When You’re Down, the Bible Lifts You Up

Current Teaching Series 40 Days in the Word

When You're Down, the Bible Lifts You Up By Rick Warren — Feb 11, 2017 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NIV). Are you down in the dumps? Do you need a mood elevator? Put down the piece of chocolate cake. Don’t have a pity party. Pick up your Bible instead. You need a Word break. God gave us the Bible to encourage us. One way you can think of the Bible is as a mood elevator. The Bible says in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (NIV). Everything in Scripture is written for our encouragement. That’s a big statement — but it’s true! Even the tough parts of God’s Word are there to ultimately encourage our lives in the right direction. That’s why we need to spend time alone with God every single day. Whether it’s your daily devotional, your quiet time, or your personal inspiration time, you need to be getting alone with God, reading his Word, and talking to him. The Bible says in Psalm 119:114: “You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me” (MSG). If you’re discouraged and have lost hope, I can tell you one thing about your life without ever meeting you: You’re not spending time in God’s Word. If you were, you wouldn’t be discouraged. The more you read God’s Word when you’re down, the more he lifts you up. So the next time you feel discouraged, don’t come home and turn on the television. Instead, open up your Bible and read it. Listen to Dr. Luke instead of Dr. Phil. God’s Word has the power to change your life. It has God’s power in it. Nothing else does. The Bible will give you the “real stuff” — true encouragement. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What things do you turn to when you feel discouraged? Do those things really offer you encouragement or give you hope? We can fit anything into our schedules if it’s really important to us. Have you carved out a time in your day for “quiet retreat” so God can renew you? What are some Bible verses that encourage you when you’re discouraged or down? Have you memorized them?

Our Gift: 40 Days in the Word Study Kit + Bookmark Build a more vibrant relationship with Jesus! A close relationship with Christ doesn’t happen by accident. You have to make spending time with Him a priority every day. And you have to approach that time with the right attitude. Pastor Rick Warren shows you how to get more out of God’s Word and deepen your daily time with Jesus in his 40 Days in the Word study kit. Through a 200-page study guide and six-part DVD teaching video, you’ll learn… LEARN MORE

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Series Summary Message 1: Building My Life On The Bible Message 2: Why Can I Trust The Bible Message 3: How The Bible Changes Us Message 4: Seeing What God Wants Me To See Message 5: How To Study a Bible Passage Message 6: Understanding the Meaning of a Text Message 7: Integrating God's Word In My Life 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 pastorrick.com. 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 © 2017 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