Breaking Out For Jesus

Yesterday, we talked about our need to get moving if we want to see change and the move of the Lord in our lives. We have to break out of our comfort zones and awaken the fire we have down in our bones for Jesus. In that fire and passion for Him, we will find a joy and peace that will overcome every crazy twist and turn of life.

Does your soul burn for Jesus or has your faith and passion been reduced to embers? Has the impact of the world around you thrown cold water on your fire for Him and left you feeling overwhelmed? Or have you allowed other things or other people to steal your fire for Him? Maybe you didn’t mean to, but perhaps you traded your passion for Him for passion for someone else or for politics or fortune.

Before you take a trip down Guilt Lane, wait! No condemnation is necessary. We all have dry seasons and can find ourselves in one of those situations. What’s important is how you get out of those ruts and how you rekindle that fire for Him. It’s time for us to acknowledge the hope He offers us and break out for Jesus. This is what that looks like when we earnestly seek Him.

Get your praise on while you can still sing. Especially when you don’t really feel like it and every day, praise Him. He has surely done something wonderful for you, starting with saving you from death and sin by taking your place on the cross. When you allow your spirit to break out for Jesus, heaven comes down and meets you right where you are. His presence fills your space and lifts you above your troubles.

Listen for His voice. Jesus is calling you, asking you to come to Him and spend some time. He wants undivided time. There’s so much He wants to show you. Break out of your normal routine and put Him first.

Bow down while those knees can still bend. Humble yourself before Him and exalt Him above all others. While you are there, have a heart to heart, one on one conversation with Him. That’s called praying. Break out of old patterns and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to truly connect with the Lord.

Get up close and personal with Jesus. I mean bind yourself to Him with the Word. Don’t move unless you have Him with you. Don’t make a decision without Him. Ask Him which way you should go and what you need to shake out of your life. Ask Him what you need to add to your life.

If you intentionally go after Jesus as hard and as strong as you go after other things you want, I guarantee that He will set your soul on fire. He will fan those flames and fill you up to the brim. Your passion for Him will spill out over the top. When you break out for Jesus, you become contagious. Others will feel your joy, your excitement and passion. They may not understand where it comes from or how you get it, but that’s where you come in. You get to share that fire.

You have to move if you want the smoldering embers to turn into flames of unquenchable love for Him. It’s really very simple: you have to choose to do something different, something more. Breaking out for Jesus lies in your hands.

“But after me comes one, who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11

Prayer

Lord,

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You. I will not conform to the pattern of this world, but I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Then I will be able to test and approve what Your will is—Your good, pleasing and perfect will. I put off my old self, which belongs to my former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and I am renewed in the spirit of my mind, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. I will fan into flame Your gifts, which You have given me through the Holy Spirit. For You satisfies my longing soul, and my hungry soul You fill with good things. I am ready. Your praise is on my lips. I humble myself before You and draw near to You because Your promise is that You will draw near to me. I will sit still and will listen for Your voice. On this promise I stand, that you are my Good Shepherd and that as one of the sheep of You pasture I know Your voice. Speak, for I am listening. Amen!


Photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash

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