The Wild Card: Your Choices

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES God's Prescription for a Healthy Life

The Wild Card: Your Choices By Rick Warren — Apr 18, 2016 “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him” (Romans 8:29 MSG). You are wonderfully complex (Psalm 139:14). To fulfill God’s purpose for you, you have to look at every dimension of your life and understand five factors that influence your identity. We’ve talked the last few days about the ways that our chemistry, our connections, our circumstances, and our consciousness affect the way we are shaped. If these factors are like the five cards you’re dealt in a game of poker, then the fifth factor would be your wild card. Why? Because it’s your choices, and it affects all your other cards. You may not be able to control the hand you were dealt, but you can use your wild card to change the way you live your life by the choices you make. The Bible says we are created in the image of God. No other animal was created in the image of God! Dogs have instinct but don’t know the difference between right and wrong. Elephants have no moral compass. But you get to choose to do right or wrong. The freedom to choose is man’s greatest blessing and also his greatest curse, because we make stupid choices all the time that harm us and everyone around us. The wild card can change the suit and number of the other cards you are dealt. You didn’t choose your chemistry, but you can choose what you do with your body. You didn’t choose your connections, but you can make new relationships and mend or nurture the ones you already have. You can choose how you respond to your circumstances, and you can choose to stop believing the harmful things people say to you. Your identity is shaped by your choices. What choices will you make today that will positively affect the rest of your life? PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What do you need from God today to help you overcome the difficult circumstances in your life that keep you from making good choices? Pray, and ask God for the help you need. How have you let the harmful things people say to you affect your life? What steps can you take today to mend or nurture your relationships? Our Gift: The Daniel Plan Study Kit This six-session video-based, small group study from Rick Warren, Dr. Daniel Amen, and Dr. Mark Hyman is centered on five essentials that will launch your journey to health: faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends. LEARN MORE Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes all complete sermons from the Rick Warren God's Prescription for a Healthy Life teaching series. LEARN MORE Series Summary Message 1: Why We Need Each Other Message 2: ​​​​​​​Getting Your Ship Out of the Harbor Message 3: Setting Goals In Faith Message 4: What It Takes to Really Change Message 5: God's Prescription for Health Message 6: Winning With the Hand You're Dealt Message 7: The Awesome Power of Focus Message 8: The Awesome Power of Forgiveness Message 9: The Awesome Power of Faith PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at rickwarren.org. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe