I just heard a piece of very sad news from a friend. My ex-cell member, who was in my cell for a good number of years, went with us to Malacca, invited me to do her house blessing recently when she moved to a new place and who just retired as a school teacher has just passed away. She had 4th stage of colon cancer.
I am sadden & grief-stricken when I reflect about her life .... what have we done in our short time on earth that was impactful and meaningful? Have we committed ourselves to complete devotion and service to God and His people while we still have breath? Have we submitted ourselves to honor leadership - civil leaders, social leaders, domestic leaders or even church leaders? Do we harbour offences and unforgiveness?
In fact, I am reading a book by John Bevere entitled 'Honor' Reward'. It is timely and yet scary because how we value, respect and treat others determines our rewards ... It teaches us how to extend honor to our Creator, family members, authorities and those who fill our world. Do we want a full reward, a partial reward or No reward at the end of our life?
Make my life count for You, Jesus!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A Heart Of Integrity
Ps 78 vs 70 Why did God choose David, His servant and took him out of the sheepfolds .. to shepherd Jacob, His people & Israel, His inheritance? He had a heart after the Lord and ... like vs 72, He shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands?
Many times we cannot understand the way the Lord selects us. But I would like to think that while we are willing and are able to serve the Lord while we can, we ought to be faithful and excel in all that God has purposed for us in this lifetime.
Was reading an article and it is good food for thought ... strangely, I was kept awake a long time last night and was conversing with the Lord over an obedience-based decision. First draft only ... more to go .... sigh.
There are two types of people in the world. There are those whose activities are designed to generate a reward in this lifetime. And there are those who live to generate a reward when they meet our Lord in Heaven.
Not every Christian models the latter. How does one judge whether they are living for the future reward versus the earthly reward? There are several key indicators.
Future reward people tend to be givers. They make their time and resources available to be channeled for Kingdom purposes. They realize their sowing will ultimately be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ where what they have done on earth will be judged and rewarded by God (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Future reward people live a life based upon obedience-based decisions. They don't make decisions based on their perceived outcome. They realize a decision based on obedience alone may not result in an immediate outcome. Jesus was obedient to the cross, but the immediate outcome was His own death on the cross.
Future reward situations show up in daily life in a number of ways. Perhaps a person has wronged you and God calls you to forgive and even bless that person without expectation of their response. Perhaps God calls you to sow money into a ministry or another person's life without expectation of return from them. Perhaps you are called to serve another person without expectation of any earthly reward. The situations we might encounter are unlimited.
Are you living a life based on a future reward, or short term reward? Today, evaluate how you make decisions and how you allocate resources. This will reveal whether you are a future reward Christian.
Many times we cannot understand the way the Lord selects us. But I would like to think that while we are willing and are able to serve the Lord while we can, we ought to be faithful and excel in all that God has purposed for us in this lifetime.
Was reading an article and it is good food for thought ... strangely, I was kept awake a long time last night and was conversing with the Lord over an obedience-based decision. First draft only ... more to go .... sigh.
There are two types of people in the world. There are those whose activities are designed to generate a reward in this lifetime. And there are those who live to generate a reward when they meet our Lord in Heaven.
Not every Christian models the latter. How does one judge whether they are living for the future reward versus the earthly reward? There are several key indicators.
Future reward people tend to be givers. They make their time and resources available to be channeled for Kingdom purposes. They realize their sowing will ultimately be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ where what they have done on earth will be judged and rewarded by God (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Future reward people live a life based upon obedience-based decisions. They don't make decisions based on their perceived outcome. They realize a decision based on obedience alone may not result in an immediate outcome. Jesus was obedient to the cross, but the immediate outcome was His own death on the cross.
Future reward situations show up in daily life in a number of ways. Perhaps a person has wronged you and God calls you to forgive and even bless that person without expectation of their response. Perhaps God calls you to sow money into a ministry or another person's life without expectation of return from them. Perhaps you are called to serve another person without expectation of any earthly reward. The situations we might encounter are unlimited.
Are you living a life based on a future reward, or short term reward? Today, evaluate how you make decisions and how you allocate resources. This will reveal whether you are a future reward Christian.
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