Why Your Focus Matters - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - February 12, 2021

Sign Up for Email? Sign Up for Email Delivery?
2021 Feb 12

rick warrens daily hope new banner may 2022

Why Your Focus Matters
By Rick Warren

“His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’ Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus asked them, ‘Why are you talking about not having bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed?’” Mark 8:16-17 (NCV)

When you focus on the wrong things, you miss what God is doing in your life.

When your attention is only on the here and now, you miss God’s long-term plan. When you just think about comfort, you miss out on character. When you concentrate on happiness, you forget holiness. When you just want to enjoy the moment, you may not prepare for eternity.

When you’re thinking is short-term, you miss seeing the spiritual work God is doing all around you.

This is what happened to the disciples in Mark 8. The Bible says, “Then Jesus left the Pharisees and went in the boat to the other side of the lake. His followers had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat; they had forgotten to bring more. Jesus warned them, ‘Be careful! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod’” (Mark 8:13-15 NCV).

But the disciples missed the point: “His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’ Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus asked them, ‘Why are you talking about not having bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed?’” (Mark 8:16-17 NCV).

Using yeast as a metaphor, Jesus was trying to teach his disciples a lesson about pride. But they didn’t understand the deeper meaning—they thought he was talking about lunch!

While Jesus was talking about the need for maturity, his disciples were talking about their next meal. That’s short-term thinking.

Whenever you’re thinking short-term, you can’t see the larger picture of what God is doing in your life. So ask God today to give you a glimpse into eternity and to help you experience the hope that comes from seeing his long-term plan.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

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

Thrive–No Matter What Life Throws Your Way!

When you’re grounded in God’s Word, you can strand strong, no matter what hits you.

Learn how with Pastor Rick’s 8-lesson DVD and workbook study, Unshakable. This inspiring study explores the life of Daniel in the Old Testament to show how he leaned on God through turbulent times in a hostile culture, and how you can too!

Perfect for a small group or individual study, Unshakable shows you how to:

• Handle life’s unexpected circumstances and extreme pressures
• Avoid compromising on what you know is right in God’s eyes
• Manage success
• Learn from your mistakes
• Pray the kinds of prayers that God answers

Discover how to thrive—no matter what hits you—with Unshakable, our thanks for your gift below to help Daily Hope take the hope of Jesus to our hurting world.

*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.