How Do You Develop Spiritual Roots? - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - October 5, 2025

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How Do You Develop Spiritual Roots?

By Rick Warren

“The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up.” Luke 8:13 (CEV)

During springtime, the grass in Southern California turns green and the wildflowers and poppies bloom. It’s really pretty! But the moment the rains stop, the hills turn brown again. Why? Because the grass has shallow roots. They can’t go down deep enough to reach the springs of water far beneath the ground.

So when plants don’t have deep roots, they may sprout and look healthy at first—but without the roots they need, they quickly wither. 

Our spiritual lives work the same way: Without deep roots, our faith can’t hold steady when trouble comes.

The Bible says, “The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up” (Luke 8:13 CEV).

A lot of times we hear God’s Word and get excited about it, but we don’t allow it to change us. We act superficially. We respond emotionally. We’re moved impulsively. But we don’t take the time to let God’s Word sink in.

Nobody wants to be a shallow person. Instead, you want to have deep spiritual roots so that when recession comes and lasts several years, you’re able to keep bearing fruit. When rough winds blow and someone in your family gets sick or a close friend dies, you’re able to stand, because you’ve got roots.

How do you develop spiritual roots? You can start by having a meaningful daily time with God. As you take time to pray, worship, and read the Bible, you’re going to be amazed at how this simple practice strengthens your life. The more you get to know God, the more you’ll love him! In fact, the main objective isn’t just to study about him but to spend time with him. It’s not just study time; it’s relationship time! 

 Another way to grow spiritual roots is to connect regularly with a small group of believers. None of us has a complete perspective on life. We all have blind spots. That’s why you need a small group—because they can see things in your life you can’t see. As you encourage one another, you’ll learn from each other and grow deeper roots. We’re better together!

When you spend daily time with God and connect regularly with a small group, you won’t dry up or get blown away when the pressure is on. Instead, your spiritual roots will grow deep, and your faith will stay steady no matter what.

PLAY todays audio teaching from Pastor Rick

created to dream book cover by rick warrenRick 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!


40 Days of Prayer Scripture Cards: Rick WarrenYour Gift Brings Hope to the World

Transform your prayer life with God’s Word! 

True breakthrough from the struggles of life begins with prayer—and there is no better place to start cultivating a powerful prayer life than the Bible. 

Discover the biblical wisdom you need to transform the way you pray when you dive into this special collection of verses from God’s Word. You’ll be inspired and encouraged by Scripture as you learn to trust in his promises. 

Drawing key verses from Pastor Rick’s "40 Days of Prayer" teaching series, this set of 52 beautifully designed cards will help you memorize God’s Word so you can access it when you need it most—and it’s our thanks for your gift today to help more people experience the transformative power of prayer through Daily Hope! 

Thank you for helping share the hope of Jesus Christ. May you enjoy a time of breakthrough as you fill your heart and mind with the truth of Scripture. 

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

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

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.

 

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Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

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How Do You Develop Spiritual Roots? - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - October 5, 2025

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

rick warrens daily hope new banner may 2022

How Do You Develop Spiritual Roots?

By Rick Warren

“The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up.” Luke 8:13 (CEV)

During springtime, the grass in Southern California turns green and the wildflowers and poppies bloom. It’s really pretty! But the moment the rains stop, the hills turn brown again. Why? Because the grass has shallow roots. They can’t go down deep enough to reach the springs of water far beneath the ground.

So when plants don’t have deep roots, they may sprout and look healthy at first—but without the roots they need, they quickly wither. 

Our spiritual lives work the same way: Without deep roots, our faith can’t hold steady when trouble comes.

The Bible says, “The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don’t have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up” (Luke 8:13 CEV).

A lot of times we hear God’s Word and get excited about it, but we don’t allow it to change us. We act superficially. We respond emotionally. We’re moved impulsively. But we don’t take the time to let God’s Word sink in.

Nobody wants to be a shallow person. Instead, you want to have deep spiritual roots so that when recession comes and lasts several years, you’re able to keep bearing fruit. When rough winds blow and someone in your family gets sick or a close friend dies, you’re able to stand, because you’ve got roots.

How do you develop spiritual roots? You can start by having a meaningful daily time with God. As you take time to pray, worship, and read the Bible, you’re going to be amazed at how this simple practice strengthens your life. The more you get to know God, the more you’ll love him! In fact, the main objective isn’t just to study about him but to spend time with him. It’s not just study time; it’s relationship time! 

 Another way to grow spiritual roots is to connect regularly with a small group of believers. None of us has a complete perspective on life. We all have blind spots. That’s why you need a small group—because they can see things in your life you can’t see. As you encourage one another, you’ll learn from each other and grow deeper roots. We’re better together!

When you spend daily time with God and connect regularly with a small group, you won’t dry up or get blown away when the pressure is on. Instead, your spiritual roots will grow deep, and your faith will stay steady no matter what.

PLAY todays audio teaching from Pastor Rick

created to dream book cover by rick warrenRick 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!


40 Days of Prayer Scripture Cards: Rick WarrenYour Gift Brings Hope to the World

Transform your prayer life with God’s Word! 

True breakthrough from the struggles of life begins with prayer—and there is no better place to start cultivating a powerful prayer life than the Bible. 

Discover the biblical wisdom you need to transform the way you pray when you dive into this special collection of verses from God’s Word. You’ll be inspired and encouraged by Scripture as you learn to trust in his promises. 

Drawing key verses from Pastor Rick’s "40 Days of Prayer" teaching series, this set of 52 beautifully designed cards will help you memorize God’s Word so you can access it when you need it most—and it’s our thanks for your gift today to help more people experience the transformative power of prayer through Daily Hope! 

Thank you for helping share the hope of Jesus Christ. May you enjoy a time of breakthrough as you fill your heart and mind with the truth of Scripture. 

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

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

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.

 

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