God Understands You Can’t Change Overnight

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Life's Healing Choices

God Understands You Can’t Change Overnight By Rick Warren — Jun 16, 2015 “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians4:24 NLT, second edition) When God wants to remove the defects in your life, he doesn't just snap his fingers so that it happens instantly. He does it incrementally. When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes six hours, but when he wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years. Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree? The Holy Spirit will make changes in your life far beyond anything you thought possible, but they’re not going to happen overnight. When Saddleback Church did our “Decade of Destiny,” my prayer was that, through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and with support from our small groups, our church would become more mature, more Christlike, and further along in our purpose 10 years from that point. My prayer is the same for you, that in the next decade, you would grow in spiritual maturity and Christ-likeness and purpose. I want you to be stronger emotionally, physically, spiritually, psychologically, and financially, but you've got to be intentional about it. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT, second edition). This is how we become more like Jesus. We throw off the old things and the old ways that keep us from getting to know Christ and becoming like him, and we put on our new selves with the help of the Holy Spirit. We let God do his work in us — no matter how long it takes. “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18b TLB). PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Why is it important to have goals? What are your goals for the next 10 years of your life? How do you want God to work in your life? Pray, and ask him to help you trust as he works in his time to fulfill his purpose for you.   He is like a tree planted by streams of water….                                               --Psalm 1:3     Yesterday we noted one of the benefits of situating ourselves near the waters of Jesus Christ, stability. Today we’ll look at another benefit: vitality. A true man or woman of God is energized. And it’s more than just standing up on your own two feet. It’s being energized and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I believe “by streams of waters” speaks of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. For Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). And so the man or woman of God is to be full of the Holy Spirit. I know there are times in my life when I’m exhausted, both mentally and physically. And it’s in these times that I’ve experienced renewed energy and vitality from the Holy Spirit to continue the work or task that God has called me to do. And He can do the same for you! If you find yourself weary today, it’s my prayer that you will invite God’s Spirit to revitalize you inside and out…and that you will experience the vitality that only He can bring! A true man or woman of God is full of the Holy Spirit. PS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEzEbtA9ba8