Celebrate Your Transformation
By Rick Warren
“Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him . . . his name is the Lord”(Psalm 68:4 ESV).
Do you want to get back to God? You first have to get fed up, then own up to your sin, and then give up control of your life to God. Finally, you celebrate.
In Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, it’s important to notice the father’s response: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him . . . The father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate’” (Luke 15:20, 22-23 NIV).
The prodigal’s father is like your heavenly Father. No matter what you’ve done, when you come home to God, he wraps you in his love. He gives you his best and says, “All is forgiven! Go get the robe. Go get the shoes. Let’s have a feast! My child has returned to me.”
You come home to celebration, not condemnation. And God wants you to join him in celebration as you give him your praise.
You celebrate your transformation by simply saying, “Thank you, God. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your goodness. I lift up my praise!”
The Bible says in Psalm 68:4, “Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him . . . his name is the Lord” (ESV).
For your own transformation, you need to start singing at church. You need to celebrate what God has done in your life and thank him through song. Perhaps you call yourself a “prison singer”—you’re always behind a few bars and you never have the right key!
But the Bible doesn’t say to make your singing pretty. It says to make your singing joyful. You can do that! Anybody can make a joyful noise.
Sing your praise to God—not just for who he is but also for the transformation he’s made in your life.
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Daily Hope 2018 Prayer Journal
Learn how to pray prayers that expect answers!
Do you sometimes struggle with how to talk and listen to God? The good news is he longs to hear your prayers, whether it’s a bold cry or a whisper. And your words don’t need to be perfect. He delights in you when you come before him—in thanksgiving and petition.
Jesus says in John 15:7 . . .
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
So the key to praying with hope and expectation is abiding in Christ—and we want to help you do that with the all-new Daily Hope Prayer Journal. Your faith will be strengthened and you will be blessed as you look back on your written prayers and see how God has faithfully answered them.
It has a soft cork-like cover on the outside, while inside you’ll find . . .
• Bible verses and suggestions to help you pray for specific people and situations
• Practical encouragement for your prayer life from Pastor Rick
• Plenty of space to write out your prayer requests and how God answers them
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.