What Will We Get Rewards for in Heaven?

What will we get rewards for in Heaven? In Revelation 20 verse 11 we see the great white throne judgment beginning. The dead great and small will stand before God's throne and he will judge the dead "according to what they had done as recorded in the books."

In Revelation 22:12 Jesus says that he is "coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."

2 Corinthians 5:10 says "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

These judgments are not to be mistaken for the first judgement of faith. First we will be judged based on our faith and what Christ has done for us not on what we have done.

Following this judgment, believers will be judged and rewarded for their good works. Does that make you a bit uneasy? Or scared? or Does that make you feel good?

Something I tell my children regularly is God is always watching and listening and he always cares for you. I say this to comfort them. But you know what else would be a true statement - God is always watching and he's keeping track of what you are doing to serve him! He's making some permanent records in heaven!

That truth floors me and makes me want to quick turn off my computer and go do a good deed. I hope it does to you too.

Earlier this week I wrote about people pleasing - when I think about the truth of the above verses I realize that God's appraisal of my life is really all that matters in the end - that there is a world to come where I will have wished I didn't people please and had only concerned myself with the audience of one - God.

Of course, we don't want to spend our day doing good deeds for selfish reasons - to get rewards. I Cor. 3:12-14 says that God will test our works with fire. And on that day, will they burn up like wood and hay or will they stand the fire as gold or silver? We will all face this test. Are you ready?

Walk with the King!
Courtney
http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Are you a People Pleaser?

By nature I am a "people pleaser" but if you know my husband you know that I did not marry a "people pleaser". Over the years he has convinced me that I put too much stock in what other people think about me, my kids, and my decisions in life.

Have you ever had those moments where you think "do people judge me for my past?" or "what will people say about this decision I made?" or "what kind of mom do they think I am when they see my child acting a little nutty?" I am aware that people form opinions of others based on some of these things. And our own selfishness causes us to want people to only think well of us. Of course - God wants us to be women who have a reputation for being a follower of him and for righteousness but that's not really what I'm referring to here. I'm referring to that "people pleasing" need that causes you to be gripped with fear when you fail or are who you really are - a flawed person!

Galatians 1:10 says "Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Paul said here - that his rank and status with men no longer hold him captive. He now tries to please an audience of one - God.

Whose approval are you striving to win? Your friends? Boss? Children? or just one - God's. Other people's opinions should hold no power over you. When you choose to follow Christ - you choose to forgo pleasing people.

So let's do it together today! We will strive to please one - God and if by chance we receive approval from others - do not put too much stock in it - because tomorrow their approval could flip-flop and be gone - because we are really all the same - flawed.

Walk with the King!

Courtney

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/