Dog versus Man (Part 4 of 5)

At home, we either live barefoot or wear slip-ons, but when we go out, we put on shoes. When she sees us putting on shoes, she realises we're about to go out and tries to stop us doing it, so we cannot leave her alone at home.

Ogies knows what she can get from us and makes sure she gets it. We know what the Lord has for us, so why don't we ensure we get it? For example, we read in Mark 16:18 "...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." The words are "they SHALL recover". I don't see any ifs or buts. I don't see an “if you behave” or “if you’re good enough” or "if it's the Lord's will". It is the Lord's will, which is why it's written down there. Expect it! Look out for the healing. Check every day for improvement. If you live a life of faith and expect the Lord to keep and manifest His promises, He will do it. The more faithfully you expect Him to keep His promises, the more you will see and experience His faithfulness. 

We read in Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The Greek word "hope" here means "to expect." I.e. Now faith is the substance of things to be expected, the evidence of things not seen.

When Ogies comes to take what she expects, she expects to get it. If, at that moment, I cannot give it for whatever reason, she'll submit to my will, but will certainly try to get it again soon thereafter. The Lord is a giver, so expect to receive. If you don't receive it immediately, there will be a reason, so keep on expecting until you get it. However, the Lord's conditions have to be met; therefore, you should know them. You can't expect to disobey the Lord left, right, and centre and then expect the Lord to give whatever you demand and claim. People say the Lord doesn't have favourites. I disagree. His favourites are those who obey Him and meet His conditions. 

Another significant act of Ogies which all other dog owners would have noticed is that she watches me all the time and follows me like a shadow most of the time. I don't know what is going on in her mind, but she seems to wait for a "what's next" from me. Maybe she expects an instruction or a blessing of some sort, or maybe she’s just adoring me. Fact is, I am the centre of her attention. She lives for me, is at the ready to obey my every command, and responds immediately when I instruct her. How ready are you to obey the Lord's every command? Are you tuned in to hear from Him? Do you even hear His instructions? There are times when Ogies disobey us. It's usually when she is focused on her own desires and ideas, such as running down to the gate to bark. We discourage it, so when she runs down to the gate, we call her back, but she is often so focused that she either doesn't hear us or she ignores us. But her obedience improves with time as we continue to teach and discipline her.

Don't we do the same thing with the Lord? We have our own agenda and then miss his instructions. Ogies usually get a talk or a slap when she ignores us. Have you ever wondered why circumstances get so tough when you follow your own ideas that are contrary to what the Lord has told you? Have you realised He is disciplining you through these circumstances?