Rick Warren's Daily DevotionalSample
Shift from Local to Global Thinking
God is a global God. He has always cared about the entire world. "God so loved the world...." (John 3:16) From the beginning he has wanted family members from every nation he created. The Bible says, "From one person God made all nations who live on earth, and he decided when and where every nation would be." (Acts 17:26 CEV)
God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him.
Much of the world already thinks globally. The largest media and business conglomerates are all multi-national. Our lives are increasingly intertwined with those in other nations as we share fashions, entertainment, music, sports, and even fast foods. Probably most of the clothes you're wearing, and much of what you eat today was produced in another country.
We're more connected than we realize and God can use that connectedness as a means for us to fulfill his Great Commission. Jesus gave us a pattern for such involvement: " You will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world." (Acts 1:8 CEV)
His followers are to reach out to their community (Jerusalem), to their country (Judea), to other cultures (Samaria) and to other nations (everywhere in the world). Note that our commission is simultaneous, not sequential. We are called to be on mission to all four groups in some way.
How would you identify these groups in your community? What nations do you believe God has called you to serve in some form?
About this Plan
Do you know what God created you for? If you don't, then you may drift through the next ten years of your life instead of living out what God has called you to do. These devotionals by Rick Warren will help you get to where God wants you to go spiritually, financially, emotionally, relationally, and physically. They offer practical steps for reaching the goals God has for you.
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We would like to thank Rick Warren for making these devotionals available. For more information about Rick Warren and Saddleback Church, please visit: www.saddlebackresources.com