“²³Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” — Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)

What a concept for me to follow, work for the Lord and not for men. This is something that may be foreign for a lot of folks as the vast majority of us have jobs that require us to work for someone here in this world. I know that I am not a sole proprietor in my main work for monetary gain, although, I can say that this blog is done not for a worldly boss, but for Christ.

And there it is, working for Christ and not for man is where our true work is done. Yes, I have a job for money, but I believe I have just as much, if not more opportunity to work for God here than in the world where I interact in a worldly manner. Here, as I convey my thoughts, I am working for Christ to spread the gospel. No, I do not know everything and frankly, that is the reason for the naming of my blog itself, Trevor’s Thoughts. These are my inner thoughts as I study God’s word in hopes that someone will find them and simply take my study as an opportunity for them to dig into God’s word themselves and grow from it.

The hard part for me and I suspect for others, is that the reward we receive from God for doing his work is not usually something tangible that brings immediate value to me. I struggle with seeing the impact I am having when there is little to no response to my postings. I am not sure if I am even reaching anyone else and as such, discouragement sets in.

But, I have to remember that I do not need to know all of the impact I am having. I am to sow the seeds of Christ and allow Him to do His work in the lives of those that receive the seeds. Some of the seeds I sow may not end up in the most fertile of situations, I cannot concern myself with that and only concern myself with the sowing of seeds. I have to continue doing the work of Christ and know that some of that work will impact others and God will work in their lives and they will benefit with salvation and reward in heaven just as I will receive for the sowing of seeds for Christ.

I have work to do in satisfying the bosses in this world, but more importantly is the work I do for Christ. The reward I receive here is here today and gone tomorrow as I toil to continue the cycle of earn and spend. My reward in heaven is forever and therefore much more bountiful as I am currently storing it up for enjoyment upon my arrival in heaven.

What rewards are you seeking? Are you overly concerned with doing work for those in this world in hopes that your reward will somehow be greater? What if you were to simply do the work of Christ to store up your rewards in heaven that you will enjoy when you arrive?

Ever wonder about the rewards you receive?

“⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” — Luke 23:41 (ESV)

Here we see the words of a criminal that was hanging next to Jesus at His crucifixion. This criminal was not naive and understood the cost of his crimes. He also knew that Jesus was innocent of that which He was accused and convicted. This man’s understanding of the crimes and consequences allowed him to seek forgiveness as he repented of them with the only one that would/could forgive him of them.

I find myself in the position of knowing what it is that I have done. I am responsible for the consequences of those deeds and have the responsibility to seek forgiveness of them as I repent. The thing is that like the criminal, I have to seek that forgiveness through repentance from the only one that can/will forgive me, Jesus.

My deeds are mine and mine alone. I cannot blame anyone for them and have to accept the punishment for them as the owner of them. I have to know that I am being rewarded for those deeds that I have committed. That reward may or may not be of the positive kind. Like the criminals that were hanged with Jesus, my reward could be the punishment for those deeds. I have to remember the work that I am tasked with and take action to perform those in and for the glory of God. When doing so, I will be positively rewarded for those deeds and will be able to avoid the negative consequences of falling away from the work of Christ.

I am responsible for my deeds. I am accountable for their impacts. I am the one that must answer for them. I am rewarded for them. What better to know that it is I alone that controls the rewards I receive. No, I do not know what those rewards will be, but I know that I am controlling the positive/negative impacts to me of those rewards. I will be fully rewarded for the deeds I am tasked with completing.

What deeds are you working to complete? Did you know that you are/will be rewarded for their completion? What if you did those deeds for the glory of God knowing that in doing so, you will be positively rewarded for them?

How we express ourselves is how our reward will be given, but not in the way we expect.

“⁵And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” — Matthew 6:5-6 (ESV)

As Jesus begins to speak on the proper way to pray, you can see that He first discusses the rewards that we will receive from our prayer. Verse 5 discusses the overt outward appearances that are used to let everyone see that we “are holy”. Where there is a time and a place for our prayer out loud and in public, prayer for everyone to see is not exactly what God is looking for in our prayer. In fact when taking that approach, our reward is just that, being seen in public as praying for all to see. We get the pats on the back and the nodding looks from those around us as to saying “good job in praying, it was really well”. And that is really where it ends in the grand scheme of things.

In verse 6 above, you can see that Jesus also discusses the quiet personal prayer as we sit and have an intimate conversation with our father. In those instances, it is just me and God having a chat with fewer distractions and I am not trying to impress the masses or anyone I may want to influence. This conversation is one that is just between God and me for the purpose of uninterrupted discussion and conversation. This prayer is one where focus is on the substance of the prayer and not the structure of dynamics of it.

As I mentioned above, there is a time and place for public out loud prayer. I have to be careful in those situations to have the same sort of conversation with God that I would have in my private room with the door shut. I have to remember that prayer is an intimate conversation between God and me and is meant for spilling myself to Him to get it out and seek repentance for that which I have done and thank Him for all that He has done in my life and ask for assistance in fulfilling His plan.

Whether in private or in public I should be seeking only to be rewarded with that which comes from God and not that which comes from man. Ultimately, man can do nothing for me, whereas God can and does do all for me. My reward comes with that intimate conversation with my Father and not in the public oration for all to hear.

What type of interaction with God are you having? Are you seeking for everyone to see and hear you speaking with God? What if your interactions with God were of the intimate private affair and you seek for your reward from Him and not from those around you?

This morning as I study the word “reward” I am brought to The Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter Five.

“¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” — Matthew 5:12 (ESV)

Here Jesus is speaking to the disciples and guiding them through the rewards for following Him. The verse quoted above comes after outlining The Beatitudes themselves. Jesus points out blessings that come from living according to His example.

As I read through and recall these blessings I am reminded that these are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of follower-ship and dedication to the living a life like Christ. Being poor in spirit, mournful, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted are all characteristics of Jesus and by no means characteristics of the weak. Jesus’ example is one of strength and resolve in the face of challenge. He was and is that which I should strive to be.

I know that I have had many opportunities to be like Christ and failed in doing so. Yet, there have been other times that I was able to stand with resolve as Christ. The latter is where I have to remember to dedicate myself to. If Jesus can stand with resolve in the face of the persecution He experienced, even to the point of death, I should stand with that same resolve as I deal with a couple of minor scuffles in my life, they certainly do not stand to the same level as those He faced.

I am blessed for my following of Christ. I may not be able to see it at all times, but I am blessed and should remember to take a closer look each day and in each situation. I have to remember that Jesus is my example and for following that example, I am rewarded. Not just with what I receive in heaven, but for the blessings that come for simply following His example. Be poor in spirit, mournful, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted and be blessed.

What reward are you seeking? Are you looking for grand rewards here in this world? What if you simply followed the example of Christ and accepted the blessings He gives as your reward?

“²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, ²²for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” — Proverbs 25:21-22 (ESV)

I am to do the work of God and love. Love like Jesus. Love everyone. Love, love, love, love.

There have been and will be more times when I will find myself in the midst of those that are not exactly kind and loving to me, one might even call them enemies. In those times I have to remember that regardless of the actions of others, I have been tasked with bringing the gospel and love to all. I have to rise above that which is contrary to me and be as Christ and love.

I can recall on many occasions where I have been confronted by someone who believes and acts contrary to me. I have in return, not fought with them, not agreed with them, but simply listened and provided empathy for them as having been in situations of contrary thought before. In those times, they have backed off, knowing that they were not going to “win” in this encounter. They leave the situation frustrated and confused at the outcome, or lack thereof. What a turn of events. I loved them and worked to understand and they walked away. If we are looking at the “win/loss” column, I guess that I “won” although it was really more about them losing than I winning.

God rewards for the work done in His name. When I turn to love and away from evil, He rewards me with “victory”. In those situations where I simply showed love to someone else, I was rewarded with “victory” over the evil in the situation. I was not evil back, and it served me to walk away unscathed and with my head held high knowing that I was in line with the love of Christ. I was able to “heap burning coals on his head” and I was rewarded by God for simply following His example.

In my role of a corporate training professional, I teach that one does not have to accept the abuse of others, however that does not give us the right to attack others in the interest of defending ourselves. We are to hold to the love of Christ and provide for the opportunity of others to repent and accept the love we are bringing to them. For those actions, we are rewarded by God.

What situations have you found yourself in that you wish you would have presented love instead of fighting back? Were you the “winner” or “loser” in those situations? What if you were simply to provide love for the other person and accepted the reward of Christ for doing so?

“³Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” — Psalm 127:3 (ESV)

Pretty clear in the verse above about children. They really are a reward to the work that you and your spouse are doing for and in the name of the LORD. Children are to be cherished as rewards are. They are to be cared for and cultivated. Children are to be brought up in the name and works of God, and it is my duty as their entrusted earthly father and mentor to do just that. It is my job “in bringing the children into the world and in raising them to be faithful members of God’s people.” (NIV commentary)

But it is more than just that. Yes, I am to care for them and cultivate them and grow them in the name and way of God. They also provide for me in the way that I provide for them.

“⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. ⁵Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” — Psalm 127:4-5 (ESV)

I am more capable in my fight for God with brothers and sisters in Christ by my side. With children I have those brothers and sisters naturally there. I personally have two son’s and they are the arrows in my quiver giving me strength to go into battle. They are on my side and I can only have faith that they are fighting with God as well. I had the privilege of guiding them in their young lives and fought alongside them in their battles, and now I know that they will fight alongside me in mine.

I am not done with them. Bryson and Aarron are both rewards given to Lori and I from God and no matter where we are in time, they are still our rewards to be cultivated and cared for throughout. They are our arrows in a fight and we are the quiver for them to find refuge. We are stronger with them and as a family unit as we stand for Christ in the midst of this world. These children are our reward and more as we live for God.

What view of your children do you have? Are you seeing them as property to be owned and leveraged? What if you saw children as a reward to be cultivated and brought up in the name of God and allowed them to fight along side you for Christ?

“¹¹Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” — Psalm 19:11 (ESV)

Only one verse have I quoted here. Them is a consolidation of the items that we are to hold dear within our relationship with God. Them is, “the law, the testimony, the precepts, the commandment, the fear, and the rules” of the LORD.

My life is complicated, or so I believe it to be. I find it difficult to see the reward from God, when I feel as though I am always trying to dig myself out of a situation of less than joyous times. I recently even stated that it would be nice to have an opportunity to leave the house for a weekend or a couple of days for some joyous event, whereas it seems as though each time we leave, we are going to provide support or to “fix” something.

But, life is not complicated. I have the chance to experience joy at every turn when I am doing the work of God and keeping Him. In keeping “the law, the testimony, the precepts, the commandment, the fear, and the rules” of the LORD, I am “reviving, making wise, rejoicing, enlightening, enduring, and righteous”. I am experiencing joy, just not in the worldly sense of winning. I am able to have inner peace and inner joy as I take on and complete that which God has given to me to complete. I am rewarded for the work I have and will do when I dedicate that work to Him and bringing glory to Him.

My reward is not in the things that the world holds in regard. My reward is not in the monetary or physical. My reward is not in the winning the race or being declared the champion. My reward is in doing the work of God and keeping Him forever.

“¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” — Psalm 19:10 (ESV)

My reward is more than that of the world.

What kind of reward are you expecting and how are you expecting to achieve it? Are you looking to get yours here in this world? What if you were to simply dedicate yourself to the keeping of the LORD and his “law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear, and rules” and accepted the results as your reward?

I wonder what will be and when will be my reward. It seems as though I continue to work only to be rewarded with more and more work. I feel as though there is no real end.

“¹After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ ²But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continua childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ ³And Abram said, ‘Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.’” — Genesis 15:1-3 (ESV)

Abram was feeling it too. He had done all of this work for the Lord and yet, was feeling no reward except more work. In fact he was holding God to it, as pointing out he had not been given an heir from his own lineage. As noted above, I feel the same way, that I am working constantly without reward.

Yet, God does not waver in His plan, in fact He lays the plan out for Abram.

“⁴And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’ ⁵And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” — Genesis 15:4-5 (ESV)

Abram believed the LORD. Although God did not stop there. As He could tell that Abram was still in need of additional convincing, God brought a vision to Abram and proceeded to show Him that his future reward was far into the future.

“¹³Then the LORD said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. ¹⁴But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. ¹⁵As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.’” — Genesis 15:13-15 (ESV)

God had a plan for Abram that no one in this world could see. It was the duty of Abram to trust God and proceed with the work God had for him. In the end, Abram would be rewarded for his work even if that reward came over 400 years later, and if he would not be able to experience it in this world, but with God.

I have been blessed with a great number of things that may not bring about monetary or physical rewards in this world; Lori, Bryson, and Aarron to start off, and most of all, a relationship with Christ. Those blessings have brought me many rewards that I may not count as physical, but upon reflection, they bring me plenty. I am rewarded with the future with Christ and the knowing that I have done His work each and every day and been given the opportunity to experience the blessings of Him and my family.

My ultimate reward may not be something I can see in this day. But that does not mean that it is not there or to be seen in the coming future. It is my duty to continue putting in the work and knowing that God is my reward and when the time is come, through my trust and patience, God will reveal it.

What reward are you expecting today? Are you more interested in the today than in the tomorrow? What if you were to trust and be patient, knowing that God will reveal your reward in the coming time?

I am one of those that expects things in a certain timeline. I know what I am looking for and have an idea of when and where it will be available. It does not mean that I am not patient, I just know and expect it. With God I have to remember that he is on his timeline and not mine.

“⁸But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” — 2 Peter 3:8 (ESV)

I forget that God is way bigger than I am and His timeline with me is longer than I believe it to be. God lives in an infinite timeline and I am only seeing things based on the timeline I know, minutes, hours, days, weeks, years. What I have to remember is that since God knows all and is working with all, what He has in store for me may be decades away. I have to be patient with Him and His timeline and lean on the fact that His timing is perfect.

I also have to remember that God is waiting on me. I have tasks to complete that He has given me and really, one of the first of those is to repent. God will not move on with me until I join Him in repentance, and He will wait.

“⁹The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

God does not want me to end in the pits of hell, but He also is not going to force me to follow Him. He is waiting patiently for me to repent of my worldly ways and turn to Him. He knows the precise moment of my repentance and what is to follow that moment. I have to know that while I am waiting for God to act in my life, maybe He already has and I have just not seen it yet. Or maybe, He is patiently waiting for me and then He will provide for my ask. I do not know which it is and can only know that God’s plan is divine.

How then do I progress with this sort of stalemate of God and I waiting on each other? Well, I have to just move toward repentance and know that when I get there, God will be waiting with what is next for me. It may be what I was “asking” for, or it could be what He has next for me. I cannot know until I get there, and I will not get there until the repentance is in my heart and not just in my head. I have to be fully turned toward God so as to devote myself to Him and at that time, I will know what is next. God has been waiting for me and He will continue to do so as noted in verse nine above “not wishing that any should perish”.

What have you moved on from with God as a result of not being willing to wait on Him? Are you to impatient with what you expect from Him and forget about His timeline being drastically different than yours? What if you were to work at turning fully to Him in your heart, repenting and then accepting what it is that He as next for you?

Growing up in the Baptist church, it is often that you hear about those “back sliding Baptists”. Those that have fallen away from the faith and turned away from God. Whereas this does not happen as often as we might think, it is still something that I find interesting and is part of my study this morning.

“⁴For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” — Hebrews 6:4-6 (ESV)

There are those that have found Christ and accepted Salvation from him and lived a life of obedience to Him, only to have reached a point to allow the world to influence them and then turn away from Him. There are a number of reasons and circumstances as to the falling away, but ultimately separation from God and the relationship with Him is the root cause. It is difficult to come back once you have fallen away from Christ, as the world has now grabbed hold and the influences and instance gratification are hard to break free from.

But:

“⁹Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. ¹⁰For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. ¹¹And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹²so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” — Hebrews 6:9-12 (ESV)

I have been with Him before and I can be with Him again. God will not abandon me even if I am fallen away. He knows the good that I have done and the way that I followed Him. He wants me to come back to Him. It will not be easy (although it starts easy enough), all that is needed is repentance that comes from within. It cannot be just words without meaning and action, repentance has to come from deep within and I have to take action to back-up and demonstrate my repentance to Him and show it to the world each and every moment.

Have you found that you have drifted or fallen away from your relationship with Christ? Are you trying to find the way to come back to Him? What if you simply repented of your ways and asked for forgiveness and just came back and began to glorify Him once again?