Heart

Colossians 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (KJV)
 
Someday you will stand before our Lord seeking entrance into His kingdom and looking for your eternal reward. Those that make it in will be the ones that made salvation a way of life and not just some weekly ritual. You will find that our Lord would like to reward you today; however, there are terms and conditions for receiving it.
 
Matthew 6:1-3 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (KJV)
 
The true Christians that we have left today are not really well known or popular; well, at least not with mankind. Those that have a big following are more of a people pleasing bunch who won’t do anything without an audience. As you can clearly see their reward is limited and their doctrines are limiting God from working on their behalf.
 
Matthew 6:4-6 That your alms may be in secret: and thy Father which sees in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when you pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 6 But thou, when you pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly. (KJV)
 
When the motive of your heart is right you are far less concerned with what man thinks and only concerned with pleasing our Lord. I get tired of those that think their prayers are much more effective when they have an audience, or those that have to let everyone know how much they pray. I would rather have our Lord’s reward any day, knowing who I am in Christ and my place in His body of believers.
 
2 Corinthians 6:9-10 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (KJV)
 
Those that seek their reward from God know who they are in Christ despite the outward appearance. Those that are known of God are not well known with man because they are neither seeking mans’ approval or attention. Which one are you pleasing today, the outward fallen man, or God?
 
Galatians 4:8-11 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain. (KJV)
 
Many claim they know God based on their works, however, I would rather be known of Him based on what I allow Him to work in me today. You know you might want to take a second look at some of those holidays that man observes and claims are of God. Do you do these things because God says to observe them, or would it fall into the category of pleasing people?
 
Something to ponder dearly loved. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.