Rick Warren's Blog, page 575

Make Your Time Count

If you want to get ready to be used by God, first you need to get to know Jesus Christ. Then, you need to use your time in view of eternity.

What It Means to Have a Relationship with God

Yesterday we talked about why it���s important for you to know the purpose of your life so that God can use you while you���re here on Earth. So, if this life is preparation for eternity, how do you do it? How do you use your life here to prepare for eternity?

Use Your Life to Get Ready for Eternity

If you���re going to get ready to be used by God, the first thing you need to do is understand the purpose of your life.

The Bible makes it very clear in Ephesians 1:4-5: ���Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us .... His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us��� (TLB).

Envy Is a Sign That You Don���t Trust God

One of the signs that envy is in your heart and you need to eliminate it is that you constantly use this phrase: ���It���s not fair.��� ���It���s not fair that he gets to do that and I don���t!��� ���It���s not fair that it���s easy for her and not for me.��� ���It���s not fair that their kids got the award and mine didn���t.��� ���It���s not fair that they can afford that vacation and I can���t.���

Contentment Is a Sign of Spiritual Maturity

Instead of being regretful, we need to be grateful. Instead of complaining, we need to remember that everything is a gift from God.

Love Celebrates God���s Goodness to Others

The Bible tells us to ���rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep��� (Romans 12:15 ESV). Have you noticed that the second part of that sentence is easy, but the first part can be really tough?

Comparing Is the Root of Envy

Comparing is the root of all envy. If you can get rid of comparing in your life, you can get rid of envy in your life.

Four Ways Envy Damages Your Life

The number one thing that holds you back from God���s purpose and mission for your life is a very subtle sin. It���s not lust or pride or anger. It���s not worry or fear or discouragement. In fact, you would probably never even think of it because it is so insidious we don���t realize its damaging effect on our lives.

Four Steps to Fortify Your Faith

If you want God to use you, you have to fortify your faith.

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:7, ���Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit��� (TLB).

Don���t Be Distracted from the Work God Has for You

I have met thousands of people who���ve told me they want to be used by God, but they will never be used by God. Why? They���re too busy. They���ve got their own agenda going. They���ve got their plans and dreams and ambitions, and they don���t have any time! In the midst of their busyness, they try to carve out a little sliver from the pie of life and say, ���I���ll give this to God.��� But it doesn���t work that way.