***I Corinthians 3***
Verse 13
*
~each man's work will become~
evident, for the day will show it,
because it is to be revealed
with fire, and the fire itself
will test the quality of
each man's work.
*
(Soul Winner's New American Standard New Testament)
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Grace be unto to you from me, my beloved Christian brothers & sisters. Let us thank God once again for allowing His word to be shared through this group. Thank all of you in sending such touching sentiments of thought last week. I pray that, in this effort of sending forth the word, it has been a blessing to you as it has been for me. For all of those who have been faithful in joining me, God almighty do I thank, for your friendship. In this upcoming week, seek God's face & ask Him to guide & teach you His ways through faith & prayer.
Dear friends, I would like to write to you on a subject, not always one we often talk about, nevertheless, one that is a reality. Is it a possibility for us to look forward to death with a genuine gladness, that of school children, when a day of classes is over? You know friends, there is such a joyfulness & happiness of a child when they are playing or know that school is out & all they want to do is have fun.
We should be as happy as little children, knowing that our
heavenly Father awaits us & to see loved ones once again,
never to be away from them ever again. Yes, separation is painful, but as Christians we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Rather, we can rejoice, with tear-filled eyes, because our loved ones have taken up new residence in heaven.
An unknown poet wrote:
Someday the bell will sound,
Someday my heart will bound,
As with a shout,
that school is out,
And lessons done,
I homeward run.
O Christian friends, I know it is a rare believer, who joyfully welcomes death. No doubt, we may long for it if we are painfully or incurably sick, in old age, alone, or even unable to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Otherwise, we cling to life with a God given instinct of self preservation, not really balancing our love of life with the truth reflected in the words of an old song:
"This world is not my home."
Aliens, pilgrims, & sojourners are we for just a few fleeting years. You see friends, for a Christian death is to be a
coronation. A picture, that of a regal prince who, after his struggles & conquests in an alien land, returns to his native country & court to be crowned & honored for his deeds. Never forget friends, if you are a Christian you are a child of the King! Our citizenship lies in heaven & someday all of life's battles will be over & our heavenly home awaits us.
God is so wonderful dear friends.
For this brings me to my topic this week:
(Five Crowns)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We see in the new testament, working for God has a payoff, in that, each man's work is to be tried by fire & after any remain,
he shall receive a reward.
Friends, there are "Five Crowns Of Grace" for the saved.
"that we may have confidence in the day of judgment."
(Epistle I John 4:17)
(A)
(Achievement Crown----Incorruptible Crown....For Discipline)
(I Corinthians 9:24-27)
The apostle Paul knew that at the end of our days only one opinion will matter, that of the ultimate Umpire, the "righteous Judge" before whom we play the game of life & run this race. Like an athlete who had spent his strength to win the prize. Paul had persevered. during his 30 years of ministry, voices surely urged him to cheat in the race, throw in the towel, even compromising the faith, but he did not listen, for he only wanted to please the one
"True Judge"
Dear friends it does matter how you run your race before God.
(B)
(Overcomers Crown----"The Crown of Life")
(James 1:12)
We usually count it joy when we escape our trials, tests, & sorrow, but in fact it should be a glorious opportunity of proving our faith, just as an automobile maker knows that the best proof of the car's worth is the road test. We should not count it joy because of the trial, but in what the end result shall be. O dear friends, use your trials. God makes our trials an instrument of blessing, but too often our trials work impatience, but God gives grace that His real purpose may be accomplished.
Stay close to God.
(C)
(Soul Winners Crown----Exultation)
(I Thessalonians 2:19-20)
O Christian brothers & sisters, how wonderful it will be to see the ones others would not feed, give substance, financial aid, shaking your hand & saying thank You for sharing the word & allowing me to get saved. To hear Jesus say "well done thy good & faithful servant" gives me the encouragement to carry on in His work, knowing that I have a crown of exultation
waiting on me for winning souls to Christ.
Do you want this crown?
(D)
(Lover Of The Second Coming Crown----Righteousness)
(II Timothy 4:7-8)
Paul was about to become a martyr, & through all of his troubles he kept the faith & doctrines of the gospel. What a comfort it would be in our last days being able to speak in such like manner. The crown of believers is a crown of righteousness, purchased by the righteousness of Christ. Be sure my friends, that it is laid for us who are saved & trust Jesus with our lives, even those who have loved His appearing.
Through all of many troubles & storms, we shall still rejoice.
(E)
(Flock Feeders----"Crown Of Glory")
(I Peter 5:2-4)
Peter exhorts to the leaders of the Church to care for the flock. He tells them not "to lord it over them," but to serve them whom has been allotted unto us. Some of us are in charge of Church groups & we should shepherd them in such a way that they will listen to your call.
Jesus told Peter to
"feed my sheep."
(John 21)
Under-shepherds are to receive their rewards from the
Chief Shepherd when he shall appear.
His crown of glory shall be fadeless.
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Dear friends, the Christian life is like a jungle battle & we know who our enemy is, he is the satan. He is opposed to all of us who choose to seek Christ & will try to stop us in any way to reject God's will in our life.
We should always put on the armor as Paul tells us about in
(Ephesians 6)
Our hope should be that, in the Great Day of Judgment,
we will receive crowns from our saviour &
spend eternity with Him.
Can you say
(Thank you Lord)
*Serving The Lord Is An Investment*
That Pays Eternal Dividends
*
Pray for one another in the uplifting of spirit & healing & if this has been a beacon of light for you, please send me a note of reflection. As always, if any of you wish to be opted from this list, please send a note, so that I shall delete your name, in that, I wish not to offend anyone.
May God always walk with you & you with God.
Peace
Don
F-orsaking
A-ll
I
T-ake
H-im
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