Lisa Notes: I want this habit

I want this habit

Why do some persons “find” God in a way that others do not?

…The differences lie not with God but with us.

…I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which they had in common was spiritual receptivity. Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward.

Without attempting anything like a profound analysis, I shall say simply that they had spiritual awareness and that they went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives.

They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it.

They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response.
~A. W. TOZER, The Pursuit of God

Spiritual receptivity.
Openness to heaven.

I want this.

In very little things.
In very much things.
Faithfully.

Habitually….

* * *

What habit are you working on—either making or breaking?

Comments (14)

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barbarah 65p · 697 weeks ago

Me, too. I've often wondered what makes the different between people in the same families or churches when some follow on and some fall away. That's probably a big part of it -- cultivating (or not) receptivity to the truth they've heard.
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Lisa notes 103p · 697 weeks ago

I wonder the same thing, Barbara. And part of my wondering is so I can steer my kids in the right direction. (But that season of life is almost over for me now--in the day-to-day kind of way.)
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Julie · 697 weeks ago

I want that too!!! Every year I commit to continuing the pursuit of practicing God's "presence" in my life MORE!...to just be AWARE, recognizing...maybe the word is conscious, that HE is with me wherever I go, whatever I am doing, and to allow that fact to enable constant conversation with Him...it seems when I am talking to Him, that I am much more in tune to my witness, ....my "imitation of Christ".
So...yes...a very good reminder!! I like Tozer! :-) Enjoyed the post!... Have an outstanding day Lisa! hugs..
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Lisa notes 103p · 697 weeks ago

I'm with you, Julie, on wanting to continue practicing his presence more and more. Your "intentional" resolve this year is a great way to do that. Realizing his presence with us is SO huge, yes? Hope you're having a great day too. Love you.
My recent post I want this habit

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floyd · 697 weeks ago

"Draw nigh unto me and I will draw nigh unto you." I love that verse. It makes it clear that we need to seek God, the more we do it the more it becomes our habit and wisdom. I'm trying to do it more and more, in it I hope to lose some of the other bad things.
My recent post SOME MISTAKES ARE BUILT TO LAST…

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Lisa notes 103p · 697 weeks ago

Such an appropriate verse, Floyd. Thanks. Yes, as I go forward in seeking him, I hope to leave some stuff behind too.
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tinuviel · 697 weeks ago

Receptivity and response. So simple yet so difficult for this stubborn mule of a woman! Yesterday I also pulled some Tozer off the shelf to add to the year's reading pile. (The Knowledge of the Holy, but maybe I'll get to both.) :)

Thanks for the quote. Grace to you today.
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Lisa notes 103p · 697 weeks ago

I love The Knowledge of the Holy too. Such rich wisdom about who God is, in all his splendor! I pray you will be blessed by the reading.
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bekahcubed · 697 weeks ago

"They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response." Wow, that's powerful.

I'm working on the habit of Scripture memory-something I've fallen out of since my college days, but which I'd like to see as a regular part of my life.
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Lisa notes 103p · 697 weeks ago

That's a great habit to renew, Rebekah. I'm still trying to memorize Romans 8, and although I'm nowhere close to getting it word-perfect, just working on it brings its own reward. It makes me slow down and absorb a passage instead of just reading without stopping.
My recent post Really, God? My one word for 2012

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Dolly · 697 weeks ago

Love the Tozer quote and reading your insights...so glad that God is gracious and that He is always pursuing us even when we are not seeking Him, and yet He responds to the slightest movement on our part...like the Father looking on the horizon for the return of the prodigal...Blessings to you in the new year that are full of HIS presence and love : )

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Lisa notes 103p · 697 weeks ago

You hit it on the head, Dolly: the year full of HIS PRESENCE and love. The older I get, the more I see that the privilege of being in HIS PRESENCE should be all-sufficient for me. I'm not quite there yet (I still seek too many creature comforts) but I look forward to the day when I finally "get" in all of my being (not just my head and part of my heart) that my TOTAL joy is found in Him alone.
My recent post Really, God? My one word for 2012

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senkyoushi 8p · 697 weeks ago

I love the Tozer quote. It has spoken to me in times past during different reads of the book. Thank you for the reminder. I want this too and I need to make some changes to get there.

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Lisa notes 103p · 697 weeks ago

Tozer does give us much to think about. I pray for both of us to be open to the Spirit's movement to get us where He wants us to be.
My recent post Really, God? My one word for 2012