Comparing Myself to a REAL1950's Wife

On the Rachael Ray Show I was dubbed a "1950's Wife". But my grandmother, a mother of 4, is the REAL 1950's wife. She is ALSO a Proverbs 31 woman. On Mother's Day we sat in the Cheesecake Factory and I had my notebook and pen in hand and I wrote and wrote and wrote about what life was like in the 1950's. Here's some of what I learned.

My grandma had a weekly schedule that my mother rattled off as quickly as my grandmother did!! So this must be where I get my scheduling tendencies - it's in my genes lol!!!

Mondays - Wash Clothes (by hand in sudsy water, ring it, rinse it, ring it, hang it outside to dry. This took all day.)

Tuesdays - Iron ( Iron everything - shirts, pants, and underwear. There was no permanent press - everything was very wrinkly. This took all day.)

Wednesdays - Mend and work on new sewing projects (She sewed patches onto pants and mended socks. My grandmother sewed all of my mother's clothes until she reached the middle of high school.)

Thursdays - Cleaning of bedrooms and bathrooms (They only had one car which was normal in those days. Grandpa did the grocery shopping and grandma worked the garden.)

Fridays - Cleaning of living room, dining room and kitchen (Grandma baked every day. She made cinnamon rolls, pies, donuts and cakes from scratch.)

Saturdays - Prepare for Sunday by cooking double meals and giving baths etc. (Grandma always made hamburgers for dinner on Saturdays because they were fast. Then she focused on the Sunday Roast and sheet cake that they would eat after church.)

Sundays - Day of Rest

Grandma's life was full and busy as she lovingly cared for her family. She served God by serving her family. She worked with eager hands (Prov. 31:13b), she set about her work vigorously (Prov. 31:17), she watched over the affairs of her household and did not eat the bread of idleness (Prov. 31:27). And the most beautiful part was she feared the Lord (Prov. 31:30).

Do I want to be a 1950's wife? Not really, I certainly do love my modern day conveniences. But if there's a 1950's wife I'd like to emulate, it's not June Cleaver - it's my grandmother. Her God and her family were of prime importance and her daily priorities show this to be true.

As Proverbs 31:31 says "Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

My grandmother's works are worthy of my praise. And I pray that my generation too would be remarkable in our care for our families and homes and that we too would be worthy of praise. We must work with eager hands! The world may not praise us but one day our husband and children will rise up and call us blessed and our works will bring praise. So endeavor today to make your God and your family your first priority as my REAL 1950's grandmother did.


Walk with the King!

I am linked up here today:
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Word Filled Wednesday's and Wordful Wednesday.

Welcome New Readers

In the past day or two, there's been rumblings of anger from some who oppose the Summer Marriage Challenge. First, something popped up on youtube, then on twitter, then on a blog post (that received over 200 comments from women - most were displeased) and on blogfrog. As news spread about this challenge, some women were displeased that other women would actually pursue such a challenge.

I have seen my visitor numbers sky rocket as a result of this controversy and I know some of these women are reading this post so "welcome to Women Living Well!". I am honestly happy that you are here even if you are not pleased with me!!! I'm ok with that! If we were meeting in person, I'd invite you to sit at my kitchen table and have a glass of lemonade and chat but alas, we are in blogland.

There are so many things that have been twisted over cyberspace that I could not possibly attempt to untwist them. So, instead let's go straight to the root of the problem.

The foundational issue is this. Do you believe there is a God? Do you believe that we can know God personally? Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God?

How you answer those three fundamental questions, will affect how you see everything else on my blog, facebook, twitter, youtube etc.. My answer to those three questions are yes.

1. I believe that the Bible is God's inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word and is the sole written revelation that rules the faith and practice for all Christians and alone can bind the conscience. I believe that God has preserved His Word and that by His power it has been kept from being lost, destroyed, or diluted with error (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:89; 1 Peter 1:23, 25).

2. I believe in one God, Creator of all things, perfect in love and holiness, Who exists as three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14;1 Peter 1:2).

3. I believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and entered human form by the miracle of the Virgin Birth, that He lived a sinless life, and that He died for our sins. Christ is the only mediator through whose work we are redeemed. I believe that He rose again on the third day and now sits at the right hand of God as our Advocate (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1, 14, 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 2:1).

The title of my blog is Women Living Well. Jesus said in John 4:13 "Everyone who drinks this water will be thristy again (he was referring to physical water in a well), but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

I believe that when a woman repents of her sin, believes in Jesus and pursues a personal relationship with God by drinking from the living well (that is God's word) she will live well! Hence, the name of the blog - - Women Living Well!

So God's word is my authority and the principles I encourage on this site flow from the Bible and my personal relationship with Jesus. If you are uncomfortable with the principles that are taught on Women Living Well then your issue is not with me. It's with God.

If you are unsure what the Bible says or just know tid bits, I would encourage you to open a Bible and begin to read. Here's an overview of the Bible and where to start. I encourage you to stick around for a while and lurk and see what it's all about. If you are still angry with me - I will not be debating with you. There are many blogs out there that support your view. This blog is a safe haven for those who believe the Bible. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will come again!

Walk with the King!

Teaching Our Children to Do Chores

I was at my friend Jen's home, when I caught sight of this gem box! I had to take a photo and share it with you!!!

In our home we use chore packs which I blogged about earlier. I copied this method from the Duggar's Show (the Duggar's use the Maxwell's system from Managers of Their Chores).


But in my friend Jen's home, they are using the gem method! Here's the box she has made of gems and this is how it works:

Each time she sees something that needs to be done - she asks one of her girls to please do the task. When they are finished she has them take a gem out of the box and drop it into their own cup. If it was a minor task she has them get a 10 cent gem. If it was a major task they pick a 50 cent gem. At the end of the week, she tallies up the gems total value and gives the children their allowance and then they start over fresh the next week.


If I remember correctly, she also awards them with gems for other good deeds that may go unnoticed. If they help without asking she would award them with a gem. This is a simple method for someone who has groan to loathe charts (I loathe charts because I am terribly inconsistent with them!)


As I walked through Jen's kitchen I saw another interesting system on the window sill! These cups sat there:
I again inquired about her cups and she shared how she moves the marbles from cup to cup based on good and bad behavior. This visual reminder that mommy is watching and daddy can see how the day went is an incentive to do what is right and gain praise rather than do the things that make mommy and daddy sad.


Mrs. Joseph Wood (a blogging mommy of 10!) speaks about chores over at A Moment with MOM and she says:

From the moment my children are born we teach them that they have a vital role in the family. Our family can not do all that God has planned for us if we do not all work together in harmony. We continually express the Biblical directive to serve others, esteem others, and to lay down our lives for one another. My husband and I have had to be the first example of this type of love and service. We were created to serve for His Glory and we are honored to do so!

In fact in my home, there is no greater honor to strive for than to be called, A Servant of Christ. That is the highest honor that we can attain! Therefore, we must learn to crucify our selfish desires and lay down our lives daily for each other… starting right here in our home!

Don’t fool yourself in thinking that your child can be so good and serve so well in public but is quite the opposite in your home. Sometimes you will see this type of “eye service” in children but that is the not the heart work that God desires. If a child truly has a heart of service they will be serving at home first and then in their church, community and the world. If they can not serve in the home then all they do in the public eye is of little worth.

Take the time today to "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" Proverbs 22:6.


Walk with the King!

A Good Reputation: Ecclesiastes 7

Wednesday in the Word:

Ecclesiastes 7:1 "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth."

When you think of these names what do you think of?

Mary Mother of Jesus

Britney

Mother Theresa

Beth Moore

Hillary

Madonna

Angelina

I am sure that each name evoked an emotion within you based on their reputation. If your name was in that list would it be a "good name?"

Ecclesiastes says that "a good name is better than fine perfume". When someone is wearing fine perfume and you sit down beside them - you say "wow, what are you wearing?" - you enjoy their aroma. In the same way, when you rub up against a person with a "good name" you say - "wow, I see God in you. I enjoy being in your presence." You are drawn to that person.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 goes on to say that "the day of death is better than the day of birth." In our worldly minds we would probably beg to differ - but think for a moment - those who attend a funeral are sober and thinking about the reality of the brevity of life - while those at a party can become foolish and do things they regret (and reap a "bad name") because they were only living in the moment.

Having a reputation for godliness, wisdom and piety is FAR better than pursuing all the worldly pleasures we vainly pursue. We ought to pursue a "good name" because in the end - on the day of death - we will not be judged by man's view of our name but God's view. Is your name better than fine perfume?

Today, pursue Godliness...pursue God...be sober minded and consider what is your reputation and how can you shine like a light so others will see the love of God in you and praise his name?

I thought this song was appropriate for this verse. I have it downloaded on my ipod and play it as my cool down song after a long run. It's sobering.

Walk with the King!

A Lesson Learned from Chef Mesnier

Yesterday I met Chef Roland Mesnier, the retired Master Pastry Chef of the White House. He worked at the White House for 25 years and served 5 Presidents - Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton and Bush Jr. He told stories of serving the Queens, Heads of State, Senators, Congress Men and parties where over 800 were invited for dinner at the White House. What impacted me the most about him was his desire to please each President he served. He was meticulous about every detail that left his kitchen and did it with excellence for the approval of the President and First Lady whom he served.

He spoke for nearly 3 hours (while also doing a cooking demonstration). He talked about what it was like to help little Amy Carter bake cookies. He talked about Nancy Reagan's perfectionism and how she demanded that every thing be the best. She was a difficult First Lady to please and often sent him back to the kitchen to remake dessert. Ronald Reagan was a pleasant easy going man who would tease him with his acting skills.

Then he shared about the George Bush Sr. days and how the White House was filled with grand-children and dogs and birthday parties for all the family. He baked many cakes for the family during those days.

Then the Clinton's came to the white house and the parties went from being around 120 in attendance to up to 800. He had a small kitchen and not a lot of room to store all the desserts he had to prepare over and over for the parties. He recalled serving Bill and Hillary dessert in their private residence separately during some of their marital troubles and what they particularly craved during their down days.

Then George W. Bush Jr. came to the white house along with all the children, dogs and birthday parties again. Chef Mesnier enjoyed seeing the twins all grown up and having the family back in the White House. Laura liked him to make fancy ginger bread houses at Christmas which he worked many long hours on.

It was during the Bush Jr. administration that he chose to retire after 25 years of being at the President and First Ladies beckon call. He said it was an intense job and he saw many many chefs fired over his long career for not pleasing the President and First Lady.

The chefs love for the President whom he served was so clear and as a result he strived hard to please them. Can you imagine standing in the presence of the President and what that must have been like? Do we strive like this to please the one we serve in the same way? We serve someone greater - not the President and First Lady - but the King of Kings and one day we too will stand in his presence. What is it that you offer the Almighty God?

Romans 12:1 says "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."

We must make an intentional decision - a deliberate choice to change behaviors and make pleasing God our first priority. Just like weight loss - it doesn't just happen. We have to make "on purpose" life choices to pursue God and please him. One day we will stand in our King's presence. Oh how I long to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matt. 25:23)

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Running to Win

On Saturday I did it! I ran in my first race - it was a 5K (3+miles). And it was an agonizing run with big hills, temperatures in the 30's and high winds. I knew I would not be the first to cross the finish line (especially when I saw all the young college students arriving! That was intimidating to this 33 year old stay at home mom!) but - I ran my hardest! I gave it my all. I ran at my max level for nearly 30 minutes and pushed myself as if I was running to win.

I Corinthians 9:24-27 says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Paul says "Run in such a way as to get the prize." Paul is using the analogy of running in a race to describe how we are to live the Christian life. On race day, I didn't gingerly jog along aimlessly. I had a goal - to keep my eyes fixed on a friend (Kimi- pictured above in royal blue) who I knew was faster than me. My only goal was to keep her in eye sight - and as I ran, I ran with my eyes fixed on her. She ran the first mile at a pace that I could barely keep up with. I found my side hurting and a desire to stop and walk - but I didn't - I pressed on and I stuck with my goal - to not let her get out of eye sight.

As the second mile began, we were also about to climb a hill - I knew I couldn't run that hill. We had practiced on the hill previously and at the pace I ran that first mile - I didn't really have it in me. So - I walked a little - but then I realized she was not walking - she was running - and slowly slipping farther away from me. I saw my goal slipping away - and I picked up my feet and ran - I ran harder and faster than my mind and body wanted to - but my goal kept me going! In the end, she and I crossed the finish line only seconds apart from each other and what did I receive for reaching my goal? Nada! Nothing! Oh yes, a sense of accomplishment - but in the spiritual realm - that is temporary. But I learned a spiritual lesson about how I want to live my life for God.

Paul says, in life "do not run aimlessly!" "Run in such a way as to get the prize." "I make my body my slave so I will not be disqualified from the eternal prize!"

How are you living your life for God - do you run aimlessly - or are you focused on pleasing God. Are you making your body your slave - so that your sinful desires do not disqualify you from heavenly rewards? Or are you a slave to your body and all it's fleshly desires for pleasure and fun.

Are you running hard? The Christian life can be intense with stress, exhaustion, and pain. But you must not give up! You must discipline your body to press on - exert all the energy and strength you have to please God. Do not run aimlessly. Hebrews 12:1-3 are some of my FAVORITE verses and guess what, they talk about a race!

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Do not grow weary, do not lose heart. Having my eyes fixed on my friend kept me in the race when I wanted to give up - Fix your eyes on Jesus. Fix them!!! He will pull you through those hard times. You only live once - RUN TO WIN "a crown that will last forever"!!!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Pleasing God With a Disciplined Life

For years I have transferred this quote onto the first page of every prayer journal:

"Observed duties maintain our credit, but secret duties maintain our life." (John Flavel 17th Century Clergyman)

There are duties that we do, that others see but then there are duties we do, that no one will ever see. It's the secret duties - the duty of studying God's word and praying daily - that maintain our lives.

How are you doing with your secret duties? Did you make a new year resolution to read your Bible daily, to memorize some new verses, or to start a prayer journal? Often times the busyness of life squelches out time even though the desire is still there. But if you've gotten off course - do not despair!!! God is not a legalistic God - he loves you so.


Here's what Elizabeth George says about discipline:

"You do it because it is what you need to do and are supposed to do and because it is the right thing to do... somehow... the duty of the discipline turns into sheer delight and we reap the blessings of a priceless, tender relationship with the Lord a thousandfold."

This has rang true in my life. I do not always enthusiastically open God's word - yet I always know I need a word from God no matter how busy I am.

Do you remember the story of Enoch? Genesis 5:24 says, "Enoch walked with God and then he was no more because God took him away." Hebrews 11:5 tells us why he was taken away - "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken he was commended as one who pleased God."

Why should we maintain our secret duties in our walk with God? Because it pleases God. Do you want to please God? Then today discipline yourself to "Walk with the King"!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Personal Order Part 1 - My Weekly Schedule

I was planning to start "spring cleaning" as soon as March began and I was going to blog about my tips. BUT as I sat down to make my to-do list, it hit me. How am I going to get my house in order when I don't even have myself in order?

For years, I have risen early to have a quiet time at 6ish, I've prayer journaled daily, I've exercised 4-5 days a week, I've limited my television viewing time and I've gone to bed around 10ish. But lately I've been slacking in my daily disciplines. Somewhere between November and February I began to eat more, exercise less, go to bed later, web surf longer and prayer journal less.

So, I've decided to spend my month of March regaining personal order and start the spring cleaning in April! If you know me well, you know I LOVE schedules. And I've been asked many times over the years about how I do my schedules. So I thought I'd share some of them with you.

Let me first say - this is not a "Bible based tip". If you are not the "schedule" type do not feel that I am trying to put you in a box. The most important thing is that you honor God in the way you run your household. Proverbs 5:21 says "A man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths." Our main objective is to please God as we run our homes.

One thing I am sure of - God is a God of order. The sun rises and sets on a schedule. The tide comes in and goes out on a schedule. The seasons change from summer to winter on a schedule. These things are predictable and this predictability gives us peace in the midst of a chaotic world.

For me - my schedule creates peace in the midst of my sometimes very chaotic home with little ones. I cannot control sickness, bad moods, bad days, or what the economy will do next. But I can control what time I go to bed and will rise (except on nights when someone is ill.) I can choose what time I will read my Bible or what time I will exercise - unless there's an unseen emergency. I am responsible for how I spend every minute and the decisions I make control them. But we must beware of being rigid, I read somewhere where it said "if you are flexible you will bend with your schedule - if you are rigid you will break."

So today - I'll share my "weekly" schedule with you - tomorrow my "daily" schedule and on Wednesday my "meal planning" schedule.

Sundays - Church and Rest Day

Mondays - Declutter and Recover from the weekend mess

Tuesdays - Bible Study and Errand Day

Wednesdays - Cleaning Day

Thursdays - Grocery Shopping Day

Fridays - Laundry Day

Saturdays - Chore Day for the Children (Clean their rooms, bathroom and basement)

I know all women have a flow or a rhythm that you weekly do - maybe without even writing it down on paper - so what is your "flow" or "schedule"? If you don't have one and you tend to procrastinate and then do it all before there's company or when your fridge is empty - you may find that writing up a schedule - and sticking to it - will relieve some stress in your life.

On Tuesdays, I rest after errands - because I know on Wednesday I will be cleaning. On Thursdays after grocery shopping and putting the groceries away - even though the laundry is stacked high in the closets - I can exercise, do my Bible study or play with the children - because I know that on Friday the laundry will be washed and folded. I can have a clear conscience that is not weighed down by the tasks for tomorrow.

If you feel stressed and can't seem to get it all done -go grab a piece of paper and get writing - then implement what you wrote down and live well! There is much more than housework to be done in life - so get it done so you can play a little!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Pleasing God In Your Marriage

Tuesday we were at church for a ladies luncheon. I warned both of my children that I expected them to be on their best behavior and went over the list of no no's - no running, no yelling, no wrestling etc. So my daughter had done quite well and had finished her lunch and it was time for a potty break. On our way back from the potty, we were holding hands and she was closing her eyes and letting me lead her. I told her to open her eyes. In that moment, she let go of my hand and began to run straight at a wall. I did not realize her eyes were still shut - and BAM she ran straight into a cement wall head first!

Then she did the scary cry. The one where they hardly breathe and you just want them to actually cry so you know they are breathing! Then she howled and the site of the goose egg growing on her head scared me! I had mixed emotions - I was sick in my stomach wondering if she was okay. I was sad to see her in such pain. AndI felt frustration that she had disobeyed me and ran when I had told her "no running." This would not had happened if only she had listened to her mother's instructions! I was not pleased!

Do we listen to God's instructions fully? Do we seek to please God by the way we act in our marriage? So many times in marriage we know we should not make that critical remark to our husband. Maybe there's an area that we continually hound them on over and over and over until all of a sudden it's like we hit a cement wall. Our husband becomes angry and lashes out and we are wounded by our husband's response. We may spend an evening crying or praying to God asking him why our husband is so "awful". But do we realize that we were running with our eyes closed! We were disobeying God and should have never been critical of our husband in the first place.

No, it is not right for a husband to lash in anger at his wife - but remember that your contentious words brought out the worst in him. Proverbs says "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.(19:13)" and "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(21:9)"

Have you been quarreling with your husband a lot lately? Does your husband act like he'd rather live on the corner of the roof than share a house with you at times. You may blame all your troubles on him - but we wives carry a responsibility to not be quarrelsome. So today, trade your quarrelsome thoughts and words for respectful thoughts and deeds. Stop the constant drip. Create a home with warmth and harmony - Even if your husband does not respond kindly- God will be pleased!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Could God Applaud You Today?

Saturday my husband and I attended the Ohio State vs. Penn State football game! It was a HUGE game and the stadium was packed with over 100,000 fans! When we stood to applaud the sound was deafening.

I had a sober moment during the game where I stood there and thought - "wow - this is a lot of applause for some guys who are chasing a ball around a field." Then I thought of all the moms at home everyday - 24 / 7 changing morning diapers, nursing, cleaning up spit up off your shoulder, feeding the family breakfast and packing lunches, giving hugs and saying morning prayers with the children. Moms carpool their children to all their games and faithfully sit in the heat or pouring rain to support their kids. There's heaps of laundry and piles of dishes done every day and bedtime stories and lots of kisses to go around.

Does a crowd of 100,000 stand and applaud you and cheer you on? There really aren't any accolades yet what you do in any given day is much more valuable.

Saturday before the game I had my quiet time in Luke 12 and a part of verse 24 lept off the pages and touched my soul and then God brought it back to my mind during the game. It says "Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And HOW MUCH MORE VALUABLE YOU ARE THAN BIRDS!"

This verse speaks to my soul!!! Did you catch it? You are so valuable - have you been told that yet today, this week or this month? If you haven't, open God's word and right there he wants to tell you that you are soooo valuable to him. He loves you so. He sees all your sacrifices and hard work and he values you. You deserve an applause - but most likely - unless you get a mommy of the year award someday - it may not happen.

So for now - ask yourself this - God is watching me. He knows my every thought and my every deed - would he applaud me today? That's convicting for me. I know God can not applaud me on grouchy days. Nope - but even when I fail him - he tells me - he does value me. No matter what I do good or bad - he will always love me and value me. And because of that I want his applause. He is our audience of One - today - Let's seek his applause!

Walk with the King!

Courtney

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

My Son's First Trophy

My son received his first trophy last night. It was for completing a season of flag football. He carefully placed the trophy high on his book case where his sister could not touch it and he went to bed one happy boy!

Receiving a prize - it feels good. It feels good to be rewarded for our hard work. I Corinthians 9:24,25 tells us how we should live our Christian life. It says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training, They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore do not run like a man running aimlessly."

Paul here compares the Christian life to a race. I run - but on a treadmill and never in a race. But those of you who have ran a race know that it takes sacrifice, hard work, a careful diet and plan to compete and complete a race.

This is how we are to live our Christian life - with sacrifice, hard work, watching our diet of the mind and soul and preparing to receive an eternal prize - a crown that will last forever!

In the movie, Chariots of Fire, the character playing Eric Liddell makes that famous statement: “When I run I feel His [God’s] pleasure.” When we use the gifts God has given us for the glory of God, we can also know the pleasure of God.

So what gifts has God given you - use them for God's good pleasure. Work hard today - do not run aimlessly. Have a plan as to how you are going to live today - what sacrifices will you make, when will you sit down to meet with God and who will you follow? I ran in college with a friend who had competed at the state level for track. I never could keep up - but I tried to keep her pace and I improved as a runner. Do you have someone you can follow in this race who makes you better? Run hard and you will feel God's pleasure!

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

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/