Learning to Breathe: How To Cultivate A Life-Changing Relationship with the Holy Spirit

by Matt Morton

Trying to lead the Christian life without the Holy Spirit’s power is like trying to function without air. It’s simply not possible. However, many Christians are attempting to follow Jesus without a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. As a result, we face a widespread spiritual crisis that is disrupting our connection to God and preventing us from becoming the people He is calling us to be. The Christian life should be full of purpose and joy, but it too often feels like drudgery and rote religion. Our lives don’t work as God intended, because we are not connected to the life-giving breath of His Holy Spirit.

There is good news, though: The Holy Spirit has the power to completely transform our lives. Jesus wasn’t lying when He promised His disciples extraordinary lives, full of holiness and spiritual power. They saw His promises come true when they met the Holy Spirit, and that same Spirit will give us lives that are greater than anything we can imagine.

This book is written for ordinary Christians who want to learn how to walk in the power of God’s Spirit. LEARNING TO BREATHE explains why cultivating a life-giving relationship with the Holy Spirit is the key to the spiritual life God wants for us. The book provides a picture of what our lives could be like if we consistently obeyed the Spirit’s voice. Readers will learn how to develop daily habits and attitudes that will lead them to a powerful, Spirit-filled life. When we learn to walk closely with the Spirit, we’ll come to know Jesus more deeply than we ever thought was possible. LEARNING TO BREATHE offers hope and help for every Christian who wants to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in everyday life.
LEARNING TO BREATHE includes chapters on the following topics:

Who is the Holy Spirit?
How does the Bible describe the Spirit-filled life?
How can we hear the Holy Spirit’s voice through reading and studying God’s Word?
How does singing praises help us to cultivate a connection with the Spirit?
How can we deepen our prayer lives in order to know God through the Holy Spirit’s power?
What is the role of our church community in helping us become Spirit-filled Christians?
How does the Holy Spirit empower our mission to make disciples of all the nations?

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2022

About the author

Matt Morton is the teaching pastor at the Creekside campus of Grace Bible Church in College Station, Texas, the home of Texas A&M University. He has been in ministry for more than two decades, serving as a worship leader, college pastor, and communications pastor before stepping into his current role. He has written for Relevant, Bible Study Magazine, DTS Magazine, and bible.org. He is the co-author of the Ordinary Greatness Bible study series, a set of biblical character studies for young men (NavPress, 2012).

To learn more or to see more of Matt's writings, visit www.mattmorton.net.

Reviews

[Kyle Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we reflect on the Godhead, we often confidentially recognize God the Father as Creator, the One to whom we pray, and His clear investment in our lives individually and in humanity. We recognize God the Son as the Savior of this world, the One who lived, died, and rose from the grave on our behalf.

But then we get to God the Holy Spirit and we often are unsure of, unaware of, or just don’t think of His role in our life. In “Learning to Breath”, Matt Morton practically displays the importance, necessity, and role of the Holy Spirit in our lives by cultivating lifestyle and disciplines that acknowledge the Spirit’s very real and present influence in our life as Christian’s.

Matt begins by explaining who God the Spirit is and the fruit that the Spirit provides. He subsequently spends each chapter giving us practical and biblical ways to live the Christian life utilizing the gift of the Spirit given graciously by God the Father.

Throughout the book, Matt points to the original language, context, and meaning of different verses, he focuses on Scripture to be the foundation in which is arguments are built, he is theological clarifying on difficult topics, and, as a plus, he’s honestly very funny at times and treats the reader as a friend in a conversation.

I’ll be recommending this to others in my church and in my life as I seek to be moved by the Holy Spirit into action.

[Elissa Thomasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this read helpful, theologically clarifying, and winsome in its covering of the topic of walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Morton's candor and tone in writing is clear yet approachable to readers from many life stages; his anecdotes throughout keep the reading engaging and relatable. And his practical handling of ways to connect with God are realistic, too. Definitely a good read!

[Chris Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. I strongly encourage everyone to grab a copy of it. You will be blessed. First, there are not nearly enough good theologically sound books on the Holy Spirit out there. This one is excellent. It is also very enjoyable. Matt fills the pages with great stories and engaging examples that make it a delight to read.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is the Holy Spirit, what does the Holy Spirit do, and what difference does the Holy Spirit make in our lives? In Learning to Breathe, Matt Morton shows you how to cultivate a life-changing relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Pastoral Warmth and Wisdom
At just under 250 pages, this 10-chapter book reads at a quick pace. Morton writes with a conversational tone, and his pastoral warmth and wisdom provide an exceptionally winsome book. His book is grounded in the Bible while giving excellent illustrations and real-life examples.

The book begins by explaining that the Holy Spirit is a person, giving life to the world and God’s people. Most are familiar with the fruit of the Spirit, and Chapter 3 looks at each one while giving questions to assess and help your spiritual growth.

Breathe In Divine Truth
I was especially excited in Chapter 5, where Morton shows that the Holy Spirit helps us breathe in the divine truth of God’s Word. Morton challenges us to read, study, meditate, and memorize Holy Scripture, with the very practical tip of just showing up to meet with God.

We see the Spirit’s connection to singing and prayer, and he helps us to personalize these experiences. Morton carefully shows us how the Holy Spirit purifies us, and we see the need for unity in the church alongside the confession of our sin.

Communion and Power
When it comes to the spiritual gifts, Morton confesses that while he does not believe that sign gifts have been done away, he also does not see them as the ordinary way in which God works. He stresses that we must remember that they exist to build up the body of Christ and to glorify Jesus.

The book ends with a call to ask the Holy Spirit how you can participate in the Great Commission, empowering us to go in the strength that God supplies. This book will keep you sensitive to the Holy Spirit, to stay connected in communion with God and to propel you with power as you follow Jesus.

I received a media copy of Learning to Breathe and this is my honest review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Holy Spirit may the most mysterious part of the Trinity but Matt Morton breaks down who the Holy Spirit is and how we can "breathe" Him into our daily lives. His writing gives examples, Scriptural foundation, and simple things we can do as believers to rely more on having the guidance we need daily. He is humorous, honest, and Scripturally sound in this book that would be a great resource for believers and seekers to read and find ways in the many suggestions given to really know the part of the Trinity that Jesus promises will be with us "even to the end of the age".

[Caleb Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had the privilege of hearing Matt preach for several years now, and he is definitely a gifted teacher. I was very excited to hear he’d written a book on the Holy Spirit! He’s spent a great deal of time studying the topic, and it shows!

The result is a clear and practical examination of the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. An excellent resource for those who desire to live out their faith in Jesus but struggle with the “how.” Matt breaks things down very well for new believers but longtime Christians will equally find themselves learning, challenged, and convicted.