Your "reward" is on its way!

Revelation 22:12"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.


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I was raised to do good deeds, but as a child I didn't know why. I thought that if I did good the GOD would like me and if I didn't, HE would punish me. I am slowly realizing that GOD doesn't have the flimsy measures of mankind.

• GOD is slow to anger. GOD loves you and me 100%.
• GOD allowed HIS SON to go on a volunteer mission to save humans.
• GOD sent HIS SPIRIT to live in humans sinful bodies to those who believe.
• GOD only sees good in us once we believe in HIS SON!

I pondered this for a while. I know the Bible says GOD sends correction to HIS people. I also know that it says that "I will reap what I sow", BUT GOD correction and errors are only temporary and tied to this world.I actually got angry at one point and wondered "why does GOD put us through all of this?" Why do we have to walk blindly on this earth and then get rewards later? Then I realized GOD did some amazing things.GOD made humans as HIS prize possession.

• HE made a perfect place for them.
• HE gave them free will to choose HIM or not (love offers choice).
• HE wrote HIS law on every humans' heart.
• HE allowed even HIS angels to choose. (Satan chose to try to be GOD and failed).In spite of all the turmoil not caused by HIM, HE redeemed HIS humans.

Now I am amazed that HE has rewards for me. HE actually appreciates each time I tell someone about the GREAT news about JESUS. HE loves it when I treat one of HIS undeserving humans the same way HE treated me. HE get's excited when I "love" in spite of my circumstance.Now I am not being good because I want GOD to be pleased anymore. I do good because of what HE has already done for me.

• Are you excited about what GOD has done for you?
• When is the last time you did something for someone simply because GOD did things for you?
• When you do good are you trying to manipulate GOD into giving you your own way?
• Is the thing you want good for you?

GOD keeps HIS promises.

Psalm 112:1 Praise the Lord!How joyful are those who fear the Lordand delight in obeying his commands.2 Their children will be successful everywhere;an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.3 They themselves will be wealthy,and their good deeds will last forever.4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.5 Good comes to those who lend money generouslyand conduct their business fairly.6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.Those who are righteous will be long remembered.7 They do not fear bad news;they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.8 They are confident and fearlessand can face their foes triumphantly.9 They share freely and give generously to those in need.Their good deeds will be remembered forever.They will have influence and honor.10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated.They will grind their teeth in anger;they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

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I noticed that GOD uses the word "will" a lot in this passage. HE never says "maybe." Since GOD understands and knows everything we will go through HE can easily keep HIS promises.So I thought, where is the wealth? Where is the stuff? Then I read the passage again, this time from a less selfish view. GOD calls me to obey HIS commands. HE gives me a list of things to do.

• Be Generous
• Be Compassionate
• Be Righteous
• Give Generously
• Conduct Business Fairly
• Be Confident
• Trust in the LORD
• Be Fearless
• Be Generous
• Have good deeds

This great Psalm full of promises depends on me. In spite of my circumstances I must be faithful to GOD and not worry whether HE is holding up HIS end of the bargain. Too many times I don't put my trust in HIM and I check to see whether HE is doing HIS part. I set selfish expectations of what "wealth" looks like. I act like the spoiled child who says "yeah, but I don't have the gold Ipod." When I do this, I can't recognize the wealth GOD has provided for me.

GOD said I would be wealthy and my good deeds would last forever. HE said I would not be overcome by evil. HE promised that my children would be blessed and HIS light would shine on me.

All I have to do is be able to accept bad news. What bad news? Verses 7 and 8 jumped out at me. You mean that sometimes I will hear bad news and I will have some people who don't like me? Yes! I should expect my plans to go off track. I should expect adversaries. I should expect stuff to break and for some people to break their promises.

BUT, I should keep my trust in the LORD. I shouldn't look over HIS shoulder to see if HE is doing HIS job. HE gave me plenty to do. I have noticed that when I am generous even in lean times, I am wealthy in ways I didn't expect. I end up with plenty of true friends. I end up wealthy in wisdom and love. My spirit gets excited and I rest easier.

• Can you expect bad news and put your trust in the LORD?
• Are you setting selfish expectations on GOD?
• Do you recognize the blessings HE has given you already?
• Do you believe HE will provide for you?

My prayer for you!

2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

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I have heard from many people that read this message daily and I know that many are going through some very serious trials. I am here to say that GOD knows what you are going through and HE hears you today. HE knows that the enemy is out to discourage you from telling people about the greatness of CHRIST. HE knows that you will be tempted to give up. I have been in the position of giving up may times over the years, BUT GOD always delivered a person with a message of encouragement at the right time.They always had the right words to make me feel better instead of just telling me "it will be alright." I find it quite amazing that GOD has a way that bring me joy without removing me from the situation.

Sometimes I run out of gas. I think I can't make it another step. When that happens, GOD doesn't ask me for more energy. HE shows HIMSELF and quietly helps me through (not around) the situation. When I get through the situation, I am stronger. HE makes me wiser and better so that I can help others who are facing similar situations.My trials help others so they can grow in faith.

• Are you going through a trial?
• Do you realize when you come out of the trial you will help others?
• Can you quiet the noise to listen to GOD today?