Thoughts
2 June 2018

IT IS TIME TO BE PROACTIVE

By John Ollis

So many of us as believers could virtually write a book about how God took the initiative and intervened in our world (without our asking) and met our need, or healed us, or opened a door that seemingly was for ever closed, and we will be forever thankful He did. Often sadly there is the mindset that it should always be God who should take the initiative, and we just sit back and wait for Him to act, and of course if He doesn’t we then complain because “nothing happened”. The common illustration is when Jesus said “I will build my Church” we sit back and let Him do it, even though the best interpretation is JESUS WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH THROUGH US.
I want to highlight just three verse in this blog that clearly indicates to me that we should be more PROACTIVE. We all know our biggest enemy is NOT the evil one, but ourselves, The Apostle Paul reminds us of this fact in 1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified”.   The AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION expresses it this way “But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit]”.  I have to confess that many times over the years I have been lazy and undisciplined and NOT TAKEN THE INITIATIVE, and have suffered the consequences,
I  love the writings of James (the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ) his epistle is full of important truths, let us look at James 4:7-8 NKJV :Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded”.
In verse seven there are three key words:

  • SUBMIT We must learn to live continually the surrendered life.
  • RESIST, Using every piece of our armour like, the Blood of Jesus, the Word (Sword of the Spirit) and the Name of Jesus to stand against the evil one, and he must
  • FLEE the enemy hates those weapons, and he has no choice but to run.

Then in verse 8, there comes a command, make the decision, be proactive, and then there are four things we must do:

  • DRAW near to God
  • God will respond and draw near to us, then we have some decisions to make
  • CLEANSE OUR HANDS, thank God His blood has NEVER lost its ancient power
  • PURIFY OUR HEARTS, ask and let the Holy Spirit do a sanctifying work in us
  • DEAL WITH OUR DOUBLEMINDEDNESS, James again says in 1:8 NKJV” a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways”  The Passion Bible says in verses 7 & 8 .When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition? We must make a commitment in our hearts regarding God’s Word that GOD SAID IT I BELIEVE IT, THAT SETTLES IT.

LET US DISCIPLINE OURSELVES TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD

The next verse I wish to draw to your attention is Philippians 3:14 NKJV .I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  pressing on  to me indicates persistence and perseverance, again Paul is saying I will be proactive, I will not sit around “hoping” something might happen, I lay hold of the promises of God, my eyes firmly set on the finishing line, and NOTHING  will stop me finishing the race.
The third and final verse is James 4:2 NKJV  you do not have because you do not, The PASSION translation says: And all the time you don’t obtain what you want because you won’t ask God for it!

CAN IT BE ANY SIMPLER THAN THAT JUST ASK

Here is a glorious promise given to by Jesus Matthew 7: 7-8 NKJV Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

SO HERE ARE FOUR THINGS WE MUST DO

  • Discipline ourselves, and take control over our bodies
  • Decide as an act of your will to draw near to God
  • Make the decision with the Lord’s help to constantly “press in”
  • Simply ask

May this simple meditation bless and encourage you,, may you have an awesome time in Father’s House this weekend.
 

About The Author

I turned 83 recently, and after 50+ years of teaching and preaching Ministry, I spend my time blogging, video Mentoring and Intercession. I have had a God-blessed life, and I give God all the thanks and all the glory.