[NFBF-Melbourne] Weekend Devotion: (Sunday, April 19, 2020) FW: How to Welcome God’s Word into Your Heart

Sun Apr 19 04:17:36 UTC 2020

Good morning Everyone!  Rise and Shine and give God the Glory because all the Glory belongs to God, so let us praise His Holy Name! 

God, we thank you for your Word , which is quick, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12).  It has withstood the test of time and is forever settled in heaven.  Let us not just “read” it (because it is not just a mere book), but allow our hearts to be fleshly and “receive” the Word.  Let it fall on good ground and mold, make and shape us and bring about a change in our lives.  Let us grow in grace and remember the book of James says be doers of the Word and not just hearers only.  The same Word that cuts us will heal us by reproving, correcting and rebuking until we get it right (2 Tim. 3:16).  

Lord, help us to rightly divide the Word of God and welcome it into our hearts.  For such a time as this, we need the Word to keep our minds stayed on Jesus who will give us perfect peace.

I was blessed by Pastor Rick Warren’s message below, and I pray that you will be encouraged as well.

God bless,

Dr. Joyce Taylor, VP, MSCC

Communities of Faith Committee Member

From: Daily Hope with Rick Warren <connect at newsletter.purposedriven.com> 
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2020

Subject: How to Welcome God’s Word into Your Heart 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426027:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

Current Teaching Series 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426028:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 40 Days in the Word 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426029:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426030:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> How to Welcome God’s Word into Your Heart 

By Rick Warren — April 18, 2020

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426031:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426032:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426033:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426034:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426030:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)

The Bible is one of God’s great gifts to us. But a closed Bible is worthless. To reap the benefits of the Bible, you have to get its truths into your life.

One way you can do that is by receiving God’s Word with an attentive, open heart. Jesus says, “Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root . . . Therefore consider carefully how you listen” (Luke 8:13, 18 NIV).

In this Scripture, the word “receive” comes from the Greek word dechomai, which literally means “to welcome.” You can welcome God’s Word like a generous host would welcome a stranger.

But that verse includes a caution, too. You need to be careful of how you listen to God’s Word. Receive it with an open, teachable attitude.

It’s more than just hearing. We all have heard someone without really listening. It’s possible that as you’re reading this devotional today, you’re reading the words but not listening to the message; while your eyes are reading, your mind may be a million miles away.

Scripture says that we should “receive” God’s Word. Think of a Wi-Fi connection. When you have a strong connection, you can download things quickly and smoothly; when you don’t, your device might never display what you need.

God’s Word is the same way. Sometimes we don’t have a strong connection. That keeps us from really receiving God’s Word.

Sometimes we have a poor connection to the Bible because we’re just not paying attention. Other times it might be because something’s blocking that connection—maybe your relationship with God or another person is off. Get your relationships in order. Then you’ll find you have a stronger connection to God’s Word, and God will be able to use it to speak to you.

Hebrews 2:1 says, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (NIV).

How can you hold on to God’s Word instead of letting it drift away? One way is by taking notes. Choose a part of this devotional that God used to speak to you and write it on a note in your phone or in a journal.

How will you know when you’re receiving God’s Word with an open, attentive heart? You’ll start to see your life being changed. Acts 2:41 says, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” (NIV).

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426035:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> >>

Talk About It

*	Make a list (on paper, on your phone, or just in your mind) of all the things you might do to prepare to welcome a stranger. What are some similar ways you can prepare to welcome the truth of Scripture into your life?
*	Are there relationships in your life that are out of order and might be interfering with your connection to God’s Word? What’s one thing you can do today to start making one of those relationships right?
*	You can know you’re receiving God’s Word with an open, attentive heart when it starts to change you. How have you seen Scripture change your life?

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426031:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426032:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426033:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426034:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426036:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426036:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> Get 40 Days in the Word Study Kit when you give a gift to support Daily Hope

Pastor Rick Warren shows you how to get more out of God’s Word and grow closer to Jesus in his 40 Days in the Word study kit.

Through an in-depth 200-page study guide and six-part DVD teaching video, you’ll learn

• How to dig deeper during your devotional time
• The key to memorizing Scripture and making it stick
• How to apply the Bible in every area of your life

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426036:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> LEARN MORE

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426037:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426037:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> Complete Audio Series (Purchase) 

Includes 7 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series 40 Days in the Word.

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426037:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> LEARN MORE

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426028:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426028:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 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 Biblical Text
Message 7: Integrating God's Word into My Life

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426029:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

 <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426038:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426039:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426040:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r>  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426041:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> 

Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick’s daily audio teaching at  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426028:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> PastorRick.com 

Did someone forward this devotional to you?  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426042:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. As the founding pastor of Saddleback Church with his wife Kay, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000-member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As an author, his book  <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426043:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> The Purpose Driven Life is one of the best-selling nonfiction books in publishing history. It has been translated into 74 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the century. Rick also founded The PEACE Plan to address five global issues—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. You can listen to Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope, his daily 25-minute audio teaching, and sign up for his free daily devotionals at PastorRick.com <http://messaging.saddleback.org/ct/55426027:J6HEEubDN:m:1:3025321960:EF91DFCF748DE541A9603A70AFF4D774:r> . © 2020 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe by clicking the link below.

This message was intended for: dr.joycetaylor56 at gmail.com <mailto:dr.joycetaylor56 at gmail.com>  
You were added to the system December 27, 2019.
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