Flashback Favorite: The Bible: Reading vs. Experiencing

The Bible: Reading vs. Experiencing
Originally posted on December 08, 2016

Sometimes, we forget.

We forget that the Bible wasn’t just written, it was lived.
We forget that the person we’re reading about didn’t know the next verse.
We forget the person had feelings/thoughts/worries/doubts in each moment.

The pages of Scripture describe the actions, thoughts, and desires of the individuals and groups who have uniquely interacted with our Creator, in order to demonstrate His love for us. 

But sometimes…we forget…and we just read on through the section, chapter, or book.

For example, we can open our Bibles and find:

1 Timothy 4:12-16
No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.  Be conscientious about yourself and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

These are the words of an old man encouraging his protégé.  We have front row seats to a watershed moment in young Timothy’s life.  He has been raised and trained for this moment of service in God’s kingdom – and Paul wants Timothy to know the importance of the next steps he takes, ones without Paul’s direct supervision.  But it’s difficult to recognize the weight of Paul’s words, and their impact on Timothy, when we just read through a chapter.

However, when we are on the receiving end of a leader’s call to rise up, something deep inside resonates.  It could be a coach’s halftime speech, a father calling out to his son, or a leader inspiring a nation.  Those moments stir passions in us – even when we witness them in other’s lives, or in a movie.

So, I’m going to ask you to try a little exercise.  Follow the link below to a clip from the movie Miracle, and then read Paul’s words to Timothy again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwpTj_Z9v-c

1 Timothy 4:12-16
No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.  Be conscientious about yourself and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Think about Timothy, before and after receiving Paul’s letter.

Why would Paul’s words resonate with Timothy?
Which words stand out?  Why?
How will these words impact Timothy’s motivation and focus?

If Paul said these words to you, how would they impact your motivation and focus?

Keep Pressing,
Ken

Flashback Favorite: The greatest reward possible

When a new US President takes office, he gets to pick who will be in his cabinet and inner circle. Those opportunities aren’t afforded to just anyone. The person who voted for him is certainly on the “winning team”, but simply casting a vote would not qualify an individual to be a cabinet member. Those inner circle positions are only available to those the President knows the best and trusts the most - men and women who have worked with him and for him all along the campaign trail.

The same will be true when Jesus takes His rightful place in the Millennial Kingdom and Eternity Future. Those who have believed in Jesus for eternal life will be part of the Kingdom, but those who have followed Him now will have even greater opportunity to serve and have access to Jesus in the future.

The greatest reward possible
Originally posted on September 26, 2019

Assuming you had the necessary skills and the opportunity, what is the biggest earthly prize you would aspire to?

Maybe it’s directing the highest grossing movie of all time…or Quarterbacking your favorite team to a Super Bowl victory…or building a business up from your garage into a global empire…or perhaps you are content to win the lottery and retire to a private island.  What would be “the ultimate prize” for you?

How does thinking about this feel?  Scary?  Overwhelming?  Unrealistic?

As those who believe in Jesus for eternal life, we know this present life will continue on with Him into Eternity Future.  While there are big dreams and opportunities to be had here and now…we should also wonder if there are eternal opportunities that God has made available to us.  In God’s revelation to John, He reveals a big one:

Revelation 22:3-5
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will worship Him.  They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.  Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.

They will reign.

Those words carry a weight to them, and they should.  To reign means that a person has obtained or has been given the authority to rule, to lead, and to preside over the lives of others.  While we fully expect Jesus to reign in Heaven and over all creation…John tells us that in addition to Jesus, His servants will reign.

Servant Kings.

Those words don’t seem to go together, but it is exactly what Christ taught to His disciples.

At one point, Peter struggled with comparing the life he left behind with his choice to follow Jesus as a disciple.  He could have believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, continued to work the family business as a fisherman, and still gone to Heaven.  What Peter struggled with was seeing the tangible benefits to accepting Christ’s invitation to intimately follow Him in Discipleship, to living his earthly life learning how to imitate Christ.  Let’s drop into their conversation:

Matthew 19:27-28
Then Peter responded to Him, “See, we have left everything and followed You.  So what will there be for us?”  Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Notice that Jesus does not rebuke Peter for asking this kind of “What’s the reward?” question.  Jesus replies that there is a reward – a reward of authority – to those who have followed him.  Jesus didn’t say that this magnitude of a reward was available to everyone who believes…rather those who will be great at the renewal of all things are those who, after believing, have spent their earthly lives learning how to imitate Christ.

Learning to imitate Christ, the greatest example of a Servant King, is what will qualify His servants to reign forever and ever.

You and I have the necessary skills and the opportunity to do the same.  Will we follow Christ now so that we, too, can become Servant Kings in eternity future?

Keep Pressing,
Ken

Flashback Favorite: Good FOMO

As I continue to think about the eternal rewards available to us, I came across a previous post that covers another reward - two rewards, in fact! - that we are already familiar with. The rewards are being praised and receiving new opportunities. We enjoy receiving them now…can you imagine what it would be like to receive them from the God of the Universe?!?!

Good FOMO
Originally posted on May 25, 2023

The term FOMO, or Fear Of Missing Out, was first coined in a 1996 economic research paper; however, the feelings associated with FOMO have been around much longer.  FOMO is an internal concern that your day-to-day life doesn’t match up with the external lives you see other people experiencing.  It is an insecurity that you are missing out on something – and because you are left out, it means that your value is less than whomever is having the experience you are not.

It's pretty apparent how FOMO can be intensified by social media.  The daily highlight reels of seeing other people’s fancy meals, vacations, kids’ achievements, perfect couple selfie poses, and witty comments can leave us thinking that others don’t have the stressors and issues that we experience and struggle with. 

A little self-analysis on this topic goes a long way.  So, let’s jump in:

The things we experience FOMO over reveal what we value the most – but more than just at the surface level.  When we see someone post about having a great meal, or a great experience, or a great relationship, we often respond with “Must be nice…”  All those things would be wonderful to have, but – and here’s where we have to be brutally honest with ourselves – don’t we also have a secret desire to have other people see us have that great thing, too?  At a very core level (one we don’t like to acknowledge)…it’s as if we want to induce FOMO in other people, as a way of propping ourselves up or establishing our own value.

We want the thing, but we also want other people to revere us for having the thing.

And that, my friends, is called pride.  It’s so sneaky, isn’t it? 

If you ate the gourmet meal, took the romantic trip, or got the promotion – and never posted on social media about it – would you still be satisfied with the experience?  Well Ken, of course I would!

Or do you find even more satisfaction with the event when sharing it on the socials, in the hopes that others will admire you for what you have?  Ok Ken, maybe I don’t want to answer that…

We like to achieve, and we like to impress our audience.  But it’s too easy to slip into a prideful mindset about achievements or good experiences, especially when we’re focused on how others will evaluate our life.  It would be easy to rant against pride here, but I think there’s a better way to deal with prideful FOMO: change our audience.

Jesus told His disciples about a man who left part of his fortune in the hands of his servants.  In today’s wages, he gave the first servant $5,000,000, the second servant $2,000,000, and the third servant $1,000,000.  After a long time, the man came back to settle accounts.  Both the first and second servants had doubled his money, but the third had done nothing.  Interestingly, the first and second servants received the exact same response:

Matthew 25:21 and 25:23
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!  You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Share your master’s joy.”

We would probably expect the one who earned another $5,000,000 to receive a higher praise or reward than the one who earned another $2,000,000 – but that’s not what happened.  The master congratulated and praised both equally.  He granted them new opportunity, both in responsibility and in a joyful relationship with him.  The one who did nothing with the master’s investment ended up giving back the money, but he also lost out on all that the others gained.

The first and second servant worked with what they had been given, with the goal of impressing their master.  They were looking forward to hearing him say ‘Well done!’.  I think it’s accurate to say that they feared missing out on their master’s approval, otherwise they wouldn’t have worked so hard or been so eager to show him what they had accomplished.

FOMO can be a good thing, but it depends on who it is that we’re trying to impress.  If we’re trying to impress other people, or even make them jealous, then we’re going to end up like the third servant and waste the talent God has given us.  We’ll also miss out on the rewards God has instore for believers who are intentionally working with and developing the gifts He’s given us.

So I encourage you to take what you have – your time, your talents, and your treasure – and invest it well.  Intentionally develop these gifts and invest them in other people, doing it so that you can point others to God.  That is what earns the ‘Well done!’ from God and leads to even greater opportunity and relationship in Eternity Future.  We certainly don’t want to miss out on that!

Keep Pressing,
Ken

Your new nickname

Up until about eight years old, I was known by my family and friends as “Kenny”.  I didn’t choose that name, but that’s what everyone called me.  We moved to a new state near the end of 2nd grade and while signing up at my new school, the secretary asked what name I would go by.  Before my mom could answer, I shot out “Ken”.  I don’t remember why I made the switch, but I was quite certain that’s what I wanted to be called.  So from then on, I was known by everyone as “Ken”.

Names are a bit of a strange phenomenon, aren’t they?  This is the noise I want you to make to get my attention.  However, they are more than just sounds to us.  We also attach specific meaning to those sounds.  Sometimes the meaning is in a given birth name, with the hope that our child will live up to that name’s significance.  Other times, we take on a new form of our name, like I did, to signify a new chapter in life.  Then, there are also nicknames – not normally self-given, but typically given to us by someone else.  Nicknames are often tied to a specific characteristic or a life event.

In the Old Testament, after Gideon tore down a popular alter to the god Baal, the Baal worshippers wanted to kill him.  Instead, they were convinced by Gideon’s father that Baal should get his own revenge if he’s as powerful as they claimed.  Grudgingly, the mob accepted the argument, but from then on, they stopped calling him Gideon.  Instead they called him “Jerubbaal”, which meant “let Baal contend with him”.

We see similar instances of nicknames in the New Testament.  Jesus stopped referring to Simon, instead calling him Peter.  This name means “Rock” and it’s clear that is the attitude/role Peter took on from that moment forward.  You probably don’t recognize the name “Joseph of Cyprus”, but if you’ve read the book of Acts, you’ve met Barnabas.  “Barnabas” means “Son of encouragement” – I’m certain everyone loved talking with him as he lived up to that reputation!

Then, in the last book of the Bible, we find Jesus giving rewards to those who overcome in this life, to those who conquer life’s challenges by living their lives the way God design humanity to live.  To the church in Pergamum, Jesus said this:

Revelation 2:13
I know where you live – where Satan’s throne is.  Yet you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me.

They lived in a tough town that wanted nothing to do with God.  In fact, many were directly opposed to God and His designs.  But Jesus encouraged them to hold on to My name and not deny your faith in Me.  For those who persevere like this, there is an eternal reward:

Revelation 2:17
To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

Tony Evans explained these special rewards like this:

Manna was the supernatural food God sent from heaven to sustain Israel in the wilderness.  This manna is hidden in that it is not available to all.  It represents exclusive sustenance and kingdom fellowship with God for Christians who …[hold on to Jesus and do not deny Him]…In the Roman world, a white stone was used as an admission ticket.  A white stone with someone’s name on it was a personalized, all-access pass.  This image, then reinforces the idea of exclusive, personal fellowship with God as the conquering Christian’s reward. 

If you earn this reward…Your name, written on the white stone, is a nickname that will be given to you by Jesus.  On top of that, you will be the only one who knows what the name is and what it means.  How personal is that?  How incredibly special and intimate to be named by the Creator of everything and the King of Kings!

This name will be an honor, based upon the message of your life.  Each of us has a unique story of struggle, and how God helped us to both overcome and conquer.  Our nicknames will reflect our stories, but thinking about earning this reward leaves us with a couple of questions:

What will my name be? or, perhaps more important, What would I like my name to be?

So live bravely, conquer your selfishness, and overcome sin’s challenges…and look forward to the day Jesus calls us by a special name and into an exclusive fellowship with Him.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

How to keep a divine perspective

When it comes to eternal rewards, Jesus and the New Testament writers used a number of analogies to describe the kinds of rewards which God will bestow on those who faithfully partner with Him.  One particular word picture that shows up several times is receiving a crown.  Sometimes, crown-rewards are specific to particular groups, while earning other crown-rewards are open to all believers. 

Crowns designate both power and authority.  Some commentators have equated God bestowing a crown with our modern-day practice of a soldier earning a medal.  The medal itself does not contain valor, but instead declares the owner to have earned the reward through courage, bravery, or heroism.

Last time we looked at a crown that is available for those who have put in the effort to care for and disciple other believers.  Next is a crown that is available to believers whose lives are driven by a divine perspective.

Since meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, the Apostle Paul has worked to spread the good news of eternal life through Jesus.  He’s worked in his local church, he’s gone on mission trips, he’s mentored younger believers, and he’s written letters of both encouragement and rebuke to help other believers understand how to live out their new life in Christ.  However, in his last letter – written to his protégé, Timothy – we read that Paul knows his time on earth is almost up.  Soon after writing this letter, he is brought before Emperor Nero and beheaded.

However, he is not afraid of what’s next.  In fact, he’s already looking beyond his meeting with Nero:

2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.

Joseph Dillow, author of “Final Destiny: The Future Reign of the Servant Kings”, describes the crown of righteousness in these terms:

Righteousness in this passage should be understood as “upright behavior”.  It is a crown of vindication, a crown which says, “Paul, you have lived well.”…As he wrote, Paul stood before an unrighteous judge receiving an unrighteous reward.  But one day, he will stand before the only Judge that matters and that Judge will grant to him a righteous crown, a crown of vindication saying, “Paul, you were right, Rome was wrong!  Thank you for serving Me.”

The crown of righteousness is for all those who have loved His appearing.  Do we look forward to the day when Jesus returns, just like He promised He would?  I’m sure for most of us, the concept of Christ’s return sounds great.  But if He returned right now – how would you feel about the life you’re living?  Would you be happy to give Jesus a tour of your daily life, or does the thought of a heavenly life-audit bring a sense of shame?  If Jesus appeared right now, would you stand up and cheer, or would you be more inclined to shrink back in embarrassment?

Looking back, there are plenty of moments in my life where I’m relieved that Jesus didn’t return at that specific moment.  Not so much as a “gotcha!” but as a “I’m selfishly living the life He’s given me right now”.  Thankfully, there is an antidote, one that will put us back on track to earn the crown of righteousness, and it is found in one of the Apostle John’s letters:

1 John 2:28
So now, little children, remain in Him so that when He appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

Getting our life on track doesn’t require an 8-step program or a magical formula.  Our aim is to remain in Him.  Stay connected to Jesus, just like a branch needs to be connected to the vine.  When we do, our confidence and life-decisions will sort themselves out.  The longer we remain in Him, the better we get at it, too.  We’ll learn how to live well, and we’ll truly look forward to His appearing.

How great would it be to hear “Well done!” from Jesus and then to receive the crown of righteousness from Him?

Keep Pressing,
Ken

The crown could be yours

When it comes to eternal rewards, Jesus and the New Testament writers used a number of analogies to describe the kinds of rewards which God will bestow on those who faithfully partner with Him.  One particular word picture that shows up several times is receiving a crown.  Sometimes, crown-rewards are specific to particular groups, while earning other crown-rewards are open to all believers. 

Crowns designate both power and authority.  Some commentators have equated God bestowing a crown with our modern-day practice of a soldier earning a medal.  The medal itself does not contain valor, but instead declares the owner to have earned the reward through courage, bravery, or heroism.

The first crown we’ll look at is available for those who have put in the effort to care for and disciple other believers.  Take a look at what Peter had to say:

1 Peter 5:1-4
I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed.  Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

The first thing I notice is that Peter confidently states there will be glory revealed in the future, and for those who shepherd God’s flock, it is possible to have a share of that glory.

How cool would that be?  When the Chief Shepherd appears, when Christ returns, those who have faithfully led in his stead will receive the unfading crown of glory.  Those who have devoted time and effort to developing others will be publicly recognized by God and clearly identifiable for everyone else!

But this isn’t just “lead a Sundy School class for 6 months and get a crown” type of thing.  This isn’t a participation ribbon everyone can receive…Peter says that our motives are part of the evaluation:

1 Peter 5:2-3
Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

So, God will not only consider where we lead, but also how we lead.  Selfish motives will disqualify us from earning the crown of glory.  This reminds me of a similar warning from James, the brother of Jesus:

James 3:1
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.

Stepping into leadership in God’s family is not to be taken lightly.  But the rewards are great – participating in someone’s spiritual growth, helping them think/speak/act like Jesus is absolutely incredible.  Investing in others and seeing them grow is personally satisfying and fulfills Jesus’ Great Commission command.  God thinks this kind of work is incredible, too, and He has a special reward for those who partner with Him to shepherd His flock.

But what if that’s not you?  What if you have other gifts/talents/abilities that do not focus on leadership/discipleship?  First, there are many different rewards (and crowns!) that are still available.  We’ll go over them in the coming weeks. 

And second, what can you do to support those in your church who do the hard work of shepherding?   I’m sure they can use some encouragement, and all of us can be encouragers.  How great would it be to see the pastors and leaders of your church earn this crown?

Keep Pressing,
Ken

Both efforts and results count

Paul had a lot to say to the believers in Corinth about eternal rewards.

He was attempting to end an argument over which Bible teacher they should hold in highest regard.  Some advocated for a man named Apollos, another group for Paul, and some for Peter.  Instead of taking sides, Paul points them to something higher up and more important than the name of their favorite preacher:

1 Corinthians 3:5-7
What then is Apollos?  What is Paul?  They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who give the growth.

Pretty clear analogy here.  Putting a seed in the ground or putting water on the seed is small stuff compared to the actual growth of the seed.  That’s the miracle of life, and eternal life is only given to us by God when we believe in Jesus.

Many Christians stop reading the passage here.  However, Paul continues the analogy and provides us with an incredible insight into eternal rewards:

1 Corinthians 3:8-9
Now he who plants and he who waters are one [i.e. – united in purpose], and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are God’s coworkers.  You are God’s field, God’s building.

Although all credit goes to the One who gives life and designed it for growth, God will give each coworker his own reward.  Apollos and Paul are servants, but God will reward them according to his own labor – how well they have fulfilled the work God has given them to do.  In this analogy, the Corinthian church is God’s field…and Paul also calls them God’s building.  Switching to the “builder” analogy, Paul shows them that they can be rewarded, too:

1 Corinthians 3:10-11
According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it.  But each one is to be careful how he builds on it.  For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down.  That foundation is Jesus Christ.

Just as Paul “planted” in the farming analogy, he is the master builder laying down the foundation of Jesus Christ for them to build on.  Then Paul warns them – be careful how you build:

1 Corinthians 3:12-15
If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious.  For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.

If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved – but only as through fire.

Most of the New Testament is instruction for how believers can live their lives according to God’s design…how to grow and how to build.  God will look at our life’s work and evaluate what we have done in comparison to the time He has given us. 

For the times we’ve partnered with Him, we’ll find eternal rewards that are valued much like we currently value gold, silver, and costly stones.  For all the work we’ve done selfishly, we’re only storing up wood, hay, and straw.  Both will be evaluated…and the quality of each one’s work will be determined.  And here is the promise: if what we built survives, then we will receive a reward.  And if God called His initial creation “good”, then sign me up for what He considers a reward!

Don’t be confused – this judgment isn’t to determine who goes to heaven and who doesn’t…this evaluation for eternal rewards is only for those who have believed in Jesus for eternal life.  Paul made that clear when he said that those whose work does not survive, while he will experience loss [of receiving a reward], he himself will be saved. 

This isn’t to say there will be “second class citizens” in heaven, either.  However, it is clear that God intends to reward those partner with Him in this life.  So, we gotta ask ourselves…

Am I spending my time and effort on actions with eternal value, or will my activities leave me at a loss?

If you don’t like your answer, then today is a good day to choose differently.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

My unexpected reward

I have been “guest preaching” for my church for a couple of years now.  Usually four or five times a year, just enough to give our pastor an occasional break.  However, this summer I did something new – I wrote and delivered an entire message series.

The three-week series was titled, “Don’t be a Cretan”.  Each week, we walked through Paul’s letter to his protégé, Titus, and the directions he gave for the churches on the island of Crete.  Cretan society was more than a little rough, so Titus had his hands full as he taught these new believers what it means to follow Jesus in a difficult culture.  If you are interested in hearing these messages, you can find them on YouTube: Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3.

Handling an entire series was a new experience for me, and I now have even more empathy for pastors who shepherd a church while also holding down a full-time job to pay the bills.  As I concluded the series, I was very happy to not have to be planning out, writing, and getting ready to deliver the next sermon series.  Preaching is both a blessing and a burden, and I was ready for a break.

I received several heartfelt “thank yous” and had many great conversations based on the messages I delivered.  However, I was not expecting the shout-out our pastor gave me this past week at the beginning of his message.  He publicly said “Thank you” from the stage and led the church in a round of applause.  That in itself was more than I would have expected, but he continued – telling our church how me teaching the series gave him the largest speaking break he’s had in 6 years and how he was freed up to be fully present for some significant moments within both his family and God’s family.

He didn’t have to do that.  He had already expressed his gratitude to me privately several times, so I knew where his heart was.  However, he still wanted to publicly reward my efforts. 

I think a lot of Christians live their lives that way, too.  We know the tasks God has given us to do, and we know His heart towards us when we make the wise choice or do the thing He has asked us to do.  What we don’t expect is that God plans to publicly reward us for our efforts.

Does that sound odd to you?  Then let me remind you of something Jesus said during His Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 6:19-21
Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

If we are told to store up…treasures in heaven, then that must mean (logically) that there are actual treasures in heaven.  Jesus’ words make it clear that being in heaven isn’t “the treasure” we’re to be aiming for.  Getting into heaven is guaranteed when we believe in Jesus for eternal life.  These treasures in heaven must be something more…and if they can be stored up or not, then we all will have different amounts.

The topic of “Eternal rewards” is not talked about much in our modern-day churches.  But Jesus talked about them quite a bit and so did the other New Testament writers. 

You might have heard someone say, “I don’t need any rewards.  I’ll just be happy to be in heaven”.  While a statement like that sounds quite humble and spiritual…it’s actually pretty arrogant and selfish to think that way.  Jesus wasn’t giving a suggestion or an optional side-quest in His Sermon on the Mount.  He told us to store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.  That’s a pretty clear direction.

Imagine getting to heaven, standing before Jesus, and realizing that all your treasures were stored on earth.  I don’t think the “I’m just happy to be here” defense is going to feel all that comforting.

So what are the treasures in heaven and how do we store them up?  We’ll take a look at those in the coming weeks.  But for now, stop and ask Jesus to reveal where your heart is at, what do you find valuable?  It’s just like He said: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Is your heart focused on earthly things or heavenly things?  Being honest with that question is the best place to start.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

You can’t get this from AI

Jacob was in trouble, and he knew it.

After decades of being away, God told him to take his family back to his homeland.  The problem with doing so was that he would have to face up to his brother.  When they were younger, Jacob had cheated Esau out of his family’s inheritance and his father’s blessing.  Then Jacob left because he discovered Esau’s plan to kill him as soon as their father died.

Now Jacob and his family are heading home, just like God told him to.  They are one day away from their destination and have gotten word that Esau is headed their way – and he’s bringing 400 men with him.

Jacob is so scared that he split his family into two camps and sent them all ahead, so they could offer gifts and livestock, in an attempt to soften Esau’s disposition.  Completely alone, he stayed back for the night – and ended up in a fight for his life:

Genesis 32:24-28, 31
Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.  When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob’s hip socket as they wrestled and dislocated his hip.  Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
“What is your name?” the man asked.
“Jacob,” he replied
“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” he said.  “It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”

…The sun shone on him as he passed by Penuel – limping because of his hip.

Jacob spent the entire night wrestling with God.  Straining, attacking, defending, pouring out all his energy into his struggle…and because of that night, he was forever changed.

It cost him something – Jacob’s hip bothered him the rest of his life.  But he gained something greater – a new identity.  God blessed Jacob with a new name, and this name would be a distinctive identifier for him and all who would follow in his family line. 

It was recently brought to my attention that Jacob could have received this unique blessing only one way – through struggle.  Jacob was no stranger to struggle in his life; some of it was due to his own choices, some of it was brought on by others.  Instead of being consumed by the challenges in his life, Jacob found favor and blessing with God because he chose to struggle through them.

But most of us (myself included) don’t like to struggle.  We like it when victories come easy.  We take shortcuts all the time to avoid struggle.  Don’t feel like making dinner?  Doordash it.  Don’t want to do laundry?  Go to Target and buy a shirt (I did this once).  Have a question about God or the Bible?  Ask AI for the answer.

I have nothing against services, stores, and tools…but if we outsource everything, including our God-sized questions, then our avoidance of struggle keeps us from obtaining the rewards that only come through effort.

Don’t miss this from Jacob’s story – God honored Jacob for struggling with Him.  Maybe we’re afraid of what the struggle might cost us.  But that kind of thinking underestimates the amount of blessing God can give.  Do you believe God is bigger than your struggles?  Do you believe His goodness and blessings are better than what you might give up?

It wasn’t just a name change for Jacob.  He received a new identity – one that impacted him, his family, and all of history. 

Don’t think that is possible for you?  Then struggle with God and find out.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

How to develop a defiant faith

In this series, we’ve walked with a prophet that is little-known to most of us modern-day Christians.  Habakkuk lived in the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Jerusalem.  However, where the writings of most other Old Testament prophets were about God’s message to the people, what is unique about the book of Habakkuk is that the prophet recorded his conversation with God on behalf of the people.

Initially, Habakkuk wanted to know why God was letting the people of Judah get away with ignoring God and mistreating each other.  But after God revealed His plan – to allow the Chaldeans (aka the Babylonians) to punish Judah before God destroys the Chaldeans – we got to struggle with Habakkuk as he tries to wrap his head around God’s Plan for history.  Once he understands how much higher God’s Plans are than ours, Habakkuk takes comfort in who God is, knowing that He is both good and trustworthy.  God would still rescue His people, even if the correction they receive comes at the hands of a people group they view as more wicked than themselves.

However, the prophet’s writings ends with Habakkuk realizing what is about to happen – the Chaldeans will be coming soon:

Habakkuk 3:16
I heard, and I trembled within;
my lips quivered at the sound.
Rottenness entered my bones;
I trembled where I stood.

Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress
to come against the people invading us.

Although Habakkuk knew relief would eventually come for his people, he also knew that relief would come later…in the meantime, his country must endure the punishment of the Chaldeans first.

He knew how ruthless the Chaldeans would be.  Habakkuk had rightfully described them as treacherous, wicked, and without mercy.  He trembled at what he knew they were about to endure.

But Habakkuk also knew he wasn’t entirely helpless.  Despite his world completely falling apart around him, he still could choose his outlook and attitude:

Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though the flocks disappear from the pen
and there are no herds in the stalls,
yet I will celebrate in the Lord;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

The Lord my Lord is my strength;
He makes my feet like those of a deer
and enables me to walk on mountain heights!

Do you hear the defiance in his voice?  His faith in God is defying the brokenness and depressing circumstances that are in front of him.  His hope is set on something bigger than what appears around him.

When absolutely nothing is going right, Habakkuk says yet I will celebrate in the Lord and the Lord is my strength.

To help us understand Habakkuk’s choice of defiant faith, let’s take his farming-gone-wrong examples and put them into our modern context:

·       When I’ve been let go from my job and there are no prospects in my field while my bank account is draining, yet I will celebrate in the Lord.
·       When the doctors say my spouse is out of treatment options, yet the Lord is my strength.
·       When the people I counted on for support have betrayed me, yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
·       When my child abandons everything I tried to teach them, and they choose a destructive path, yet the Lord is my strength.

Despite any and all circumstances…yet I will trust in God.

Habakkuk chose to be defiantly faithful in the face of awful circumstances.  When we do the same, we will see God in a new way…while learning to trust Him and His Plan.

Keep Pressing,
Ken