This is the third part of a message I shared at Southside Baptist Church in Orlando on Jan. 1, 2012. I encourage you to first read part one, They need Jesus, and part two, Good or great?
I’ve reached that point in the message where I’m going to ask you to respond to what God had said to you. Before I do, I want to turn your attention to Philippians 2:13. In one modern translation, it reads like this: “It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please Him.”
I think that means that if you are feeling that you should do something for God’s Kingdom, that’s God speaking to you. I am pretty sure Satan doesn’t want you praying for missions, or giving to missions, or going. And if you’re anything like me, the thought of giving your time or money away is not natural. If you’re feeling you should do something, that’s God talking.
So why does God want you to do something? You know He can do anything and everything without you, right? So why does He give us opportunities to be involved in His work? To bless us. To give us opportunities to grow in Him and know Him better.
Now, I know some people have become quite adept at ignoring God’s promptings. If that’s you, you have chosen your own rewards, and you are your pastor’s problem, not mine.
I’m talking to the people who are not ignoring God. And I’m telling you that you need to listen and do what He is prompting you to do. I often hear, “I’ll think about” or “I’ll pray about it.” Don’t. If God is prompting you, act. Act now.
That sounds so unspiritual, doesn’t it? But here’s the thing. A lot of folks who say they’ll think or pray about something … don’t. I’d say that’s the majority. They promptly forget what God prompted them to do, and there’s nothing spiritual about that.
Virtually all of the rest are using a double standard. They want to think and pray about doing anything to advance God’s Kingdom, but not about their own interests. There are people who will have to think and pray about God prompted them to give, who will go out and spend that much on lunch at a restaurant without even thinking about it. People have to think and pray long and hard about becoming a missionary, but how much did they think and pray about the line of work they’re in?
If God is prompting you to act, do it.
I want to start the new year obedient. I know I won’t get far without being disobedient in some way or another, but I at least want to start obedient. How about you?
Is God prompting you to pray? You can sign up for daily or weekly prayer bulletins from NTM, or updates from us.
Is God prompting you to give? You can give to our ministry with NTM, or to a variety of NTM projects.
Is God prompting you to go? NTM doesn’t have just church planters. I’m an editor and writer. We also have graphic artists and programmers and construction workers and teachers. Many of the things you do in your workplace, you could do as an NTM missionary. Find out about going.
Read part one, They need Jesus, and part two, Good or great?
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