[How God Uses Tough Times]( Current Teaching Series [50 Days of Faith]( [Listen to Today's Broadcast]( [How God Uses Tough Times](
By Rick Warren â 09/06/2023 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd%20like%20to%20share%20a%20Daily%20Devotional%20from%20Pastor%20Rick%20with%20you&body= âThat is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and wonât last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!â 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (NLT) You are never a failure until you quit, and itâs always too soon to quit. God uses tough times to test your persistence. The difference between faithful people and unfaithful people is that unfaithful people give up at the first sign of difficulty. Faithful people keep on keeping on. Faithful people are determined. Faithful people are diligent. Faithful people are persistent. Faithful people donât know how to quit. You know how a little acorn becomes an oak tree? An oak tree is just an acorn that refused to give up. When we started Saddleback Church, I thought weâd quickly get into a building. But we went 15 years without one. In the first 13 years of the church, we used 79 different facilities. You know how many times I felt like giving up? Just every Monday morning! Saddleback grew to more than 10,000 people before we built our first building. How would you like to set up and take down a church for 10,000 people every week? Thereâs not a lot of glory in that. Itâs just hard work. God uses tough times to test our persistence. If youâre going through tough times right now, then this verse is for you: âThat is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and wonât last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!â (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT). God is more interested in what youâre becoming than whatâs happening to you. He often allows trials, troubles, tribulations, and problems in your life to teach you diligence, determination, and character. What about the problems youâre going through right now? Theyâre a test of your faithfulness. Will you continue to serve God even when life stinks? âLet us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give upâ (Galatians 6:9 NIV). [PLAY todayâs audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>]( Talk It Over - In what situation are you ready to give up?
- How can you renew your spirit so that you have the strength to persevere in that situation?
- What are you learning from God about himself and yourself in the midst of your trial? How is he growing your character? What will you do when Jesus returns? The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in Godâs Son, Jesus Christ. You canât earn your way into heaven: âIt is by grace you have been saved, through faithâand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godânot by works, so that no one can boastâ (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). If youâre ready to commit your life to Jesus, start by praying this prayer: âDear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything Iâve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day. âI confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesusâ name I pray. Amen.â If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. Iâd like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus. The post [How God Uses Tough Times]( appeared first on [Pastor Rick's Daily Hope](. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd%20like%20to%20share%20a%20Daily%20Devotional%20from%20Pastor%20Rick%20with%20you&body= [Get the Created to Dream Study Kit when you give a gift to support Daily Hope!]( Like so many people today, you may find yourself feeling stuck, forgotten, afraid, or just uninspired. But the truth is that God has an incredible dream for your life just waiting to be discovered! And we want to help you find and fulfill it with Pastor Rickâs 6-week video-based Bible study, Created to Dream. Join Pastor Rick as he personally leads you on an exciting journey of discovery and growth that will build your faith and equip you to pursue the unique calling God has just for you. Created to Dream comes as our special thanks for your gift below to reach more people with the hope of Christ through Daily Hope. [LEARN MORE]( [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)]( Includes 7 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series 50 Days of Faith. [LEARN MORE]( [Series Summary]( Message 1: Expecting the Best
Message 2: Stretching My Imagination
Message 3: Taking the Initiative
Message 4: Persisting in Faith
Message 5: God's Way of Meeting My Needs
Message 6: Following God's Directions
Message 7: How to Keep on Believing [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST]( Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rickâs daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com]( Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.]( Rick Warren is the founding pastor of [Saddleback Church]( one of Americaâs largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller [The Purpose Driven Life](. His book [The Purpose Driven Church]( was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created [The PEACE Plan]( to address the five global giantsâspiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracyâthrough the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at [PastorRick.com](. © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe by clicking the link below.
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