His hand holds!

Do you know that there are forces in nature that science can’t explain?
Forces such as gravity, centrifugal force, and others.
Scientists can study them; they can analyze them; they can even measure them, but they don’t know why they are there.
One of the physicists who developed the Big Bang Theory puzzled over how we could live in a world in which practically every object was a potential nuclear explosion, and yet not be blown to bits.
Carl Darrow, a physicist at Bell Laboratories, wrote that these particles have no right to be alive at all—they never should have been created and, if created, they should have blown up instantly.
Yet there is something that relentlessly holds them together.
What is this force that keeps the universe intact?
Where does the power come from to keep us from instantly dissolving into one massive nuclear explosion?
The answer is found in Colossians 1:17-
Jesus "is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Not only did He create all things (verse 16), but by His hand we are held together.
Jesus Christ is the power behind every mysterious force in the universe.
Someday at the time of His Father’s choosing and as 2 Peter 3:10-12 teaches-
Jesus will withdraw His sustaining influence and there will be a blowout such as none of us has ever imagined.
Then, after our old universe has passed away-
He will create a new heaven and a new earth, where we will live with Him forever. 2 Peter 3:13.
By just a word of His power-
Jesus holds all things together. Hebrews 1:3
He is the relentless force in the universe!
Although unbelieving men and women turn away from Him-
- we worship Him as the central figure in all time and space.
He is supreme.
He is eternal.
He is the Sustainer of all things.
There is no burden He could not carry for you.

The real you!

The person you spend the most time with is you-
- so we tend to be pretty interested in ourselves.
I ask you:
Do you really like yourself?
Would you rather be somebody else?
Are you realistic about your strengths and weaknesses?
Socrates gets credit for saying, “Know thyself,” even though what he really said, was, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Either way, the message is clear.
Knowing ourselves is a key to the meaningful life.
Let me go a step further.
Since God is your Creator and He knows you better than anyone-
- why don’t you get to know God personally and then you’ll get to know yourself -
- the real you -
- better than you ever could on your own.
God gives us the way to know Him through Jesus and His Word.
If you get to know Him, you’ll come to know yourself and why you’re here.
And that is life at its best.

It’s time to turn

Why don’t people believe in Jesus?
God gives us the answer in the first chapter of John.
“In Him was life...” In other words, Jesus is the source of all life. “...and the life was the light of men.”
That means enlightenment about God, about life, its ultimate meaning and purpose.
John goes on to add “…and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
One big reason some people don’t believe in God is they just can’t comprehend it.
Man will put up an intellectual smoke screen with regards to ideology or concerning the existence of God!
But the major reason that man does not believe that God exists is-
- because of sin that causes man to be in spiritual darkness.
And because sin is man’s desire to be in control and do things his way, when the light comes on men scurry from the light-
- because they want to continue to live in the darkness; they still want to live life their own way.
Jesus is Light – the source of ultimate enlightenment about God and life.
Living in the dark is foolishness.
It’s time to turn the light on – and live.

How big is God?

I know it's hard to imagine how God could be concerned about every detail of our lives.
But He is!
Jesus said, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7.
The real question is this: How big is God?
The Bible says God isn't just concerned about big things (like running the universe).
Instead, God is so great that He is concerned about even the smallest and most insignificant things.
After all, He who put the stars in space also created the smallest subatomic particle and the tiniest microbe.
As the Bible says, "By him (Christ) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" Colossians 1:16.
But God wants you to know an even greater truth:
The reason He has a specific plan for your life is because He loves you.
If God didn't care about you ... or if He were too busy to bother with you ... then you would be right.
But God does care about you!
How do we know this?
We know it because God came down to this earth in the person of Jesus Christ, who gave His life so we could be with Him in Heaven forever.
My prayer is that you will turn to Him and accept the gift He offers you -- the gift of His salvation.
Then make it your goal to know His will -- and do it.

HUMILITY!

James 4:8-10 "Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."
Back in the 60's I was serving as a Minuteman Missile Combat Crew Commander in Missouri. One Sunday our family was attending a church service and heard a man proudly offer a substantial gift for a special missionary project. He seemed so sincere and open that I was impressed.
After a few months of attending that church I happened to mention to the pastor about the generous nature of this man. It was then that I learned that he was not a regular tither or giver. The only time he contributed financially was when he could announce it to the congregation. The man was filled with pride.
Pride is an insidious thing and a quality that God despises. Unfortunately there are many proud people who are to be found in our churches, or at least claiming to be true believers. In today's Scripture we see what God thinks about pride.
When we come to God, we are to come with a broken and contrite spirit. We are told to make a move toward God and He will immediately draw near to us. It is then that we are to cleanse ourselves and focus our attention on Him. As we do, He will lift us up to be His radiant and faithful servants. Lord, give us a servant spirit!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
Pastor Cecil

Full standing in the family

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.

Someone asked me one time:
“Are you a born-again Christian?”

And you know what's funny?
That’s the only kind of Christian there is!

If you’re not born again-
- the Bible says you’ll never enter the Kingdom of God.

To be a child of God-
- you must experience this kind of supernatural rebirth in which you are converted and changed from the inside out.

Becoming a born-again believer isn't just getting a new start; it's getting a new life.
It means you are born into the family of God by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and our Saviour.

I often speak with Christians who get confused when they read their Bibles because it sometimes says we’re born into the family of God.

Yet, other times the Scriptures say that we’re adopted in the family of God.
Well, adoption in the biblical times meant that person immediately received full standing in the family!
It's the same as being born into it!

You and I were orphans.
We were alienated and aimless.
But God the Father has accepted us into His family!

And the reason He did that wasn’t because you and I deserved it.
It was because He loves us.

So remind yourself each day of your full standing in God's family as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ!

As a born again believer in Christ-
REMEMBER YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN FULL STANDING IN THE FAMILY OF GOD!

Decision Making

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies – Psalm 27:11

This is the first and vital priority in making any decision: is it God's will, is it God's way?

The decisions God prompts us to make will always be in complete agreement with His perfect Word, the Bible. God never leads anyone to live or act contrary to His Word, because His Word is His way for us.

The psalmist prays to be lead in a plain path. This is the only kind of guidance that would do any of us any good, isn't it? If we were required to make decisions according to wisdom we don't have, futures we cannot see, or knowledge that is not ours then we would be doomed to failure.

But a plain path means a path that we can understand, that we can see, that we are able to follow.

Finally, the psalmist asks for plain direction because of his enemies. If you do not recognize that you are facing enemies in every decision you make—small and great—then you are deeply ignorant of the reality of this world.

You have enemy desires in your own heart that are spawned from selfish lust and pride and envy. You have enemies in the spiritual world that seek to draw you away from the path of godliness by any means necessary. Your worst enemies in a particular decision may even be well-meaning friends or family members whose priorities for you are not eternal or God-centered.

How appropriate, then, for us all to pray for God's way to be made plain, in spite of the many enemies we surely will face in the way of Christian living.

Stay close to God!

"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. And let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' Genesis 1:6.
What do you think it means that man was made in God's image?
Does it mean that God has two arms, two legs and a long flowing beard as depicted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?
(Of note, Michelangelo also painted a belly button on God, something that really makes no sense on so many levels.)
No!
Scripture does not imply a visual duplication of God.
Instead it refers to the nature of God.
Like God, man can think and reason.
We appreciate beauty and language.
And unlike animals, we have an inner sense of morality and the ability to grasp deep concepts.
This gives man the ability to commune with God, and that is the real reason God made us in His image.
He desires a relationship with you and wants to fellowship with all mankind.
In the same passage-
God addresses our relationship with the earth.
One reason God made us in His image is that we are responsible for caring for all of God's creation.
We're to be an intermediary between God and all of His creation.
How can we manage it unless we stay close to God-
- unless we think like God;
- unless we're able to fulfill the will of God?
Part of having a relationship with God is having the right relationship with His creation.
This just can't be said enough:
Being created in His image is an awesome gift, as well as a sacred responsibility.

Have you done that?

Do we really comprehend the incredible gift we were given when Jesus died for our sins?
Not that we take this act for granted-
- but we have spoken about it so routinely that we might not absorb the full scope of this gift.
It's as though all of our sins were listed on a writing board.
And then Christ has come along with a cloth and erased them forever.
It's as though they were never even there.
On that board, somebody puts a receipt that says, "PAID IN FULL."
That's what the nails of the cross did-
- paid the penalty for our sin in full.
Christ has done it all.
Our sins have been nailed to the cross; they've been taken care of.
Nothing more is needed for forgiveness other than our accepting this amazing gift.
Have you done that?
Have you claimed the liberating forgiveness of knowing that Christ has paid the full debt of your sins?
If not, why not let Christ give you a clean slate?
After all, He's already "paid in full."
Our choice is simply to accept His gift in faith.
"When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Colossians 2:13-14.

Lasting laughter

Years ago, Psychology Today magazine published an article, "Laugh and Be Well."
In the article, Norman Cousin wrote about a remarkable recovery from a disabling condition through massive doses of Vitamin C and comedy clips.
His experience spawned a new field of scientific research studying how the brain influences the immune system.
The Bible has said the same thing all along.
In Proverbs, God's Word says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Do you need a good dose of joy; yet nothing seems to ease the pain?
Know what?
You can find joy.
It is found in a person who is the source of a lasting joy that overcomes the heartaches of life.
His name is Jesus.
Jesus says, "I've told you these things, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."
We all need to enjoy laughter.
It's good medicine.
But lasting laughter is only found in Jesus.

How old are you?

Before you answer, you might want to consider this:

The trillions of cells in our bodies are constantly reproducing and replacing themselves. The skin on our bodies is replaced every five days. The skeletal system is new every three months. Ninety-eight percent of the total number of atoms in our body are replaced at the end of a seven-year period. So, in one sense, thanks to the amazing regenerative powers of our body, none of us are more than seven years old.

But the Bible offers us something even more amazing.

It's a renewal that goes far deeper than skin and bones.

It occurs only once but lasts for all of eternity.

And we read about it in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation"

Where does this renewal take place?

As a "new creation" what is our relationship with God?

What is our new responsibility as a new creation?

When we receive Christ as our Saviour-

- the Holy Spirit baptizes (puts, places, immerses) us into the Body of Christ.1 Corinthians 12:13.

That's what it means to be "in Christ."

It is in Christ that we find safety from God's wrath that is poured out on sin and those who engage in it.John 3:36.

As a new creation we are to put off the old habits we formed when we were apart from God and put on new habits that are consistent with our new life.Ephesians 4:20-24.

Have you become a "new creation"?

If you have become a new creation-

- what habit or habits do you need to "put off" so that your life is more consistent with your status as a new creation?

Go to Colossians 3:8-10 and list the items that should be "put off."

Col 3:8KJV But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Then go to Colossians 3:12-17 and list the items to "put on."

Col 3:12KJV Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

NOW... Circle at least one item on each of these lists which you will seek to put off or put on.

I Am Ready to Die

- Acts 21:13

INTRODUCTION

It has been said that an individual is not truly ready to live for the Lord until he is willing and ready to die for Him. There are many reasons why one might not be ready to die for the faith (i.e., sin, regret, desire to remain with loved ones, fear, etc.). As a believer, one should not fear death. He or she should also realize that “to be absent from the body” is “to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8
). Death (or the Rapture) is the only means by which the believer enters the truest form of life. Paul understood this truth and was willing to die if it were the will of God. As it turned out, it was not Paul’s time to die. Yet, when that time came, Paul said, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Timothy 4:6
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God wants us to concentrate on living for Him (Romans 12:1
  ). But we all have an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27
  ) and it could come anytime (1 Samuel 20:3
  b). We should be ready and not be afraid (Psalm 23:4
  ; Proverbs 14:32
  b; Romans 8:38-39 ).
• (For everyone): Are you ready to die should your time come? If not, why? Have you trusted Christ as your Saviour? Is there something you need to do for the Lord? Is there some unconfessed sin in your life that you need to take to the Lord?
• Why is it so important to live in such a way as to always be ready to die? How would this help you live a holier life?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you be prepared to die.
• Ask the Lord to help you with any sin or regrets you may have.

HYMN

TRUST AND OBEY

Do All to the Glory of God

- Corinthians 10:31

INTRODUCTION

God calls people into different works. As an added blessing, He equips those people with various abilities to accomplish the work in which He has called them. In the midst of all this diversity, a common thread unites all the work of God and that thread is that men ought to do all they do “to the glory of God.” If a man prays (and he should), he should do it to the glory of God. If he witnesses to the lost (and he should), he should do so to the glory of God. If he reads his Bible (and he should), he should do it to the glory of God. “Whatsoever ye do,” the Bible says, “do all to the glory of God.” It is not merely what a man does that is important, but why he does what he does is also very important.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): If we remember what the Lord did for us, we should have no trouble doing things for the right reasons and bringing Him glory (1 Corinthians 6:20
  ). You will cause others to glorify Him too (Matthew 5:16
  ).
• (For everyone): What are you doing in the service of the Lord? For what reason or reasons are you doing this work? Are your motives pure? Are they scriptural?
• Are you willing to examine your motives? Are you willing to repent if you have improper motives? Are you interested in doing the right things but also for the right reasons?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you do a thorough examination of your motives.
• Thank God for His willingness to help you grow in Him.

When Your Motive Is Misjudged

- 1 Samuel 17:17-30

INTRODUCTION

Our passage concerns a time when Israel and the Philistines were in the midst of a heated battle. David was not old enough to be a member of the army of Israel, but his father (Jesse) sent him to take some food to his brothers. When David arrived, he heard the blasphemous words of Goliath and began enquiring what would happen to the man who killed him. When David’s oldest brother heard David, he began to accuse him of being full of pride and coming to see the battle out of the naughtiness of his heart. The Bible points out that this was not David’s heart intention. David was there at the request of his father to bring food to his brothers. In the end, David did not allow this accusation to keep him from doing what he knew to be right.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Satan misjudged Job's motives in serving God. When Satan took Job's possessions and health, Job proved he truly loved God (Job 1:9-11 , 20-22; Job 2:4-10 ). Jesus was misjudged for keeping bad company, but He was not doing it to have a good time (Luke 5:29-32 ; Luke 19:1-10 ).
• (For everyone): Have you ever had someone misjudge the nature of your motives in your service to God? Did you allow that to keep you from doing right the next time?
• What are your motives for serving God? If your motives are pure, why worry about how others judge those motives?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you do right regardless of false perceptions.
• Thank God for the opportunity to do something for Him.

Discerning Your Motives

- Matthew 6:16-18

INTRODUCTION

In every way possible, the Lord calls His people to be different from the world. Any Bible student can readily demonstrate that those of the world do what they do in order to promote and preserve themselves. Unfortunately, the same holds true for Christians who are not walking with the Lord as they should. Both the saved and the lost can do good things which appear spiritual such as praying, fasting, witnessing, going to church, giving financially, and reading the Bible. However, it is the motive that counts—whether fleshly or godly. It is imperative that each believer not only do what is right, but also examine himself to make sure that he is doing what is right for the right reasons. He should pray, fast, witness, give, and attend church for the glory and pleasure of God.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God wants you to be able to tell if what you do for Him is for the right reason. We need to invite God and His word to examine us (Psalm 26:2
  ; Hebrews 4:12
  ), and we need to examine ourselves for this very reason (Lamentations 3:40
  ; 2 Corinthians 13:5
  a).
• (For everyone): Do you pray? If so, why? Do you read your Bible? If so, why? Do you attend church? If so, why? Do you give financially to the work of God? If so, why? However, if you do not do these things, why not?
• Why is it crucial that you not only examine your works, but also the motives behind your works?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you the true nature of your motives.
• Ask the Lord to give you a willing heart to fix your motives.

Fretting over Other Men’s Motives

- Philippians 1:12-18

INTRODUCTION

Men focus much of their attention upon worrying about the motives behind other men’s actions. The apostle Paul had been placed in prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, particularly for preaching the resurrection. His imprisonment actually led to “the furtherance of the gospel.” The Bible says that “many of the brethren in the Lord” began preaching the gospel; some had pure motives such as love (Philippians 1:17
), but others had impure motives such as envy, strife, or contention (Philippians 1:15-16 ). Instead of complaining about the motives behind the actions, Paul rejoiced that Christ was being preached knowing that the Lord would deal with the motives at the judgment seat of Christ.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Only God truly knows thoughts and hearts (Matthew 12:25
  a, Mark 2:5-8 ; Psalm 139:4
  ). We cannot always know why people do what they do. Trust that the Lord will take care of others (1 Corinthians 4:5
  ) and watch your own actions and motives (Romans 14:13
  ).
• (For everyone): What are some instances that you can remember fretting over the motives behind the actions of others? How did this fretting benefit you? How did it harm your ability to serve the Lord?
• The Lord will judge the motives behind the work of the saved people at the judgment seat of Christ. How should this knowledge keep you from fretting about the motives of others?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you trust Him concerning other men’s motives.
• Ask God to help you focus on serving Him from a right motive.

The World’s Motives

- 1 John 3:11-13

INTRODUCTION

The Bible clearly points out that the natural man is guided by self-serving motives. Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit because of the perceived benefits they would receive (Genesis 3:6
). It was likewise a self-serving motive that drove Cain to kill his brother Abel (Genesis 4:3-8 ; 1 John 3:11-13 ). Even when God meted out Cain’s judgment, Cain selfishly said, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13
). The world is driven by self-preservation and self-promotion placing it at the opposite end of the spectrum from God. Only God would give His beloved Son so that His enemies (Romans 5:10
) could have eternal life.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Judas became angry when Mary anointed Jesus with costly ointment. His expressed motive for the anger was that he cared for the poor, but the Bible points to the reality of the situation as much different (John 12:1-6 ). Absalom had a deceitful motive for being friendly to the people of his father's kingdom (2 Samuel 15:1-6 , 10).
• (For everyone): What are some evil deeds found within the Bible? What are the motives behind those actions? What foundational premise exists in every one of these incidents?
• Have you trusted Christ as Saviour? Do you ever find that your motives for serving Him actually match with the world’s motives for doing wrong?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you consider the nature of your motives.
• Thank the Lord for the pure motives behind His works.

HYMN

AT CALVARY

Pride and Prayer

by Pastor Carter Conlon

Gospel of Luke chapter 18 verse 11 starts with these words, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men.’“

Now most proud people don’t pray, and if they do, it’s only to congratulate themselves on how well they’ve done without actually needing the presence of God. In fact, I believe that the root of prayerlessness is pride. The proud man says, ‘I don’t need the help of God, I have it all figured out and I know the best way forward.’ On the other hand, the humble man knows that without the presence of God he or she cannot see the way forward, nor find in ourselves the strength that we need. That’s why theBible in 2 Chronicles chapter 7 verse 14 begins with these words, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray.“

My dear friend, it’s time to pray!

WOULD YOU BE PART OF THE LIST?

"So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart" (Nehemiah 4:6 NIV).

 

Many books and articles have been written on the man Nehemiah who led his people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. It is a pity that little or nothing has been said about the people that worked with him to successfully complete the rebuilding of the wall in just fifty-two days in spite of the intense opposition they faced in course of the project. Nevertheless, the chronicler of the book of Nehemiah devoted a whole chapter for the list of people that predominantly worked with Nehemiah, and the specific things that they did (see Nehemiah 3). These people were mentioned by name one after the other.

Often, what most of us are doing is unnoticed, and we think that it is not significant. Some people have even withdrawn from making their little contribution to the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth and other good causes because they thought that they are not important and their contribution is not significant since it is not noticed and rewarded immediately. 

 

However, do you know that God is also taking note of what each of us is doing? Do you know that He is making a list of each of the people that contribute to the advancement of His kingdom? Paul said, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV). Also he said in another place, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

Would you be part of the list of people that contribute to the success of a good cause? Determine to make your little contribution even if it will be unnoticed. God knows how He rewards every good act in His own way and in own time.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Pray that you will make all efforts to be in the list of those that God will reward for working for and with Him in His vineyard.

Thy Father Which Seeth in Secret

- Matthew 6:1-4

INTRODUCTION

It is always right to do right, but it is more perfectly right to do right for the right reasons. Three times in Matthew chapter 6, the Bible emphasizes the fact that the people of God should do right in order to please the “Father which seeth in secret” (Matthew 6:4
, 6, 18). The proper motive in one’s service yields great rewards from the Lord. At times, these rewards will show up in this life. At other times, one might have to wait for eternity to receive these rewards. Regardless, these rewards will always far surpass the rewards for those things done in this life out of unscriptural motives. This includes future rewards in both substance and duration. Serve the Lord, but do so out of a pure motive.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Jesus knew how much money the poor widow gave. He knew her heart and she will be rewarded (Mark 12:41-44 ). God knows secret things and will reward accordingly (Jeremiah 23:24
  ; John 12:26
  b; Ephesians 6:8
  ). He does not forget (Hebrews 6:10
  ).
• (For everyone): One of the rewards the Lord gives for service is a crown. If we do like the elders in Revelation 4:10
  , we will one day cast our rewards at the feet of Jesus. How should this cause the saint of God to insure he is serving with the right motive?
• Who do you desire to please? How is this an important question when trying to discern your motive?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the opportunity to please Him.
• Ask God to perfect your motives.

Ye Have Your Reward

- Matthew 6:1-2

INTRODUCTION

There is a common misconception that carnal motives yield no rewards. Careful study reveals these types of motives can and do still receive rewards but only on a temporal level. While it is true that improper motives erase rewards from the Lord (Matthew 6:1
), they do not keep men from receiving rewards or recognition from other men (Matthew 6:2
, 5, 16). One must choose his reward. Would he rather receive eternal reward from God the Father, or temporary praise and recognition from his peers? If a man’s motive for giving is to be seen of men, he will make sure to accomplish his desire and will likely be praised of men. In doing so, he will lose the greater reward, recognition of the Father.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God's followers called themselves servants (Romans 1:1
  , James 1:1
  ; 2 Peter 1:1
  , Jude 1:1
  ). Paul wrote how a servant should serve and why he should serve (Colossians 3:22-24 ). Yet, some serve for the wrong reasons (Matthew 23:5-7 ; John 12:42-43 ).
• (For everyone): What kind of rewards do you want to receive for your labours? From whom would you like to receive these rewards? Should your motives change in view of this decision?
• Why do you read your Bible? Why do you pray? Why do you go to church? Why do you witness to the lost? How will this affect your rewards at the judgment seat of Christ?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you discern the nature of your motives.
• Ask God to help you do things for His name’s sake.