Tag: Rewards

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Wider Than You Can See

FEBRUARY 11

MATTHEW 5:14_Ye are the light of the world.

Did you notice what kind of light Jesus said you should be? He said of the world. Your light is not exclusive to yourself, your family, or your circle of friends. It is for all of those and that is where your light should shine its brightest. Those are your light’s foundation—where your light gains momentum to spread—where your light gains illumination.

There are cases when a family resists, and may even resent, a light in the midst. This is one of those opportunities to suffer for Jesus’ sake. It’s a hard place to be, but remember that kind of persecution brings with it blessings and rewards.

Truth always prevails. Jesus said you are the light of the world. If discipleship is your heart’s desire, your light will shine. Don’t be discouraged if you experience times of what appear to be failure. The extent to which your light shines is in God’s hands. You do not possess His ability to see inside hearts. Your light reaches far wider than you can see.

The time table as to when you may see results is also in God’s hands. He is always working on behalf of His disciples. He will keep working. You just keep shining.

  PRAYER

God of Light, I want my light to shine anywhere and everywhere You place me. I know You will help me shine. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.               

Christ is the Light of the World—He will help me shine!

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What Do You See?

FEBRUARY 5

MATTHEW 5:12_for great is your reward in heaven… 

Here is what Jesus knew was in store: great is your reward in heaven. Awesome! He didn’t keep this a mystery to be revealed after your death, but said it plainly.

Jesus-disciples have something to ponder: Do you believe in heavenly rewards? If you do believe, you have another question to ponder: Do you believe this life can result in heavenly rewards?

Go to a Bible reference and see how many times heavenly rewards are mentioned. If you are only interested in the rewards of this life, which you can also find reference to in the Bible; make a change in your thought pattern. 

Compare your time on earth, even if you live a hundred years, to time in eternity. Now compare a hundred years of earthly rewards to an eternity of heavenly rewards. Read that last sentence again. What do you see?  

Don’t overlook Jesus’ description of your reward—great!

 PRAYER

God of promises, I want to know all the truths You teach in the Bible. I know my earthly life is very short in comparison to eternity, and I know I can’t make myself good or clean or righteous, but I know You can do it all. I praise Your name! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.              

Christ holds heaven’s rewards—For eternity!

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That Same Kingdom

JANUARY 31

MATTHEW 5:10_for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

If the kingdom of heaven is something a little more earthly than heavenly, we can experience it before death. 

When Jesus walked on earth, the kingdom of heaven was all around Him.

After His ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

The Spirit leads us into that same kingdom.

At His return, He will bring a new Kingdom.

We should be excited about living in the kingdom of heaven. Never forget, it is a reward for the poor in spirit and the persecuted. Only Christians will find the path. They won’t find it by trying to be and do good. They will find it by allowing the Holy Spirit to teach them how to love—God first then each other.

Jesus told us in John 15:20 (KJV), “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

This kind of righteousness comes with a high price. It also comes with a high reward: walking in the kingdom of heaven in a fallen and sinful world.

The apostle John said in I John 4:17 (KJV),” … because as he is, so are we in this world.”

 If Jesus did it, so can we!

 PRAYER

Dear Jesus, I believe I can be like You. Help me find the way! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                    

Christ is still alive—As He is so will I be!

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Live Your Life for Good

JANUARY 16

MATTHEW 5:5_for they shall inherit the earth.

Let’s talk about power.

There is the power that slaps a face, or throws a punch when it feels offended.

There is the power endued with creativity to design, and carry out, a perfect plan of revenge.

There is the power to stimulate sexual desires through dress or touch.

If all of this power was kept under the control of love, it would neither slap, pay back, nor stimulate. That would be meekness.

What’s the point of all this? Why would you even care?

You wouldn’t, except for one reason—because a new heart causes you to love others more than yourself.

You would rather suffer than cause suffering.

Jesus set the example with His compassion for people. He understood the only way to overpower sin was with the power of love. He endured suffering so you could live in freedom. 

The reward of meekness is to inherit the earth. That’s some kind of big inheritance! The earth is filled with people. The earth is in great need of meek people.

You have only one opportunity to live this life. Live it for the good of all the people who are a part of your existence.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I pray You teach me meekness and compassion controlled by love. I trust You to give me opportunities to do good – and the courage to take the opportunities. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.     

Christ owns the earth—He shares it with me to do good!             

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The Kingdom of Heaven

JANUARY 10

MATTHEW 5:3_for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

There is a reward for the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven.

I believe in heavenly rewards. I believe because I used the key which opened my spirit to learn of heavenly rewards. Using that same key, my spirit also received the truth of earthly rewards.

I do not claim to fully understand this kingdom of heaven Jesus refers to, but I will share what I do perceive. 

This is an earthly kingdom we live with Jesus (Luke 17:20-21). This verse does not say to be poor in spirit saves us from hell and takes us to heaven. Only our trust in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ has such power.

Matthew 13:45-46 (KJV), “… the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls … when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” We enter the kingdom of heaven once our hearts perceive the truth, understand our great need of truth, and receive the Savior. To be poor in spirit is a predecessor to the kingdom of heaven.

When we set up residence in the kingdom of heaven our self-centeredness begins to fade.

PRAYER

LORD of all Lords, Thank You for the kingdom of heaven. In You I can be a part of the kingdom. I know to possess the kingdom of heaven is more valuable than any earthly treasure. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                    

Christ is the kingdom of heaven—He can give it to me!