One Step to a Closer Relationship with God - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - March 24, 2026

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“If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me.” Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT)

When you become a believer in Christ, you’re born into God’s family, and you can’t be unborn. Although sin can disrupt how close you feel to God, you still have a relationship with him. You’re always just one step away from coming back and growing close again.

So, what should you do when you sin? One word: Return! Come back to Christ. It’s that simple.

God says in Isaiah 1:18, “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow” (TLB).

If ever there were a sin you’d think was unforgivable, it would be denying Jesus three times on the night he was betrayed. But Jesus knew Peter would deny him, and he even knew Peter would come back to him. In fact, before it even happened, Jesus said to Peter in the Upper Room, “I have pleaded in prayer for you that your faith should not completely fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up the faith of your brothers” (Luke 22:32 TLB).

Jesus knew Peter’s ministry would be more effective after his denial than it was before. And, sure enough, it was! Peter wrote two books of the Bible: 1 Peter and 2 Peter. Later he shared his memoirs with a relative, and that became the Gospel of Mark.

You may think God has forgotten you. He hasn’t. The Good Shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to go after the one that is wandering (Matthew 18:12-14). He knows how you’ve fallen away. Whether it’s happened through one giant step or a series of small steps, you may not feel as close to Jesus as you used to be. If that’s you, pray what David prayed when he came back to God after committing adultery. He said, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12 NLT). David did not have to pray, “God, restore to me my salvation,” because he hadn’t lost his salvation. He had lost the joy.

If you’ve lost your joy, you’re only one step in faith away from returning to God and being restored in every way.

Why not come home to Christ today?

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.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.