blog 9: action required

Don’t you just hate when you see “action required” on your tv.
Man! Did someone not pay the bill ?
Is the wifi unplugged ?
What’s the password again??

Usually for me someone starts crying because they can’t watch their show .Then we have to do exactly as it says take action.

Jesus is just the same .
It’s nice to think we can just pray pray pray and it will happen and prayer is good and powerful but SOMETIMES it does take action. Most times I feel.It’s all throughout  the gospels when Jesus heals .He calls us to do something, He said things like …
“Go and sin no more”
“Take up your mat and walk “
“Go wash the mud from your eyes”

God calls us to action . There’s always something required . There was a time in my walk when my husband sat down from worship for his own reasons . We were going through a lot in our marriage and I was pregnant. Pastor then asked if I could lead worship.
In my head I screamed HECK NO! but I felt the Lord gently remind me He would be with me.
Every single Sunday morning I cried because I didn’t want to lead worship. I felt broken , tired , and pregnant haha!
But each time I knew God was molding me .In those times that you don’t want to do something where you’re really saying No , really begging God not to have you do it . Where you say choose someone else, I’m too tired, I’m too old, I’m too young ,
I have kids! that’s where God is calling you to take action. Why not you?

It may seem like something small and insignificant even.
Giving up a Saturday to help the church outreach.
Giving of your time to someone who is hurting .
Maybe it’s even stepping into ministry for the first time. All these things we like to say “oh so and so will do it, they got it covered” NO God is calling YOU. Yes YOU. We believe Jesus can heal us but we don’t want to do the things he calls us to do:
Take up your cross daily
Deny yourself
Take the yoke

These things sound horrible when you read them at face value like that. Like a parent giving you a rule . But oh my goodness is there so much freedom and healing when you do these things.
Sad to say I’ve learned these things the hard way. I went in circles many times just praying about IT but never doing anything to change IT. When I decided to change IT (my it) then everything changed .

I pray there’s something God is showing you right now as you read. That IT is coming to the forefront of your mind to change.
Now the question is . Will you take action?

Even if that means actively seeking forgiveness or actively forgiving.
Actively forgiving? What’s that look like?
Maybe you don’t bring that thing up anymore
Maybe you actually go out of your way to say something opposite then what you mind is telling you to say. As you practice forgiveness and take action to forgive those ones who have hurt you , freedom builds in you. 

What about love?
Love is action right?
Didn’t LOVE die on a cross for us. A man named Jesus died on a cross for you and me so that we could be forgiven from sin and connected to the Father . No longer was it about religion and keeping a law, but was all about relationship with the Heavenly Father . So that He could mold us EVERY DAY into who we are meant to be. But it takes action…it takes you to get up and read your Bible , it takes you to seek God in prayer outside of church days. It takes you to do this everyday. And again. When you do this there is freedom, healing , peace and so much JOY!

There’s a story in the Bible of a man who didn’t take action. It can be found Matthew 19:16-22. He was a young man who was very rich . he came to Jesus asking how he could make it into heaven Jesus tells him to keep the commandments which are

18 You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and yourmother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

He then tells Jesus I have done this since my youth. So Jesus being Jesus of course gives him a challenge. Jesus always goes after our heart. He searches those things in us to see basically how down we are for Him for reals. It’s like ya I know you do all that but will you give me EVERYTHING.
Jesus wants every part of your life . Not just the church days my friend .
He goes on to tell this young man that He knows He has a lot of money to go and sell it all to the poor and follow Him .(paraphrased)

What does the rich ruler do ? Does he take action?

Verse 22 “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

In my experience with breakthrough and receiving true freedom I’ve found that when I really didn’t want to do something like really really didn’t want to do something that’s when I had a choice . I could take action OR I could walk away like this young man.
It’s a choice .

What action is God asking you to take ?
It’s that very thing you don’t want to do where God wants to mold you into who He’s calling you to be.
Trust me friend there is so much freedom in doing those things.
So much purpose and fulfillment when you go against what YOU want and say yes and take action to what JESUS is calling you to do.

Today I pray that you would ask the Lord what that thing is. Where do you need to take action??
Let’s not live the same anymore!
Let’s take action!

I love you friends, I hope this blessed you.

ONE LOVE