the devil's chaplain

This past week-end I visited my Dad in the hospital as he was recovering from a mild heart attack shortly after gall bladder surgery. During my time with him I had an opportunity to speak with the hospital chaplain. She claimed she was ordained by her church denomination and felt God calling her to this specific kind of ministry. However, when I asked her about the challenges of not compromising the gospel of Jesus while interacting with various religious beliefs … here was her response. “I simply listen and do my best to connect people of all faiths … including …

Developing Self-Control

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28 NIV). Self-control brings with it the good feeling of competency. Like a finely tuned precision automobile, your life stays on course with the slightest touch of steering. The results of self-control are confidence and an inner sense of security. Self-control and self-discipline are also key factors in any success you hope to have in this life. Without self-discipline, you are unlikely …

Three Habits to Help You Grow Spiritually

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress” (Psalm 59:16 NLT). We all want our relationships to be characterized by persistence and self-sacrifice. But we can never do that on our own. The kind of love we long to show others is only found in a growing relationship with …

NIKE, a clueless goddess

In Greek mythology NIKE was the “goddess of victory” and fought on the side of the Olympian gods to defeat the Titans. As a basketball coach years ago one of my players asked if our team could all purchase identical NIKE shoes to develop our season around the theme of “victory”. I agreed. We finished 3-19. The shoes were great … our players were not. I once asked a gym full of high school basketball players at a camp if they could experience just one victory in their life … outside of basketball … what would it be. Their answer …

Plug In Your Emotional Battery

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’” (Mark 6:31 NIV). Are you overwhelmed? Do you feel inadequate? Are you ready to blow at any moment? You can’t love others in a godly way when you’re at the end of your emotional rope. How many relationships have been ripped …

God Smiles When We Praise

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15 NIV). Few things feel better than receiving heartfelt praise and appreciation from someone else. God loves it too. He smiles when we express our adoration and gratitude to him. Noah’s life brought pleasure to God because he lived with a heart of praise and thanksgiving. Noah’s first act after surviving the flood was to express …

God Smiles When We Obey

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him” (Genesis 6:22 NLT). Noah obeyed completely (no instruction was overlooked) and he obeyed exactly (in the way and time God wanted it done). That is wholeheartedness. It is no wonder God smiled on Noah. If God asked you to build a giant boat, don’t you think you might have a few questions, objections, and reservations? Noah didn’t. He obeyed God wholeheartedly. That means doing whatever God asks without …

God Smiles When We Trust

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told…As a result, Noah became intimate with God” (Hebrews 11:7 MSG). Imagine this scene: One day God comes to Noah and says, “I’m disappointed in human beings. In the entire world, no one but you thinks about me. But Noah, when I look at you, I start smiling. I’m pleased with …

May God Smile on You

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “May the Lord smile on you” (Numbers 6:25 NLT). The smile of God is the goal of life. Since pleasing God is the first purpose of your life, your most important task is to discover how to do that. The Bible says, “Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it” (Ephesians 5:10 MSG). Fortunately, the Bible gives us a clear example of a life that gives pleasure to God in the story of Noah. In …

Jesus Gave Honest Counsel

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “A friend means well even when he hurts you” (Proverbs 27:6 GN). Jesus shows us that real friends care enough to confront. Even when it’s painful, they’ll tell you the truth (Proverbs 27:6 GN). They won’t let you waste your life in silence. I’ve found that correcting another is powerful—and it can be dangerous. Done the right way, it builds people up, but done the wrong way, it can scar a person for life. The difference between …