How to Cooperate with the Holy Spirit

Current Teaching Series Transformed

How to Cooperate with the Holy Spirit By Rick Warren — Jan 15, 2017 “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking” (Ephesians 4:23 CEV). Throughout the Bible we see an important truth illustrated over and over: The Holy Spirit releases his power the moment you take a step of faith. When Joshua was faced with an impassible barrier, the floodwaters of the Jordan River receded only after the leaders stepped into the rushing current in obedience and faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power. God waits for you to act first. Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and it is how your character develops. The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building, and a child growing up. Each metaphor requires active participation: Seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built — they don’t just appear — and children must eat and exercise to grow. While effort has nothing to do with your salvation, it has much to do with your spiritual growth. At least seven times in the New Testament we are told to “make every effort” in our growth toward becoming like Jesus (Luke 13:24; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4:11; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Peter 3:14). You don’t just sit around and wait for it to happen. Paul explains in Ephesians 4:22-24 our three responsibilities in becoming like Christ. First, we must choose to let go of old ways of acting. “Everything — and I do mean everything — connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!” (Ephesians 4:22 MSG) Second, we must change the way we think. “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking” (Ephesians 4:23 CEV). The Bible says we are “transformed” by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2 NIV). The Greek word for “transformed” is metamorphosis (used in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18), and it’s used today to describe the amazing change a caterpillar goes through in becoming a butterfly. It is a beautiful picture of what happens to us spiritually when we allow God to direct our thoughts: We are changed from the inside out, we become more beautiful, and we are set free to soar to new heights. Third, we must put on the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV). Don’t just sit around and wait for spiritual growth to happen. Be obedient in this so that you can unlock God’s power in your life! PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over How do you think God responds when you move forward in faith despite feeling weak? What habits do you need to develop so that you can grow spiritually? In what ways can you renew your mind?

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Series Summary Message 1: Setting Personal Goals By Faith Message 2: How To Get Closer To God Message 3: From Stressed To Blessed Message 4: Change Your Life By Changing Your Mind Message 5: How To Deal With How You Feel Message 6: Facing The Fears That Ruin Relationships Message 7: Transforming How I See and Use Money Message 8: Facing Giants In Life and Work ​​ PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe