Thanksgiving to God

 November 28th is Thanksgiving Day. The bible has much to say about being thankful to God. The greatest thing that you can give God is yourself and your thanksgiving for all He is and all He has done for you. Psalm 116:17 (NLT) I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. Sacrifice is when you maybe don't feel like it but you do it anyway. God is pleased with that kind of sacrifice. Thank Him and talk to Him as you would a friend! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) ¹⁶  Always be joyful. ¹⁷  Never stop praying. ¹⁸  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:20 (NLT) Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. A thankful attitude opens the windows of heaven. Spiritual blessings come to those who are thankful. As you look to God with a grateful heart, you grow in your relationship with Him. You can not live in heaven yet, but you can experience God's wonderful mercy and grace. Thanksgiving is not some sort of magical formula, it is the language of love which enables you to talk to God as with a close friend. A thankful mindset rejoices in God your Savior and Lord in the midst of trials and tribulations because as the bible says in Psalm 46:1 (NLT) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. God is our ever-present strength and help in time of trouble. So I close with; Psalm 107:1-2 (NLT) ¹  Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. ²  Has the LORD saved your soul? Then be thankful! Tell somebody what God has done for you and wants to do for them. We must begin to think about others and not just ourselves. If we are truly thankful to God our Father for all He has done for us, we will pray for others and tell them what God has done for us so they too can be saved and brought into the family of God. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NKJV) ¹  Therefore I urge first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ²  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶  who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. This is God's will for all people.

Invitation: You will never be thankful to God until you know His Son Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, just confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and save your soul from hell. The bible says He will in nowise turn you away if you are sincere. Do it right now, right where you sit. Don't let the devil give you excuses not to be saved, because it will lead you straight to hell.

DELIGHT IN GOD'S WORD

 

Scripture Text

Psalm 1:1-3

Intro: The way to have a successful life begins with taking God's word and making it first and foremost in our lives and then be obedient to its instructions.

1. WE ARE TO DELIGHT IN GOD'S WORD. (Psalm1:2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. Delight-means to take pleasure- We are to take great pleasure in the word of God. Make the word of God the joy of your life. If we do delight and meditate in the word of God there will be revival and there are some other tremendous benefits. It is not enough to just to read God’s word, but we must meditate on it. In other words try to figure out what it is saying to me. Everything we do in our lives and in this church body should be based on God’s word and not on our good ideas. How many times do we go by our feelings and our desires rather than the word of God? Lets look at the benefits of delighting in and meditating in God's word.

2. WE WILL BE BLESSED.  (Psalm1:1) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; We will not listen to advice from ungodly, sinners or those that are always scornful. As we reject the way of ungodly, scornful sinner we will be Blessed means blissfully, happy or contented. Bringing happiness and thankfulness. Bringing the favor of God. Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Delighting in God’s word brings His blessings.

3. WE WILL BE STRONG IN EVERY SITUATION (Psalm1:3) He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water. Rooted and grounded in the word of God. The word of God will bring you success over every situation, problem, worry, doubt and fear. Not wandering here and there not knowing what to do or which way to turn. Will have a never-failing supply of nourishment and refreshment.

4. WE WILL BE PRODUCTIVE(V:3) He shall be like a tree that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; Will display the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. We will honor the Lord Jesus in our words and actions. They will always timely and appropriate. Leaf will not wither during dry season because we are rooted in God's word. We will not be subject to extreme ups and downs. One day hot, next day cold to spiritual things. We will be useful for in His kingdom work. We will be steady in and through all circumstances.

5. WE WILL BE PROPEROUS IN ALL THINGS(Psalm1:3) And whatever he does shall prosper. Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. The promise is that when we read and speak God's word then we will prosper, and we will have great success in all we do. The reason, of course, is that we are living in close fellowship with the Lord, knowing His will and all our life is therefore guided by the Holy Spirit. The only way to be efficient and successful in the Christian life is to be led by the Spirit of God in all we do as we read God's word. Living God's word makes us prosperous, productive, and it gives us good success.

CONCLUSION: This is the way of Revival, blessing and prosperity for our lives! This is the will of God for all His people. We can be revived! We can be renewed in our passion and zeal for the things of God. We can do all things through the Lord Jesus Christ who strengthens us. Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible."

INVITATION: There in Psalm 1:4 is a warning for the ungodly. They will not stand up under God’s judgment nor will they be in the congregation of the righteous. Will you be able to stand up under God’s judgment of your life and will you be able to stand in the congregation of the righteous? You won’t unless you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Come to Jesus right now. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and get things right with God while there is still time. Please don't put it off!

The Main Goal in Life

 

THE THRONE OF GOD

 Scripture Text

Psalm 93

 

INTRO; We see, hear and experience many things in this life that are not right. Every day some evil and wrong is before our eyes. We don’t understand how a people can drift so far from the truth of God’s word and way. Question is, how are we to live in this world with all that is going on around us on a daily basis? We can't live relying on anything in this world, but there is one thing for sure that we can rely on, and that is our God reigns from His throne on high. Let’s look at the world from a view point of God’s throne instead of man.

 I. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY. [Ps. 93:1] The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved. His authority, rule, dominion. We can take comfort in the truth that Jehovah has supreme overall and reigns gloriously from His throne in Heaven. His royal power and authority prevail everywhere over all His creation. There is no earthly or heavenly power greater than God. He clothes Himself with Majesty- [Glory, honor, beauty, splendor, excellence in form and appearance]. He is Very grand, dignified, and exalted above all others. None like Him. He girds Himself with strength just like putting on a belt. His unlimited power can resist any attack, and by that power He can act upon and change things. God has a plan for this world and He will carry it out, we can be sure of that. He made the world and holds it in place. Jeremiah 10: 12 He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion. All things are created by Him, for Him and are under His authority.

II. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S STABILITY. [Ps. 93:2] Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. Nothing down here is ever stable, it's constantly changing, but God's throne is unchanging, firm in the heavens. His throne has no beginning or end. Established from everlasting past to everlasting future. All false gods are man-made. All other thrones have a beginning and an end. His throne has always been and will always be. There can never be a period in which he shall cease to exist as God.

III. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S STRENGTH. [Ps.93:3-4] The floods have lifted up, O Lord,The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea. Floods represent the enemies of God's kingdom. People, terrors and uproars rise against Jehovah. There are those who want to do away with God and His Son Jesus. People have always resisted God and His way from the beginning of time. God's word declares that His enemies will rise up against Him, His Son, His people and His throne. War in Israel! His enemies don’t want God reigning over them. Still goes on today! Psalms 2:2-3 ² The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ³ "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." The Lord is amused and angered at those who rise up against Him. Psalms 2:4-5 ⁴ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. ⁵ Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: distress means great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical and mental suffering; Since Jehovah reigns triumphantly, Jesus will eventually rule over all the kings and people's of the earth because God has decreed it. Psalms 2:6 -9 ⁶ "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." ⁷ "I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' " God the Father has given all dominion over the earth to Jesus. No one can change that! God’s unlimited authority and irresistible power is a comfort to all His people. God rules over Satan and all is evil angels. He limits Satan’s power and influence. We can be assured of that fact from the book of Job, chapter 1:12. One day God will cast Satan into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. Revelation 20:10 (NKJV) The devil, who deceived the people, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. No one can change that established truth! The bible says the devil and his angels tremble knowing their final destination.

IV. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S WORD [Ps. 93:5] Your testimonies are very sure; Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever. God's throne is established in truth and holiness. The word from God’s throne is very sure because His promises stand true forever. Jesus said in John 17:17 Your word is truth. Psalms 119:89-91 ⁸⁹ Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. ⁹¹ They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. God tells us how things will end in the book of REVELATION. In view of all these facts, we don't have to worry or rely on things of this world God has it all under His control. Because of this God is deserving of our deep respect, awe, reverence and adoration. Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord for ever. God's holiness and divine nature adds beauty, splendor and distinction to our worship. Holiness is the quality that sets the Lord apart from all others.

Conclusion: No one can thwart the purpose of God. He is the Lord God, who reigns and is clothed with majesty. This psalm has praised God's unchanging nature and power, the evidence that He is alive and active, unlike pagan gods. Since He has supreme authority, Colossians 3:1-2, We are seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ²  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. The things above are revealed in God's word. With God in control from His throne we have nothing to worry about and much to be thankful for. God will work out His plan not only for this world, but for your life and mine as we trust in Him and we can count on that.

INVITATION: God's word says that if you don’t know His Son you cannot make it to heaven, but instead you are condemned and headed to a place called hell. God has given His Son Jesus Christ to save you from your sins. If you haven't been saved and you would like to be, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins against God. Invite Jesus into your life to take charge of you. Then you will not be condemned by God and He will allow you into heaven when this life is over.

Complete Freedom

Scripture Text 

Rom. 8:1-11

Intro: Thank God for our spiritual freedom. Freedom means to be liberated from whatever has you in bondage. Sin had us in bondage. Complete freedom comes from only one source, and that is God Almighty. Are we truly thankful for the spiritual freedom we have in Christ? We cannot lose sight of the One who died to set us spiritually free. Let us thank Him for the spiritual freedom we enjoy today. Let us not take it for granted.

I. Trying to keep God's law brings us into bondage. Romans 3:19-20 (NKJV) ¹⁹  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.²⁰  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. We are unable to keep the righteous requirements of God' law. The law was given to show us what sin is. No one has been able to fully keep God's law since the creation of mankind. Therefore, all mankind needs to be set completely free from this bondage because the penalty for sin is eternal separation from God and His Heaven. Because of the weakness of the flesh, we are unable to fulfill the righteous requirements of God's law. Therefore, All are under God's condemnation.

II. Jesus sets us completely free from God's condemnation. Romans 8:1 (NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The condemnation that the law brings can only be changed by Jesus Christ and by walking or living our lives in the power of His Spirit instead of the sins of the flesh. A lot of Christians are still in bondage by believing they have to perform some kind of good work to please God. They never know when they have done enough good works and so they live in bondage to the devil.

III. We are completely free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2-4 (NKJV) ²  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ³  For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. What the law could not do for us, Jesus did in setting us free from the law of sin and death. The law of God was just and right in telling us what God wanted us to do and not to do but it did not give us the power to keep those perfect laws of God. We could not keep God's law because of the weakness of our sinful fleshly nature. Christ took on humanity in order to be a sacrifice for our sins. God condemned sin through the flesh of His perfect Son Jesus Christ. Jesus took the full wrath of God against our sin and gave us who live according to the Spirit His righteousness. Because Christ was sinless, his death passed the “death sentence” on sin for all of us, destroying sin’s control over us. For mankind to be able to reach the righteous requirement of the law takes more than our sinful nature can produce. Only through Christ’s death and the resulting freedom from sin can we no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit and thus fulfill the righteous requirements of the law. The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us become holy. The Holy Spirit provides the power we need to help us do what the law required of us.

IV. The benefits of our spiritual freedom. [Rom. 8:5-11]Romans 8:5-11 (NKJV)⁵  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.⁸  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹  But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ¹⁰  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the flesh, the things of this world. But we who have been set free live by the Spirit by setting our minds on the things of the Spirit who lives within us. Even though our bodies will die because of sin, the Spirit gives us eternal life because we have been made right with God thru Christ. Spiritual freedom means the same Spirit of God who raised Christ from the dead lives in us and will also raise our mortal bodies to glorious, resurrected bodies that will live forever. So, we do not do what our sinful nature urges us to do. We are free from bondage to live for Christ.

Invitation: Are you completely free from the bondage of sin and death? If not, Jesus waits to free you from all that has you bound. Simply confess your sin to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and then invite Him into your life and help you live in complete freedom now and when you pass from this world your home will be in heaven. 

Be Ready

 

Scripture Text

Luke 12:35-40

Intro: Jesus warns those who are only concerned about material things and have no time for the Lord. In these scriptures before us today Jesus has a strong warning for all Christians today. Jesus says to be ready for His return. We are to be found faithfully living and serving Jesus and looking for His return.

The reasons we should Be watching and ready. (v.35-40)

I. Because the Lord is returning. Luke 12:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵  "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; ³⁶  and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. The believer is to be in a state of readiness. We are to always to be prepared, always watching and waiting for our Lord's return. The attitude of the believer to the return of Christ is to be one of the readiness, having "the loins... girded" -- doing all we can for Him, and living in expectation of His return. In biblical days, men servants would wear robes. When they needed to serve in work they would tuck their robes in the belt. Faithful servants would stay awake with the lamps burning while waiting for their master’s return from the wedding feast. They were dressed so that they can do service for him at all times. No matter how late the master may come, the servants are prepared to open the door immediately upon his arrival. In the same way, God’s people must be awaiting his arrival so they too can welcome Him the moment he arrives. Servants who are faithfully serving, ready and waiting for the master’s arrival will be eternally rewarded by Him.

II. Because you shall be served by Christ Himself. Luke 12:37 (NKJV) Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. We are to stay ready because we will be served by Christ Himself at the marriage supper of the Lamb. This is a most precious and wonderful promise. It's a most unusual promise. Imagine the Lord of the universe serving us at a banquet, yet it is the promise made by Jesus! Why would such a promise be made to the believer? Jesus promises to take any person who honors and serves Him and elevate that person to the highest of positions. Any person who honors Jesus will be highly honored by God. He will put upon a person a very high honor and dignity, and satisfy them with a fullness of happiness and glory, and they shall rest for ever. The person who honors Jesus is adopted as a child of God's, and that person becomes a brother and joint heir with Christ and an heir of God.

III. Because you shall be blessed. Luke 12:38 (NKJV) And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
We believers are to stay ready because we will be blessed if we are living for the Lord, serving Him and awaiting His arrival. The word "blessed" means to pronounce a person happy, fortunate or to be envied. The idea is that Christ is going to make the believer happy and blessed. The night was divided into three watches by the Jews. First, second, and third. (Sunset -10:00 p:m), (10:00 p:m-2:00 a:m), (2:00 a:m-sunrise). The point is the importance of being ready: the hour of His return is unknown, but He is returning. It may be very soon; it may be later. The idea is that no one knows the time, but be ready—be prepared—if you wish to be blessed.
Happiness and blessedness will become an eternal state of being, it will be the constant experience of the believer who is waiting and prepared for the Master's return.

IV. Because Christ shall come suddenly, unexpectedly. Luke 12:39 (NKJV) But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Jesus' return is going to be unexpected. The burglar always comes in an unexpected hour, so we must watch and be prepared as much as a homeowner would watch and prepare if he knew a burglar was coming. The believer must not be careless: get tired of serving and waiting, be caught off guard, slip into sin, and begin to disbelieve. We must watch, be spiritually awake, listen, look, and take notice of all distractions.

V. Because Christ shall come when least expected. Luke 12:40 (NKJV) Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." The believer is to stay ready since Christ will come when least expected. Jesus could not have stated it any clearer; He could not have spoken any plainer. " He is Coming at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus warns us “Therefore you also be ready!" The bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NKJV) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Conclusion: Christ’s return at an unexpected time is not a trick by which God hopes to catch his people off guard. In fact, Jesus is delaying his return so that more people will have the opportunity to know him and serve Him. Before Christ’s return, we believers must be busy living out our beliefs and reflecting Jesus’ love to others. We have time to bring more people with us into the Kingdom. We are to keep on for Christ as long as we have the health and strength to do it. Luke 12:43-44 ⁴³  Blessed (happy, fortunate and to be envied) is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁴  Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

Invitation: Are you ready for His return? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you? If not, right now is the time. If you have been saved, are you living for Christ and are you serving Him in some way? Are you telling others about Jesus and His desire to save them?

Blessings of the Believer

 

Scripture Text

Ps. 36:7-9

Intro: We who are children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the most blessed people on earth. Some envy the wicked, but they are not blessed of God. Psalms 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I. There is security in the Lord. Psalm 36:7 (NLT) How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

A. His unfailing love endures forever. We have the Security of a merciful, loving, kind, caring God. (Psalm 57:1) Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. God’s loyal love is precious, because humans can take refuge in the Lord like chicks taking refuge under their mother hen’s wings. If we are in God’s will, nothing can touch us without His permission.

II. There are abundant provisions. Psalm 36:8 (NLT) You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.

A. The fullness of God’s house. The psalmist here uses the imagery of the temple to say that believers enjoy the provisions of God’s house. (Isaiah 55:1-2) ¹ "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come; buy wine and milk Without money and without price. ² Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. God invites people to come to Him. The blessings God gives are available without cost. Salvation is a free gift of God; it refers to spiritual redemption and physical deliverance. Both are intended here. The Lord asks how people could be interested in other things besides Himself as He is the only One who can bring genuine satisfaction. Throughout all history people have tried to find satisfaction through many things other than God.

III. There is life in the Lord. Psalm 36:9 (NLT) For you are the fountain of life,                                                                                                                A. Jesus came for this purpose. John 7:37-38 (NLT) ³⁷  On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! ³⁸  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” Understanding, joy, and abundant life come from the Lord, our Source. John 10:10 (NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

IV. There is light in the Lord. Psalm 36:9 (NKJV) In Your light we see light.                                                                                                                                       A. The light of the Lord overcomes darkness. John 8:12 — Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Jesus lights our way through the darkest of times. His Spirit guides us. 2Cor. 4:6 — For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: So, in contrast with the corruptions of the wicked, an obedient believer’s life is characterized by security in the Lord, abundant provisions, life, and understanding in God’s presence.

Invitation: If you are enjoying these provisions of the Lord, you should give thanks right now. If you are not enjoying all these provisions of the Lord, now is the time to correct that. Simply confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. Do its now before it's too late.

A Full Reward

 

Scripture Text

2 John 1:8 warns us to, "Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what you have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward" (Amplified Bible).

There are many ways to lose your rewards. Being seduced by false teachers is one way that Christians can lose their reward at the judgment. With this in mind, John writes that the reason to guard against deceivers is our own desire not to lose our reward at the judgment seat of Christ. Another way to lose rewards is listening to what people say instead of what God says in His word. Other ways of losing your rewards is not praying or reading God's word and putting other things before God. Habitual sin will also rob us of our full reward. Jesus cautioned the church at Philadelphia to “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (see Rev. 3:11). Every believer has the potential of a full reward or a complete loss of reward.                        1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NKJV) ¹¹  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³  each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴  If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵  If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. The determining factor is our faithfulness to Christ. Justification is not in view here because it is not something we worked for, but something we received as a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) ⁸  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹  not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. One thing is certain, no one wants to lose their full reward! Our desire is to run our race, finish our course, and receive our full reward. Paul did exactly that: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7 NAS). We can receive our full reward just like Paul! But we must be attentive to the things that come our way just like he did. We cannot allow ourselves to be sidetracked or distracted by sin or the things of this world. We cannot lose what we have accomplished. We want to receive our full reward! Our first priority is to focus on the task which God has assigned to us, whatever it is. Then, we must make frequent "checks" along the way. We must be certain that we have not allowed something that is second or third in importance, to take first place in our lives. We must pay close attention to what we do in life in order to continue in the right direction. There are signs to help to gauge our progress. Should we see an unfamiliar sign on our path, something that does not point in the direction of God's will, we must stop and see if we have taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. We must continually ask for God's guidance in our lives. We must obey the commandment to love God with all we are and our neighbor as ourselves. Mark 12:30-31 (NKJV) ³⁰  And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. ³¹  And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Invitation: If you have never received Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, you will not even make it to heaven, much less have a reward. To receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord simply confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and save your soul from hell. Be baptized to show you are sincere. Then you too, can begin to lay up treasures and rewards in Heaven.