The Lord spoke these words to me one morning as I was working.
He was showing me a division between His children on this very question. This caught my attention for I know division is not in His heart for any of us. Paul talks lotsabout how each of us are a part of a body and only truly function efficiently when we are all in alignment with each other and His word.
Are you open to breaking down this question, and unpacking it, to see where our focus is, because by the way focusing on Either are wrong, but both can be within context., and this question brings about a division within the Body of Christ. Why? Food for thought.
There has been much talk in the Christian press about what’s called the ‘The prosperity gospel’. Some churches and ministries have chosen to pick it up and run with it, and others have felt to lay it down and take a different track.
For now let’s agree to put this argument aside, and remember the Truth: The FATHER’S HEART is ALWAYS to BLESS His Children, as should be the same with our human fathers and us as fathers.
Jesus teaches this to us in Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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 good gifts to those who ask him!
And in John 10:10 and Luke 6:38 both talk about, ABUNDANCE and OVERFLOW of PROVISION FROM THE FATHER. Woohoo!
Yes! The Lord wants you to be blessed and to receive blessings
Yes! He wants your life to overflow with blessings
We need to start by BEING HONEST and asking the question WHAT ARE WE FOCUSED ON? And are we more focused and committed to the WORK GIVEN BY THE LORD FOR us to do or by the REWARD THE WORD PROMISES to us?
The most important work He’s given to us is
TO BE PART OF WINNING PEOPLE TO CHRIST!
Food for thought… when did you last ‘win someone’ for Christ?
Do you need to rethink, realign, with the Father on what that looks like for the season you are in?
When we know this, then it’s time for action, we determine and heart commit to being all in, and we seek God for the how to.
Is it wrong to focus on the reward of doing the Lord’s work?
Because deep down if we’re honest, isn’t that what can drive us? Did Jesus need reward to do the Father’s will? Hmm why do we?
But in same breathe is it wrong to focus solely on doing the work of the Lord? In essence it’s both in the BALANCE He has for you.
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Firstly the Lord is saying EVERY little and big THING YOU DO can BE DONE FOR ME and UNTO ME. Wow! You have a choice who will you serve and who will get the GLORY and FAME?
I’m talking the everyday stuff as well, the dishes you wash, the papers you mark, the ones you talk too, the rides you give, the house you clean, the business you run, ALL can be for the LORD if it’s done with a HEART a PLACE of this is all yours and for You Lord.
This quote “Have you ever noticed how in the scriptures men are always going up into the mountains to commune with god? Yet in the scriptures we hardly ever hear of women going to the mountains? Have you wondered that? Here’s some insight God meets womenat the wells where they draw water for their families, in their homes, in their kitchens, in their gardens, in their workplaces. He comes to them as they sit beside sickbeds, as they give birth, care for the elderly, and perform necessary mourning and burial rites. They were going about their ordinary tasks and Holy Spirit added His EXTRA to them.
Remember Jesus’ story of the widow who gave all she had, 2 coins, and Jesus said her offering, sacrifice, working heartily was of more impact, significance and legacy than the wealthy who gave from their excess, but without personal investment or cost to them.
Secondly we need the RIGHT HEART ATTITUDE of Working Heartily and Putting our all in, is to and for the Lord. It comes down to that little word “attitude” or ‘perspective’ how we choose to see and view those things we are asked to do and who we realise they are for and how God thinks and feels about these ones.
Thirdly as we have a HEART of both Honour and Service to the Lord we will receive the Inheritance or Reward from Him. I don’t know about you but I want that. I want to know God’s pleasure, smile, delight in and over me, and that whatever I’m doing is for Him, His Glory, His Name, His Fame, I’m bringing glory to Him.
Ephesians 1 is a good place to go, and remind yourself.
Lastly we get given the opportunity and invitation to share Jesus in a greater and more public way, and out of that the reward will come, but it may not come in the way we were expecting it. It is good to be EXPECTANT but not come with EXPECTATIONS, there is a difference
Here’s your challenge: Grab a quiet space, your journal and be with the Lord.
1. Ask Him, what am I focused on and why? Record what He reveals to you.
2. Ask Him, what does He have and want for you to be focused on? Record what He reveals to you.
3. Ask the Lord, how am I going with the most important work? Is a new strategy needed? Record what He says to you.
4. Now you have a choice, do you want to pick up His focus He has for you (what He revealed to you) if so say a prayer like: “Father I choose to pick up .. (the focus He revealed) and I choose to lay down (my focus) thank you Lord.
5. Another choice, Do you want to do the most important work using His strategy? If so say a prayer like “Father I say yes to partnering with You to win people to Christ, I choose to lay down my strategy (say what He revealed to you) and I choose to pick up Your new strategy (say what He revealed to you) so that I will be effective in buildingYour Kingdom here.
6. Ask Him, Are there any areas of my life where I am not working heartily for You? (Record all He says to you)
7. Choice time, if you want all areas and parts of your life to be working heartily for Him, maybe say a prayer like: “Father I choose to give you (the areas He’s revealed to you ) and I invite You to take over and renew all the areas and spaces of my life (that He’s revealed to you) so that all of me works heartily for You”
8. Put on Praise and Worship and Give thanks to the Lord for He is WORTHY of all our Praise and Honour.
Father, thank You that Your heart, will and way is always for unity in the Body of Your Children. Thank You for the revelation we’ve had that both the work and reward from You is to focus on winning people to Christ, as You show us Your way and strategy to lead others to Christ. Please help us to be deliberate, honest, and intentional about the journey we on with You as Sons and Daughters of You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Craig and Winnie Patten Itinerate Pastor/Apostolic Leaders Encounter Ministries
I would like to thank our Editor and Co writer of this remarkable message. Paula Blackie we honour you for all you are and do in editing theses messages, the input in our messages and helping equip the saints for their ministries through our ministry !
