I think it’s funny when the kids 
attempt
to negotiate
with me. I ask them to clean
up their rooms or get their schoolwork
off the kitchen table and suddenly someone has an idea
.
attempt to negotiate with me. I ask them to clean up their rooms or get their schoolwork off the kitchen table and suddenly someone has an idea.“I know, Mom. We can clean up the table and then, we can have dessert
!”
!” It’s always followed by, “Doesn’t that sound like a good idea?”
We all want to be rewarded
. That’s why we moms
love
appreciation
and our husbands
expect a paycheck. That’s why my kids are checking to see what’s in it for them before they waste their time
on it.
. That’s why we moms love appreciation and our husbands expect a paycheck. That’s why my kids are checking to see what’s in it for them before they waste their time on it.None of us do something for nothing
.
. Although our sin nature
has a tendency to skew things, it seems God made us that way, because He doesn’t expect us to be different
. Our expectation
of reward
is just to be redirected
towards Him.
has a tendency to skew things, it seems God made us that way, because He doesn’t expect us to be different. Our expectation of reward is just to be redirected towards Him. In Isaiah 1, “following rewards” was listed as one if the descriptions of the degenerate city. Luke 6 says to “love your enemies
, do good, and lend, hoping 
for nothing in return.”
, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return.” What? I thought we were going to get rewarded? Keep reading Luke 6:35; “and your reward will be great
.” Well, that’s as clear as mud: expect nothing in return and your reward will be great.
.” Well, that’s as clear as mud: expect nothing in return and your reward will be great.Matthew 5:12 tells us where we will find this great reward. “Rejoice
and be exceedingly glad
, for great is your reward in heaven
.”
and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”Looking to our reward in heaven
is our motivation
that sustains
us through this life into the next. With kids
, positive reinforcement
works better than punishment
(most of the time). This wasn’t my idea. I would suggest it wasn’t the idea of the guy that wrote the book about it either.
In Philippians
it worked for Paul
. He said, “I press toward the goal
for the prize
of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus
.” (Phil. 3:14)
is our motivation that sustains us through this life into the next. With kids, positive reinforcement works better than punishment (most of the time). This wasn’t my idea. I would suggest it wasn’t the idea of the guy that wrote the book about it either. In Philippians
it worked for Paul. He said, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)God
assures
us throughout His Word
that our obedience
and faith
will be rewarded. In fact, trusting God
for our reward is part of what coming to Him is all about. The gift of His Son
who died in our place doesn’t mean much to us if it doesn’t change
things for us. And boy does it!
assures us throughout His Word that our obedience and faith will be rewarded. In fact, trusting God for our reward is part of what coming to Him is all about. The gift of His Son who died in our place doesn’t mean much to us if it doesn’t change things for us. And boy does it!Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith
it is impossible to please
Him, for he who comes to God must believe
that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him
.”
it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”MEDITATE ON IT
Do you have a reward to look forward to in heaven
some day?
some day?Is looking to your reward in heaven
a part of your daily hope
and strength
? If so, how? Be specific.
a part of your daily hope and strength? If so, how? Be specific.If God’s rewards were your motivation
for everything you do, how would your life
be different? How would your day be different
?
for everything you do, how would your life be different? How would your day be different?PRAY ABOUT IT
Again Father, Your abundant generosity
and compassion
towards us is overwhelming! Why You love
us so we can only understand as an act of faith
. Thank You for the rewards You promise
us not only in the next life
, but in this life as well. Show us how to look to You and not the things of this world as our hope
and strength
. Forgive
us Father when we grasp at the wind in this world, looking to the meaningless and physical to fill our longing for You. Thank you that this is not all You have in store for us, but have more than we could ever ask or imagine awaiting us in heaven
. Bless You
Father.
and compassion towards us is overwhelming! Why You love us so we can only understand as an act of faith. Thank You for the rewards You promise us not only in the next life, but in this life as well. Show us how to look to You and not the things of this world as our hope and strength. Forgive us Father when we grasp at the wind in this world, looking to the meaningless and physical to fill our longing for You. Thank you that this is not all You have in store for us, but have more than we could ever ask or imagine awaiting us in heaven. Bless You Father.LIVE IN IT
.” (
58:11)“No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm
84:11)
84:11)“Therefore know that the LORD
your God
, He is God, the faithful God
who keeps covenant
and mercy
for a thousand generations with those who love
Him and keep His commandments
.” (Deuteronomy
7:9)
your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)