Rick Warren's Blog, page 569

You Need God���s Presence, Not His Explanation

One of the reasons people struggle with contentment is because we���re always looking for explanations for why things happen in our lives. It ticks us off that God doesn���t offer us explanations. So why doesn���t he?

God Is Close

God is not as far away as the furthest star. He���s as close as your next heartbeat. He���s right there with you every moment. The Bible says in Acts 17:27, ���God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us��� (NIV).

Christianity: A Belong System

There are only two ways to get into a family: You can either be born into it, or you can be adopted into it. God does both for you! It���s called being born again, and it���s called being adopted into the family of God. God does both.

To Bear Fruit, Get Connected

Right before Jesus goes to the cross, he gives his last minute instructions to his followers: ���Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me��� (John 15:4 GW).

Your Prayers Have an Impact

Do you ever wonder if prayer really works? You���re praying about something and Satan whispers to you, ���This is a waste of time. Forget it! Who do you think you are? What do you think you���re doing? God is not listening. Don���t waste your time.���

Four Secrets to Answered Prayer

Here are four secrets to answered prayer from the life of Nehemiah:

Base your request on God���s character. Pray like you know God will answer you: ���I���m expecting you to answer this prayer because of who you are. You are a faithful God. You are a great God. You are a loving God. You are a wonderful God. You can handle this problem, God!���

A Powerful Key to Prayer

If you look at the Lord���s Prayer, you���ll see that it reflects praying together: ���Our Father ��� give us today our daily bread ��� forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors ��� lead us not into temptation, but deliver us ������ (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV).

Why Keep Praying When There Is No Answer?

Why should you be persistent in your prayers, even when you don���t get an answer? There are four reasons.

What Does God Want While You Wait for an Answer?

What does God want you to do while you���re waiting on an answer to your prayer?

Psalm 37:7 says, ���Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act��� (NLT, second edition). God wants you to wait patiently for him to answer your prayer.

Why Do You Do What You Don���t Want to Do?

Have you ever wondered why you do what you don���t want to do? Or why it���s so hard to do the things that you know are the right things to do?