Short-term Thinking Keeps You from Seeing Clearly

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES When You're Hoping for a Miracle

Short-term Thinking Keeps You from Seeing Clearly By Rick Warren — Jul 9, 2016 “His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’ Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus asked them, ‘Why are you talking about not having bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed?’” (Mark 8:16-17 NCV) We miss what God is doing in our lives when we remain focused on the here-and-now and not what God wants to do in our lives long-term. When we think about comfort rather than character, when we think about our happiness and not our holiness, when we think about enjoying life now instead of preparing for eternity, we’re caught up in short-term thinking, and it will keep us from seeing life clearly. This is what happened with the disciples. Jesus was trying to teach them a lesson about pride by using yeast as a metaphor. The Bible says in Mark 8:16-17, “His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’ Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus asked them, ‘Why are you talking about not having bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed?’” (NCV) Jesus was trying to teach the disciples a lesson about life, and they thought he was talking about lunch! He was talking about the need for maturity, and they were talking about their next meal. That’s short-term thinking. Short-term thinking keeps us from seeing how God is working in our lives. It’s one of the great weaknesses of American culture. It’s hard to think long-term today because everything in our society teaches you to do the opposite. We rob the future to enjoy today. We’re setting up years and years of unpayable debt to future generations so we can do what we want now. Whenever you’re thinking short-term, you can’t see what God’s doing in your life. You can’t see his long-range plans for your character when you’re just thinking about your own comfort. Ask God to give you a glimpse into eternity and to help you see the hope we can have when we see his long-term plan.  PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What are the small ways you can keep a long-term, eternal mindset throughout your day? What would long-term thinking look like in your family? Your career? Your spiritual walk? Where do you see God working in your life? Our Gift: God's Power to Change Your Life Book God is all about changing lives. He can help you through any struggle you’re facing, and take you from where you are to where you want to be. In God’s Power to Change Your Life, Rick Warren lays the groundwork for personal transformation, offering biblical insights on what it takes to become more loving, live more peacefully, develop patience, and have self-control. LEARN MORE Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes all complete sermons from the Rick Warren When You're Hoping for a Miracle teaching series. LEARN MORE Series Summary Message 1: ​When You're Running Out of Everything Message 2: ​​​​​​​​​When You Can't See Your Way Clearly Message 3: ​​When You've Come Up Empty Message 4: ​When You Feel You're Sinking Message 5: When A Marriage Has Ended Message 6: ​​When You're Drowning In Debt Message 7: When A Friend is Dying 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