Category Archives: Reward

Being in a Relationship With a Jealous God

A.B. Simpson, the great Canadian preacher, used to tell the story of a father and a daughter. One day the father was sitting in his library reading one of his many books. At his feet was his little girl. She … Continue reading

Posted in Commitment, Desires, Faithfulness, God's Name, Jealousy, Obedience, Priorities, Reward, Service, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If In This Life Only…

Sometimes you’ll hear a preacher say, “Even if there is no heaven, the benefits you receive in this life make it worth it to follow Jesus.” I remember saying this myself a time or two in my younger days as … Continue reading

Posted in Belief, Bible Study, Christ's Resurrection, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Eternity, Forgiveness, Heaven, Missions, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Revenge, Reward, Sacrifice, Salvation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can Prayer Change God’s Mind?

Paula Jarvis Garland wrote: “Here’s my question: If everything is predestined, then how does prayer change things? Can our prayers cause God to change his mind?” Paula, thanks for your question. It’s actually two questions, one concerning predestination and the … Continue reading

Posted in Desires, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Reward, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mary: The Slave of the Lord

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38, N.K.J.V.) Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she was the woman chosen by God to bring … Continue reading

Posted in Brokenness, Commitment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Work, Heaven, Humility, Ministry, Obedience, Pride, Rebellion, Reward, Righteousness, Salvation, Service, Slavery, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Settling for Pig Food

Let’s say that a kid wants the newest, hottest, super-duper-deluxe video-game system for Christmas. The thing costs $450. Now let’s say that the kid’s parents just can’t afford to spend that much on a Christmas present. So what do they … Continue reading

Posted in Choices, Confession, Desires, Disappointment, God's Timing, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Perseverance, Repentance, Reward, Sin, Temptation, Trials, Waiting | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Joy Comes in the Morning

…Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5, N.K.J.V.) English missionary James Hannington was the first Anglican bishop of East Africa. His initial missionary visit to Africa only lasted a few months because he … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Comfort, Courage, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Heaven, Human Life, Inner Peace, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classified Falsely

Private First Class Alan Barton, an American soldier fighting in the Vietnam War, was reported missing from his base in South Vietnam on July 28, 1970. 32 days later his commanding officer notified his mother that her son was now … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Coming Judgment, Criticism, Deception, Eternity, God's Judgment, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, Heaven, Justice, Patience, Persecution, Reward, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

We Can’t Have the Best of Both Worlds

A Sunday School teacher told her children’s class the story of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:19-31). She said, “The rich man had a lot of money and lived in luxury every day. He had a beautiful … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Death, Disappointment, Eternity, Heaven, Hell, Human Life, Money, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Prosperity, Reward, Salvation, Scripture, Suffering, Sunday School, Trials, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John Wesley & the Robber

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9, N.K.J.V.) John Wesley was the father of the Methodist denomination. It is estimated that over the … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Comfort, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Work, Impatience, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Reward, Service, Sowing and Reaping, Waiting, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can You Trust Your Work?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10, N.K.J.V.) It is said that Napoleon once ordered a coat of mail. (Mail is a steel … Continue reading

Posted in Backsliding, Commitment, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Individuality, Ministry, Obedience, Priorities, Reward, Sanctification, Service, Sowing and Reaping, The Judgment Seat of Christ, Work | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment