 2:12 (NBV)

El Reino de Dios es una realidad presente. Es lo que estamos haciendo en la tierra en este momento. El poder de Dios es el recurso presente. Es la energía que Dios te da para que puedas hacer lo que Él quiere que hagas una vez que te hayas rendido y sometido a su voluntad.

Romanos 11:36 dice: “Pues todas las cosas provienen de él y existen por su poder y son para su gloria” (NTV).

Hablo con gente todo el tiempo que dice: “Tengo tanto, pero me siento insatisfecho. Tengo una buena familia. Tengo un buen trabajo Tengo excelentes hijos. Tengo buenos amigos. Soy parte de una buena congregación. ¿Por qué estoy tan insatisfecho?”  ¡Es porque fuiste hecho para más que eso! Fuiste hecho para algo más que la supervivencia. Nunca encontrarás plenitud en la vida hasta que comiences a vivir en el Reino de Dios, por el poder de Dios y para la gloria de Dios.

¿Cómo vives una vida plena, la clase de vida que Dios diseñó para que vivieras?

La Biblia dice en 1 Tesalonicenses 2:12: “Los hemos animado y consolado y hemos insistido en que vivan como lo hacen los que son de Dios, que es el que los llama a compartir su reino y su gloria” (NBV).

¿Qué significa vivir en el Reino de Dios? Significa que haces de la agenda de Dios tu agenda. Tú haces la voluntad de Dios tu voluntad. Te importa lo que a Dios le importa. Lo que sea que quieras que Dios bendiga, lo pones primero en esa área.

¿Qué significa poner a Dios primero en tu vida? Quiero darte cinco cosas que necesitas para poner a Dios primero.

Finanzas. Si quieres que Dios bendiga tus finanzas, incluso durante las temporadas difíciles, debes diezmar. ¡Lo siento! No hay otra alternativa.

Pasatiempos. Ponlo primero en tus pasatiempos, tu carrera y tu recreación. Dale a Dios la primera consideración en cada decisión.

Relaciones: Ponlo primero en tu familia, tu matrimonio y tus amistades.

Agenda: Dale la primera parte de cada día. Levántate y siéntate a un lado de tu cama cada mañana y di: “Dios, si no hago nada más hoy, solo quiero amarte un poco más y conocerte un poco mejor”.

Problemas: Necesitas acudir a Dios primero cuando tienes un problema. La oración nunca debe ser tu último recurso. Debe ser tu primera opción.

Espero que esto te ayude a mantener a Dios PRIMERO.

Reflexiona sobre esto:

¿Estás viviendo una vida plena, la clase de vida que Dios diseñó para que vivieras? Si no, ¿qué te falta?¿Qué cambios específicos pondrían a Dios primero en tus finanzas, pasatiempos, relaciones, agenda y problemas?¿Cuál es tu primera reacción al problema?¿Cómo puedes desarrollar un hábito de oración en tu vida?

The post ¿Qué Significa Poner a Dios Primero en Tu Vida? appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Serve Jesus by Serving Others

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV)

Just before Jesus died on the cross, he said, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28 NIV). That moment shows his humanity, that Jesus was God living among us as a man.

The Bible says that the Roman soldiers soaked a sponge in a jar full of wine vinegar and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. The sour wine was meant to relieve his thirst.

Wouldn’t you like to have been there to be able to give water to Jesus for his thirst? In fact, you’d probably have considered it a privilege and blessing to serve him in that moment.

But that moment is long past, and you can’t help Jesus in that way. On the other hand, you can help those around you on behalf of Jesus. People everywhere are spiritually thirsty, searching for purpose and significance. They want to know what to do with their lives and if their lives have any meaning.

People need to know that Jesus can quench their thirst, that he is what they are looking for when they hop from one thing to another. They need to know that he meets them in their depression, discouragement, and despair.

Jesus says, when you serve others, you’re serving him. So, when you want to do something for Jesus, look for people around you who are in need. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).

Whenever you give a drink to someone who is thirsty, you are giving it to Jesus. The same is true when you lead those who are spiritually thirsty to Jesus.

Love in action is when you meet the needs of other people in their thirst—physical, emotional, or spiritual—out of love for Christ, who endured thirst on the cross for you. The only way you can serve God is by serving people and helping others in his name.

Who are the people around you who appear to be spiritually thirsty? Ask God to show you who they are and the best way to lead them to Jesus.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over

Why do you think God wants you to meet people’s physical needs in addition to their spiritual needs?
What does it look like for someone to be spiritually thirsty?
When you share about Jesus, you might start with what he has done for you. How has Jesus satisfied your thirst for love, purpose, and hope?

The post Serve Jesus by Serving Others appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.