Constant Conversation

Summary

In this episode of the Give Me A Purpose podcast, host L.A. explores the importance of maintaining an intimate relationship with God, not just in times of need but as a daily practice. He reflects on a conversation that prompted him to consider whether his faith is only sought during crises. L.A. emphasizes the significance of gratitude, daily connection, and the idea that faith should be nurtured like a muscle, requiring consistent effort and attention. The episode encourages listeners to cultivate a constant hunger for God and to express gratitude before making requests.

Takeaways

Intimacy with God should not be limited to crises.
Daily gratitude is essential for spiritual growth.
Faith requires consistent practice, like a muscle.
Relationships need nurturing even when things are good.
Seek God not just in emergencies, but every day.
Gratitude should precede requests in prayer.
Creating a hunger for God is vital for faith.
Small daily acts of love strengthen relationships.
Keep asking and seeking for guidance from God.
Live on purpose and in purpose every day.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Sunday Conversation
01:10 Intimacy with God in Times of Need
04:24 Daily Gratitude and Relationship Building
08:24 Creating a Constant Hunger for God

Transcript

Mr. LA (00:02.134)
In this episode, we're gonna do something called a Sunday Conversation. First, happy Mother's Day to all those mothers out there. But we're gonna get into this conversation just a little bit next on the Giving a Purpose podcast.

Mr. LA (00:41.834)
Welcome to the Give Me A Purpose podcast where we bridge the highs, the lows, the lessons learned through life's journey and filling in the gap. You already know what it is. New week, new episode, fresh weekly. And I am your host as always, L.A. Listen, man, I just wanted to have a short conversation. I was going through Bible study and one of my friends...

is running this Bible study show to a friend, Lekia, for doing Bible study on Wednesdays. And, you know, he had me tune in and she posed something to me that was just very interesting. And it really had me thinking and had me pondering on some things. And I kind of want to see what you guys think. And I'm kind of like talking out and just have a conversation with you guys. So, you know, we were having a conversation and

you know, I've talked to her about some things that, you know, were happening in my life and different situations that were going on. And she asked, would I still be having my intimate relationships with God? And if at that moment where things were like all coming to a head, would I still be

doing it now and also in that moment, if everything worked out the way I needed it to or wanted it to, and in that exact moment, would I still be having that intimate relationship with God? And it just got me thinking, it's just like, what do we do?

So sometimes when we go through something and we ask God and it doesn't happen instantly or doesn't happen the way that we want to.

Mr. LA (02:41.339)
Or I should say, we go through something and it does happen the way we want to in that moment.

Do we stop having that intimate relationship or do we stop craving or do we stop seeking? And it just got me wondering, it was just like, so if everything worked out in that moment, would I have...

stop seeking him the way I was when I felt desperate, when I felt like it was an emergency, when I felt like I need you now, like I need this to happen right now. And it just, it really, it really tugged on my heart. It really tugged some thoughts in my mind. And at first I didn't know really how to answer it. You know, I was getting to a point where I was like,

I think slowly I would have because I always keep my relationship with God. I just thought it was just real interesting and it made me think.

Is your practice or is your intimacy or is your relationship with God only for that moment? Is it only for when you get in trouble? Is it only for once you get what you get, do you stop? And what I've been learning in this transition period is what I'm practicing is learn to be grateful every day. One, to wake up.

Mr. LA (04:24.168)
One, to have new graces and new mercies. And what you went through didn't kill you. And it taught you a lesson. And what I've been doing now, what I've been transitioning my mind into now is I also had to change my mindset because I was saying a lot of negative things coming out of that moment, coming out of those situations.

And it was it was bad because I would say negative things and not look at it. Look at it from a perspective of. I need your attention, Mr. L.A. I need you to focus on this. I need to separate you. I need to minus some things so I can get you where I need you.

I need you to stay focused. I need you to be honest. I need you to be who I called you to be. I need you to be that loving person, that person that you're questioning. I need you to be that person.

that person that you think I didn't make you to be. I need you to hone in on that. But I also need you to stay focused on me. Don't just need me in crisis. Need me every day. Don't just need me in emergencies. Need me every day. So practice on having that relationship.

Shoot, in any type of relationship, work on...

Mr. LA (06:10.112)
It every day. I'm learning is faith is like a muscle. Like I schedule time to go to the gym weekly. I have a plan. I know what things that I want to work on. And even though it's not immediate, I do see the progress. And I think sometimes we don't understand that faith is like that muscle. We only want to work on it when we

think we need it. So I've shared this story before, you know, I used to have these real bad ulcers and I still take a some medicine for I still take something to suppress the acid in my stomach. But can I be honest with y'all? I don't take it every day. I take it when I need it. If I eat something bad, or if I feel gassy or if I feel like you know, the acid is building up, I'll take

Sometimes if I know I'm going out to eat or eat something bad, then I'll take it as preventive. But how many of us are like that in our faith or just in relationships? We only work on relationships when we get in an argument.

And it's like, but still, do you have that intimate time with that person that you're in a relationship when things are going good? Do you work on it? And I think that's the thing that we need to do. And I'm trying to work on making it a daily practice. All right, if you're in a relationship with somebody, tell them you love them all the time. Show them little things. Not everything has to be grand. Like you don't have to, you know, flower petals every day.

bath, water, everything. Be nice, it'll be nice. Don't get the game twisted. But show them little things every day. So when you're doing it, it'll build that muscle and it'll help you guys grow together. And that's what I want here. I want us, and that's why I kind of call this a conversation. Like have that conversation with God. Like I need you, yes, in this moment. But if you did give it to me,

Mr. LA (08:24.226)
because I know you can, if you gave it to me instantly, would I still crave you like that desperation like I needed it? Like that child faith, like, man, I'm hoping for this bike. Or just like we hope for stuff when we were kids for Christmas, or we hope for stuff on a birthday, or we hope for stuff when we ask our parents for stuff.

That's how it has to be. And I want to create that hunger for my relationship with God all the time. I want to make sure it is constant. It is consistent. And so I get into first gratitude mode. I thank him for everything before I want to ask him for a bunch of stuff. I want to thank him. And then

What do you want to get out of this day? What do I need to do for this day? And you know the crazy thing about it is sometimes I don't always get an answer. So I just keep asking. I want to keep asking. I'm going to keep seeking. I'm going to keep knocking on the door. But eventually he'll give it to me. And the key is then to be obedient to it. Work the muscle. Work the muscle of faith. You can do this.

So this was just a short conversation I wanted to get into with you guys. Hopefully it blessed you. it made you think like it did for me. And I hope you guys have a great week. Listen, hit that subscribe button. Make sure you share your boy. All right, I'm so thankful. Love you guys. Make sure you guys do the two most important things you could ever do for me. You know what it is.

Make sure you live on purpose and make sure you live in purpose. I'll see you guys next time. Peace.