Devotionals by Pastor Rick Warren

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

As Christians, we tend to think about grace when it’s connected to our salvation. But grace is about much more than just how we come to Christ. Our entire Christian walk must be fueled by the grace of God.

We can do nothing for God that doesn’t ultimately come from his grace. The Bible says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT).

In fact, grace brings 10 great benefits to our lives:

We’re saved by grace. The only way to heaven is through the doorway of grace. You can’t earn it, work for it, or buy it (Ephesians 2:8-9).

We’re forgiven by grace. Though we don’t deserve it, God wipes our slate clean by his grace (Isaiah 43:25).

We’re sustained by grace. God will never tell you to do anything he doesn’t give you the ability and the power to do. That power and ability is because of his grace (Philippians 2:13).

We’re healed by grace. God heals our broken hearts and binds up our wounds, even though we don’t deserve it (Psalm 147:3).

We’re liberated by grace. Our relationship with Jesus isn’t made up of a bunch of chores to do. Instead, it’s about resting in what the Lord has already done. If your Christian life is not a life of resting in Christ, you’re moving into legalism (Matthew 11:28-30).

We’re given talents by grace. God has given each of us the ability to do something well, and we’re to use those abilities for him (Romans 12:6).

We’re used by grace. God uses us to fulfill his purposes in this world, not because of anything we’ve done but simply through his grace (Ephesians 3:7).

We’re kept saved by grace. We cannot lose our salvation because it’s a gift of God. If you could earn it, then you could lose it the moment you stopped earning it (Jude 1:24).

We’re transformed by grace. Through his grace, God makes us new through the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2).

We’re matured by grace. God’s work of making us more like Jesus happens not because we’ve earned it or by our own effort but by the grace of God (2 Peter 3:18).

God’s grace is real and powerful in our lives. You might look at all these benefits and wonder, “How do I receive God’s grace?” Tomorrow’s devotional will focus on that question.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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