The New Life in Christ: The Benefits of Purpose Driven Living. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Knowing your purpose simplifies your life:

It defines what you do and what you don’t do. Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren’t.

You simply ask, “Does this activity help me fulfill one of God’s purposes for my life?”

Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources. You will tend to make

choices based on circumstances, pressures, and your mood at that moment. People who don’t know their purpose try to do too much-and that causes stress, fatigue, and conflict.

It is impossible to do everything people want you to do. You have just enough time to do God’s will. If you can’t get it all done, it means you are trying to do more than God intended for you to do. (or, possibly, that you’re watching too much television).

Purpose-driven loving leads to a simpler lifestyle and a saner schedule.

The Bible says, “A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.” Amen.  

The New Life in Christ: The Benefits of Purpose Driven Living. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life:

We were made to have meaning. This is why people try dubious methods, like astrology or physics, to discover it.

When life has meaning, you can bear almost anything; without it, nothing is bearable.

A young man in his twenties wrote, “I feel like a failure because I am struggling to become something, I don’t even know what it is. All I know how to do is to get by. Someday, if I discover my purpose, I’ll feel I’m beginning to live.”

Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.

In the Bible, many people expressed this hopelessness. Isaiah complained, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.”

Job said, “My life drags by-day after hopeless day.” And “I give up; I am tired of living. Leave me alone. My life makes no sense.”

The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.

If you have felt hopeless, hold on! Wonderful changes are going to happen in your life as you being to live it on purpose.

God says, “I know what I am planning for you…’I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.”

Amen. 

The New Life in Christ: What Drives Your Life? (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Many people are driven by the need for approval.

They allow the expectations of parents or spouses or children or teachers or friends to control their lives. Many adults are still trying to earn the approval of unpleasable parents. Others are driven by peer pressure, always worried by what others might think. Unfortunately, those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it.

I don’t know all the keys to success, but one key to failure is to try to please everyone.

Being controlled by the opinions of others is a guaranteed way to miss God’s purposes for your life.

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters.”

Amen. 

The New Life in Christ: What Drives Your Life? (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Many people are driven by materialism.

Their desire to acquire becomes the whole goal of their lives. This drive to always want more is based on the misconceptions that having more will make me more happy, more important, and more secure,

but all three ideas are untrue.

Possessions only provide temporary happiness.

Because things do not change, we eventually become bored with them and then want newer, bigger, better versions.

It’s also a myth that if I get more, I will be more important.

Self-worth and net worth are not the same.

Your value is not determined by your valuables, and God says the most valuable things in life are not things!

The most common myth about money is that having more will make me more secure. It won’t.

Wealth can be lost instantly through a variety of uncontrollable factors.

Real security can only be found in that which can never be taken from you-your relationship with God.
Amen. 

The New Life in Christ: What Drives Your Life? (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Many people are driven by fear

Their fears may be a result of a traumatic experience, unrealistic expectations, growing up in a high-control home, or even genetic predisposition. Regardless of the cause, fear-driven people often miss great opportunities because they’re afraid to venture out.

Instead they play it safe, avoiding risks and trying to maintain the status quo.

Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be.

You must move against it with the weapons of faith and love.

The Bible says, “Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life-fear of death, fear of judgment-is one not yet fully formed in love.”

Amen. 

The New Life in Christ: What Drives Your Life? (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Many people are driven by resentment and anger.

They hold on to hurts and never get over them. Instead of releasing their pain through forgiveness, they rehearse it over and over in their minds.

Some resentment-driven people “clam up” and internalize their anger, while others “blow up” and explode it onto others.

Both responses are unhealthy and unhelpful.

Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent.

Listen: Those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment.

Your past is past! Nothing will change it. You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.

The Bible says, “To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do.”

Amen. 

The New Life in Christ: What Drives Your Life? (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Many people are driven by guilt. 

They spend their entire lives running from regrets and hiding their shame. Guilt-driven people are manipulated by memories. They allow their past to control their future. They often unconsciously punish themselves by sabotaging their own success.

When Cain sinned, his guilt disconnected him from God’s presence, and God said, ‘You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” That describes most people today-wandering through life without a purpose.

We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it. God’s purpose is not limited by your past. He turned a murderer named Moses into a leader and a coward named Gideon into a courageous hero, and he can do amazing things with the rest of your life, too. God specializes in giving people a fresh start.

The Bible says, “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven1… What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.”

Amen.

The New Life in Christ:

 Me: God, can I ask you a question?

God: Sure

 Me: Promise you won't get mad

 God: I promise

Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?

God: What do you mean?

Me: Well, I woke up late

God: Yes

Me: My car took forever to start

God: Okay

Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait

God: Huummm

Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call

God: All right

Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. But it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?

God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one

of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that…

Me (humbled): OH

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me: (embarrassed): Okay

God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): I see God

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm Sorry God

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in all things, the Good & the bad.

Me: I will trust you.

God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for everything today.

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children...

 Amen.

The New Life in Christ: You Are Not an Accident. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born. Isaiah 44:2a (CEV)

You are not an accident.

Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did.

God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes.

He has a reason for everything he creates.

The Bible tells us, “God is love.” It doesn’t say God has love. He is love! Love is the essence of God’s character. He wanted to make you in order to express his love.

God says, “I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even you’re your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you.”

There is a God who made you for a reason, and your life has profound meaning!

We discover that meaning and purpose only when we make God the reference point of our lives. Do you?

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Question: "What did Jesus mean when He said 'he who is without sin can cast the first stone'?"

Answer:Jesus’ statement “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” is found inJohn 8:1-11. Jesus was teaching in the temple when the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery, and they asked Him if she should be stoned as required by the Law of Moses. However, they cared nothing about this woman; they were using her to trap Jesus. In their minds, if He told them to set the woman free, they could claim He did not hold to the Law of Moses. If He told them to stone her they could claim He was not the Savior, and if He said nothing they could claim He lacked wisdom. Jesus did not answer immediately but stooped and wrote something on the ground, and they kept pressing Him. Finally the Lord said, in essence, “Go ahead and stone her because that is what the Law requires. But the Law also requires that the first stone be thrown by a person that is sinless in connection with this charge” (John 8:6-7).
There is no doubt that this woman was guilty of a capital offense and that the Law required that she be stoned, but the Law also required that the guilty man be stoned as well (Deuteronomy 22:22), that witnesses be produced, and that a witness begin the execution. But the Jewish leaders came with venom against Jesus and were thwarted by their own single-minded hate. They did not produce the guilty man and they were unwilling or unable to produce the required witnesses. We do not know what Jesus wrote, but after He wrote a second time the Jews left one by one, from the oldest to the youngest, without saying another word. Jesus then set the woman free with a warning to her to sin no more.
From this passage we learn that we do not accuse others unless we first thoroughly search our own hearts and minds to make certain that we are pure in every possible aspect (Matthew 7:3). Also, if we must admonish someone, we should do so as instructed in Scripture; we always look to God’s glory and never cause unnecessary division or harm (Matthew 18:15), but we do work to keep the church pure. Moreover, Jesus was the only sinless person in the temple scene, and instead of condemning the woman He looked ahead to His work on the cross and offered her life. Likewise we should use every possible opportunity to forgive and to reach out with the gospel and the love of Christ, always remembering that we, too, are sinners in need of the Savior (Romans 3:23).

-Max Lucado. Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Life Is a Temporary Assignment. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. Psalm 39:4. (NLT)

Life on earth is a temporary assignment.

THE Bible is full of metaphors that teach about the brief, temporary, transient nature of life on earth.

To make the best use of your life, you must never forget two truths:

First, compared eternity, life is extremely brief.

Second, earth is only a temporary residence. You won’t be here long, so don’t get too attached. Ask God to help you see life on earth as he sees it.

The Bible says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors.”

Sadly, many Christians have betrayed their King and his kingdom. They have foolishly concluded that because they live on earth, it’s their home. It is not.

The Bible is clear: “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.”

God warns us to not get too attached to what’s around us because it is temporary.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Seeing Life from God’s View. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

What is your life? James 4:14b (NIV)

The way you see your life shapes your life.

Most people fail to realize that money is both a test and a trust from God. God uses finances to teach us to trust him, and for many people, money is the greatest test of all.

God watches how we use money to test how trustworthy we are.

The Bible says, “If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”

This is a very important truth. God says there is a direct relationship between how I use my money and the quality of my spiritual life.

How I manage my money (“worldly wealth”) determines how much God can trust me with spiritual blessings (“true riches”)

Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Life is a test and a trust, and the more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: The Reason for Everything. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

The LORD has made everything for his own purposes. Proverbs 16:4. (NLT)

What is the glory of God?

Where is the glory of God?

How can I bring glory to God?

We bring God glory by worshiping him. Worship is our first responsibility to God. We worship God by enjoying him. God wants our worship to be motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight, not duty.

John Piper notes, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”

Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God.

The Bible says, “Use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.”

We bring God glory by loving other believers.

Following Christ is not just a matter of believing; it also includes belonging and learning to love the family of God.

John wrote, “Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life.”

Paul said, “Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified.”

It is your responsibility to learn how to love as God does, because God is love, and it honors him.

Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Amen.

The New Life in Christ:. Balancing Your Life. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Don’t let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. 2Peter 3:17. (CEV)

Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone.

Give yourself a regular spiritual check-up.

The best way to balance the five purposes in your life

1.     “Love God with all your heart”

2.     “Love your neighbor as yourself”

3.     “Go and make disciples”

4.     “baptize them into…”

5.     “teach them to do all things…”

is to evaluate yourself periodically.

At least five times in Scripture we are told to test and examine our own spiritual health.

The Bible says, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups…Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.”

To maintain your physical health, you need regular check-ups with a doctor who can assess your vital signs-blood pressure, temperature, weight, and so on.

For your spiritual health you need to regularly check the five vital signs of worship, fellowship, growth in character, ministry and mission.

Jeremiah advised, “Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living and reorder our lives under God.”

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Becoming a World Class Children. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. Psalm 67:2 (LB)

How To Think A World-Class Christian.

Shift from self –centered thinking to other-centered.

The Bible says, “My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people.”

This is the first step to becoming a world-class Christian. Children only think of themselves; grown-ups think of others.

God commands, “Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too.”

The only way we can make this paradigm switch is by a moment-by-moment dependence on God.

Fortunately he doesn't leave us to struggle on our own.

“God has given us his Spirit. That’s why we don’t think the same way that the people of this world think.”

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Becoming a World Class Children. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. Psalm 67:2 (LB)

You have a choice to make. You will be either a world-class Christian or a worldly Christian.

Worldly Christians look to God primarily for personal fulfillment. They are saved, but self-centered. They love to attend concerts and enrichment seminars, but you would never find them at a missions conference because they aren’t interested.

Their prayers focus on their own needs, blessings, and happiness.

It’s a “me-first” faith: How can God make my life more comfortable? They want to use God for their purposes instead of being used for his purposes.

If you want to be like Jesus, you must have a heart for the whole world. You can’t be satisfied with just your family and friends coming to Christ.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Cultivating Community. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Cultivating community takes courtesy:

Courtesy is respecting our differences, being considerate of each other’s feelings, and being patient with people who irritate us.

The Bible says, “We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.”

In every church and in every small group, there is always at least one “difficult” person, usually more than one. These people may have special emotional needs, deep insecurities, irritating mannerisms, or poor social skills. You might call them EGR people-“Extra Grace Required.”

God put these people in our midst for both their benefit and ours. They are an opportunity for growth and a test of fellowship:

Will we love them as brothers and sisters and treat them with dignity?

In a family, acceptance isn’t based on how smart or beautiful or talented you are. It’s based on the fact that we belong to each other. We defend and protect family. A family member may be a little goofy, but she’s one of us. In the same way, the Bible says, “Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.”

Real community happens when people know it is safe enough to share their doubts and fears without being judged.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Cultivating Community. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Cultivating community takes humility:

Self-importance, smugness, and stubborn pride destroy fellowship faster than anything else. Pride builds walls between people; humility builds bridges.

Humility is the oil that smoothes and soothes relationships.

That’s why the Bible says, “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.” The proper dress for fellowship is a humble attitude.

The rest of that word says, “…because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

This is the other reason we need to be humble: Pride blocks God’s grace in our lives, which we must have in order to grow, change, heal, and help others.

We receive God’s grace by humbly admitting that we need it.

The Bible says anytime we are prideful, we are living in opposition to God! That is a foolish and dangerous way to live.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Cultivating Community. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Community requires commitment.

Only the Holy Spirit can create real fellowship between believers, but he cultivates it with the choices and commitments we make.

Real fellowship depends on frankness.

Frankness is not a license to say anything you want, wherever and whenever you want. It is not rudeness. The Bible tells us there is a right time and a right way to do everything.

Thoughtless words leave lasting wounds.

God tells us to speak each other in the church as loving members: “Never use harsh words when you correct an older man, but talk to him as if he were your father. Talk to younger men as if they were your brothers, older women as if they were your mothers, and younger women as if they were your sisters.”

God said, “I will show kindness to anyone to whom I want to show kindness, and I will show mercy to anyone to whom I want to show mercy.” Romans 9:15.

(Then who are we, after all human beings have the rights to hurt the believers by using wounding words? This attitude of such people will surely destroy the fellowship-Living witness.)

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

You were created to become like Christ.

God’s ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development.

He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.

Christlikeness is all about transforming your character, not your personality.

Many Christians misinterpret Jesus’ promise of the “abundant life” to mean perfect health, a comfortable lifestyle, constant happiness, full realization of your dreams, and instant relief from problems through faith and prayer.

In a word, they expect the Christian life to be easy. They expect heaven on earth.

Never forget that life is not about you! You exist for God’s purposes, not vice versa.
Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Transformed by Trouble. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

God has a purpose behind every problem.

Understanding Romans 8:28-29.

This is one of the most misquoted and misunderstood passages in the Bible. It doesn’t say, “God causes everything to work out the way I want it to.” Obviously that’s not true. It also doesn’t say, “God causes everything to work out to have a happy ending on earth.” That is not true either. There are many unhappy endings on earth.

 Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Planned for God’s Pleasure. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

Worship is far more than music.

For many people, worship is a synonym for music.

Actually, worship predates music. Adam worshiped in the Garden of Eden, but music isn’t mentioned until Genesis 4:21 with the birth of Jubal. If worship were just music, then all who are nonmusical could never worship. Worship is far more than music.

Even worse, “worship” is often misused to refer to a particular style of music: “First we sang a hymn, then a praise and worship song.” Or, “I like the fast praise songs but enjoy the slow worship songs the most.”

In this usage, if a song is fast or loud or uses brass instruments, it’s considered “praise.”

But if it is slow and quiet and intimate, may be accompanied by guitar, that’s worship.

This is a common misuse of the term “worship.”

Christians often disagree over the style of music used in worship, passionately defending their preferred style as the most biblical or God-honoring. But there is no biblical style! There are no musical notes in the Bible; we don’t even have the instruments they used in Bible times.

Frankly, the music style you like best says more about you-your background and personality-than it does about God.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Thinking Like a Servant. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

My servant Caleb thinks differently and follows me completely. Numbers 14:24. (NCV)

Money has the greatest potential to replace God in your life.

The Bible is very clear: God uses money to test your faithfulness as a servant.

That is why Jesus talked more about money than he did about either heaven or hell.

He said, “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” How you manage money affects how much God can bless your life.

There are two kinds of people: Kingdom Builders and Wealth Builders. Both are gifted at making a business grow, making deals or sales, and making a profit.

Wealth Builders continue to amass wealth for themselves no matter how much they make,

but Kingdom Builders change the rules of the game. They still try to make as much money as they can, but they do it in order to give it away. They use the wealth to fund God’s church and its mission in the world.

Unfortunately, a lot of our service is often self-serving.

We serve to get others to like us, to be admired, or to achieve our own goals. That is manipulation, not ministry.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Thinking Like a Servant. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

My servant Caleb thinks differently and follows me completely. Numbers 14:24. (NCV)

Real servants don’t try to use God for their purposes. They let God use them for his purposes.

Servants think like steward, not owners.

To become a real servant you are going to have to settle the issue of money in your life. Jesus said, “No servant can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and Money.”

He didn’t say, “You should not,” but “You can not.” It is impossible.

Living for ministry and living for money are mutually exclusive goals. Which one will you choose? If you are a servant of God, you can’t moonlight for yourself. All your time belongs to God. He insists on exclusive allegiance, not part-time faithfulness.

Money has the greatest potential to replace God in your life.

When Jesus is your master, money serves you, but money is your master, you become its slave.

Wealth is certainly not a sin, but failing to use it for God’s glory is.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: How Real Servants Act. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

You can tell what they are by what they do. Matthew 7:16. (CEV)

Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant’s heart will reveal your maturity.

Real servants maintain a low profile.

Paul exposed a kind of service that appears to be spiritual but is really just a put-on, a show, an act to get attention. He called it “eyeservice.”- serving in order to impress people with how spiritual we are. This was a sin of the Pharisees. They turned helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others.

Jesus hated this attitude and warned, “When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven.”

Self-promotion and servantghood don’t mix.

Real servants don’t serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of One. As Paul said, “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

You won’t find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it when possible.

They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.

Joseph is a great example. He didn’t draw attention to himself, but quietly served Potiphar, then his jailer, then Pharaoh’s baker and wine taster, and God blessed that attitude. When Pharaoh promoted him to prominence, Joseph still maintained a servant’s heart, even with his brothers, who had betrayed him.

Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servant but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you. Jesus hated this attitude

 Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Created to Become Like Christ. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. Colossians 1:15. (Msg)

God is far more interested in what you are than what you do.

Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is far more interested in building your character than he is anything else. We worry when God seems silent on specific issues such as “What career should I choose?”

The truth is, there are many different careers that could be in God’s will for your life. What God cares about most is that whatever you do, you do in a Christ like manner.

We are human beings, not human doings.

God is much more concerned about your character than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but not your career.

Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God’s great purposes and settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism, not discipleship.

Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives.

His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like himself before he taken us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.

(God, with his unconditional love shows no partiality anywhere. But sadly I find many people follow such command only for their selfish gain. Such attitude will never please God.)

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: God’s Spirit Working In You. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”

Your character is essentially the sum of your habits.

God waits for you to act first. Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.

This is how you cooperate with Holy Spirit, and it is how your character develops.

The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building, and a child growing up.

Each metaphor requires active participation:

Seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built-they don’t just appear-and children must eat and exercise to grow.

While effort has nothing to do with your salvation, it has much to do with your spiritual growth.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: God’s Spirit Working In You. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to produce Christ like character in you.

You cannot reproduce the character of Jesus on your own strength. New year’s resolutions, willpower, and best intentions are not enough.

Only Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives.

The Bible says, “God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”

Mention “the power of the Holy Spirit,” and many people think of miraculous demonstrations and intense emotions.

But most of the time the Holy Spirit’s power is released in your life in quiet, unassuming ways that you aren’t even aware of or can’t feel.

How does this happen in real life?

Through the choices we make.

(First) We choose to do the right thing in situations,

(and then) trust God’s Sprit to give us his power, love, faith, and wisdom to do it.

Your character is essentially the sum of your habits.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: God’s Power in Your Weakness. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

We are weak…yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you. 2Corinthians 13:4.(NIV)

I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people. 2Corinthians 12:9a (LB)

God loves to use weak people.

Own up to your imperfections. Stop pretending to have it all together, and be honest about ourselves.

Instead of living in denial or making excuses, take the time to identify your personal weaknesses. You might make a list of them.

Two great confessions in the New Testament illustrate what we need for healthy living.

The first was Peter’s, who said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Amen.

Son of the living God.”

The second confession was Paul’s, who said to an idolizing crowd, “We are only human beings like you.”

If you want God to use you, you must know who God is and know who you are.

Many Christians, especially leaders, forget the second truth: We’re only humans! If it takes a crisis to get you to admit this, God won’t hesitate to allow it, because he loves you.
Amen.

The New Life in Christ: God’s Power in Your Weakness. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

 We are weak…yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you. 2Corinthians 13:4.(NIV)

I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people. 2Corinthians 12:9a (LB)

 God loves to use weak people.

Everyone has weaknesses. In fact, you have a bundle of flaws and imperfections: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.

You may also have uncontrollable circumstances that weaken you, such as financial or relational limitations. The more important issue is what you do with these. Usually we deny our weaknesses, defend them, excuse them, hide them, and resent them. This prevents God from using them the way he desires.

The Bible says, “God purposely chose…what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful.”

Your weaknesses are not an accident.

God deliberately allowed them in your life for the purpose of demonstrating his power through you.

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: How Real Servant Act. (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

 “Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.” Mark 10:43. (Msg).

You  can tell what they are by what they do. Matthew 7:16. (CEV)

We serve God by serving others.

God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we’re not shaped. If you see a man fall into a ditch, God expects you to help him out, not say, “I don’t have the gift of mercy or service.” While you may not be gifted for a particular task, you may be called to do it if no one gifted at it is around. Your primary ministry should be in the area of your shape, but your secondary service is wherever you’re needed at the moment.

Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant’s heart will reveal your maturity.

No special talent or gift is required to stay after a meeting to pick up trash or stack chairs.

Anyone can be a servant. All it requires is character.

How can you know if you have a servant’s heart?

Jesus said, “You can tell what they are by what they do.” Amen.