Jesus Encouraged People

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak in order to build them up in the faith” (Romans 15:1). Jesus encouraged people, and he told those who are strong in faith to make a point of encouraging others in their faith (Romans 15:1). We all need confidence. When you know that someone believes in you, it brings out your best. Jesus did this with the Apostle Peter. “Petros,” Peter’s name, meant pebble. But …

frozen Christians or freedom in Christ ?

This may not sit too well with some folks … but tough … so buckle up here it comes. More and more I truly believe children and dads are being convinced they have spiritual limitations because of their past. Fourteen years ago GOD granted me redemption and forgiveness from a life of sin and shame … yet I have noticed churches that are more like a stumbling block than a building block in regards to my process of restoration. Certain doctrinal interpretations have shackled men and fathers into reduced roles of “occasional church attenders” at best. Satan will not allow …

Jesus Challenged People

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage: “We should consider the good of our neighbor and build up his character” (Romans 15:2). You can be a homebuilder, bodybuilder, reputation-builder, or a retirement-nest-egg-builder, but none of those things will last. There is something, though, you can put your efforts into now that will last forever. You can be a people-builder. The Bible encourages us to do just that in Romans 15:2, where it says, “We should consider the good of our neighbor and build up …

Two Keys to Thinking Like Jesus

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. Philippians 2:56 (MSG) *** *** *** *** The first half of this mental shift is to stop thinking immature thoughts, which are selfcentered and selfseeking.  Babies, by nature, are completely selfish. They think only of themselves. That is immature thinking: “Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life” (Romans 8:5 MSG). The apostle Paul wrote, “To be perfectly frank, I’m getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before …

Movie Review: Watchmen

This film has been in the works for over two decades. As early as 1986 there was a draft penned by Sam Hamm (who co-wrote the first “Batman” film in 1989) for a film adaptation of “Watchmen”. For years it was passed around studios, laid around on people’s desks, rewritten by different people, and different directors taking passes on it. The one filmmaker that passed on it that struck me the most was Terry Gilliam, who said, “I’ll make it if I can make it 10 hours long”. Funny line, but I think he meant it. After seeing this film, …

the book that matters

Kids and adults that read seem to have advantages too numerous to list in this brief communication. I have probably read more books in the past 5 years than any other 5 year span of my life. I would like to think that I am much smarter now … but that is very debatable. Right about now you probably think I am going to preach about God’s book … the Bible … and its value in your life. However, there is one book that may be of equal importance with scripture … and that book is called the “Book of …

Serving from the Heart

From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he’ll take charge of sending the rain at the right time …. Deuteronomy 11:13-14 (MSG)   *** *** *** *** Repeatedly, the Bible says to “serve the Lord with all your heart.” God wants you to serve him passionately, not dutifully. People rarely excel at tasks they don’t enjoy doing or feel passionate about. God wants you to use your natural interests to serve him and others. How do you know …

When Serving God, Listen to Your Heart

A man’s heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) *** *** *** *** The Bible uses the term “heart” to describe the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections that you have. Your heart represents the source of all your motivations – what you love to do and what you care about most. Even today, we still use the word in this way when we say, “I love you with all my heart.” The Bible says what is in your heart is what you really are, not what others think you are, or what circumstances force you to …

knowledge + approval = 0

More important than math, science, history or English … encourage your children to explore the truth about eternal salvation. Truth based on God’s standards not man’s. Recently, as I have re-examined this truth, I came across an interesting concept. There are many people who have the correct knowledge of the gospel of Jesus. They know the account of His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles and healings, His suffering death and His resurrection. In addition to this knowledge many also actually approve of the gospel message. They agree and consider the Christ stories to be true. However … this …

Spiritual Gifts for Serving God

Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God’s Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (TEV) *** *** *** *** You can’t earn your spiritual gifts or deserve them – that’s why they are called gifts! They’re an expression of God’s grace to you: “Christ has generously divided out his gifts to us” (Ephesians 4:7 CEV). Nor do you get to choose which gifts you’d like to have. Paul explains that God determines that, “It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have” (1 Corinthians …