Topic: Before God Speaks, Decide to Say “Yes” [RICK WARREN Devotional 23 September 2021]

Click HERE for Previous MESSAGES

Before God Speaks, Decide to Say “Yes”

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
FROM HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD

“The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit.”

Luke 8:15 (GNT)God speaks to people who decide they’re going to do what he tells them to do, even before he tells them.

This kind of person says things like, “God, if you want me to move, I’ll move. If you want me to get married, I’ll get married. If you want me to leave this job, I’ll leave this job. Before you even tell me, my answer is ‘yes.’ Whatever you want me to do, I will do it.”

Luke 8:15 says, “The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit” (GNT).

I used to study this parable of Jesus and think it was talking about four kinds of people: those who are resistant, those who are shallow, those who are busy, and those who are good.

But this parable actually represents four attitudes. You can have all four attitudes in the same day! One moment you think, “God, I don’t want to hear you, because I know what you’re going to say.” And the next moment you say, “Lord, tell me quickly.” Then you hear it and think it’s good, but you don’t do anything about it. Maybe the fruit starts to appear in your life, but then you get busy with your job or school or your kids, and the weeds grow up. Then other times you say, “God, do whatever you want. I’m totally open to you.”

God wants you to have an attitude of obedience so that you can bear fruit—the biblical term for being successful. God wants you to be fruitful in your business, your family, your friendships, your relationship with him, your relationships with others, and your health.

What’s the best and quickest way to bear fruit? By taking what God has told you and sharing it to someone else.

Another version of Luke 8:15 says, “They listen to God’s words and cling to them and steadily spread them to others who also soon believe” (TLB).

When God tells you something, accept it with an obedient heart and then share it with someone else!

• How do you develop a “yes, God” attitude—where you’re prepared to be obedient, no matter what God tells you to do?
• In what area(s) of your life are you bearing fruit?
• With whom in your life can you share what God is teaching you?