Make Choices That Positively Affect Your Life

Current Teaching Series How To Get Through What You're Going Through

Make Choices That Positively Affect Your Life By Rick Warren — May 7, 2017 “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, the Bible tells us in 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. So far this week we’ve talked about the ways that our chemistry, our connections, our circumstances, and our consciousness affect the way we are shaped. If these factors were like the cards you’re dealt in a card game, then the fifth factor would be your wild card. Why? Because that card represents your choices, and that card affects all of 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 humanity’s greatest blessing and also our greatest curse, because we make foolish choices that harm us and harm everyone around us. The wild card of choice means – 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. You can choose to stop believing the harmful things people say to you. Your character 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 Talk about a time when you became more centered on Jesus because of a wise choice or series of choices. What do you need from God today to help you overcome the difficult circumstances that keep you from making good choices? Pray, and ask God for the help you need.

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Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes eight full length teaching CD's from Pastor Rick's series How To Get Through What You're Going Through. LEARN MORE

Series Summary Session 1: SHOCK — When Your World Collapses Session 2: SORROW — Getting Through Life’s Losses  Session 3: STRUGGLE — When Life Makes No Sense Session 4: SURRENDER — The Path To Peace Session 5: SANCTIFICATION — Transformed by Trouble Session 6: START SEEING — Finding Treasure in Darkness Session 7: SERVICE — Never Waste Your Pain 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 around the world. 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