Topic: You Need God’s Help to Change [RICK WARREN Devotional 4 April 2023]
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You Need God’s Help to Change
BY RICK WARREN — APRIL 4, 2023
FROM RESETTING MY LIFE
“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 (TLB)
Doing a reset in your life is not something you can do with just human energy. Only God can produce that kind of a transformation in your life.
Think of it like this: Someone could make a law that says, “No more prejudice. No more racism. No more bigotry.” But no law is ever going to turn a bigot into a lover. Only God has the power to do that—because it requires an internal change, and only God can produce a truly lasting transform in our hearts.
In the same way, you can tell yourself that you’re ready to change, that you want to change, that you can change, and that you will change. But nothing will ever happen—nothing that lasts or has eternal significance—without the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible says in Zechariah 4:6, “‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD All-Powerful” (NCV).
Just like you can’t transform yourself into a tiger or a leopard, you can’t transform yourself to be like Christ. You can’t change your life on your own power. Willpower is not enough.
You didn’t collect your hurts, habits, and hang-ups overnight, and you’re not going to eliminate them overnight either. It’s going to take time. In fact, it’s going to take the rest of your life! It’s a slow process. And on your own, you won’t have enough patience and endurance to finish strong.
But there’s good news. The Bible promises, “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB).
Making changes involves a lifelong process that requires the power of Holy Spirit. As the Spirit works within you, God transforms you into who you were created to be and makes you more and more like him.
When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes six hours. When he wants a mature oak tree, he takes 60 years.
Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree? God wants you to grow into an emotionally mature, spiritually strong, happy, and healthy woman or man of God.
It won’t happen quickly. But it will happen with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Talk It Over
- When have you tried to make a big life change on your own power? What was the result?
- Why do you think God wants some changes in our lives to take longer?
- Sometimes the best steps we can take toward a reset are small ones. What small step will you take today to make a change in your life that will help you become the person God wants you to be? How will you need to rely on the Holy Spirit, even in that first small step?
What is your choice about Jesus?
The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. You cannot earn your way into heaven: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, start with this prayer:
“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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