Change Takes Time

[Change Takes Time] Current Teaching Series [Transformed] [Listen to Today's Broadcast] [Change Takes Time] By Rick Warren — Jan 4, 2017 [Facebook] [Twitter] [Pinterest] [Email] [Devotional image from Rick Warren] “Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 ESV). 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 God 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 was possible, but they’re not going to happen overnight. My prayer for you is that through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, and with support from your small group, you will be more mature, more Christlike, and further along in your purpose one year, five years, and 10 years from today. My prayer is that you will be stronger emotionally, physically, spiritually, psychologically, and financially — but you have to be intentional about it. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 ESV). This is how we become more like Jesus. The Apostle Paul says, “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 do you think God wants to make changes in you over time and not just instantly? - How does the Holy Spirit work in your life? How have you seen him work in your life? - What role does a small group play in someone’s spiritual growth? [Facebook] [Twitter] [Pinterest] [Email] [Our Gift: The Transformed Study Kit] Experience a real transformation from the inside out! Is there a positive change you want to see in your life in 2017? If so, we want to send you a study kit Pastor Rick Warren has put together called Transformed to help make it happen! Pastor Rick teaches 7 biblically based lessons in Transformed that will help you experience a real transformation from the inside out this year. [LEARN MORE] [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)] Includes eight full length teaching CD's from Pastor Rick's series Transformed. [LEARN MORE] [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 [Facebook] [Twitter] [Instagram] [Linkedin] 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]