“If you have just been going through the motions spiritually, don’t be surprised when God allows pain in your life. Pain is the fuel of passion — it energizes us with an intensity to change that we don’t normally possess. C. S. Lewis said, “Pain is God’s megaphone.” It is God’s way of arousing us from spiritual lethargy. Your problems are not punishment; they are wake-up calls from a loving God. God is not mad at you; he’s mad about you, and he will do whatever it takes to bring you back into fellowship with him.”
―
Rick Warren
“If you are serious about changing your life, you are going to have to get into the Bible.”
―
Rick Warren
“You cannot fulfil God's purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans. ”
―
Rick Warren
“Can I trust God? Trust is an essential ingredient to surrender. You won’t surrender to God unless you trust him, but you can’t trust him until you know him better. Fear keeps us from surrendering, but love casts out all fear. The more you realize how much God loves you, the easier surrender becomes.”
―
Rick Warren
“DAY 2 You Are Not an Accident I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born. ISAIAH 44:2A (CEV) God does not play dice. ALBERT EINSTEIN”
―
Rick Warren
“You can use your time to build bridges or walls. The latter is not only unChristlike, it limits impact & creates loneliness. ”
―
Rick Warren
“Surrendered people obey God’s word, even if it doesn’t make sense.”
―
Rick Warren
“Many people are reluctant to show mercy because they don't understand the difference between trust and forgiveness.
Forgiveness is letting go of the past. Trust has to do with future behavior.”
―
Rick Warren
“The fact is, it is selfish for a church to not want to grow. A church that says, “We’ve got enough people, we’ve got a nice fellowship. Our church is just the right size. We just need to focus on the members we already have.” That church is, in reality, actually saying, “The rest of the world can go to hell. We don’t care.”
―
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.”
―
Rick Warren
“Remember, you will take your character into eternity, but not your career.”
―
Rick Warren
“This is what God wants most from you: a relationship!”
―
Rick Warren
“Real security can only be found in that which can never be taken from you--your relationship with God.”
―
Rick Warren
“Benefits of Being in God’s Family The moment you were spiritually born into God’s family, you were given some astounding birthday gifts: the family name, the family likeness, family privileges, family intimate access, and the family inheritance!7 The Bible says, “Since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.”8 The New Testament gives great emphasis to our rich “inheritance.” It tells us, “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”9 As children of God we get to share in the family fortune. Here on earth we are given “the riches … of his grace … kindness … patience … glory … wisdom … power … and mercy.”10 But in eternity we will inherit even more. Paul said, “I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.”
―
Rick Warren
“Much of the conflict occurring in congregations is caused when a church calls a pastor whose gifts and passion do not match what the church has been in the past.”
―
Rick Warren
