Is it time to act?
…[F]or it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
—Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
Are you wondering whether to wait or to act in a situation right now?
Sometimes, after a time of prayer and waiting on God, something stirs. The Spirit prompts us to act! When this time comes, you feel a fresh energy as he fills your sails.
Of course, if you still feel compelled to wait, God may act on his own. It’s his prerogative. But if you sense him sending you out, you must not only be strong, but watch for opposition.
Jesus himself was fully prepared for Satan’s attacks. He said, "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it" (Matthew 11:12).
The apostles operated on the front lines of this battle. When they were attacked, they appealed to God for more boldness (see Acts 4:29).
Their prayer moved God. “After they prayed,” the Scripture says a few verses later, “the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
As part of the Lord’s advance army, we will be attacked. But as we march, the Sword of the Spirit should fill us with courage and boldness. Jesus said, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18, NLT).
No power, no enemy can stand in the way of this force. Jesus will build his kingdom. Nothing will stand in its way.
What an inspiration for action.
Whatever he wants you to do, what’re you waiting for? “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16:11, NIV).
For more on how to apply biblical principles in your everyday leadership, see Tom’s book Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019).
Photo source: istock
 | Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More » |
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