GREAT IS YOUR REWARD

Good morning everyone.

 

I ask for your prayers for, Carol Wiggins, as she undergoes knee surgery today.  Pray that God directs the surgeon's hands as he performs this procedure in JESUS' name.  AMEN.  Thank You.

 

GREAT IS YOUR REWARD

 

READ:

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

 

Your Father who sees in secret

will Himself reward you openly.

-Matthew 6:4

 

Many businesses have "points programs" that offer rewards to loyal customers.  You can stack up these rewards by using their companies' services, like eating at local restaurants, staying at certain hotels, or flying on particular airlines.  Choosing to spend your money this way makes a lot of sense.

 

God has a reward program as well.  Jesus often spoke of His desire to reward us for loyally serving Him.  When we are persecuted for His sake, for example, He says to "rejoice...for great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:12).  In contrast to the Pharisees' pious habit of giving, praying, and fasting in public, Jesus instructed us to do these things privately, because "your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly" (6:4,6,18).  When it comes to living for Jesus, faithfulness never ultimately puts your life in a deficit position, regardless of what it costs.

 

But we don't serve Jesus for the rewards.  When He died for us on the cross, He did far more for us than we deserve.  Loyalty to Him is an act of worship that expresses our loving gratitude for His love toward us.  In return, He delights to encourage us with the assurance that ultimatley His rewards will outweigh whatever we have given up for Him.

 

Live fror Jesus-regardless of the cost. -Joe Stowell

 

Our service for the Lord will be

Rewarded one day openly,

By God who sees in secrecy

All sacrifice for Him. -Sper

**********************************************

What is done for Christ in this life

will be rewarded in the life to come.

 

INSIGHT

In God's eyes, hyporcrisy is partially determined by intention.  The hypocrite and the righteous person may seem to do the same things.  The difference is why they do them-"to be seen by men" (vv.1,5,16) or for God (vv. 4,6,18).

 

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator's Love Always

Unity & Peace