[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Great Is Your Reward
February 7, 2012

Many businesses have “points programs” that offer rewards to loyal customers. You can stack up these rewards by using their companies’ services, like eating at local restaurants, staying at certain hotels, or flying on particular airlines. Choosing to spend your money this way makes a lot of sense.

God has a rewards program as well. Jesus often spoke of His desire to reward us for loyally serving Him. When we are persecuted for His sake, for example, He says to “rejoice . . . for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:12). In contrast to the Pharisees’ pious habit of giving, praying, and fasting in public, Jesus instructed us to do these things privately, because “your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (6:4,6,18). When it comes to living for Jesus, faithfulness never ultimately puts your life in a deficit position, regardless of what it costs.

But we don’t serve Jesus for the rewards. When He died for us on the cross, He did far more for us than we deserve. Loyalty to Him is an act of worship that expresses our loving gratitude for His love toward us. In return, He delights to encourage us with the assurance that ultimately His rewards will outweigh whatever we have given up for Him.

Live for Jesus—regardless of the cost.

Our service for the Lord will be
Rewarded one day openly,
By God who sees in secrecy
All sacrifice for Him. —Sper

What is done for Christ in this life
will be rewarded in the life to come.

Read: Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. —Matthew 6:4

Bible in a year:
Numbers 7-10

[jaycee]

I will be away today. Going to lunch with that
high school bunch. I haven't been in a while so
thought I'd break down and go today!
See you soon. Have a great Tuesday!

[Diver Dave]

Another great message from ODB. I can’t imagine not serving Him. Thank You, Rus.

[geologist]

Mayor, thank you for today’s devotional, you are dedicated and faithful.

When we repent and surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord of our life, and turn to him and serve him, we are rewarded already. Forgiveness of sins relieves us of burdens untold, and and the joy of knowing he has gone to prepare a place for us ... where he is, we will be also, and he gave us his PEACE.

Indeed, we are rewarded by knowing this. Yet we trust Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Redeemer, deliverer, in faith, day by day.

In this life there will be strife, and turmoil, ...

Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us even to the ends of the earth. Hallelujah! Amen.