Rick Warren's Blog, page 618

God Wants to Give You Life, Not Legalism

Some people wrongly think following Jesus means they have to become judgmental and legalistic. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life: ���A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of��� (John 10:10 MSG).

God���s Love Is Deeper Than Your Problem

There are times when we all think, ���I���m going under for the last time! I���m about to sink!��� No matter how deep you are, God���s love is there. He can pull you out of the deepest waters.

No matter what problem you have, God���s love is deeper than your problem. You may be in deep despair, deep trouble, or under deep stress. You may have deep problems ��� emotional problems, physical problems, or financial problems.

How God Helps You Enjoy Life

You may be under a lot of stress right now because of a sickness, your job, the economy, or a relationship, but God still wants you to enjoy life.

He doesn���t want you to live without fun. The apostle Matthew spent three years with Jesus and he wrote, ���The Son of Man came, enjoying life��� (Matthew 11:19a Phillips).

In Your Struggle, God���s Love and Mercy Continue

When your world is falling apart, it���s so easy to focus on the pain, the problems, the pressure, and the difficulties. It���s the natural response. But the biblical response is to turn your focus to God���s love.

How Do You Deal With Disappointing People?

Everybody in your life is going to disappoint you at some point. Why? Because nobody���s perfect!

So how do you deal with disappointing people? How does love respond when people disappoint you?

Why Nagging Never Works

Have you noticed how many difficult people there are in the world? Do you feel like you have to deal with most of them some days?

You know what rude acts bug me the most? People who call me and then say, ���Who is this?��� People who honk their horns in traffic jams. People who cheat in the 10-items-or-less grocery line. People who steal your parking spot.

How Does God Expect You to Love People Who���ve Hurt You?

Maybe as a child you were hurt by an adult ��� a teacher, a family member, maybe even your parents. The Bible says that there will be severe judgment for child abuse, neglect, and abandonment; one day God is going to settle the score on that. When God says, ���Honor your father and mother,��� he���s not saying honor their sins or their selfishness or their poor decisions. He���s not saying ignore the pain in your life and put on a happy face and pretend everything���s great.

What is the First Sign of Spiritual Decline?

I���ve mentioned before that the Church is a Body, not a building, and an organism, not an organization.

For the organs of your body to fulfill their purpose, they must be connected to your body. The same is true for you as a part of Christ���s Body. You were created for a specific role, but you will miss out on it if you���re not attached to a living, local church. You discover your role in life though your relationships with others.

Do You Know God���s Unique Role For You?

God has a unique role for you to play in his family.
This is your ministry, and God has gifted you for your assignment: ���A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other��� (1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT, second edition).

If You Want to Grow, You Need Other Believers

A church family helps you develop spiritual muscle. You will never grow to maturity just by attending worship services and being a passive spectator. Only participation in the full life of a local church builds spiritual muscle.