“It seems we are often guilty of being more interested in defending God’s Word than in studying it.”
―
Rick Warren
“Surrendered people obey God’s word, even if it doesn’t make sense.”
―
Rick Warren
“The Bible says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”1 Our English word poem comes from the Greek word translated “workmanship.” You are God’s handcrafted work of art. You are not an assembly-line product, mass produced without thought. You are a custom-designed, one-of-a-kind, original masterpiece.”
―
Rick Warren
“Worldly Christians look to God primarily for personal fulfillment. They are saved, but self-centered. They love to attend concerts and enrichment seminars, but you would never find them at a missions conference because they aren’t interested. Their prayers focus on their own needs, blessings, and happiness. It’s a “me-first” faith: How can God make my life more comfortable? They want to use God for their purposes instead of being used for his purposes.”
―
Rick Warren
“A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.”
―
Rick Warren
“We bring God glory by loving other believers.”
―
Rick Warren
“It is not always convenient or comfortable, and sometimes worship is a sheer act of the will--a willing sacrifice.”
―
Rick Warren
“Circumstances cannot change the character of God.”
―
Rick Warren
“Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent. While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, you continue to stew in your pain, perpetuating the past. Listen: those who hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment. Your past is past! Nothing will change it. You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.”
―
Rick Warren
“Every time you try to block a thought out of your mind, you drive it deeper into your memory. By resisting it, you actually reinforce it.”
―
Rick Warren
“The secret of effectiveness is to know what really counts, then do what really counts, and not worry about all the rest.”
―
Rick Warren
“YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT. Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, he expected it.”
―
Rick Warren
“Pretentiousness repels but authenticity attracts, and vulnerability is the pathway to intimacy.”
―
Rick Warren
“the greatest hindrance to God’s blessing in your life is not others, it is yourself — your self-will, stubborn pride, and personal ambition. You cannot fulfill God’s purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans.”
―
Rick Warren
You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work. You don’t have to always be “in charge.” The Bible says, “Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”
―
Rick Warren
