This is Pastor Rick's Daily Hope, the audio broadcast ministry of Pastor Rick Warren.

Well, today we continue in our series called Building a Better Future.

In these lessons, Pastor Rick shares how we can build a foundation for a better future

by following the examples of leaders in the Bible who followed God's calling to rebuild

after a time of captivity.

What you probably notice, the more grateful a person is, the happier they are.

That's the power of gratitude, but it's not always easy to feel grateful.

That's why Pastor Rick developed a great new resource called the Power of Gratitude.

Go to PastorRick.com to find out more or just text the word daily to 800-600-5,000-4.

Now, here's Pastor Rick Warren with Part 2 of a message called,

making a plan to improve your life.

Nehemiah says, you know, after four months I get the opportunity to serve some wine to King Artisurxies.

And in verse 1 and 2 of Nehemiah 2, it says, when King Artisurxies was dining, I took the wine to him.

Now, he had never seen me look so sad before.

So he asked, why are you so sad?

Your heart must be troubled.

And Nehemiah says, that made me very afraid.

Now, this is the moment Nehemiah is waiting for.

He's been praying for an opportunity to present his idea of the King.

He's got an opportunity now to state his case because he's been planning, he's been preparing, he's ready for the answer.

But notice, he has a sad face.

He has a burden, he can't hide because I want to do this, but it's not opening up.

...