Topic: Spiritual Growth Begins with a Decision [RICK WARREN Devotional 19 July 2021]

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Spiritual Growth Begins with a Decision

BY RICK WARREN — JULY 19, 2021

“God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything.”

Ephesians 4:15 (The Message)God wants you to grow up.

The Bible says, “We are not meant to remain as children” (Ephesians 4:14 PHILLIPS). Your heavenly Father’s goal for you is to mature and develop the characteristics of Jesus Christ, living a life of love and humble service.

Yet many Christians grow older but never grow up. They’re stuck in perpetual spiritual infancy, remaining in diapers and booties. One reason is because they never intended to grow.

Spiritual growth is not automatic; it takes an intentional commitment. You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing.

Discipleship is a fancy word for spiritual growth; it’s the process of becoming like Christ. And it always begins with a decision.

Matthew 9 tells of Jesus calling some of his first disciples: “‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9 NLT).

When the first disciples chose to follow Jesus, they didn’t understand all the implications of their decision. They simply responded to Jesus’ invitation. They decided to follow him.

• Think of the moment when you chose to follow Jesus. What did you understand about what it meant to be a believer? What did you not realize?
• What are some of the characteristics of Jesus that God has been developing in you?
• How do you want God to work in your life? Take some time to pray and ask God to grow you in these areas. And ask for trust and patience as he does it in his time.

Have you trusted God’s promise of salvation?Before you start growing in Christ-likeness, you must first trust him for your salvation. If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:

“I confess my sin, and I believe that you are God, my Savior. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do.

“Jesus, I am grateful for your love and your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to live the rest of my life as your disciple; I want to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.