The NIV 365 Day Devotional
Take Action
Sometimes we fail to take action in our lives because we’re caught in a comfortable cycle. How often, for example, do we follow the crowd because it’s just easier than doing the right thing? We procrastinate because we’ve convinced ourselves that we’ll feel stronger and be better equipped to deal with life “tomorrow.” We don’t take action because we feel overwhelmed, unable or unwilling to choose from the variety of options available to us.
When it comes to choosing Jesus Christ as our Higher Power, there are only two options: He either is or isn’t our Savior and Lord. We need to be willing to take action and make our choice. Putting off the decision to accept Jesus Christ as our Higher Power, Savior and Lord is, in effect, deciding not to accept him. Today is the day to accept Jesus Christ as our Higher Power. Only then can we make the initial commitment to seek and follow God’s will for our life.
All we need is the willingness to make the decision. Christ will do the rest. He invites us: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20).
Pastor Rick Warren has developed a simple way for each of us to establish a “Spiritual B.A.S.E.” for our life. Ask yourself the following four questions. If you answer yes to all of them, pray the prayer that follows. That’s it. That’s all you have to do.
Start each question with “Do I...”:
- Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and showed that he was God by coming back to life (see 1 Corinthians 15:2 – 4)?
- Accept God’s free forgiveness for my sins (see Romans 3:22 – 24)?
- Switch to God’s plan for my life (see Mark 1:16 – 18; Romans 12:2)?
- Express my desire for Christ to be the director of my life (see Romans 10:9)?
Then take action and pray the most important prayer of your life:
Dear God, I believe that you sent your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins so I can be forgiven. I’m sorry for my sins, and I want to live the rest of my life the way you want me to. Please put your Spirit in my life to direct me. Amen.
Congratulations, and welcome to God’s family!
If you’ve already taken this step, use this prayer to recommit to seeking and following God’s perfect will for your life.
Taken from the NIV Celebrate Recovery Study Bible.