God’s Change Takes Time
By Rick Warren
“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24 (NLT)
When God helps you grow spiritually, 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 it’s not going to happen overnight.
When Saddleback Church did our “Decade of Destiny,” this was my prayer: 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 will grow in spiritual maturity, Christlikeness, 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 your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT).
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.
The result? “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB).
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Experience a Breakthrough in Your Prayer Life!
We’ll say thanks for your gift below to help reach more people through Daily Hope by sending you the 40 Days of Prayer Scripture Cards.
These colorful, eye-catching cards will not only take your prayer life to a new level, but they’ll also help you memorize the Word of God so you have it when you need it most.
Request your 40 Days of Prayer Scripture Cards below when you give—and thank you for helping share the hope of Jesus Christ with people here and around the world!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of 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.
