Rick Warren's Blog, page 677

Make Time To Be Quiet

"Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." (Matthew 6:6 MSG)

God isn't going to speak to you if there's a bunch of noise going on in your life. You've got to get alone, and you've got to get quiet. We call this a quiet time.

Jesus says it like this in Matthew 6:6: "Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace" (MSG).

The key to hearing God speak and getting his vision for your life is this: God wants to meet with you.

You need to realize you're not waiting on God; he's waiting on you. God made you to have a relationship with him. He wants you to spend time with him on a daily basis. He wants you to schedule a date with him every day. God is waiting.

Getting alone in a quiet place is pretty difficult today. I don't know if you realize how much noise there is in your life. You've always got the radio on in the car or you've got earbuds in or Bluetooth turned on. Every waiting room, grocery store, and elevator has music. There's very little time in your life that's absolutely quiet.

If you've got kids at home, it's even more difficult! But let me give you some hope. Susanna Wesley, one of the great women of history, had 18 children. One of her sons, John, founded the Methodist church and spread Christianity across the western part of America with Methodist revival preachers, and another, Charles, wrote more than 6,000 hymns.

How do you find time alone when you have 18 children? In her biography, it says that Susanna Wesley would go and sit in her favorite rocker every afternoon, and she would throw her apron over her head for an hour. Her kids knew that Mom with apron over her head means, "No child bothers Mom or you die!"

Wesley said it was the prayers of his mom that shaped his life. You can find time alone if you are that desperate. Make time to be quiet and meet with the Lord.

Talk It Over

How much of your day is spent in silence?

What do you need to help your family understand so that they can support you in and not distract from your quiet time?

You Have To Want To Hear from God

"You will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him." (Deuteronomy 4:29 NLT)

You're not going to hear God unless you really, really want it. I'm not saying it's an option. I'm not saying it would be nice. It is a necessity!

God won't tell you about his dream for your life if he knows you'll want to debate it. God doesn't tell you what he put you on Earth to do just so you can say, "Let me think about it."

No! It's got to be a necessity. You have to say, "I've got to know why I'm here. I've got to know what you want me to do with my life. I've got to hear your voice. I've got to have your vision."

King David wrote in the book of Psalms, "My God, I want to do what you want" and "What I want most of all and at all times is to honor your laws" (Psalm 40:8 NCV, Psalm 199:20 CEV).

David was passionate in his declaration that what he wanted most of all was to honor God. Being obedient and following God were not options for him. It was the only thing David wanted to do. He used words for seeking God like, "I long for it," "I crave it," "I hunger for it," and "I'm like a dear panting for water."

When you get that desperate, you're going to hear from God.

A lot of people talk to God, but they never hear from God. For them, prayer is a monologue. But you can't have a relationship when it is wrapped up in a monologue from you. What if a talk to my wife, but she never talks to me? That's not a relationship. You've got to have a conversation. Just as important as talking to God in prayer is listening to God and letting him talk to you. How does that happen? First, you've got to want it more than anything else.

Deuteronomy 4:29 says, "You will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him" (NLT). Guaranteed!

Talk It Over

What is the thing you want most in life? How does your life reflect that longing?

Would you say that you are passionate for Christ? How can you cultivate passion for God in your life?

With what attitude do you usually ask God for direction? Are you prepared to respond in obedience?

Obedience Leads to Peace

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

If you feel overwhelmed or confused about a decision that you're trying to make, you're probably caught up in yourself and not God's voice. The Bible says, "God is not a God of disorder but of peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33a 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.

If you're a parent, do you want your kids to feel pressure or confused when you ask them to do something? No. You want them to understand what to do and then respond in obedience. God the Father wants the same thing for and from us.

The only time pressure could be legitimate is if God's told you to do something, and you keep saying "no." Then the pressure does build. But there's always peace when you say "yes" to what God's asking you to do.

Satan wants to drive us compulsively, but God wants to draw us compassionately. Satan wants to take advantage of our compulsions and use them to drive our lives. But God is our Good Shepherd. He wants to draw us in toward himself and peace.

Peter Lord used to say, "Ninety percent of what God wants to say to you is encouragement." If all you ever hear from God is negative messages, something's wrong. The wires have been crossed.

If you feel like God's told you to do something but you have increasing anxiety because of it, then the wires are crossed. Something's not right.

The Bible us, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

Talk It Over

What decision do you feel troubled or anxious or worried about? Do you believe this is something God told you to do?

According to Philippians 4:6-7, what do you need to do?

What has God told you to do that you haven't obeyed? What has been the effect?

A Biblically Supported Idea

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Luke 21:33 NIV)

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

A lot of evil gets blamed on God when people say, "God told me to do it!" The Bible says in 1 John 4:1, "Don't believe every message you hear just because someone says it's a message from God. Test it first to see if it really is" (LB).

Does the idea you've got in your mind right now agree with the Bible? Because God's will never contradicts God's Word. God doesn't say one thing and then change his mind and say another thing. If he said it, it's true, and it will always be true.

God is consistent. He isn't moody. He doesn't change his mind. He will never tell you to violate a principle that he's already given in his Word, the Bible.

So the first question you need to ask is, "Does this thought line up with what God has already said?" If what you have in your mind contradicts something that God has already said in the Bible, then you know it's wrong.

Jesus said in Luke 21:33, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (NIV). God's Word is eternal, because truth never changes. If something was true 5,000 years ago, it was true 1,000 years ago, it is true today, and it will be true 5,000 years from today.

People might say, "God said it; I believe it; that settles it." No! God said it, and that settles it - whether you believe it or not!

If God tells you to do something, then he's never going to contradict it. The first question you must answer is, "Is this idea in harmony with the Word of God?"

Talk It Over

What is it that you believe God has been telling you to do?

Do those instructions contradict any part of the Bible? How do you know?

How can you develop a deeper walk with God so that you more easily understand and discern his instructions?

Before God Speaks, Decide To Say "Yes"

"The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit." (Luke 8:15 TEV)

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."

Luke 8:15 says, "The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit" (TEV).

I used to study this parable of Jesus and think it was talking about four kinds of people: those who are resistant, those who are shallow, those who are busy, and those who are good.

But this parable actually represents four attitudes. You can have all four attitudes in the same day! One moment you go, "God, I don't want to hear you, because I know what you're going to say." And the next moment you say, "Lord, tell me quick." Then you hear it and think it's good, but you don't do anything about it. Maybe the fruit starts to bear in your life, but then you get busy with your job or school or your kids, and the weeds grow up. Then other times you say, "God, whatever you want. I'm totally open to you."

God wants you to have an attitude of obedience so that you can bear fruit - the biblical term for being successful. God wants you to be fruitful in your business, your family, your friendships, your relationship with God and with others, and your health.

So how do you bear fruit when God tells you something? You pass it on. When God tells you something, the quickest way to let it bear fruit in your life is to tell somebody else what you just learned.

Another translation of Luke 8:15 says, "They listen to God's words and cling to them and steadily spread them to others who also soon believe" (LB). God wants you to pass on to others what you learn.

Talk It Over

How do you develop a "yes, God" attitude, where you're prepared to be obedient, no matter what God tells you to do?

What is the evidence of fruit in your life?

With whom in your life can you share what God is teaching you?

Are Your Circuits Too Busy?

"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature." (Luke 8:14 NIV)

You can't hear God if your mind is crowded with other thoughts or concerns - particularly worries, plans, and activities. If you're always listening to the radio or the tv, when God calls you, the circuits are going to be busy. You've got to eliminate the distractions.

Jesus says in Luke 8:7, "Some other seeds fell where thorn bushes grew up and choked the plants" (CEV).

The kind of soil with weeds in it was actually planted with crops and begins to grow. But as it grows, weeds grow up around it, and the weeds begin to choke out the life of the vegetable or the plant, so it never bears fruit.

Here's what Jesus says is the meaning of Luke 8:7: "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature" (Luke 8:14 NIV).

There are three things that choke out hearing God:

Worry. Worries are weeds. When you're so busy with the problems and pressures of daily living, it makes it harder to hear God.

Riches. You can be so busy trying to pay your bills, so busy trying to get out of debt, so busy trying to make more, and so busy making a living that you don't make a life.

Pleasure. There's nothing wrong with pleasure. But God said that when you're so busy pursuing fun, you miss him and his plans for your life.

You don't have to cultivate weeds. They grow automatically, don't they? In fact, weeds are a sign of neglect. If you see weeds in your yard or garden, it means you're not tending your yard or garden. The weeds in your spiritual life are a sign that you're neglecting time with God.

When all the circuits are busy, you need to get quiet.

Talk It Over

What are the distractions in your life that keep you from spiritual growth?

How can you eliminate those distractions?

How much of your day is spent in silence? What would change about your life if you made it quieter?

Fruit Comes from Deep Roots

"The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don't have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up." (Luke 8:13 CEV)

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.

When there are no roots, when a plant is in shallow soil, it may initially sprout and look good, but it doesn't last. The plants wither quickly because they don't have roots.

Luke 8:13 says, "The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don't have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up" (CEV).

A lot of times we hear God's Word and get excited about it, but we don't allow it to change us. We act superficially. We react emotionally. We're moved impulsively. But we don't take the time to let it sink in.

Do you really want to be that way? No! You want to be a deep person, not a shallow person. You want to be a person with deep spiritual roots so that when recession comes and lasts several years, you're able to keep bearing fruit. When the rough winds come and somebody in your family gets sick or somebody dies, the trial doesn't blow you away, because you've got roots.

How do you develop spiritual roots? There are two ways: a daily time with God and a weekly small group time with other believers. You've got to spend time alone with God, and you've got to spend time with other believers.

If you're not spending time with God on a daily basis, you're going to dry up and blow away when the pressure is on. You won't be able to handle it. You've got to make time to listen during a daily time with God. You have to sit and be quiet. You have to read the Bible and talk to God. Play some music. If you like to journal, do that. Whatever it takes to keep the focus on God, do it!

You've also got to have a weekly small group. Nobody has a complete perspective on life. Every one of us has blinders on. The people in your small group can see things in your life you can't see. That's why we need each other! You learn from the people in your small group as you encourage each other and your roots go deeper.

Talk It Over

How does your schedule need to change so that you can spend more time with God?

On what impulses from spiritually high moments do you need to follow through?

Why do you think God designed us to do life together?

The Three Mental Barriers to Hearing God's Voice

"Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." (James 1:21 NLT)

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

Sometimes we never give God a chance to talk to us. We've made up our minds. We want to do what we want to do, not what God wants us to do. Our hearts are hardened, and we're unwilling to listen.

When you have a closed mind, of course he's not going to talk to you!

But if you really want to hear from God - and what believer doesn't? - you have to understand what is keeping you from hearing from God. There are three mental barriers that keep your mind closed to God's message.

Pride. If you think you don't need God in your life and want to handle things yourself, you're probably not listening for God to speak. Pride keeps you from being open to the possibility that God might want to say something to you.

Fear. A lot of people can't hear God speak because they're afraid to hear God speak. Maybe you think that hearing God's voice makes you some kind of religious fanatic.

Bitterness. When you hold on to hurt, resentment, or a grudge, then you're not going to be able to hear God, because your heart is hardened. It has grown cold and made you defensive, even to God's love.

Some of you have been hurt badly, whether it happened this week or years ago, and you're still holding on to it. I want to tell you that you've got to let it go. Not for their sake, but for your sake. The resentment is killing you! Resentment is a self-inflicted wound that allows people from your past to continue to hurt you today. You need to let it go, not because they deserve forgiveness but because you need to get on with your life. You need to get rid of the bitterness, fear, and pride that keep you from hearing God's voice and living out his purpose for your life.

James 1:21 says, "Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls" (NLT).

"Humbly accept" means you let go of your pride and stop trying to figure it out on your own. This is the key to opening your mind and heart so that you can hear from the Lord.

Talk It Over

How do you hear God's voice? In what ways has he spoken to you?

What changes do you need to make in your life so that you can get rid of the "filth and evil" and hear God's voice?

Why do you think we sometimes equate hearing God's voice with religious fanaticism?

Sing Your Thanks

"Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God." (Psalm 147:7a TLB)

Last week Americans celebrated one of the most important holidays of our year, Thanksgiving. Yet the irony is that, in most homes, very little thanksgiving actually took place. We're usually very busy doing everything else on Thanksgiving. We prepare our homes, cook, eat, entertain, talk with friends, watch football, and read the sale catalogs for the next day.

We do everything but thank God for all he has given us. Usually, the only thanksgiving we do is a one-minute prayer offered by one person before the big meal.

But learning to thank God for what he has given us is an important part of our spiritual journey. So how do you make gratitude to God an important part of your life?

One of the most important ways to do so is by singing. The Bible says, "Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God" (Psalm 147:7a TLB). Nothing makes you aware of God's presence more quickly than singing your praise to God. It doesn't matter how much musical talent you have, either. The Bible urges us to make a joyful noise. Even pigs do that as they eat! If pigs can make a joyful noise, so can you!

There are more songs about Jesus Christ than anything or anyone else, even love. Christianity is a singing faith! That's why you need to be a part of a local church. It's not just about listening to a weekly message from the Bible. At least once a week, you need the emotional expression that comes from singing thanks to God. If you don't, your heart will shrivel. You can't be a healthy Christian on sermons alone. You need both the impression from the message and the expression through the music.

I have discovered that the times when I least feel like singing are when I need to do it the most. When my heart is cold, I need to be renewed, restored, and recharged through singing thanks to God. In my hectic schedule, as I drive from one emotionally draining experience to another, I find listening to music and singing praise to God in my car renews my soul.

So turn on your favorite worship songs or find a good Christian radio station and sing along. Thank God for all he has given you, and make a joyful noise to the Lord while you're at it.

Talk It Over

What are some of your favorite praise songs? Why?

What keeps you from singing during private and corporate worship times?

Share about a time when singing praise to God helped lift your mood.

Share Your Testimony of Gratitude

"Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the world about his wondrous love and how mighty he is!" (Isaiah 12:4 TLB)

No other person on Earth knows your story better than you do. Sharing your testimony with others can be a powerful and important way to tell God thank you for all he has done. The Bible says in Isaiah 12:4, "Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the world about his wondrous love and how mighty he is!" (TLB)

You know what a testimony is. It's not what lawyers do. It's what a witness does. You're not trying to convince anybody. You're not trying to pressure someone for a decision. You're just telling others what happened to you. Nobody can give your testimony except you.

Unless you give a testimony about how God works in your life, your story will never be told. As you share your story, you're expressing gratitude to God. You're not only letting others know about what God is doing in your life, but you're also being a model for a life of gratitude - which is incredibly important.

For example, I once read a scientific study that said the two healthiest emotions are generosity and gratitude. People who demonstrate those emotions regularly are more resistant to disease and less likely to get ill than people who are grouchy and grumpy. When you publicly tell others about what God has done in your life, you let them in on this amazing health secret!

You also give them a glimpse into God's will for their lives. The Bible says, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). God's will for our lives is gratitude in all circumstances. God doesn't want thanksgiving to be an event on our calendar; he wants it to be our lifestyle.

When our lifestyle expresses gratitude to God in front of others, miracles happen regularly. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas, two preachers in the New Testament, went to Philippi to speak. The crowd didn't like them, so they stoned and jailed them. At midnight in a dark jail, Paul and Silas started thanking God despite any apparent resolution to their problem. They prayed, they sang, and they thanked God. God then sent a miraculous earthquake that opened the doors of the jail and loosened their chains.

When the Roman jailer saw this, he was so shaken he almost committed suicide. Paul and Silas then shared their story, and the man became a follower of Jesus right there. Soon his whole family followed suit and were baptized that night.

Your testimony of gratitude has the power to unlock prisons, too.

Talk It Over

What has God done in your life that you need to share with others who are struggling through difficult circumstances?

How has someone else's story inspired or impacted you?