Perhaps one of man’s striking fears is God remembering the bad things we have done. We may have trepidation in light of the day we stand before our Heavenly Father being aware of our many short comings. Thankfully this perspective does not have to entertain a born again believer’s mind. The enemy, the devil, might want us to reflect on the errors of our ways, but our loving Heavenly Father is just the opposite. He has designed the unprecedented reality of forgiveness. We have a means of totally eliminating the wrong things we have done so He can concentrate on rewarding us for the good we do.
Even a Drink of Water
Our Heavenly Father remembers the smallest of deeds. We can lovingly reach out in doing the little things as well as major projects for Him.
God’s love is so immense that He recognizes the little things we do in love. It should be our nature to serve and be a blessing in every situation of living our life. God has made us in Christ to be givers and servers, to do good works.
We should be elated with the prospects of knowing our God remembers all our good deeds and He will reward us for them. How many times have you done a project real well and it does not get noticed or you do not get the recognition? Frustrating isn’t it? But with our Father in Heaven He makes note of everything! Yes, we are challenged at times to put up with unfortunate situations and we wonder where is God, but He is always in us and working with us to take on all of the world’s challenges.
Just think of all the exceptional things we can do to bless those in the Body of Christ. The world will pull on us to play it’s selfish game. We do not have to succumb to such foolishness. We “by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13).
Judgment Seat
God’s Word says we all will come before the judgment seat. It must be understood that this judgment seat is the bema which is the place for the giving out of rewards.Our God is a good God and He is always looking to bless His people. We should live our life reaching out with the love of God serving all mankind, knowing God will bless us richly.
How exciting is it to see your name in the newspaper, being recognized for something special! Even better yet, how about seeing yourself actually written in the Bible as one of the star characters in God’s Word!
I am not kidding. You are spoken of in the Bible.
In fact your life is so critical, you were known before being born. How short sighted we are not to recognize how special we are to God Almighty, our Heavenly Father.
First, let’s check the Scriptures out to identify your presence there:
Psalms 139:13 and 16: (ISV)
It was you who formed my internal organs, fashioning me within my mother's womb.
Your eyes looked upon my embryo, and everything was recorded in your book. The days scheduled for my formation were inscribed, even though not one of them had come yet.
Ephesians 1:4: (KJV)
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Our Heavenly Father had us figured out long ago and scheduled us to live for Him at the right time. May we live our lives as someone very special, because He made us so.
Agape,
Bob
PRIDE MONTH
NOTE: I share this out of my love for God and my country.
Our culture has encroached on the truth of God’s Word trying to minimize what it really says. It seems homosexuality, the transgender issues along with the other “alphabet” lifestyles are being touted as OK in spite of what God’s Word says.
People are celebrating alternative lifestyles (Pride Month) contrary to the loving fulfillment the family of God provides.
God’s Word is very clear as these lifestyles are ungodly with an evil intent. This month of June features these alphabet lifestyles celebrated as “Pride Month.”
As loving citizens we are expected to accept these unnatural ways of living, but is that what God wants?
It is evident the main reason people choose an ungodly lifestyle is because they have been hurt deeply or they have been deceived by the god of this world. They are reaching out to the corrupt world for answers instead of going to God’s Word.
Yes, we take a stand against this ungodly lifestyle! We take a stand by lovingly walking by the spirit bringing the truth to bear. Not legitimizing their activity, but making available the love of God through the loving works of Christ.
What does God’s Word say about being prideful?
Proverbs 29:23 (MEV) A man’s pride will bring him low,…
We reach out to those who are lost, confused and floundering. God’s Word makes the difference. “Sanctify them by your truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).
My point is we can love people into the truth without compromising it.
Agape,
Bob
The Heart of TRUE PRAISE!
We all love to be praised. It is in our nature. Our egos strive to be recognized for some significant deed.
The value of the deed really dictates the heart of true praise given. Natural man brags on himself and sometimes others. False recognition goes nowhere fast. What is everlasting is the heart of true praise. It is a genuine recognition of others doing Godly work.
What about the Godly work we have experienced as sons of God? As we fully identify ourselves as a child of God filled with the fullness of the gift of holy spirit, we have something to praise God about!
Our Heavenly Father has made us compete in Christ. We have it all, lacking nothing. We have the righteousness of God, we have eternal life, the hope of Christ’s return, along with all the sonship rights which are so many you cannot count them all.
It reminds me of Matt Redman’s song 10,000 reasons to worship God. As born again believers, we have a heart to worship and praise our Heavenly Father.
The Old Testament Praise
During the Old Testament times they had much less than we do, yet they were dedicated to praising God. David even enlisted thousands of singers with the prime purpose of praising God. Look what God’s Word says:
1Chronicles 23:5: Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
Praising God was so important, David had 4,000 musicians dedicated to praising Him!
2Chronicles 5:13: It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever…
New Testament Praising
With the gift of holy spirit and all the sonship rights we have been given, we have many reasons to constantly praise our Heavenly Father.
As the new Church developed on the Day of Pentecost the heart of praising God continued: “Praising God, and having favour with all the people…” Acts 2:47. The results of knowing how good God has been to us is to constantly be praising our Father.
Hebrews 13:15: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Your importance to God the Father is that we “are to the praise of His glory” Ephesians 1:12. He is so blessed with you as His child.
The heart of true praise to our Father is to constantly worship and give thanks to Him. What an awesome relationship we have with our God!
What occurred on Pentecost is so spectacular and amazing. Unfortunately, many Christians strike out on recognizing the fullness of what the Heavenly Father pitched on that eventful day.
Back in the day, man’s connection with God was limited and conditioned to Old Testament laws and dictates of the Jewish leadership. And anyone not on God’s Jewish team was stranded in left field.
With the acquisition of Jesus Christ the outlook for the Jewish nation and even the non-league Gentiles took a drastic turn for the better. As a result of the perfect performance of Jesus Christ, a whole new ball game was born.
No more rules, judgements, sacrifices, now the grace of God reigns!
Now everyone is complete in Christ and our access to the Father is direct and uninhibited.
The devil tries to strike us out, but he is already the loser and has no rights over us.
With the ninth inning of life upon us, our expectations are upon “the closer”, The Lord Jesus Christ coming for us all.
May we step up to the plate and swing for the fences, knowing we can do all things through Christ who strengthen us!
Agape,
Bob