"Know Who You Believer" by Paul Little

I just finished this little book. I had been using it during my reflection time in the morning. It was a good read and I will definitely read it again after I finish some of Little's other works. This morning I read something that really spoke to me, not that I have a well paying job, monetarily speaking, but there is always a draw or tug to go back to the way things were. The reality is they can't and thanks be to God for this blessing. Once the road has been taken there are some things that can not be undone. Anyway enjoy this little insert by Little. It is a little lengthy but worth it.

Follow Him Hard
I have found help in the baseline thought: follow Him hard. We "offer ourselves" to Him without compromise. As a young Christian, I wanted to hold on to a successful job, money, education, marriage, and family, yet God had some other things to teach me. These involved things like giving Him some of my old broken ideas, my present circumstances, my personality, and most importantly, my entire future.
Gradually some light began to filter into my brain. He wanted me to know for certain that He was more than capable of taking cam of my today and my tomorrow—far better than I could. We can trust Him with the unknowns of the future. Because God is God, He is infinitely wise, powerful, and loving.
When my child comes to me and tells me he loves me, I don't respond with, "Great, stay in your room for three weeks with only bread and water." Of course not. I melt inside. Nor is God's response 107meager when we tell Him we will return and follow Him hard. Our hearts will be engulfed by His love.
Does this mean the absence of problems? Of course not. It does mean we recognize Jesus Christ is with us in every circumstance of life. Like many others, I have learned more of God's love for me while going through difficulties than in the relatively calm times. Some of these lessons I would never have learned without hardship. Malcolm Muggeridge, toward the end of his life, said, "The only worthwhile things I learned in life were through suffering."
Replacement Theory
Only God is permanently interesting. Other things we may fathom, but He out-tops our thoughts.Following Him hard is putting into action what I call the replacement theory. Whenever our negative, all-consuming passions return (and we all have them), our new love, Jesus Christ Himself, can replace the damaging patterns with His wisdom and power. We must replace the worries and obsessions and focus an Him. Then our relationship becomes one of reciprocal love.
"What would Jesus do?" is a reliable question to use for replacing any negative attitudes or activities. It can be a reminder that He is there with us and will help. A young friend who had deviant sexual obsessions used the reminder "When I close the bedroom door with someone, I know Jesus goes in with us. I don't want to end up in the pig pen."
The heavenly Father is walking with us on our journey. He is waiting for us with a welcoming party
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!" (Isa. 55:1).
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near" (Isa. 55:6).
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace" (Isa. 55:12).
"'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all our heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord" (Jer. 29:13-14).
Know Who You Believe: The Magnificent Connection.