"But the LORD said... the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.'"
~ 1 Samuel 16:7
Today I'm going to keep it short and sweet, beauties.
4%
Do we want to draw nearer to the Lord? Nearer to who He created us to be?
I'm going to go ahead and assume that if you're here with me, the answer is, of course.
Do we want to co-labor with Him to refine and develop the heart only He sees, the heart, mind, soul, and being that He knows better than anyone?
Neuroscience researchers and human behavior specialists posit that 4% is all it takes.
That's the sweet spot.
Apparently, we can handle that much of a change, and we can handle making that much of a change over and over.
It's not so much that we're inclined to quit, yet it's enough that when practiced consistently, we start to see real change, real growth.
Want to be better at some behavior?
Be 4% better at it today than yesterday, 4% better tomorrow than today.
Want to set aside an old habit that's serving neither you nor the Creator's plan for you in this life?
Be 4% better about it today than you were yesterday, 4% better tomorrow than you were today.
Of course, the real secret here is the compound interest of that 4% over time.
Consistency with that 4%, day over day, in the long-term will get you to the person you want to be, with the habits you want to have, living the life you want to live.
That's a pretty modest behavioral fee to get what you want, to walk through the world with the bearing of the child of the Creator of the universe that is uniquely you, don't you think?
I'll leave you with the words of Philippians 1:6.
"... He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
He will do the work in us. Imagine how fulfilled we'll get to be when we've done our utmost to work side by side with Him, breath by breath, better today than we were yesterday, better tomorrow than we were today.
El Shaddai,
Today, I pray ardently for the person reading these words.
May they know you more with each new day. May their hearts be drawn to Your purposes. May 4% better in whatever area is whispered to them by the Spirit be something that, with You, can be handled with ease and grace.
Father, wrap them in Your loving arms. Keep them safe in the shelter of Your wings.
We trust You. We choose Your path for us. We love You. We give You thanks in all things.
In Your most precious Names we pray,
Amen
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." ~ Matthew 6:33
"Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus— to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." ~ Romans 5:3-4
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity." ~ 2 Peter 3:18
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
********************* Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture citations are sourced from The Holy Bible, " Study Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2018 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.