Three Things That Keep Us from Hearing God

Current Teaching Series 40 Days of Prayer

Three Things That Keep Us from Hearing God By Rick Warren — Apr 7, 2018 “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14 NIV).  You can’t hear God if your mind is crowded with other thoughts or concerns — particularly worries, plans, and activities. If we’re always listening to the radio or watching tv, the circuits are going to be busy when God calls us. We have to eliminate distractions.  Jesus says in Luke 8:7, “Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up and choked the plants” (CEV). The kind of soil with weeds in it was actually planted with a crop that begins to grow. But as it grows, weeds grow up around it, and the weeds begin to choke out the life of the vegetable or the plant, so it never bears fruit. Here’s what Jesus says is the meaning of Luke 8:7: “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14 NIV).  There are three things that choke out hearing God:  Worry. Worries are weeds. When you’re so busy with the problems and pressures of daily living, it makes it harder to hear God.  Riches. You can be so busy trying to pay your bills, so busy trying to get out of debt, so busy trying to make more, and so busy making a living that you don’t make a life. Pleasure. There’s nothing wrong with pleasure, but be careful that you don’t become so busy pursuing fun that you miss God and his plans for your life.  You don’t have to cultivate weeds. They grow automatically, don’t they? In fact, weeds are a sign of neglect. If you see weeds in your yard or garden, it means you’re not tending it. The weeds in your spiritual life reveal that you’re neglecting time with God. When all the circuits are busy, you need to get quiet. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What distractions in your life keep you from spiritual growth? How can you eliminate those distractions? How much of your day is spent in silence? What might change about your life if you made more time for silence and quiet moments?

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Series Summary Session 1: Do You Really Want to Grow Up? Session 2: A Beginner's Guide to Prayer Session 3: Who Do You Think You Are Talking To? Session 4: Praying in Five Dimensions Session 5: How To Pray Throughout Your Day Session 6: How To Pray for Healing and Restoration Session 7: When God says "No" 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, which has been translated into 137 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. 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 © 2018 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