Collecting Rewards Options

~~ John5:8 (NIV) ~~  Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

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by Carley Cooper 

We live in a world where we are rewarded every day for everything from shopping in the right store, to traveling, to cheating on one’s spouse.  Did you see that late night television advertisement by a business that provides the service of helping you cheat on your partner!? *Insert shaking your head in disbelief here*

Woo Hoo!  Easy Rewards Points!

Did you notice that all these programs require some sort of easy action on our parts?  Shopping ‘Dollars’, Gas Points, Air Miles; whatever the program there are free goods that come with the rewards.   Or are they... free, that is?  Don’t forget that we have to hand out our hard earned dollars to get those prizes.

Rewards are Never Free

I was at my regular Thursday night bible study when the pastor told us a story about a man he knew who prayed for God to not let him get drunk anymore.  The problem was he kept on going to the bar and drinking; because he liked it.  This man didn’t want to put in his share of the work to get the results he claimed he wanted.

Then, I read an article by my friend, and author, Brenda Wood  called Instructions from A to C, which said:

I often wonder about this verse. Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk! (John 5:8, AMP) This guy just doesn’t get it! Jesus has to tell him to (a) get up, (b) pick up his bed and (c) to walk.

Let’s ask ourselves this question today. Am I waiting for direction, even when I know what I am supposed to do? In case you forgot… (a) get up, (b) pick up your bed and (c) walk.

"Eighty percent of success is showing up."--Woody Allen

God Wants to Bless You

I realized I have been doing the same thing.  I’ve wanted blessings from God without doing my part.  I want a husband, money, and other things.  I’ve gained back some of the weight I lost in the last year or so.  I want to lose weight again, and didn’t want to get back into the SparkPeople healthy living program.  I even tried Green Coffee diet pills (the latest fad)!  As I should have expected, they didn’t work.  If I want the benefits, I have to do the work!  Getting back into healthy eating and exercise is what it takes if I want to be thin and healthy.  God wants to bless us, but we have to do our part.  He gave us free will for a reason.  He can hand us blessings but we have to want to reach out and take them.  He won’t clobber you over the head and make you take His gifts.  Jesus died for our sins, but unless you decide you believe it and want the gift, it won’t do you any good.  I couldn’t help but wonder... where else in my life have I wanted to reap the rewards without putting in my share of the work?

Let’s Pray

 ~~ Dear God ~~  You are so loving and giving.  So often I forget how loving You are.  Thank You for all the blessings that You have given me, and have in store for me.  Please help me to remember that I have to do my share of the work, and reach out to You with a loving heart if I want the rewards.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

Now It’s Your Turn

Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer?  Please consider sharing in the comments section; even if the link you clicked to get here was on another site.  (If you’re on the homepage, click on the post headline, and scroll down to find the comments section.)

 

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