I remember a number of years ago when we were in India for a Gospel Event, I was with our driver who was telling me how difficult his life was, and how he would drive people around who were much more successful in life than he was. He was feeling a little sorry for himself. I remember asking him if he was a Christian; if he was saved and had Jesus in his heart. He told me he was and I told him if he had Jesus he was saved eternally; he had a relationship with the God of the Universe; he was more blessed than millions of precious people who had never heard or received the Gospel.
I don’t want to undermine or minimize the plight of those suffering and living a life of abject poverty; life can be very difficult for so many. But I remember as I shared with this man, he began to smile, he began to see and understand with fresh appreciation exactly how blessed he was. Maybe he wasn’t rewarded in life as much as some others for his efforts, but God was His reward.
Anyone who has Jesus is infinitely and limitlessly blessed. Jesus is the priceless treasure money cannot buy. God is a reward in and of Himself. I remember when I first got saved, I wanted more of God. I was enamored with God and His presence, everything else in my life became secondary and it has been like that for me ever since.
Recently, I was listening to a Kathryn Kuhlman message, and she was sharing how much she loved Jesus, and even though her ministry had become very successful, she would go back to the early days where it was humble and difficult, in a heartbeat, if that would please Him. Wow, such a wonderful perspective! God was the reward of Kathryn Kuhlman. It wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say of any Evangelist in modern history that her ministry was marked by the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit more than most.
God is your reward! Sometimes it’s helpful to take a step back and remember just that! We need to spend time thinking about the greatness of the price Jesus paid to redeem us! Gratitude for what we have in Christ is the basis for joy and happiness in the Christian life. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:12-13 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Paul had learned that God was His reward. Jesus was everything to him and circumstances did not define what He could or couldn’t do for God. I have people approach me and say if God did this or that first, then they would serve Him. My thoughts are, if God has called you to do something, then that is all you need to know. God will make a way for you! He is all you need! All you need is a willingness to hear His voice, obey and trust Him!
Paul was content in all circumstances of life because nothing mattered more to him than relationship with Jesus. Paul said in Philippians 3:5-7 “I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin–a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”
Paul was a well credentialed successful religious leader and yet with all of His achievements, he came to the realization that all of it meant nothing compared to knowing Jesus! God was His reward. God said to Abraham in Genesis 15:1 “After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” God’s heart is clear here. He spoke to His friend Abraham, in effect saying don’t be concerned about anything, all you need to be concerned about is me, I will take care of you!
If you seek first the Kingdom of God, He will take care of you. God is highlighting the important truth that relationship between God and others is the most precious thing in life. Material things are needed in life and we need resources to serve God and to live well, but we need to remember our priorities!
And then, there is the issue of how much of God we have in our lives. Many times how much we have of God is determined by our level of spiritual hunger. Let me tell you, there is always more of God to be received in this life. Jesus said in Luke 11:13 “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Jesus is saying here that the greatest gift is the Holy Spirit or God Himself! God is our reward!
And today, I want to encourage you, if you have Jesus in your heart and life, you have everything you need. You have the greatest reward of all. You can have more of God in your life. Take some time out today to reflect on what you have in Jesus. Ask God for more of the Holy Spirit in your life. God wants to reward you with more of Himself. As you do all of these things, you will find breakthroughs and blessings will begin to invade every area of your life, we just need to remember if we have God we have all we need!
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