Month: March 2024

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”  Genesis 8:22 (NLT)

Change is unavoidable. We all know that—but we still often act surprised when things don’t stay the same.

When change happens, we can complain and grumble, get mad, and blame other people. We can even try to stop the inevitable change, as if we have any control. But things on earth never stay the same. Every moment of our lives, there is change, for good or for bad.

When God created the earth, this is one of the first things he said: “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night” (Genesis 8:22 NLT). In his perfect design, God made everything on this planet seasonal. Everything is changing, even when we can’t see or feel it. Your family isn’t the way it used to be. Your job isn’t the same as it used to be. You are not the same as you used to be.

But because God designed it and said it was good, we know that change is for our benefit. Change keeps us from becoming complacent and keeps us trusting God for the things we cannot understand. When change brings pain into our lives, it makes us depend on him. And change makes spiritual, physical, and emotional growth a natural part of life. Change for the better in your walk with Jesus means you are becoming more like him.

There is no growth without change. There is no change without loss. There is no loss without grief. And there is no grief without pain. A person who wants to grow and be better but not go through the pain of change is like a woman saying, “I want to have a baby, but I don’t want to go through labor.” It isn’t going to happen! To bring new life into the world requires pain. To enjoy every good gift, we sometimes have to experience the painful change required to receive it.

Things change, but remember this: Change will not always be easy, and you might not always understand it. But whatever change God requires from you, you can be sure it is for your good.

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

No matter what you’re going to face in the next week, month, or year, you’re not going to face it alone. God is with you, he is in you, and he is for you.

Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (NLT).

“God is working in you.” The word “working” in Greek is the word energos, from which we get the word “energy.” God is the energy driver in your life. You’re not just going on willpower. You’re not just going on your own power. God says he gives you the power you need, no matter what you’re facing.

Not only is he in you, he is with you. The Bible says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you . . . On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:18, 20 NIV). That’s quite a promise! The Bible says Christ is in you; the Bible says you’re hidden with Christ in God; and the Bible says you’re sealed with the Holy Spirit. That means for the devil to get to you, he’s got to get through the Trinity! That’s pretty good protection. That is a great fear reliever.

Not only is God with you and in you, God is also for you. Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, no one can defeat us” (NCV).

When a shepherd leads the sheep, there are always guard dogs at the back, nipping at the sheep to keep them moving in the right direction.

The Bible says the guard dogs in your life are goodness and mercy. God gives you the things you don’t deserve—that is his goodness. And he doesn’t give you the things you do deserve—that’s his mercy.

Do you ever feel the smile of God in your life? If you don’t, you might not really know God. Some people think God is like the angry parent who’s mad at them all the time. No. God is for you!

If you want to be happy, you need to get up every morning and say, “God, thank you for being with me today, for being in me today, and for being for me today.”

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“We don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

If your focus is shortsighted—where you’re only thinking about your current difficulties or pain—then it’s only natural to want to give up.

But if you look at things from an eternal perspective, then you’ll be able to keep going, no matter what happens.

“That 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 won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT).

This passage gives us four reasons to stay strong emotionally and never give up:

We never give up because “our spirits are being renewed every day.” We wouldn’t dream of going a whole week without food, but some people don’t even open their Bibles for an entire week. That’s depriving our soul of the most essential nourishment it needs! If you want to renew your spirit every day, then get into God’s Word.

We never give up, because “our present troubles are small and won’t last very long.” Problems don’t come to stay; they come to pass. Even if we have problems that last our entire lives, they would be miniscule compared to the trillions of years we’re going to have in heaven. We know that problems on earth are temporary and that God has long-range plans for us.

We never give up because we know our problems will “produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” God is using everything in our lives—even the hard stuff—to build our character for eternity. Romans 8:28 says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

We never give up because we “fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.” When we’re focused on things that last forever, we’re able to finish the race because we have long-term thinking. Our attention is fixed on eternity.

So, what are you focused on today? Instead of looking at your problems, start looking at Jesus again. And don’t give up!

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”    1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

When you’re going through a season of great change and stress, how do you maintain joy?

You do it by developing the habit of thanking God for all that’s good, despite all that’s bad.

This principle is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT). This means that we should develop an attitude of gratitude in every situation. It doesn’t mean that we have to be thankful for everything that happens to us, especially the bad things like cancer or car accidents. We don’t have to be thankful for all the evil in the world.

But every time you take a minute to express gratitude to God about anything—it could be your favorite music, nature spot, or Scripture—it helps refill your empty emotional tank so you can move forward in life. Choosing to be thankful is for your own good; it keeps you from getting bitter and helps you make it to the finish line.

Being grateful is easy when your emotional tank is full and things are going great in your life. It’s much harder to find something to be thankful for when you’re facing a crisis or prolonged chronic stress. But that’s when you need to express gratitude the most.

The story of Job is a great example of gratitude during hard times. He was a wealthy and successful man, but he lost everything in a single day. He didn’t know why everything happened to him, and he had every reason to be angry and bitter. Despite this, he gratefully worshipped God. Even in his darkest moment, he fell to the ground and worshipped God, saying, “May the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21 NIV).

One of the most practical yet powerful habits you can develop is to make a daily gratitude list. Just sit down for five minutes each day and ask yourself, “What am I grateful for?” It’s a habit that will strengthen your soul and keep you going when you feel like giving up.

Even in our darkest moments, we can follow Job’s example and gratefully worship God, knowing that his will for us is to give thanks in all circumstances.

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully.”  Psalm 10:17 (CSB)

God always responds to humility. It’s the attitude that moves him to answer your prayers.

The Bible says, “LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully” (Psalm 10:17 CSB).

In the Old Testament, Daniel had the attitude of humility. Even though he faced enormous pressure to conform to cultural expectations and lacked the emotional energy to keep going, he threw himself on the grace of God. Instead of depending on his own strength to carry him through, he prayed, “We have sinned and done wrong.” But he didn’t stop there; he continued, “We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants . . . Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame” (Daniel 9:5-7 NIV).

Daniel knew that he, along with the other Israelites, didn’t deserve God’s blessing, so he humbly confessed his sin and acknowledged his weakness. He then asked God for mercy: “Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem . . . hear the prayers and petitions of your servant . . . look with favor on your desolate sanctuary” (Daniel 9:16-17 NIV). 

How did God respond to Daniel’s humble prayer? He responded with grace. Here’s the message God had for Daniel: “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you . . . Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer” (Daniel 10:11-12 NLT).

When you humbly confess your sin to God, you are surrendering your will to his. You are acknowledging your weakness. You are admitting to God that he is God, and you are not. That’s the kind of prayer God honors because he has promised: “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts” (Isaiah 66:2 NLT).

Many people hesitate to admit their weaknesses and sins because they think they’re going to get punished. But God already knows about all your sins! He knows every mistake you’ve made in your entire life. He just wants you to confess them. He wants you to show humility, and when you do, he won’t just respond to your prayer—he’ll respond with grace.

Anytime you pray, “God, I need you. I’m depending on you. I can’t do this on my own,” he hears you and strengthens you.

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“Unload all your burden onto him, since he is concerned about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NJB)

If you have ever prayed, “God, help me. I’m overwhelmed and discouraged. I don’t know if I can keep going,” you were being honest with God—and it’s the kind of prayer God wants to hear from you.

Do you feel under attack? Tell God. Do you feel like you have no energy? Tell God. Do you feel rejected or lonely? Tell God. You have permission to dump everything you’re feeling right now onto the Lord because the Bible says: “Unload all your burden on to him, since he is concerned about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NJB).

But sometimes being honest with God can be intimidating. You might even pretend he doesn’t already know everything about your life. That’s why it’s important to remember three facts about God when you pray.

God knows every emotion you feel. The Bible says, “The LORD gave each of us a mind, and nothing we can do can be hidden from him” (Psalm 33:15 CEV).

When you tell God how you feel, he will never say, “That’s a surprise to me.” Why? Because he created your mind and everything else. You can speak freely to him. Nothing you say will ever catch him off guard.

And when you do share your feelings with God, it’s for your benefit, not his. God knows that when you “unload all your burdens on him,” it relieves a lot of unconscious tension and internal conflict in your life.

God understands your feelings better than you do. The Bible says, “The LORD knows what is in everyone’s mind. He understands everything you think” (1 Chronicles 28:9 NCV).

I doubt you understand everything you think. I certainly don’t understand everything I think. And sometimes you’ll have an emotion that makes you wonder, “Where did that come from?” But because God gave you your emotions, he always understands them.

The only reason you have emotions is because you’re made in God’s image—and God is an emotional God. The Bible says God gets sad and angry, and he even laughs. Like every gift from God, emotions are appropriate when used in their right place, not to hurt others.

God loves to listen to you. The Bible says, “I love the LORD, because he hears me . . . He listens to me every time I call to him” (Psalm 116:1-2 GNT).

God is a listening God. You may get too busy for a conversation with him, but he is never too busy for a conversation with you. And he doesn’t have a short attention span; he won’t say, “What were you talking about? Can you say that again?” God is always attentive.

So whenever you’re distressed and at the end of your rope, pray honestly and “cry out in the night . . . pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord” (Lamentations 2:19 NIV).

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.”  2 Corinthians 4:9 (TLB)

If you’ve ever been at a race, then you’ve heard spectators shout, “Keep going!” to motivate the athletes. That’s also great advice for anyone who feels emotionally, mentally, or spiritually exhausted from running the marathon of life: Keep going!

Scripture includes many examples of people who had determination to keep going in the face of opposition, including Jesus and Paul.

Jesus faced constant opposition. Religious and political leaders intimidated him. They tried to stop his ministry by telling him that King Herod wanted to kill him.

But Jesus said to them, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way” (Luke 13:32-33 NLT).

Nothing was going to stop Jesus from accomplishing his purposes—not fear, opposition, or criticism. He was resilient and had the endurance to keep on keeping on.

Paul also faced obstacles that threatened to slow him down. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, he said, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going” (TLB).

Maybe that sounds familiar, because you feel like troubles are coming at you from many directions. You’re tired and worn out, and you don’t think you’ll make it to the finish line.

How do you keep going?

You get the power to keep going in the same place Jesus and Paul got it: from God.

“We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work” (2 Timothy 1:8-9 MSG).

God doesn’t expect you to fulfill your purpose and do his will in your own power. First, he saves you, and then he gives you the power for daily living. He will give you everything you need to keep going and finish what he has called you to do.

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

FROM HOW GOD BLESSES GRATEFUL HEARTS — A THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”

1 Corinthians 10:16 (NIV)

When we take Communion, we are reminded of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

It’s not an empty ritual that Christians do just because they have to. Instead, God wants us to practice Communion to help us remember. Why do we need to remember? So we can be grateful. You can only be grateful for those things that you remember.

Communion is also called the Lord’s Supper. It is a habit of gratitude because it helps us remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, “On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.’

“When supper was over, he did the same with the cup. He said, ‘This cup is the new promise made with my blood. Every time you drink from it, do it to remember me’” (GW).

Jesus gave us the bread and the wine as a memory tool. We use this tool to practice gratitude for what it cost Jesus to pay for our salvation.

Another word for Communion is the Eucharist. This is a Greek word that means “thanksgiving.” Communion is meant to be a model of thanksgiving. It’s one of God’s favorite ways that we give thanks to him! We can show thanks to God in many ways—through songs of thanksgiving, through thanksgiving offerings, or through the thanksgiving cup.

“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16 NIV).

When we drink from a Communion cup and eat the bread, we are saying to God, “Father, thank you for sending your Son to live a perfect life and die for our sins so that we can be forgiven.”

As we remind ourselves of the high price Jesus paid to save us, the only reasonable response is gratitude.

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“[God] planned to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ would be the head of everything in heaven and on earth.” Ephesians 1:10 (GW)

Goal setting isn’t just a good idea for productivity. It’s a spiritual discipline, like prayer, fasting, giving, and reading your Bible.

In fact, goal setting can be an act of stewardship as you try to make the most of all God has given you.

You can waste your life. Plenty of people do it! To make the most of your life and invest it in a way that outlasts you, you’ll need goals.

Even God sets goals. The Bible says, “[God] planned to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ would be the head of everything in heaven and on earth” (Ephesians 1:10 GW). God didn’t sit around and let the history of the world unfold in a way he found appropriate. He planned history. God has goals for the church. God has goals for every facet of the universe.

History is moving to a climax. There will be a judgment day, when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. History is moving toward that goal—because God planned it that way.

If God plans, then we should too. God wants us to be like him in all facets of our lives, including goal setting. I’ve heard people say, “I’m not going to plan. I’m just going to trust God and go with the flow.”

That’s not spiritual. It’s foolish! You shouldn’t go one more day without making plans for this week, this month, and this year.

The Bible has more than 7,000 promises from God to you — promises of success, confidence, health, prosperity, strength, wisdom, and more. Why does God make these promises?

Because he wants you to learn to trust him.

When you set a goal, don’t focus on the problems; focus on the promises. Find a promise in God’s Word that will take you to your goal.

The size of your God determines the size of your goal. Start making some plans, and trust God to fulfill his promise to bring everything in history—including you—to its goal in Christ.

By Rick Warren – Source: nhulieuthanhkinh.com

“I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air.” 1 Corinthians 9:26 (NCV)

Without goals, you cannot expect to be any different this year than you were last year. The default in your life will always be more of the same.

Long-term goals keep us moving toward our purpose and keep us from being discouraged by short-term setbacks.

We all have setbacks. You deal with them every day, but those setbacks won’t slow you down if your focus is on something you’re trying to achieve down the road. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:26, “I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air” (NCV).

You don’t want to spend the next year hitting the air. But just setting goals isn’t the answer. God doesn’t appreciate every goal you set!

These are the kinds of goals that God blesses:

Goals that bring God honor: The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (NIV).If you’ve got the right motivation, anything can be done for God’s glory.

Goals that are motivated by love: God is far more interested in why you’re doing something than what you’re actually doing. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 16:14,“Do everything with love” (NLT).

Goals that fulfill one of God’s purposes for your life: God put you on Earth to do five things: worship him, be a part of his family, become like Christ, serve him, and share your life message. If your goals help you fulfill one of these purposes, then God will bless them.

Goals that are set in faith: Your goals must be big enough that they’ll require God’s help to fulfill. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).

Goals that are achieved by God’s power: You will not stick to your goals without God’s power. You won’t get healthy on your own. You won’t improve your marriage on your own. The goals that really matter in life can only be achieved with God’s power, not your own.

Take a look at the goals you’ve set for the future. Are they the kind of goals that God blesses?