Do the right thing even if it hurts.
Matthew 5:11-12 "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Luke 21:16-17 Even those closest to you--your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends--will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are My followers.
Being a disciple of the Lord has a cost , it isn't something easy and cheap that you do part time, the price can be pretty steep for some disciples in a lot of cultures. Living in a free society it is difficult to imagine real suffering that really cost big for those that follow Christ.
Not only is there a great cost but there is also a great reward for being a true disciple, despite all the hateful things that can happen to you for Christ sake there is an awesome reward, but don't get in a big hurry to get it. You may not see it for a while.
2 Timothy 4:8 And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about the great prize that will be waiting when he gets to Heaven, you would think that after all the good things that Paul did that he would get some benefit down here but the truth is that some good works will be rewarded down here on planet earth but there is a good chance that you will never receive it down here.
1 Peter 2:23 He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
My good works should be the result of Godly character, it shouldn't be coming from any selfish motives, that kind of motivation will not get any kind of reward for eternity. My example is Jesus, I need to leave my life in God's hands and let him be the judge.
Thank you Lord for righting the wrongs that we encounter down here, help me to always follow you no matter what so that I will hear you say "Well done."
Not only is there a great cost but there is also a great reward for being a true disciple, despite all the hateful things that can happen to you for Christ sake there is an awesome reward, but don't get in a big hurry to get it. You may not see it for a while.
2 Timothy 4:8 And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about the great prize that will be waiting when he gets to Heaven, you would think that after all the good things that Paul did that he would get some benefit down here but the truth is that some good works will be rewarded down here on planet earth but there is a good chance that you will never receive it down here.
1 Peter 2:23 He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
My good works should be the result of Godly character, it shouldn't be coming from any selfish motives, that kind of motivation will not get any kind of reward for eternity. My example is Jesus, I need to leave my life in God's hands and let him be the judge.
Thank you Lord for righting the wrongs that we encounter down here, help me to always follow you no matter what so that I will hear you say "Well done."
