Tag: reward
Don’t become lazy!
Scripture reading for October 20th: Hebrews 6
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 6:10-12 “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”
The writer of Hebrews reminds us of God’s promise to reward His faithful people with an eternal inheritance in His presence. The Hebrew believers had been a blessing to God’s people and were showing God’s love through faithful service. They were commended for this but also reminded not to become lazy in their service of their Lord. Perseverance in faith and patience would be required to actually receive this inheritance.
Observations for over-comers: Our flesh tends towards laziness and distractions from sincerely serving Jesus and His body the church. We must guard against laziness by maintaining active faith and perseverance. “Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.” (Proverbs 19:15)
Be dressed and ready!
Scripture reading for March 19th: Luke 12
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 12:35-37,40 “Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. . .” “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
Jesus knew all men and understood their tendency to become lazy and let down their guard. In many of His last teachings, Jesus emphasized the need for watchfulness and readiness when He returned for His followers. Unbelief in Christ’s return would produce this lax and lazy behavior in those who once were zealous. This would cause great loss because those found not ready would be left out completely!
No one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return. (Matthew 24:36) He is coming back for those who are eagerly awaiting His appearing and doing the work He commanded them to do. There will be great reward for the faithful!
Observations for over-comers: Guard your soul against falling away and unbelief in Christ’s return by keeping an active faith and obeying Christ daily. The reward is out of this world! “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In My faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.” (Isaiah 61:8)
Jesus: Author of our Faith
Scripture reading for October 28th: Hebrews 11
“He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” (Hebrews 10:37-38) “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”. . . “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:1, 6)
Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2) He has told His people that He will return for them at an unspecified time in the future. Even though it may appear that much time has passed, He will be true to His holy Word. (Matthew 24:35-36,44) Those who follow Him must live by faith in that truth and order their lives accordingly. We must have confidence in God’s Word and His promises, being certain of what we are told to hope for even though we don’t see it. This is the essence of faith. It is not dependent on sight or on circumstances, but keeps on believing and living like God’s Word is Truth.
Ancient’s were the people of faith who lived before the time of Christ. They were commended and rewarded by God for their faith. They trusted in the revelation of God’s promises and plans that was given them and ordered their lives accordingly. Noah built an ark to save his family, Abraham left his home and followed God to a place where God promised him inheritance. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, believing God could raise him from the dead. Many others are listed as walking in faith and pleasing God. We must persevere in our journey to see Jesus!
I am coming soon!
Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 20-22
The end of the Bible tells of a new beginning! The faithful in Christ will live in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells! John saw a Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. This city was prepared like a bride for her husband. (Revelation 21:2) A voice from heaven announced that God would dwell among men. There would be no more tears, crying or pain. God would make everything new!
But some will be left out: The cowardly and unbelieving who have put off following the Lord! The murderers and sexually immoral will not be invited in either. Those practicing the occult and living lies will be sent to the lake of burning sulfur with all those shut out. This lake is the second death spoken of at the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation 20:14-15)
The New Jerusalem contains the most precious treasures for the redeemed. There is the River of Life that flows from God’s throne. Its banks will be lined with the Tree of Life, bearing fruit each month with leaves for healing. But the best treasure of all will be God and the Lamb dwelling in their midst and all will see His face! Living in God’s presence will bring eternal pleasures and joy to all the redeemed! (Psalm 16:11)
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:12-14)
Three times in this final chapter the Lord speaks of His soon return, and the final “blessed” concerns those who have their wedding clothes ready for His coming! The Spirit and Bride conclude with an invitation to all to come and join the Bridal party of those waiting for the soon return! Just reading the invitation to this party makes me want to be ready! May you be ready too! Amen! Come Lord Jesus!
Thank you for sharing this journey with me and please join me again next year as we focus on the New Testament in daily readings.
In His Love, Pastor John Morse