POWER!

Rick says,

"Did you know God does not bless self-reliant people? He blesses people who are dependent upon him and surrendered to him. God wants to use you, but you must live by his power."                                               ~ Rick Warren 

Don't you want God's blessing?

 You do not want to be "self reliant" do you?

 (Keep in mind self-reliance, in some contexts, is a very good thing... and Rick does not differentiate as to what he means... he just says "self reliance" is BAD. 

 "God does not bless self -reliant people."

Truth be told, God causes the rain to fall on all people... even those not dependent upon him.  Jesus himself said," he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

As for "blessings"  In Ephesians 1, it says, " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (NIV)  Or if you read the Bible that has no copyright, the KJV,  it also says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

What is the power of God that you are seeking to get anyhow? (God's power might be pretty amazing to obtain.) 

But Rick doesn't teach, let alone, "preach" that.  If you listen to Rick, there is no blessing from God... no God -power upon your life... until you get your act together.  "God WANTS to use you, but"....... he can't.... until you get it right and "live by his power."  To do that you first have to get his power.  How do you GET God's power?

You have to do three things... According to Rick Warren:

1. "You get God’s power by praying."
2. "You get God’s power by taking risks to obey God."
3." You get God’s power by not giving up."

Get God's Power by Rick Warren 10/26/2013

Odd. He said nothing about Jesus.  He did say that :

1. "You get God's power by praying"?  
How do we know he is talking to Christians and not just everybody and anybody? For us who are being saved, the preaching of the cross is the "power of God."  (1 Cor. 1:17-19)   All kinds of various religions and religious people "pray."  What makes "prayer"  the means of obtaining power from God?  

And prayer itself is not enough.... you must also take risks.

2. "Taking risks to obey God?".....  Why would it be "risky" to obey God?  Obedience usually KEEPS ONE OUT OF TROUBLE...or OUT of DANGER..  It's odd for a pastor to suggest that one "take a risk" to "OBEY God." God is good and it is a respite, a shelter,and a blessing to do what is right and good.  It's not "risky" to be obedient to God.  This is confusion.  Is it risky to obey God or will it bring you blessing?

3.  "Not giving up."
Not giving up what? 
Risky Rick does not say. So. apparently, you can simply imagine your persistence to be in regard to anything you want it to be... or mean.  It probably means that you will never ever.. ever.. be able to stop doing, doing doing.  You will never do absolutely nothing... and simply find
rest.

God loves you and wants you to find rest in Him. 

Jesus is the Christ who died that your sins would be forgiven..and Jesus calls you to rest in receiving God's intervention.  It is God's love and mercy and grace that we see and find in Jesus Christ... in Him is "all-power."

In Christ, you have  forgiveness of your sin. There is no imperative that you must get God's power by doing three things,  This good news is being proclaimed by those who follow Him and say yes to God's truth.  Believe God.... then  His power) is upon you and you will be saved.  Learn of Jesus and you will find rest for your souls... (Matthew 11:29.)

Why does Rick Warren circumvent the " good news about Jesus and finding rest in Him? "

Rick Warren's "biblical" concept of rest is enjoying life... and taking time for relaxation.  
In fact, in another article, at pastors.com, Rick says, "Jesus insisted his disciples take a vacation."

Jeremiah 6:15-17 (KJV)

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?

 nay, they were not at all ashamed,

 neither could they blush:

 therefore they shall fall among them that fall: 

at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. 

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see,

 and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, 

and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. 

But they said, We will not walk therein. 

 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, 

Hearken to the sound of the trumpet.

 But they said, We will not hearken