Rick Warren - Expecting The Best—Part Two

This is Pastor Rick's Daily Hope, the audio broadcast ministry

of Pastor Rick Warren. Today we continue in our series

called fifty Days of Faith. In these lessons, Rick looks

into God's word to discover the true meaning of faith

and explore ways we can strengthen it. But first, if

you'd like to discover the custom made dream God has

just for you, stay tuned because in just a few

moments we're going to tell you about the video base

created to dream Bible study. You can take a sneak

peek right now by going to Pastorick dot com while

you listen to today's message, or you can just text the

word hope to eight hundred six hundred five thousand and four.

That's the word hope to eight hundred six hundred five

thousand and four. Right now, here's Pastor Rick Warren with

the final part of a message called Expecting the Best.

If you're having to wake up with an alarm clock,

you know what that's saying. Your body is not getting

enough sleep. You're having to forcefully wake yourself up because

you're not getting the sleep that you need, and it's

hard to be optimistic during a sleep deficit. Now, it's

no wonder you're negative because you're waking up to an

alarm clock which alarms you in the morning. You know,

it's like you're not waking up till it's a great,

wonderful day. No I'm alarmed. Well, no wonder you feel bad.

You're waking up in the state of shock every day. Okay,

So I mean that's just kind of a no brainer. Okay.

Suggestion number two, don't turn on the morning news. And

you know what the local news is. All it's about

is crime. And so they say, well, you know, last

night while you were sleeping, there are three more murders,

two more rapes in a house burned down. Oh that

made my day. I feel happy. Local news has a

thing that the gory or it is, the more they

push it to the front, you know, item if they say,

if it bleeds, it leads, that's the idea. And you

don't really need to know all that, because you know,

you get up and you turn on and you hear

all this local news and it's bad news all around you.

And then you sit down to the newspapers. If you

hadn't had enough problems of your own, now you have

to read about the problems in Yugoslavia. Well, yeah, right,

and then you get in your car and as you're

driving to work, you turn on you know, the talk radio,

and you hear more problems. It's no wonder you're cranking.

You need to start the day with good news, not

bad news. So don't turn all that stuff on. Don't

listen to all the problems of the world as you're

starting out in your morning and your mind is just

forming your mood for the day. Suggestion number three, start

your day with worship. Tune in to God before you

talk to anybody else. Talk to God first. Listen to

good positive music. Can sit down and read a little

bit of God's word, read some promises of God. Talk

to God, and let God talk to you. Five minutes,

ten minutes, fifteen, twenty minutes, just starting your day. Study

after study after study is shown that your mood for

each day is determined by the first ten minutes of

that day. Now you can be a little bit more

intentional about expecting the best, having a better attitude if

you'll start your day intentionally with worship. Doesn't have to

be long. Just focus in on God and verbally a

firm This is the day that the Lord has made

I will rejoice and be glad. It's a choice. Did

you know that optimism releases endorphins in your brain? You

will actually feel better. You'll feel better if you start

the day by tuning into God.

You want to expect the best. Number two, think on

God's promises throughout the day. You start the day by

tuning into him, and then you think about his promises

throughout the day. This is David's second secret of optimism.

The Bible tells us that he practiced this even in

the most difficult of times. Palone nineteen, verse ninety five.

David says, though the wicked hide along the way to

kill me, I will quietly keep my mind upon your promises.

Now get this. He was facing the constant threat of assassination,

and he says, I need these promises throughout the day

to help me to face these threats in my life,

this anxiety that could inevitably overwhelm my day. The Bible

tells us, in fact, would you read with me some

one nineteen eleven, what David's habit was. David said, I've

banked your promises in the vault of my heart. How

are you going to do this? Think about God's promises

throughout the day. The only way to do it is

to memorize them, to bank them in your heart, to

put them where you can call upon them. And nothing, nothing,

will improve your attitude more than have those thoughts from

God that you can rely on during the day. When

you get in the tough spots, you can't whip out

a Bible and look up verse you don't have time.

Those are the moments when you need to be able

to draw on what's in your heart. Did you know

there are over seven thousand promises in this Bible written

for you and I to give us confidence and assurance

throughout the day that we can make it through. The

Bible tells us in Philippians chapter four, verse eight, how

to think when it says you'll do best by filling

your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious,

the best, not the worst, the beautiful not the ugly. Now,

let me ask you, does that sound like the fall

lineup on TV? When I read that? Really, when you

think about the things that we fill our minds with,

you get tired, You get anxious, and you think, maybe

I'll entertain my way into feeling better, and you feel

more tired, and you feel more anxious. Let me suggest this,

listen to something different. If you're going to change your heart,

if you're going to change that anxiety, if you're going

to feel less threatened in life, feel more hope. We're

expecting the best. Start to listen to something different. Listen

to God's promises because they have the power to bring

faith and optimism into our lives. The Bible tells us

in Hebrews, chapter ten, verse twenty three, let's keep a

firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He

always keeps his word. Now, well, let me talk about

a practical way to do this, because I know some

of you are thinking, Tom, I haven't memorized anything since

like third grade. I'm not getting in on this part

of it, all right. You know those aerobic shows you

see on TV where they have the different steps, you know,

the different, you know, the easy and then the medium

and then the difficult. We're going to do that with this,

all right, some of you just you just need to

start with the easy part. Without faith, no one can

please God.

Just start there.

Just memorize that part this week. Now you're thinking, is

that Okay, can you memorize like part of a Bible verse,

like God's going to get mad at you if you

do that. If you memorize just the word faith this week,

it would help, wouldn't that Just that one word, just

a little bit, can make a big difference. God's not

going to get mad at that, is going to be

pleased with that. If you've memorized a lot, then memorized

the whole verse this week. But whatever way you do it,

start to bank some of these things in your heart

where they can make a difference. I can't tell you

the times that of the few verses I've memorized that

God will bring one to mind that reminds me not

to say something stupid in that situation, or to be

patient with one of my kids when I wouldn't have otherwise,

or to have hope when I wouldn't have had hope,

or it gives me the strength to make a good

decision when I want to make a bad decision. It's

amazing how when you put some of these promises into

your life, they give you a faith to face the day.

The third secret of expecting the best is to trust

in God's love even when things look bad. Trust in

God's love even when the thing, the situation, the circumstance

looks bad or bleak or depressing. Now, this is David's

third secret of optimism. It's where he found his confidence.

The Bible tells us in Psalm forty two, David said, Oh,

my soul, don't be discouraged, don't be upset. Expect God

to act, for I know. Here's the confidence that I

shall again have plenty of reason to praise Him for

all that he will do. Notice it's in the future.

All that he will do he's going to do. He

hadn't done it yet. This is a statement of positive expectation.

He said, I'm not gonna get discouraged. It looks bleak,

it looks bad, circumstances look dark. But I'm not going

to get down on it because I'm going to expect

God to act. I know that once again. In other words,

he's done it in the past. I know it once again.

He'll help me out. Some of you are going through

some pretty dark times right now. What do you do?

Number one? You remember how God has helped you in

the past. Oh, how quickly we forget Remember that God

has helped you many many times out of many, many situations,

many you weren't even aware that He was the one

that was doing it. Remember that God has helped you

in the past even when you were unaware. And then two,

you expect him to do it again. That's expecting the best.

You're trusting in God's love when things look bad. Now listen,

We rarely understand why God allows things in our lives

when they happen. Almost never does God give you an

explanation of why there's pain in your life, problems in

your life, difficulties in your life, circumstances you don't understand.

Almost never does God give you an explanation. He didn't

know you an explanation in the first place. But number two,

you wouldn't understand some of the reasons until you get

to have it and look back and go, oh, that's

what was going on.

You're listening to Pastor Rick's Daily Hope. Rick will be

back in just a moment with the rest of today's lesson.

You can sign up for Pastor Ricks free email devotional

at pastorick dot com. That's pastorick dot com.

Did you know that God has a dream for your life?

Before you took your very first breath. He had already

placed the gift of imagination into your brain and hardwired

creativity into every cell of your body. But discovering and

fulfilling your God given dream will require a journey of

faith on your part. That's why Pastor Rick just released

the Created to Dream Bible Study, based on the core

teaching found in his best selling book Created to Dream.

The six week video based study will reveal the process

God uses to fulfill the custom made dream he has

it just for you, and the faith building faces he'll

lead you through as he does. This video study includes

an enhanced workbook with lesson outlines he versus in homework

for deeper reflection between each session. You can do the

study on your own or with friends in a small

group setting. So whether you're feeling stuck, forgotten, afraid, or uninspired,

the Created to Dream Bible Study will give you the

tools you need to awaken and pursue the custom made

dream God created you to fulfill. And today, when you

give a gift to help daily hope take the word

of God to a hurting world, will send you the

Creator to Dream Bible Study. Kid to say thanks, go

to Pastorrick dot com right now to get your copy,

or you can call eight hundred six hundred five zero

zero four that's Pastor Rick dot com. Or call eight

hundred at six hundred five zero zero four. Thank you

so much for your support, and don't forget to let

us know which radio station you heard us on.

Now let's get back to today's lesson. Here on Pastor

Rick's Daily Hope.

Remember that God has helped you many, many times out

of many many situations. Many you weren't even aware that

He was the one that was doing it. Remember that

God has helped you in the past even when you

were unaware. And then two, you expect him to do

it again. That's expecting the best. You're trusting in God's

love when things look bad. Now, listen, we rarely understand

why God allows things in our lives when they happen.

Almost never does God give you an explanation of why

there's pain in your life, problems in your life, difficulties

in your life, circumstances you don't understand. Almost never does

God give you an explanation. He didn't know you an

explanation in the first place. But number two, you wouldn't

understand some of the reasons until you get to have

it and look back and go, oh, that's what was

going on. So he doesn't explain why you go through

what you're going through. So what do you do when

you're in a difficult situation and it doesn't make sense,

it has no rhyme or reason to it. What do

you do? You trust in the love of God. You say,

you know what. I know God loves me, and I

know God is in control, and I know God sees

everything that's going on in my life right now, and

I know God could change it, and I know God

wants what's best for me. So I don't have to

have an explanation. It's obviously here in that it's in

the best pathway for my life at this point in

my life right now. I don't have to understand it

because I am trusting in the fact that God is

in control and God is good, and God loves me,

and he wants what's best for me. It's okay, God,

it doesn't makes sense, but I'm going to trust you. Folks.

That is a deep, deep, deep level of faith that

God wants you to grow in. Notice this verse he

Brews twelve, verse ten. While we were children, our parents

did what seemed best to them. But God is doing

what is best for us, training us to live God's

holy best. Now here's the key. If you want to

handle the dark situations of life, You've got to look

at them from God's perspective, not your own. And that

makes all the difference in the world. You look at

it from your viewpoint, it doesn't make sense. You look

at it from God's viewpoint, the problem shrinks in size.

The entire Israeli army looked at Goliath and said, this

guy is impossible to handle. He's in our way. We're

never gonna take him down. David looks at him from

God's viewpoint and says, he's just a mere mortal man

who is defiling and defaming God. And God is on

our side, and he'll help us out and we can

take him. It's all in the way you look at

your situation. There's another promise that you might want to

memorize this week. It's Psalm ninety one, verse fourteen. Notice

what God says, I'll get you out of any trouble.

Circle the word any. I'll get you out of any truble,

any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if

you'll only get to know and trust me. That's what

God wants you to do. That's why God's been trying

to get your attention through all the problems and stuff.

He's been trying to get your attentions. I'll take care

of you if you'll just get to know me and

trust me. David tells us the fourth secret that we

need to talk with other believers. That's the fourth key.

Talk with other believers. David hung out with positive people.

He wasn't just facing this giant on his own. He

had emotional and spiritual support. And so I'm one nineteen

sixty three, David says, I'm a friend and companion of

those committed to making those committed to living by your rules.

Now you need to associate with, You need to attach

yourself to. You need to fellowship with other people of

positive faith. Who do you hang out with? Does your

faith get any support it all? If you hang out

with cynical, sarcastic, critical, negative people, that's as contagious as

faith is, and they will tend to infect you. If

you want to be a person of great faith, of

great expectations, then you need to find some people who

build into your life additional faith who help you grow,

because the wrong crowd will bring you down. There's a

verse in the Bible that says bad company corrupts good character,

and it really does when it comes to your attitude.

It's like that old cliche. If you want to soar

with the eagles, you can't run with the turkeys. David

said in some One blessed is the man who doesn't

stand in the seed of the scornful, or sit in

the sea of the wicked of the scoffers. He doesn't

hang out with cynical people, David goes, I don't do

that because I don't want them to infect me with

their negativism. You need to talk with other beliefs, people

of faith on a regular basis. You need more VIPs

in your life than vdps. Do you know the difference.

VIPs are very inspirational people who build up your faith,

and vdps are very draining people who take it out

of you. Now, if you've got more vdps, very draining

people in your life than VIPs, you're in trouble because

your battery is getting drained. There's no way you're gonna

expect the best. There's no way you're gonna be optimistic.

There's no way you're going to be a person of

faith because you're being drained all the time. You got

to get some VIPs, very inspirational people in your life now.

Of course, the most logical place to do that is

in a Bible study, a Bible study class, or a

small group where you can get to know some people

who'll encourage you. That's why we talk about this all

the time here at Saddleback. Look at the next verse says,

let us not give up the habit of meeting together. Instead,

let us encourage one another. If you're not in a class,

if you're not in a group, where are you getting

your encouragement on a weekly basis? Now, I want to

pray for you. Let's bow our heads. The Bible says,

keep company with God and get in on the best.

And I don't want you to sit on the sidelines.

I don't want you to miss out on what's going

to happen. Father. I don't know that I've ever been

more excited about a plan to help these wonderful people

develop and strengthen their faith. And I could hardly wait

to see the miracles and the changes you're going to

do in our lives and our careers and relationships and families.

Help them to put things first, things first, and to

realize that without faith, it's impossible to please God. Lord.

This is an important subject we're going to deal with now.

I want you to pray, and I want you to

pray this. Say thank you God in advance for all

You're going to do in my life during the next

fifty days. I'm expecting in faith. Now, in a crowd

this size, I'm sure that there's some of you who

are worried about a giant problem this next week, a

goliath in your life. Maybe it's a lab report from

a doctor, or maybe you've got a situation at work,

or your kids are your family are in some kind

of difficulty. Maybe you've got an important decision that has

to be made soon. Why don't you relax right now,

take a deep breath and trust Jesus Christ. Say Jesus Christ.

I want to put my trust in you and expect

the best in your name. I pray Amen.

This is Pastor Rick's daily Home Hope. We are so

happy that you've chosen to study along with us today.

Did you know that you can start every day with

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Don't miss out. Sign up now at Pastorick dot com.

Rick will be right back to close out our time today.

But first, did you know that God has a dream

for your life? Before you took your very first breath,

He had already placed the gift of imagination into your

brain and hardwired creativity into every cell of your body.

But discovering and fulfilling your God given dream will require

a journey of faith on your part. That's why Pastor

Rick just release the Created to Dream Bible Study based

on the core teaching found in his best selling book

Created to Dream. This six week video based study will

reveal the process God uses to fulfill the custom made

dream he has just for you, and the faith building

phases he'll lead you through as he does. This video

study includes an enhanced workbook with lesson outlines, key verses,

and the homework for deeper reflection between each session. You

can do the study on your own or with friends.

In a small group setting. So whether you're feeling stuck, forgotten, afraid,

or uninspired, the Created to Dream Bible Study will give

you the tools you need to awaken and pursue the

custom made dream God created you to fulfill. And today,

when you give a gift to help Daily Hope take

the word of God to a hurting world, we'll send

you the Created to Dream Bible Study Kit. To say thanks,

go to Pastorick dot com right now to get your copy,

or you could just call eight hundred six hundred five

thousand and four that's Pastor Rick dot com or eight

hundred six hundred five thousand and four and thank you

so much for your support, and don't forget to let

us know which radio station you heard us on. Here's

Rick with a letter from one of our listeners friends.

Today, I want to share with you a powerful testimony

from Alqistas. She's a nineteen year old who listens to

Daily Hope in Greece and she talks about how God

began to work in her life as she listened to

the message the courage to keep on. She wrote, Dear

Pastor Rick, I just want to send you a big,

big thank you. I've been completely lost. Over the last month,

I've been anxious and sad and tired. I've wanted to

give up, but my mother's a big supporter of yours,

and she encouraged me to listen to your broadcast and

I did. I started listening to it once or twice

a week, just to make my mom happy. But one day,

when I was in a mess, I bumped into a

message of yours, called the Courage to Keep on Going.

I was like, WHOA, how did he know? That broadcast

was the beginning of my adventure with you? As I

was far from God and I was attached to my

stressful feelings. But I started listening to your broadcasts every

day and I was filled with hope. I soon started

to enjoy reading my Bible again, and I gained my

trust in God again. And now I'm happier than ever.

God talked to me through your messages and gave me

new eyes to see that my life was an amazing

and blessed life. So now I'm sharing your devotionals and

your broadcast with all my friends, hoping that it will

change them just as it did change me. Pastor Rick,

I thank God for you and your amazing ministry. I

thank you personally, and I thank your amazing team who's

helping you deliver God's messages all around the world. Alqistas,

thank you so much for writing to me. It's wonderful

to know that you're reading your Bible again and the

Daily Hope has helped you regain your trust in God

and even increase your happiness. And I absolutely love the

fact that your mom nudged you to listen to Daily

Hope and now you're passing it along to all your

friends and all your neighbors. You know, doing what you're

doing is one of the easiest ways to share your

faith with everybody around you. You just never know who's

going to be in heaven because you cared enough to share.

So thanks for writing.

If you'd like to let Rick know how this broadcast

has blessed you, please feel free to send him an

email at Rick at pastor Rick dot com. That's Rick

at pastor Rick dot com. Be sure to join us

next time as we look into God's word for our

Daily Hope. This program is sponsored by Pastor Rick's Daily

Hope and your generous financial support