Collecting Rewards Options

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





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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43 comments :

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you very much. I hope you were blessed by it. HUG

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    2. AnonymousJuly 15, 2013

      Thank you so much! I was very inspired by God's word! It is so true that sometimes we get lost in our routine that we forget we can't just be like robots and expect God to do all the work! We have to set goals and work towards those goals! Amen!

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    3. Thank you very much for the awesome input. I hope you were blessed by it. HUG

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  2. LOISJOHN14VS6July 15, 2013

    What an interesting way to teach the point! I shall remember this valuable lesson!
    Keep on sharing with us.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for the awesome input. I hope you were blessed by it. HUG

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  3. DAWNDMOORE40July 15, 2013

    Thank you SparkCarly! That was very inspirational! I love reading God's word because when we listen to it, things go smoothly, but when we don't, there is always caos in our lives! :-D

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for the awesome input. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  4. SANDRALEETJuly 15, 2013

    I found that things work out like God wants and in his time God can say no God is not our servant to meet our needs We are to serve him.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. You're so right. We do have to do our part. We can't wiggle out of our responsibilities. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  5. CANDOIT54July 15, 2013

    Thank you Carley

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. I hope you were blessed by it. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  6. JEROMESGURLJuly 15, 2013

    this was TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! I truly needed to hear this, and the Lord always puts amazing Christians and people in my path to remind me when I am wandering around- God is so good, I am truly blessed in my personal life- especially with friends as I have here- much love and prayers to all-

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for the awesome input. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  7. WINNIE-POOHJuly 15, 2013

    Good word! Hugs

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much. I hope you were blessed by it. HUG

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    2. WINNIE-POOHJuly 15, 2013

      A word in due season.
      Listen to the messenger

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  8. I read this and was blessed again by your writing Carley! You are on a roll! I will try to respond with a little more detail soon! Thanks for sharing!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. I'm so happy to know you were blessed by my work. You've blessed me by telling me. HUGS

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  9. For some reason this got me to musing about my first marriage (which was never consummated). He was an alcoholic and had several psychological problems. He was also a Christian, and was kind in general. After being with him for 7 years, we tried going to counseling but he wasn't really interested in participating. That is when I decided that I should divorce him (technically I could have had it annulled, but my lawyer felt it would be difficult to convince the judge I had stuck around that long for an unconsummated marriage). What I wanted out of marriage was love and children, but what he wanted was a substitute mommy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing. I hope my post was a blessing to you. HUGS

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  10. God is never in a hurry and God is never late

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading. I hope you were blessed by it. HUGS

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  11. DESTINEE318July 16, 2013

    Thank you Carley! Hugs

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading. I hope you were blessed by it. HUGS

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  12. SPARKLISEJuly 16, 2013

    I too am guilty of taking those green tee pills.
    My husband bought them for himself, but when he didn't take them, I thought I would give them a try.
    And just as I thought, they did not work.
    I think we're all guilty at one point or another to want results without doing the work.
    Our responsibility, after we realize it, is to change our ways.
    Hug

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing. I hope my post was a blessing to you. Many blessings to you. HUGS

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  13. IAMDARLENEJuly 16, 2013

    That was just what I needed Carley. Now to get up take up my (thing), and walk!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for telling me that. It motivates me to keep writing when I know my work has helped someone. Many blessings to you. HUGS

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  14. Thanks, that was so wonderful to read!

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  15. Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  16. LOSE4LIFE47July 17, 2013

    Thanks so much for the info.

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    Replies
    1. You are so welcome. I hope you were blessed by it. Many blessings to you. Hugs

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  17. LOISJOHN14VS6July 17, 2013

    You know sometimes we tend to ask God why when something bad happens. If only we would use his guide book to begin with we would have had his blessings (rewards,, up front).

    Your blog reminded me of the story of a person who went to Heaven and was shown this room full of beautiful decorated presents that went to the ceiling. Upon inquiry that person found out that these were blessings never claimed on earth.

    Keep on blogging my friend. You have great God-given talent.

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    1. Thank you so much for reading and for sharing your wonderful feedback. Many blessings to you. HUGS

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    2. SINGINGLADY3July 17, 2013

      You know, Lois, you are right. We probably don't even realize how many unclaimed blessings we have. There, for us. All we have to do is claim them. Thanks. And thanks Carley for your beautiful blog. Have a wonderful day.

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    3. SINGINGLADY3 - Thank you so much for reading my blog. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  18. AnonymousJuly 17, 2013

    Thank you, Carley! Great blog! I like to think that apart from our salvation, we are called to become Christ-like in the good works we do. The bible is filled with great rewards that our Father has in store for us in response to our following Christ:

    "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." (Hebrews 10:35)

    "so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:4)

    The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

    “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3)

    "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as w e have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

    May God be glorified through all we have to give in this life! And when we fall short (and mankind has and will), may be sincerely repent, forgive, know that we are forgiven, and move on to the great example we have in Jesus Christ. I am blessed richly and so look forward to our eternal and heavenly rewards.

    Hugs to you my dear friend! -- (ejoy)-Evelyn

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    1. Thank you so much Evelyn for reading and for the great feedback and support. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  19. CINDYCHARLENEAugust 06, 2013

    Carley I loved your blog. So true. We do have to accept the idea that it will take work on our part to reach our goals and maintain them. So often, like you say, we want the rewards without the work. Nothing worth having is free, I have noticed.
    Hugs

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    Replies
    1. Thank you . I'm glad you enjoyed it. Many blessings to you.

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  20. IGNITEME101October 17, 2013

    I understand what you are talking about in re: to 'writers block'. I pray the Dr. will find the right meds for you!

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    1. Thank you very much for the prayers. Many blessings to you.

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