Action and effort are requirements that assist in getting the results we desire. PUT ON the likeness of Christ (Colossians 3:12). CALL UNTO ME and I will answer thee (Jeremiah 33:3). PUT ON the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11). DRAW NIGH/CLOSER to God (James 4:8). STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God (ll Timothy 2:15). PRAY without ceasing (l Thessalonians 5:17). Although we wait on the Lord to order our steps, we actively wait by implementing the scriptures.
Preparation
If you have made a request known unto God, there’s preparation on your end that must take place. You may be looking for a job. Update your resume, research companies in the field you’re interested in. A purchase of a house or car could be your heart’s desire. Are you saving money? Researching the market to get an idea of what you can afford. Do you want to run a marathon? Are you exercising and modifying your eating. Preparation is a necessary action that you must do. God doesn’t call us to be lazy or idle He calls us for purpose.
Focus and vision
Focus and vision are sometimes lacking in my life. There are times when I don’t know what I am preparing for. I’m not sure what I want to do or I can be afraid of choosing the wrong thing to do. This can be a little bit of a challenge. One thing I know to do is take this before the Lord. At that moment my focus and vision are to hear from the Lord for my next step. While I’m waiting for my next step I’m praying for the grace to do what He already assigned me to do with delight in my heart. I remind myself of God’s amazing promises like He will never leave me or forsake me. He hears the voice of the righteous. The action of quoting and meditating on the scriptures gets my focus and vision back in line.
Goals and dreams
Goals and dreams are important. I used to be afraid to have them for a few reasons. One reason was that what if people thought it was silly or far-fetched. Secondly, what if I couldn’t accomplish it, because of a lack of skill. Another reason was I didn’t feel worthy of something good happening to me. This was a low point in my life. I was watching others excel while I was just existing and in survival mode. I didn’t want to be those people, I wanted to be living in my purpose.
The Holy Spirit revealed to me why my goals and dreams were on the back burner. Sin was holding me up. I was choosing the things of the world instead of Jesus. God was not going to promote me as long as I was choosing the opposite. I was not thinking like God and certainly was not behaving in word or deed like God. If you are not excelling take a personal inventory and check it against the Bible. Remember sin is anything God forbids not what you or I think is right or wrong.
God’s power
After you do your personal inventory, God’s power is what is going to enable you to break through to the other side. It is not the power of positive thinking, although, with God, you will have positive thoughts. God caused me to do the opposite action of what was canceling out my goal. Repenting of my sin allowed me to supernaturally receive God’s provision for my life. I started seeing myself as worthy. Skills that were lacking I either learned or were not necessary for what God was having me to do. I was living and no longer existing. There is no step-by-step plan I can give you, it is the power of God that transforms.
In conclusion
God is the Author and Finisher, the Alpha and Omega and He is our source. We are like the silent partners in the relationship. Although we are silent, we take godly action to propel things forward. This action comes from the top down. That means we’re not going ahead of God we are taking our cues from the Holy Spirit. We move when God our authority tells us to, and not a moment sooner or it could be to our detriment.
ACTION ITEM(S)
- Have you made a request known to God? If so, what action do you need to do?
- Is there any sin holding you back from obtaining a goal or dream? If so, have you confessed it to the Lord and repented?
- Remember to take personal inventories regularly and checking it against the Bible.
This is good. Personal inventory is a key action for change. All too often we take inventory of others and quickly decide what they need to change while neglecting our inventory.
My action item for this week will be to take a close look at the areas in my life where I want to see change and ask God for the plan to execute!
Lisa, I’m in agreement with you! I also will be looking at those areas of my life. I appreciate you and your comments very much!!!