...then you'll always get what you've always gotten."
Every day, when I get home from work, my puppy Nala is ready to play. Her favorite thing is tug-of-war. Before I know it, she has a bone, rope, or stuffed animal in front of me, wishing with all her heart that I pull on the other end.
The only catch is, she doesn’t really want to give it to me. She’ll get just close enough for me to grab it, but when I reach for it, she will pull back, determined for me not to have it.
She is frustrated because she wants to play so bad, but it takes her forever to be okay with me grabbing the other end, and then still, I have to surprise grab it - otherwise, she’ll get away.
Am I like that sometimes? Wanting something, but not wanting to go through the process it takes to get it?
I want to deepen my relationship with the Lord, but I don’t invest time in prayer. I want to learn how to cook, but I despise the grocery store. I want to get physically fit, but I don’t want to get up earlier than I have to, to exercise before work. I want deep friendships, but I don’t want to be vulnerable.
I need to remember that gold is refined by fire, and anything worth something costs something. The cost might be time, energy, or effort - but the more invested, usually the more significant the result.
Either way, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.”
Yeah, it’s time for a change.
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Here is a verse that made me think a little about my own purpose for life on earth... And it perhaps I am thinking more than I naturally want to.
Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9, 10 ESV)
On earth? As it is in heaven??? I am pretty sure I've heard ppl tell me I'll have to be "dead sure" or at least dead before I can experience the kingdom of heaven.
But I'm beginning to wonder then... Why in the world would Jesus instruct me to pray like that?
Why must I be born again in order to see the kingdom of heaven (a birth of God's will and not my own proclamation)?
To Pilate- Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." (John 18:36 ESV)
When am I promised salvation? Immediately?? I may still struggle in a sinful world for a short time, maybe 30, 50, or even 100 years. But this much I am certain of:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1, 2 ESV)
Forever looking to Jesus is the promise, deliverance, hope, assurance - and purpose of His spiritual kingdom.
So I'm not waiting one more minute to experience it! The Joy of The Lord is my strength both now and forever!
No matter what I do, I can rest... Assured... I do everything into Christ himself. I am I indeed yoked to Christ, but the gospel news is that he does all the yoke pulling if I just walk along side by side- and follow his lead :D
This is the perfect marriage!!
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