God's Eternal Rewards: Understanding Divine Recognition and Remuneration 3 July 2024

…He will receive his reward. - 1 Corinthians 3:14 NIV Scripture 1: "...The fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss..." - 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Scripture 2: "No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age." - Mark 10:29-30 NIV Scripture 3: "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." - Luke 14:13-14 NIV These Scriptures clearly teach that God rewards your deeds. Some rewards will come in this life, and some will come in the next. Perhaps you find yourself saying, "I served God faithfully, so why am I still struggling? Doesn’t God notice or care?" Yes, God notices and He cares. But He doesn’t promise that the work you do for Him now will always result in immediate gain. Many of the rewards God has for us are so great that it will take eternity to appreciate and enjoy them. Jesus said, "Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name… will by no means lose his reward." - Mark 9:41 NKJV No deed for God will go unrewarded – even a cup of cold water or a prayer in the middle of the night. “…He will receive his reward.” - 1 Corinthians 3:14 NIV How will God evaluate and reward what you did for Him during your lifetime here on earth? Based on three tests: 1. The Relationship Test: The life God rewards is not a life of performance apart from a relationship with Him. Unless you abide in Him and obey His commandments, you will not bear fruit for Him. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5 NIV. He commended the church at Ephesus for their good works, then turned around and condemned them because they hadn’t kept their love for Him alive. "I know your deeds, your hard work... Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first." - Revelation 2:2-4 NIV 2. The Motive Test: Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." - Matthew 6:1 NIV. Note the words "to be seen." What should our motive be? To serve God and bring glory to Him! Even simple things like eating and drinking can do that: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV. Your most religious actions are worthless if your motive is to enhance your own ego. 3. The Love Test: Christ said, "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great..." - Luke 6:35 NIV. When it comes to good works, why is always more important than what. The Bible says, "Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully." - 2 John 1:8 NIV. Keep your heart pure and your motives right! God notices and values your faithfulness. Even if the rewards aren't immediate, they are sure and eternal.

A Prayer of Humility and Intercession: 29 June 2024

Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You. When I reflect on all creation and every living being, I stand in awe of Your might and power. LORD, I worship You, bringing You praise and honour. You show love to thousands but also carry consequences for the sins of the fathers upon their children. O great and powerful GOD, whose name is the LORD Almighty, great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; You reward everyone according to their conduct and deeds. You performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, both in Israel and among all mankind, gaining renown that is still Yours. You brought Your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror. You gave them the land You had sworn to give their forefathers, a land flowing with milk and honey. They came in and took possession of it but did not obey You or follow Your law; they did not do what You commanded them to do, so You brought all this disaster upon them. Humbly, LORD my GOD, I confess my sins and acknowledge that I often speak without thinking, causing hurt with my words. Today I pray for Your forgiveness. I ask You to put a guard over my mouth, my mind, and my heart. Help me to guard my heart and pray to You, LORD my GOD, for forgiveness. For You have given us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). LORD, I worship You, O mighty GOD; there is none like You. As I start my day in humility, I commit everything I do to You and dedicate each family member into Your mighty hands: Andus, myself, Alezandra, Pieter, Andus Jr., Jacques, Didi, Gizel, Cuba, Devan, Johan, Odette, Anabelle, Briana, Jean, Jacklyn, Mom, Oom Frik, Elsa, Llewelyn, Zelda, Sean, Patrick, Duane, Nikita, Matthew, Elijah, Paul, Carla, Jadyn, Adam, Jocelyn, Arthur, Dante, Benjamin, Violette, Alison, Elma, Peet, Elmarie, Ben, kids, Douw, Zayeen, Megan, Josh, Hannelie, Alan, Rina-Hannes, Karina, Petro, Wilma, Koos, Saddika, Kevin, Bianca - Moosa, Aneesa, Lorraine, Kiewiet, Deon, Veronica. I draw a hedge of Jesus Christ’s blood around each person I bring to You in humble prayer. I pray for supernatural favour today, LORD, with You and the people we meet. LORD, God, here I am; please help each of us. We need Your help. I speak life into each person I name. You are good, and Your mercies endure forever. Nothing can separate me from Your love—ever. Thank You for being faithful, just, and constant. What a privilege it is to know You! LORD, show me how to honour You and give You glory in every area of my life. May God give us more and more grace and peace (1 Peter 1:2). LORD, I pray that You will grant each person I am praying for today more and more grace and peace. May grace and peace be multiplied to us. LORD, help me and everyone I bring before You to enjoy the joy of the LORD in our lives. I love You, LORD, and I believe in You; I find my hope in You. LORD, I thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to keep watch over myself and keep Your Word. Holy Spirit, please guide me. I am asking You to help me walk in step with You today. I pray for open doors of great opportunity for each person I named today. LORD, I ask that we may enjoy Your supernatural favour with You and with people. LORD, I ask for Your peace and mercy for myself and each person I name. May the grace of Jesus Christ be on my spirit. LORD, we all need love in our lives. Help me to understand Your love for myself, my family, and my friends. Please help me to persevere under trial so that, having stood the test, I will receive the crown of life that the LORD has promised to those who love You. I speak Jesus over each person I named, asking for guidance, wisdom, insight, and understanding for today. I ask that You will touch my life. LORD, search my heart, cleanse my heart, and create in me a pure spirit. I am in a covenant with You, LORD Jesus. I ask that You slay the giants in my life. LORD, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus, the blessings of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. LORD, I believe and accept Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior; help me in my unbelief today.

Amen.

24 June 2024 - My Concerns

My Concerns

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 Lord, it is time to transform my beliefs. I am putting my trust in Your unmerited favor. Today, I step out in faith to embrace the same unwavering favor that Jesus Christ has in store for me. I expect open doors and seek breakthroughs in my job, regardless of natural limitations. Lord, I am Your child, an heir of God and co-heir with Jesus Christ. I stand in the gap and dedicate Andus, myself, Alezandra, Pieter, Andus Jr., Jacques, Didi, Gizel, Cuba, Devan, Johan, Odette, Anabelle, Briana, Jean, Jacklyn, Mom, Oom Frik, Elsa, Llewelyn, Zelda, Sean, Patrick, Duane, Nikita, Matthew, Elijah, Paul, Carla, Jadyn, Adam, Jocelyn, Aurther, Dante, Benjamin, Violette, Alison, Elma, Peet, Elmarie, Ben, kid, Douw, Zayeen, Megan, Josh, Hannelie, Alan, Rina, Karina, Petro, Wilma, Koos, Saddika, Kevin, Moosa, Aneesa, Lorraine, Kiewiet, Deon, and Veronica to You. Lord, I pray for each one of my family and friends today. I ask that You touch each person’s life, opening doors that are otherwise closed to us. I dedicate my day into Your hands, committing everything I do, and ask that You bless my work and help me stand firm. I forgive those who seek my destruction and pray for forgiveness of my own sins and shortcomings. Help us face today and guide us as we navigate our time. Let nothing separate us from You. I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. "And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God." - Deuteronomy 28:2 Lord, I ask that You bless me and my family. We need Your supernatural favor today. I hearken to Your voice and ask that You send Your blessings to overtake each of us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Embracing Chooseday: Conquering Challenges with Faith and Purpose

by Yvette van Niekerk Joshua 14: 12 (RSV) So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day; for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities: it may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out as the LORD said. My daughter (Odette de Beer - Amplify Your Business) coined a new word for Tuesday: “chooseday.” I love this because it emphasizes the power of choice. I believe that each person faces challenges every day, and it is through these challenges that we grow. This morning, I pray, “Lord my God, give me this hill country.” I feel I possess the necessary strength and knowledge, yet sometimes I lack the understanding and wisdom. In all I do, I echo the words of Caleb: I am not afraid to take on the next challenge, to climb the mountains as they come my way. I begin my day with these words from the most important book I study and read, the Bible: “The righteous will flourish like palm trees; they will grow like the cedars of Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12). I firmly believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Today, I want to encourage you that nothing in this world is impossible. It is often we who create the boundaries that make life seem insurmountable. God is currently equipping me in my new job. My life statement remains: “Lord, I know You have a good plan for my life, and I want to embrace the new challenges today. LORD, please show me how to conquer this day and anything I need to.” Remember, the Bible's message is particularly relevant to our personal lives every day. I recognize that God knows everything we say and do. He also gives each of us time to speak to Him. He is waiting to hear from us. Lord, is there something I need to take responsibility for? Help me to see and hear what it is You are saying to me today. Prayer Lord, this morning I earnestly seek You. Show me the path I need to walk and grant me the strength to become the person You have destined me to be, so that I may confidently stand in my rightful place. Father, I yearn to discover and fulfil my role in Your divine plan today. I long to be considered faithful, bearing abundant fruit throughout my life. I implore You to unveil any adjustments I must make to receive an overflow of grace to firmly hold my position. I choose You, Lord Jesus. Amen.