Retribution Rewards
Good Morning Girls! One of the definitions of reward is this: Something given or received in response for worthy behavior or in retribution for evil acts. It is easy to get excited about the first part of that definition, but the last part does not invoke those same warm fuzzy feelings. However, before we start looking at the rewards for worthy behavior, I think it is best to start by looking at the things the Lord would consider "evil acts". That way we can eliminate such behavior and move on to the good rewards that come come from worthy behavior. Sound good?
The first "evil act" is one that many of us are guilty of.....even though we don't mean to be. It is one that can easily sneak up on us, sneak into our lives, our thoughts, our behaviors. We try to guard ourselves against it, but we are constantly bombarded by stimuli from this "thing" that often brings us a retribution reward. The "thing" I am talking about is the world- more specifically placing trust in the things the world has to offer, and looking to the world to fulfill your needs....to reward you.
It says in Job 15:31 Let them no longer fool themselves by trusting in empty riches, for emptiness will be their only reward. Psalm 17:14 reads By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward.
So according to these two scriptures, trust in empty riches and trust in the world lead to emptiness and destruction. Now empty riches obviously refers to money....but that is not the only "empty rich" we can become enamored with. Empty riches includes the need for recognition, attention, position, or power. It can be the "things" you've accumulated. It can be your car, your wardrobe, your stuff. It is the "whoever has the most toys wins" mentality. It is the way of life that is constantly being "sold" to us everywhere we turn. It is in the commercials, the billboards, the radio, the movies, and even the neighbors down the street. We are so busy chasing and collecting things we forget to stop and ask ourselves why we are collecting them.....or if we even want them. I once heard Joyce Meyers say "the world is full of sad and lonely millionaires". It is because they are trying to fill their lives with things of the world, which only leads to emptiness. the space they are trying to fill can only be filled with the Lord. Any attempt to fill it with anything other than Him results in emptiness, and a feeling of "what's wrong with me?"
As Christians we need to be on constant guard when it comes to the "values" the world pushes at us. We need to compare the world standards to the Words standards, and if they conflict (which they most often do) we need to follow the Word. Now I am well aware that this is easier said than done at times. I am well aware that it seems like the bad guys are living large and having all the fun, while us good Girls are struggling and trying to catch a break. But when those feelings come (and they do), we need to remind ourselves that their current life is the only heaven they will ever know.....and this world is the only hell we will ever know. In other words, this is as good as it gets for those living by the world....and the best is yet to come, for those of us trying our best to live by the Word!
My question to you today is: Are there any empty riches you are pursuing in your life? Has the world crept in to your life, and separated you from the peace and contentment that comes from God alone? Ask the Lord to help you live by the Word, and turn away from the world. And most of all, remember that if you are caught up in the world, Gods grace will help you! He is not mad at you. He will show you the "empty things" you are pursuing, and help you turn away......you simply need to ask Him!
Psalm 17:14 by the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. may their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
Love, thanks, and satisfaction to you all,
Jen
The first "evil act" is one that many of us are guilty of.....even though we don't mean to be. It is one that can easily sneak up on us, sneak into our lives, our thoughts, our behaviors. We try to guard ourselves against it, but we are constantly bombarded by stimuli from this "thing" that often brings us a retribution reward. The "thing" I am talking about is the world- more specifically placing trust in the things the world has to offer, and looking to the world to fulfill your needs....to reward you.
It says in Job 15:31 Let them no longer fool themselves by trusting in empty riches, for emptiness will be their only reward. Psalm 17:14 reads By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward.
So according to these two scriptures, trust in empty riches and trust in the world lead to emptiness and destruction. Now empty riches obviously refers to money....but that is not the only "empty rich" we can become enamored with. Empty riches includes the need for recognition, attention, position, or power. It can be the "things" you've accumulated. It can be your car, your wardrobe, your stuff. It is the "whoever has the most toys wins" mentality. It is the way of life that is constantly being "sold" to us everywhere we turn. It is in the commercials, the billboards, the radio, the movies, and even the neighbors down the street. We are so busy chasing and collecting things we forget to stop and ask ourselves why we are collecting them.....or if we even want them. I once heard Joyce Meyers say "the world is full of sad and lonely millionaires". It is because they are trying to fill their lives with things of the world, which only leads to emptiness. the space they are trying to fill can only be filled with the Lord. Any attempt to fill it with anything other than Him results in emptiness, and a feeling of "what's wrong with me?"
As Christians we need to be on constant guard when it comes to the "values" the world pushes at us. We need to compare the world standards to the Words standards, and if they conflict (which they most often do) we need to follow the Word. Now I am well aware that this is easier said than done at times. I am well aware that it seems like the bad guys are living large and having all the fun, while us good Girls are struggling and trying to catch a break. But when those feelings come (and they do), we need to remind ourselves that their current life is the only heaven they will ever know.....and this world is the only hell we will ever know. In other words, this is as good as it gets for those living by the world....and the best is yet to come, for those of us trying our best to live by the Word!
My question to you today is: Are there any empty riches you are pursuing in your life? Has the world crept in to your life, and separated you from the peace and contentment that comes from God alone? Ask the Lord to help you live by the Word, and turn away from the world. And most of all, remember that if you are caught up in the world, Gods grace will help you! He is not mad at you. He will show you the "empty things" you are pursuing, and help you turn away......you simply need to ask Him!
Psalm 17:14 by the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. may their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
Love, thanks, and satisfaction to you all,
Jen
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