WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.560 --> 00:00:05.599 This is Pastor Rick's Daily Hope, the audio broadcast ministry 2 00:00:05.639 --> 00:00:09.359 of Pastor Rick Warren. Today we continue in a series 3 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:13.240 called Better Together. In this series, Rick takes us through 4 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:18.079 First Corinthians chapter thirteen and shows us how to cultivate deep, 5 00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:22.600 meaningful relationships with the people around us. In just a 6 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:25.160 few moments, we're going to tell you how you can 7 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:28.719 get a copy of Pastor Rick's book called God's Power 8 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:32.399 to Change Your Life. In it, you'll discover how God 9 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:35.520 provides the power you need to take you from where 10 00:00:35.520 --> 00:00:38.719 you are to where you want to be. Find out 11 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:42.280 more by going to Pastorick dot com or by texting 12 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:46.359 the word Daily to eight hundred, six hundred five thousand 13 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:50.439 and four while you listen to today's message, that's Pastorick 14 00:00:50.520 --> 00:00:54.520 dot com or the word Daily to eight hundred, six 15 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:58.840 hundred five thousand and four. Right now, here's Pastor Rick 16 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:01.280 Warren with the fire I know part of a message 17 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:06.040 called how We help each Other Grow. 18 00:01:07.239 --> 00:01:11.439 When I'm honest about my weaknesses, then I'm humble. When 19 00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:15.319 I'm humble, I get God's grace. God's grace is the 20 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:17.400 power to change. When I get God's grace, I can 21 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:19.640 change the things that I've always wanted to change in 22 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:23.879 my life, but it only comes through humility, and humility. 23 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:25.200 Comes through honesty. Does that make sense? 24 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:29.680 There is a pattern here, and some of those things 25 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:32.280 in your life that you have been unable to change, 26 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:35.079 it's because you have been unable to be honest about 27 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:39.680 them and you're hiding them, and you're. 28 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:41.120 Not gonna get any better that way. 29 00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:44.840 Healing and a fresh start and the power to change 30 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:48.959 come from being open with other people. God wanted us 31 00:01:48.959 --> 00:01:52.959 to need each other. Now, look, I'm not perfect, You're 32 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.200 not perfect. Nobody's perfect. So who are we kidding? We 33 00:01:57.359 --> 00:01:59.519 just need to be honest about it. Everybody blows it 34 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:02.680 and just you know what, nothing shocks me anymore. There 35 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:05.760 is no sin that you could name that I haven't 36 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:10.280 heard in this church, not one, not one. Nothing shocks 37 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:13.439 me anymore because I have heard it all because we're 38 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:19.319 all imperfect. Now here's the fourth benefit of honesty, deeper fellowship. 39 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:24.639 Deeper fellowship when we had been our mistakes. First John 40 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:27.479 one point seven says, if we live in the light 41 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:31.280 as He is in the light, then we have fellowship 42 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:35.080 with one another. We get fellowship. Why because in the 43 00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:38.319 light we can't hide anything. The darkness is where we 44 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:40.759 see right now, there are seven hundred thousand watts of 45 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:43.240 light shining on me right now. That means you you 46 00:02:43.319 --> 00:02:45.800 get the camera close enough, you could see every imperfection 47 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:48.719 in my face. Because you can't hide under the lights. 48 00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:51.680 But in the darkness we hide. That's why we want 49 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:54.240 to hide in the darkness. But when we are honest, 50 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:57.479 do we live in the light. We have fellowship. Now 51 00:02:57.520 --> 00:02:59.919 here's the myth. We think that if we are over 52 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:03.879 and about our fears, about our hang ups, about our imperfections, 53 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:06.759 about our secret faults, that people are going to think 54 00:03:06.840 --> 00:03:11.120 less of us. The opposite is true. Actually, the more 55 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:13.639 honest you are, the more people want to be with 56 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:17.280 you and like you. What is more attractive to you, 57 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:21.719 deceitfulness or honesty. Well, honesty is you want to be 58 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:24.360 around people. Say that guy is the real deal. He 59 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:26.800 is not a fake, he's not a phony. What you 60 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:28.960 see is what you get. He's not putting on a 61 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:29.520 big show. 62 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:32.159 I like that guy, I like that woman because they 63 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:33.360 are the real deal. 64 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:37.080 What we don't like are people who fake it, pretend 65 00:03:37.080 --> 00:03:39.439 they're perfect, try to hide everything that's. 66 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:42.080 Not attractive at all. Well, now, if that's what attracts 67 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:42.719 you to others. 68 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:45.039 Don't you think that if you're more honest people will 69 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:46.039 be attracted to you. 70 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:48.000 They will. 71 00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:51.520 Now, let me speak to those of you who have 72 00:03:51.639 --> 00:03:54.800 realized many of you have realized, my life is messed up. 73 00:03:55.919 --> 00:03:58.599 My life is really messed up. I got some hang 74 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:03.599 ups some have but some bad responses, some bad past relationships. 75 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:05.120 I don't know what it is you say my life 76 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:08.960 is messed up. Well, God brought you here because he 77 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:12.599 wants to turn that hurt into a healing. 78 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:15.759 And then he wants to use you in the lives 79 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:16.680 of other people. 80 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:19.120 And he brought you here because he just wants you 81 00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:22.680 to stop denying it. He's waiting for you to surrender 82 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:27.800 and get with the program. 83 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:31.120 You're listening to Pastor Rick's Daily Hope. Rick will be 84 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:34.040 back in just a moment with the rest of today's lesson. 85 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:37.519 You can sign up for Pastor Rick's free email devotional 86 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:41.920 at pastorick dot com. That's pastorick dot com. 87 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:46.240 What does it take to become more loving, live more peacefully, 88 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:51.759 develop patience, have self control? Pastor Rick says. Throughout all 89 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:54.680 the years he's been a pastor, the number one question 90 00:04:54.800 --> 00:04:58.759 he's been asked, is why can't I change? People want 91 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:03.319 to change stock maybe you feel that way too. In 92 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:06.879 his book God's Power to Change Your Life, Rick lays 93 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:11.600 the groundwork for personal transformation, then offers biblical insights and 94 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:15.000 simple steps for ten areas of growth that can take 95 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:17.879 you from where you are to where you want to be. 96 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:21.399 This book connects you with the power to actually make 97 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:24.480 the changes you long to make. And as you apply 98 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:27.800 the truth of God's word by the power of His Spirit, 99 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:31.759 your life will change. You'll move out of your right 100 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:35.800 and get on track with God's wonderful purposes for your life. 101 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:38.560 And today, when you give a gift to Daily Hope 102 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:42.240 to help take the hope of Jesus to people everywhere, 103 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:45.160 we'll send you a copy of God's Power to Change 104 00:05:45.160 --> 00:05:48.439 Your Life. Just go to Pastororrick dot com right now 105 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:51.199 to get your copy, or you can call eight hundred 106 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:55.480 and six hundred five zero zero four that's Pastorick dot com. 107 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:59.160 Or call eight hundred six hundred five zero zero four 108 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:01.879 and be sure to let us know which station you 109 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:05.000 heard us on. Thank you so much for your support. 110 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:08.199 Today is the last day to get this great resource, 111 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:16.040 so don't wait. 112 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:17.720 And now here's Pastor Rick Warren with the second half 113 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:18.839 of today's lesson. 114 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:22.079 Now, let me speak to those of you who have realized, 115 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:24.720 many of you have realized, my life is messed up. 116 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:29.120 My life is really messed up. I got some hang ups, 117 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:33.560 some habits, some bad responses, some bad patterns, relationships. I 118 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:35.160 don't know what it is you say, my life is 119 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:39.160 messed up. Well, God brought you here because he wants 120 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:43.560 to turn that hurt into a healing. And then he 121 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:46.560 wants to use you in the lives of other people. 122 00:06:47.319 --> 00:06:49.000 And he brought you here because he just wants you 123 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:52.560 to stop denying it. He's waiting for you to surrender 124 00:06:52.800 --> 00:06:56.079 and get with the program. I want you to hear 125 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:58.639 Lisa's story. Would you welcome her? 126 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:07.199 Good morning. I grew up as a child victim of 127 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:11.639 domestic violence. My mother chose relationships with very abusive men, 128 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:14.000 and from the time I was nine years old until 129 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:17.720 I left home at seventeen, I was physically, emotionally and 130 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:20.920 sexually abused by the men in her life. As a 131 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:23.879 young child, seeing your mom be beaten and then suffering 132 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:26.480 the same consequences if you tried to stop it or 133 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:30.240 get help was devastating. I lived in fear and the 134 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:34.279 loneliness of keeping this family secret most of my life. 135 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:36.600 My mother and I and my siblings were always blamed 136 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:39.879 for the abuse. If only we behaved better, kept our 137 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:43.079 mouth shut, or did things perfectly as we were told, 138 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:46.560 then we wouldn't have to be beaten. My mother suffered 139 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:50.639 black eyes, a broken back, having knives held to her throat, 140 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:54.639 and even being shot at. I suffered punches and bruises 141 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:57.600 as well, but none as davaging as the bruises to 142 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:02.199 my soul. The sexual abuse left me feeling dirty, unloved, 143 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:05.480 and guilty, and somehow that the abuse was my fault. 144 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:09.399 As a teenager, the emotional damage began to impact my life. 145 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:14.279 I was promiscuous and began drinking and doing drugs, anything 146 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:17.720 to numb the pain and stay away from home. I 147 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:19.639 began to live out all the things I had learned 148 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:22.639 in my childhood, things like being sexual with a man 149 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:25.319 meant you were loved, or if a man was abusive, 150 00:08:25.399 --> 00:08:28.360 he loved me. I married my first husband when I 151 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.639 was nineteen years old, and that was the last day 152 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:33.799 I saw my mom. She was murdered six days later. 153 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:38.159 As a young wife and mother and having married an alcoholic, 154 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:42.240 abusive man. I continued to make bad choices. My marriage 155 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:44.879 ended in divorce, and I spent the next few years 156 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:48.600 dating and sleeping with many different men. I continued to 157 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:52.759 feel unlovable or unworthy. I drank and did drugs, and 158 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:55.039 I continued to try to do anything to please the 159 00:08:55.080 --> 00:08:58.240 men in my life. My bad choices led to a 160 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:01.799 second fell marriage, an abortion, and a child I gave 161 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:05.559 up for adoption. Then, in nineteen ninety two, during my 162 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:09.559 second divorce, someone invited me to settle that church I 163 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:12.559 was living with. You could guess it my second my 164 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:17.320 third alcoholic, sexually addicted boyfriend. I don't remember the sermon 165 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:22.080 that first time, sorry, Rick, But I do remember that 166 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:24.120 I cried all the way through it, and I felt 167 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:27.960 like I had finally found my church home. My boyfriend Peter, 168 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:30.440 and I sought help and showed up at the church office. 169 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:30.919 One day. 170 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:35.320 Pastor John Baker of Celebrate Recovery confronted us in love 171 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:38.879 with the truth about our living together. He recommended Christian 172 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:43.360 counseling and that we begin attending Celebrate Recovery. Peter faced 173 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:46.080 his alcoholism and sex addiction, and God gave us the 174 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:50.440 power to change our relationship and stop living together. Being 175 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:52.960 part of a small group was scary for me. At first. 176 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:55.200 I had to learn how to open up and share 177 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:58.399 with other women all the hurts of my life. But 178 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:00.879 soon I was admitting to this These wonderful women the 179 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:04.360 hurts I had never told anyone before. Opening up to 180 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:07.759 them provided the emotional healing that began my fresh start. 181 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:10.720 Through my small group, I have learned I can be 182 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:14.799 real transparent and share about all my mistakes and still 183 00:10:14.840 --> 00:10:18.840 be one hundred percent loved and accepted. Honestly, there are 184 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:22.120 countless women and men, my brothers and sisters in Christ, 185 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:25.240 who have taught me what godly love, accountability, and grace 186 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:28.320 are all about. I am blessed to say that in 187 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:31.679 January I will have eleven years of sobriety from drugs 188 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:43.320 and alcohol. Thank you Peter. That boyfriend and I will 189 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:51.120 be married ten years on December seventeenth. He's the most 190 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:54.159 amazing godly husband, and I thank God for the true 191 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:58.519 intimacy and real love that He's given us in our marriage. Finally, 192 00:10:58.559 --> 00:11:00.639 I can say that I was right that my quest 193 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:03.039 for true love and finding just the right man that 194 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:05.200 would bring me the joy and fulfillment. I looked for 195 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:08.519 all my life. I found He's the love of my life. 196 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:10.919 And his name is Jesus Christ. Thank you. 197 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:17.600 Here's the fourth way that we help each other grow, 198 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:19.559 and by the way the way God wired it. 199 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.200 This is cool. 200 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:23.200 When you help other people grow, God helps you grow. 201 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:26.279 You never grow faster than when you're helping somebody else. 202 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:28.759 And the fourth way we can help each other grow 203 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:34.399 is by encouraging each other's commitment. By encouraging each other's commitment, 204 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:38.200 the Bible says in one Timothy four to seven, keep 205 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:42.399 yourselves in training for a godly life. Now, how do 206 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:44.039 you do that? How do you stay in training for 207 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:46.480 a godly life? Well, you stay in a small group 208 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:49.440 and you get a spiritual partner. You get a training partner. 209 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:51.159 You know, it's always easy to work out when you're 210 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:55.559 working with somebody else. You get a spiritual training partner. Now, 211 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:58.720 nothing affects your life more than your commitments. 212 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.919 Tell me what you're committed to. 213 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:01.840 I'll tell you what you're going to be in twenty years, 214 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:05.000 because you are becoming whatever you are committed to. Your 215 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:09.120 commitments shape your life. And if you're not committed to anything, 216 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:11.840 other people are shaping your life. I'm sorry to tell 217 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:15.440 you this, but other people are running your life if 218 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:18.080 you don't have any commitments. Now, not only do your 219 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:22.120 commitments effect here and now, they affect eternity because every 220 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:28.159 choice you make has eternal consequences. That's why the Bible 221 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:32.279 says in Romans Chapter one, I want us to help 222 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:35.799 each other with the faith we have. Your faith will 223 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:39.120 help me, and my faith will help you. Now, that's 224 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:41.200 why you need a church family, and that's why you 225 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:42.120 need a small group. 226 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:46.159 Is we help each other out. Now. 227 00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:50.440 Saddleback Church is a purpose driven church. What does that mean? 228 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:54.200 A purpose driven church? It means that everything in this 229 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:59.240 church is committed to and organized around helping you fulfill 230 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:03.159 God's five purposes for your life. You were put on 231 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:06.000 this planet for five reasons, and the purpose of this 232 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:09.879 church is to help you fulfill those five purposes and 233 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:12.600 to help you make and grow in the five basic 234 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:15.720 commitments of life. So let's just review them as we 235 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:18.480 close here. They are Number one. First, God wants you 236 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:24.200 to commit to love Jesus Christ, love God with all 237 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.480 your heart and soul and minus drink. 238 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:28.600 That's called worship. If you haven't done this, Today's your day. 239 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:30.120 Commit to loving. 240 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:33.120 Jesus Christ because you're made your plan for his pleasure. 241 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:39.360 Number two, you commit to love other believers. Once you're 242 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.879 in the family of God, God says, I want you 243 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:43.000 to learn to get along with others. That's called fellowship. 244 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.840 That means you get in a small group, you take 245 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:49.480 class one oh one, our membership class. You get baptized 246 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:51.399 as an evidence expression of your faith. 247 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:53.480 You join this church. Now. 248 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:56.120 Once you start loving Jesus, you start loving other believers. 249 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:58.240 God says, I want you to help others to do 250 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:02.399 the same. People to love me, and help other people 251 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:04.799 to love my family. So you might want to go 252 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:07.440 through one on one class with a friend, or your 253 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:10.039 whole group might take somebody through if they haven't gone 254 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:13.639 through together. But you know, get involved, maybe even get 255 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:17.279 baptized together. The third thing is to commit to grow 256 00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:21.200 in God's Word, and this is called discipleship. God wants 257 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:24.519 you to become like Christ and you grow in His word, 258 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:26.559 and you help others to grow in His word by 259 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:29.519 sharing what God's teaching you and inviting them to Bible 260 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:32.440 studies and inviting them to your small group. The fourth 261 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:37.039 commitment is to commit to serve in ministry. God gave 262 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:40.679 you some talents, some abilities, and he didn't give them 263 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.679 to you for your benefit. 264 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.360 He gave you to bless the world. 265 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:45.000 Gave him to you to bless the world, and he 266 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:47.639 wants you to use them anytime. You use your talents 267 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:51.200 to help others. That's called your ministry. And God says, 268 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:53.480 I want you to get involved in a ministry. Use 269 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:56.159 your talents to help others, and then help other people 270 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:58.879 to do the same. Somebody in your group, invite him 271 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:01.519 to join your ministry. Invite them to serve along with you, 272 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:04.480 help them find their niche make sure everybody in your 273 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:08.080 group has a place that they can give back. And 274 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:11.039 then the fifth is commit to share the good news. 275 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:14.080 Once you know the good news, you share it with 276 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:19.120 other people. This week, I got this letter from Sherry. 277 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:23.120 Cherry is a is a hairstylist and for ten years 278 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:26.000 she's been cutting the hair of a guy named Robert. 279 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:31.320 Robert is a diabetic and his diabetes got so bad 280 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:33.759 that he lost a leg, had to have it amputated. 281 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:35.240 Then he lost a kidney and he had to go 282 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:39.559 into dialysis. And for ten years, Sherry kept inviting Robert 283 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:42.960 to come to church every week every time she'd see him, 284 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.919 and he kept saying, no, I'm not interested. 285 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:45.720 I'm not interested. 286 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:49.320 One day, a few months ago, Robert came in to 287 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:52.240 get his haircut and it was very depressed because his 288 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:55.960 mother had just died, and he admitted to Sherry that 289 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.399 she was the only person in his life that she 290 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:01.000 had been taking care of him and he didn't. 291 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:02.320 Have anybody to take care of him. 292 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:06.759 And Sherry said, Robert, you need a church family, and 293 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:09.759 you need to be in a small group, and she 294 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:12.320 gave him a brochure to saddle Back and about the 295 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:15.799 Singles Ministry, and he just said, I'm not interested. But 296 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:17.919 she kept praying for him. She said, can I pray 297 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:19.519 for you right now? And she didn't, so she prayed 298 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:24.120 for him. Two months went by before his next haircut, 299 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:27.559 and when he came in, she says, he was so 300 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:30.440 excited to tell me that he'd gone to Saddleback Church 301 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:34.799 and accepted Jesus Christ's personal savior. He'd already taken classes 302 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:38.840 one O one, two one and three oh one, became 303 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:43.320 a greeter and started attending Elevation the Single Service. Robert 304 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:45.039 made a lot of friends at the Single Service and 305 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:47.720 he got involved in a small group. The small group 306 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:50.279 is so helpful with his spiritual growth and meeting his needs. 307 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:53.279 He also started volunteering once a week at the church office. 308 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:56.519 Then he got an infection recently and he was in 309 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:59.759 the hospital again, but this time Robert's small group was 310 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:02.200 there to pray for him, to minister to him, to 311 00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:04.920 support him during his time and need. And every time 312 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:08.200 I saw Robert, he was thanking God and talking about 313 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:13.160 his small group and ministry. Last Saturday evening Robert passed away. 314 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:18.279 The people at the single service noticed that he wasn't there, 315 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:22.000 so several of them became very concerned and went to 316 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:24.759 his home and they found Robert had passed away in 317 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:31.000 his wheelchair. Pastor Rick, I am sad, but I'm also thankful. 318 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:34.279 I thank God that he tugged on my heart to 319 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:37.279 keep inviting to Robert to saddleback all these years. 320 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.240 It was ten years. 321 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:42.680 I'm thankful that Robert accepted Jesus in his heart. I'm 322 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:45.079 thankful that he found a supportive small group that showed 323 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:48.319 him God's love. I'm thankful that Robert didn't let his 324 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:50.599 health problems or being a new believer keep him from 325 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:53.440 serving God. I'm thankful that he learned to love and 326 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:56.119 be loved. And I'm thankful that Robert is now in 327 00:17:56.160 --> 00:18:01.680 heaven walking with Jesus. He always challenges Rick, will anybody 328 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:04.079 be in heaven because of you? I'm thankful that the 329 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:07.920 Lord used me a hairstylist to spread his word. And 330 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:10.279 I'm more excited to share the good news than going 331 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:12.519 shopping or getting a new car. 332 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.920 I'm glad I never. 333 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:15.680 Gave up on Robert, and I intend to take every 334 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.680 chance I have. 335 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.480 To share the good news. 336 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:24.680 Who do you need to not give up on? You've 337 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:27.079 invited him to church, or you invited him to a group. 338 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:31.680 They said, no, that's not the end of the story. 339 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:35.279 Sherry is glad she didn't give up. You know what, 340 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:40.920 Robert is even more glad because he's in heaven today. 341 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:44.240 Who do you need to invite to church? To a 342 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:51.759 service to your group? That's bower heads. 343 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:57.240 The fact is, spiritual maturity is a choice. 344 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:59.599 As I've said many times to you, You're as close 345 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:01.279 to God as you choose to be. 346 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.599 And one day you're going to stand before God. 347 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:07.720 I'm given account of your life, and he's going to 348 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:11.359 ask did you ever make these commitments? Did you ever 349 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.880 fulfill the purposes I put you on earth to fulfill. 350 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:18.519 So my question to you is, what's your next step? 351 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:21.680 Do you need to invite Christ into your life? Do 352 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:25.599 you need to be baptized, join a church, take one 353 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:29.880 on one, get in a small group, find a ministry. 354 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:36.000 Why don't you pray this prayer? Dear God, I want 355 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:39.519 to grow up spiritually. I don't want to stay a 356 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:43.920 spiritual baby anymore. So today I'm choosing to make some 357 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:48.839 serious commitments. First, I commit all of my life to you, Jesus. 358 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:54.519 I want to follow your purpose and plan. And I 359 00:19:54.559 --> 00:20:00.279 commit to publicly announcing my faith through baptism. And I 360 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:02.079 want to join this church, and I want to get 361 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:04.680 in a group, and I want to grow and be 362 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:08.400 the person you want me to be. I commit to 363 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:12.559 the journey, and I want you to make your home 364 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.839 in my heart. 365 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:17.400 In your name. I pray Amen. 366 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:34.359 Hi everybody. This is Rick, and I hope you enjoyed 367 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:37.720 today's broadcast. You know, if you just prayed that prayer 368 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:41.720 for the very first time, or you just recommitted your 369 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:44.319 life to Jesus again today, would you let me know 370 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:48.079 about it. There's something real about sharing your commitment. So 371 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:51.240 write me Rick at Pastor Rick dot com and say, Rick, 372 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:54.559 I prayed that prayer of commitment, I gave my life 373 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:57.400 to Christ. And I'll send you some material that will 374 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:59.400 help you on your journey with Jesus. 375 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:01.000 And I'll also pray for you. 376 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.079 God bless you. 377 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:09.039 This is Pastor Rick's Daily Hope. We're so happy You've 378 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:12.119 chosen to study along with us today. If you'd like 379 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:16.119 to receive hope and encouragement every day delivered right to 380 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:20.000 your inbox, then sign up for Rick's free daily devotional 381 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:22.440 by going to Pastorick dot com. 382 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.119 Right now. 383 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:25.720 Rick will be back to close out our time today. 384 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:29.920 But first, what does it take to become more loving, 385 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:35.720 live more peacefully, develop patients have self control. In his 386 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:39.079 book God's Power to Change Your Life, Rick lays the 387 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:44.519 groundwork for personal transformation, then offers biblical insights and simple 388 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:47.839 steps for ten areas of growth that you can take 389 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:50.599 from where you are to where you want to be. 390 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:53.279 Here's Pastor Rick to tell you more. 391 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:56.400 You know, I've been a pastor for over three decades, 392 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:58.480 and I've been teaching the Word of God for over 393 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:02.319 four decades, and in all of that time, the number 394 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:05.759 one question I've been asked by people, is this how 395 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:10.079 can I change? Or why can't I change? I've talked 396 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:13.279 to literally thousands and thousands of people who want to 397 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:17.400 change but are just stuck and they can't figure out 398 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:20.480 how to get unstuck. You know, the truth is you 399 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:24.039 can't change on your own because will power alone isn't 400 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:27.920 enough to make permanent changes. Sure, you can force yourself 401 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:30.319