God says…
2 Chronicles 15:7 (NLT)
“…But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be REWARDED.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he REWARDS those who sincerely seek him.
Do you expect God to reward you?
For the longest time I didn’t. I suspect 99% of the passionate Jesus followers don’t expect God to reward them.
Is God a liar? Does God deceive us?
No and No!
If God says he will rewards us for our faith then God will reward us! He is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do.
God promises to REWARD you.
Stand firm on God’s promises to REWARD you.
Hold God to His word.
Someone recently suggested that the 3 most popular sweetest words God hears is, “but you said.”
Trust God to REWARD you.
Expect to be REWARDED.
In Audacious Generosity: How to Experience, Receive, and Give More Than You Ever Thought Possible, God had me establish God’s more is always more of Himself or more for Himself.
The Bible makes it clear, everything has been created by Jesus and for Jesus.
Colossians 1:16 (NLT)
…for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.
We own nothing! Including the reward. In Matthew 25 Jesus teaches us that everything is given to us so that we may multiply it for Kingdom impact. We are stewards and investors. Either we are good ones or bad ones but that’s our assignment.
This teaches us a lot about REWARDS!
REWARDS are for Jesus.
The Bible teaches that spiritually the only thing good in us is Jesus. Any faith, holiness, or righteousness in us belongs to Him.
The Father has exalted the Son. When we are REWARDED, it is the Father REWARDING His Son. If we feel unworthy of being rewarded, we are right! The only thing we deserve is hell. Therefore we must understand that Jesus is worthy to be REWARDED. He is the sinless human not us.
The more we understand Jesus is worthy the more we will expect the Father to REWARD His Son through us!
When the Father REWARDS Jesus in us we are to receive it with worship and gratitude on behalf of Jesus. This is why we tithe, why we worship, and even why we fast and pray! We give it all back to Jesus. He alone is worthy.
Let the Father REWARD Jesus in you. Actually, you’re not just a dirty rotten sinner. You have been made heirs to the throne of God. As sons and daughters of God we inherit everything given to Jesus! Still it all belongs to Jesus but we steward it. Investing and multiplying are serious responsibilities! God is serious about us multiplying kingdom impact. That’s a whole different blog.
Here I want you to see how the Father is already REWARDING you on behalf of His son.
Mark 11:24 NLT
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
Allow the Holy Spirit to remind you how God has already been REWARDING you.
When I was 17 years old God called me into full time Christian ministry. I immediately went from wanting to drop out of high school to wanting to go to college.
For the first time ever I walked into a guidance counselor’s office. I shared with Mrs. Reep how I had committed my life to God and wanted to go to college to prepare for college. I looked up and she had tears in her eyes. This was one of the first times I ever remember someone crying for me.
My parents made too much to qualify for financial aid but not enough to help me pay for college. Feeling the financial pressure, my dad tried multiple times to talk me out of going to college.
I had been reading my Bible and was seeing how God could slay giants and move mountains. I put my faith in Him that he was who He said He was and would do what He said He would do. I told my dad, “I don’t know how but God will provide.” This went on for months.
Two weeks before I graduated from high school I attended the annual awards ceremony where all the scholars and athletes received their scholarships for college. I was neither so I had no expectation of receiving anything. I was actually goofing off in the back with my friends.
As the scholarships were given out, all of a sudden my name was called out from the platform. My friends said, “Kevin, they just called your name!” I walked all the way from the back to the front of the gym. Over 1,600 students stared at me as I walked. They announced, “this $1,500 scholarship goes to Kevin White.” I took the piece of paper and 1,600 students stared at me as I walked back to my seat. I was dumbfounded! All my friends were asking me what just happened? They started passing around my piece of paper.
All of a sudden it was announced from the front, “and this $3,000 scholarship goes to Kevin White.” Again I walked all the way from the back to the front and took another piece of paper. I was speechless. I walked all the way back to my seat aware that God was slaying giants in my life. I was seeing the faithfulness of God. Now my friends were circulating two pieces of paper.
I sat there in awe.
All of the sudden it happened a third time. They announced from the platform, “And, this $4,000 scholarship goes to Kevin White.” My friends are now all cheering LOUDLY! 1,600 students sat and watched me walk a third time up to the platform. I took the piece of paper and didn’t even look at it. I was smiling from ear to ear. My heart was bursting with so much joy. I walked all the way back to my seat. Actually, I floated back to my seat. When I turned into my isle one of the friends said, “Kevin, you are glowing!” I felt it.
That day, God paid for my first year of college. Neither of my parents had attended college. I would be the only one of my four siblings to attend college. That day, the impossible became possible. I had given my life to God. I was now praying and in God’s word. I was answering God’s call. I was trusting him to move mountains. God REWARDED me for my faith in Him. I will always praise him for this miracle!
Expect God to REWARD you. Leave it up to him how and when. Be surprised when he does but not shocked because He absolutely REWARDS his children!
Over to You!
I’m listening to you… Got some feedback for this blog? I’d love to hear from you!
Please join me 10am every Tuesday for The Kevin White Show. Let me know if there is any way I can serve you. I offer you my shoulders to stand on. I pray every day for God to strengthen, encourage, and comfort you. God bless you!