DCLM Higher Everyday 18 Dececmber 2023 — Rough Road To Our Rewards
Topic: Rough Road To Our Rewards
Text: Luke 6:20-26
20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Key Verse: “Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh” (Luke 6:21).
Message
The popular saying, “He who laughs last, laughs best” not only has a pinch of truth in it but the backing of Scriptures. There is such a thing as deferred or delayed gratification. It means the act of resisting the impulse to take an immediately available reward in the hope of obtaining a more-valued reward in the future. One of the most important challenges we face in life is the need to delay gratification.
The ability to either forgo immediate temptations or persist in a difficult activity in order to reach your goal, is a key component of success. Whether the goal is to pass an exam, save for the future, build a career or even make heaven, you need to discipline yourself now to achieve a future reward. The Scriptures teach us that there are sowing times and reaping times. Sowing times are not pleasant times. They involve toils, tears and thorns. But with patience and persistence, the rewards are sure to follow. You achieve your long-term goals through challenges and temptations. However, “ye shall laugh” when you see Jesus face to face.
Quote: He who laughs last, laughs best
Challenge: Patience and persistence will be rewarded.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to discipline myself now for the future rewards.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
