Rick Warren's Blog, page 522

Obedience Leads to Peace

If you feel overwhelmed or confused about a decision that you���re trying to make, you���re probably caught up in yourself and not listening for God���s voice. The Bible says, ���God is not a God of disorder but of peace��� (1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV). He is not the author of confusion. So if you���re feeling confused, guess what? It���s not God���s voice speaking in your life.

A Biblically Supported Idea

Many times we wonder if an idea that came to us is an instruction from God, a deception from Satan, or just something we want to do. It is extremely important to recognize the difference and know how to discern God���s voice, because it can have eternal consequences.

Before God Speaks, Decide to Say ���Yes���

God speaks to people who decide they���re going to do what he tells them to do, even before he tells them. It���s saying, ���God, if you want me to move, I���ll move. If you want me to get married, I���ll get married. If you want me to leave this job, I���ll leave this job. Before you even tell me, my answer is ���yes.��� Whatever you want me to do, I will do it.���

Three Things That Keep Us from Hearing God

You can���t hear God if your mind is crowded with other thoughts or concerns ��� particularly worries, plans, and activities. If we���re always listening to the radio or watching TV, the circuits are going to be busy when God calls us. We have to eliminate distractions.

How Do You Develop Spiritual Roots?

During the springtime, all the grass in Southern California turns green, the wildflowers and poppies bloom, and it���s really pretty. But the moment the rains stop, the hills turn brown again. Why? Because the grass has no roots. It can���t go down deep enough to get water from the springs that are deep beneath the ground.

Three Mental Barriers to Hearing God���s Voice

We���ve all noticed that the reception quality on a cell phone varies widely. The same is true with you. You must be positioned correctly to hear God speak.

Focus on What Is Unseen

Everything you see around you is temporary. The building you���re in, the computer or cellphone you���re staring at, and even your body will one day disappear from existence. Yet it���s what you can���t see around you that will last forever.

Heaven Changes Everything About How We Live Today

Heaven changes everything about how you live today. If you���re headed to Heaven (and after yesterday���s devotional, I hope you are), then that reality should impact how you live here on Earth.

God���s Plan to Bring You to Heaven

The Good News is that the death and Resurrection of Jesus give us access to God. In other words, we can only get to Heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ.

How do we express faith in Christ? Here���s a simple, biblical guide:

The Resurrection of Jesus Changed Everything

The Resurrection of Jesus changed everything. It literally split history into A.D. and B.C. It���s the most important event in human history. And it proves three things.