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Experiencing The Power of God

Dr. Crawford Loritts

5 Days

Repent, Yield, Believe

Day 5

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On our final day of this track, we learn how to live transformed lives so that we can develop the fruit of the Spirit. Dr. Crawford Loritts gives us three practical steps to take throughout the day.

Let’s get started.

Summary

All transformation in the Christian life is the product of three steps. It's especially true when it comes to being filled with the Holy Spirit. If living in step with God is the desire of your life, then you cannot keep living according to your own will and by your own power. You need something more.

Don’t settle for the power the world is tempting you to live by, consume, and sustain yourself with. It will always give out from underneath you, and you will fall. The only way you as a Christian can fulfill the call from the Apostle Paul to be the pleasing aroma of Christ is to live fully empowered by the Spirit of God.

Are you?

1. Repent.

We often think we need to do more in order to be a better Christian, but that's pushing the accelerator to go faster in the wrong direction. Stop. Search your heart and ask, “What is hindering me from being under the control of the Holy Spirit?” 1 John 1:9 says if we confess, He will forgive. Confess that you've been self-serving, had bad thoughts, made bad choices. The Holy Spirit will not control us when we're holding on to sinful habits.

This is not an exercise in shaming yourself, so don’t let it turn into that. This is humbling ourselves before the one who loves us most and created us. Open your heart before your Heavenly Father, and be astounded by His mercy.

2. Yield

Confess: "I yield to you, Lord Jesus."

Success and freedom in the Christian life mean dependence. You were born to live for someone else. Take the second position. This is a beautifully paradoxical posture. Freedom means dependence. Don’t let yourself lean more on other people than you do Almighty God. Break the pattern of turning to them before you turn to Him. As a child turns to their father when they fall, turn back to God and hand Him your life.

3. Believe

God wants you to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. You don't have to beg Him. Stop the self-incrimination. Get up! Believe that He's controlling you. Be careful about letting your emotions be your spiritual barometer. Know what you believe and stand on it as a solid foundation.

Do this multiple times during the day. Every time you miss the mark, confess and repent, yield to the Spirit, and believe that He is in charge.

What's next?

Take 15 minutes today and really think about what is hindering you from being under the control of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to search your heart, confess to him where you've sinned, and repent. Yield to the Spirit and believe that God is in charge.

If it is necessary, confess where you have chosen a surrogate means of power to define and control your life rather than the Holy Spirit.
Write out this three-step process and keep it close. Repent. Yield. Believe.

Scripture References

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach

2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

3After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

For John baptized with

water, but in a few days you will be baptized with

the Holy Spirit.”

6Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7He said to them:

“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Dr. Crawford Loritts

Dr. Crawford Loritts is the senior pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Georgia. He has served as a national evangelist with the American Missionary Fellowship and the Urban Evangelistic Mission and as associate director of Campus Crusade for Christ. He is the author of six books, including Leadership as an Identity, Lessons from a Life Coach, and For a Time We Cannot See.