Purpose Driven Life Day 23

Day 23, May 23rd, "How We Grow"

   - God wants us to grow up, he doesn't want us to stay immature. "Spiritual growth is not automatic. It takes intentional commitment." (Rick Warren). Our commitments can develop us or destroy us. We become whatever we are committed to.

GOD'S PART AND YOUR PART
    - "Christlikeness is the result of making Christlike choices and depending on His Spirit to help you fulfill these choices." We have to let go of our old routines and habits in order to grow. God took TJ out of my life for a reason. For me, it is routine and habit for me to text/talk to him. I need to change my habits or I'm not going to grow.  Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between us and the Holy Spirit. Philippians 2:12-13 says, "Therefore, my friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." God has a purpose for us, it may not be what we have planned but it is always for good and his purpose. You can't add to your salvation once you are saved because you can't add anything to what Jesus already did. We have to work to develop what we already have.

CHANGING YOUR AUTOPILOT

    - We have to change the way we think. Behind EVERYTHING we do there is a thought, negative or positive. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will." We have to deal with the root cause of our problems. "Change always starts with the mind." (Rick Warren). We have to change our thinking in order to get off of autopilot. "The way we think determines the way we feel, the way you feel influences the way you act." (Rick Warren). We need to not think immature thoughts or self-centered thoughts. "Selfish thinking is the source of sinful behavior." (Rick Warren). We need to think maturely and thinking of others is a mark of maturity. "Our deeds must be consistent with our creeds and our beliefs must be packed with Christlike behavior." (Rick Warren). We need to make thinking of others before ourselves as a lifestyle because thinking of others is the heart of Christianity.

Point to Ponder: It's never to late to start growing.
Verse to Remember: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." Romans 12:2b
Question to Remember: What is one area I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?