Thoughts for Life: #110 Prayer Can Be the Best Investment You Will Ever Make

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- God's special blessings are reserved for those who work discreetly for Him, desiring to please only Him and not people. So often financial gifts become public knowledge that part of one's reward is realized here on earth as others become aware of the service and praise it.

We are encouraged in God's Word to be faithful and obedient servants, and He will reward us openly. We pray not for the sake of reward, however, but because He has asked us to do so. (Google image)

We have no way of estimating how great heaven's rewards and prayer dividends will be, though God does give us some thrilling suggestions. For one thing, God's ways are so much higher than our ways—as much higher as the heavens are above the earth (Isa. 55:9); surely that includes His ways of rewarding. Likewise, Jesus emphasized that God knows infinitely better than any human father how to give good things to His children (Matt. 7:11).

The rewards of prayer are indescribably greater than any dividends paid by an earthly investment. The Bible teaches that a sinner who denies God is of all men a fool. I sometimes wonder if some Christians also should not be classified as fools.

A Christian whose prayers are almost always self-centered "give me" prayers, who can spend an hour a day reading the newspaper and not even five minutes reading God's Word, who averages more than two hours a day watching television and cannot even give one hour to prayer—surely he or she is, of all people, most foolish!

That person knows the power of God, the glory of heaven, the length of eternity, the certainty of God's rewards for all we do for Him, yet places most of the emphasis of life on that which will have no value at all in eternity.

That person wastes earthly time and loses eternal rewards. Much of the life investment of such a Christian will be burned up in a flash at the fiery judgment seat of Christ before which we all shall stand (Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:9-10). This Christian, though saved, is building on Christ with materials of wood, hay, and straw (1 Cor. 3:11-15). Paul says that individual will "suffer loss."

Prayer is your opportunity to transmute minutes and hours into eternal reward, earthly time into eternal blessings. Prayer is one of the most godly activities anyone on earth can engage in, perhaps the most godly of all. It is the constant activity of God, Son and Holy Spirit. Surely time invested in partnership with Jesus and the Holy Spirit is the wisest use of time you can ever make.

"Be very careful, the, how you live—not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity . . . Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" (Eph. 5:15-17).

(Chapter 29, p. 220-222, italics added for emphasis)

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Let's pray-

Father, may we serve you discreetly, keeping in mind that You're the one we're serving, not people. Your Word tells us that You will reward us openly for what we do, because You've asked us to obey Your will.

Your ways are higher than ours, so we can be assured that the rewarding of our praying for others will pay good dividends. May our prayers not be "give me" prayers, but to put Your emphasis on what's important in the kingdom's interest.

Help us become aware of the time we waste on things that don't count for eternal rewards, as much will be burned up in a flash at the judgment seat of Christ. May we understand that prayer is our opportunity to take advantage of the minutes and hours given us to turn into eternal reward and eternal blessings.

The most godly living anyone can engage in is to be involved in Your constant activity. With Jesus and Your Holy Spirit guiding us, may we choose to wisely use our time. May we not be foolish and miss the opportunities to pray for Your will to be done.

We ask for this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

Proverbs 18:10 (NASB) “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”

2 Corinthians 12:10 (AMPC) “So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).”

Isaiah 60:1 NIV) “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

Quote for today-

~Debbie McDaniel- "Though God is not the author of evil in our world, and though often He does choose to shelter and protect us from the evil attacks of the enemy on our lives, sometimes . . . He takes us straight through dark seasons. And it’s never to leave us there for no purpose. He will always have a purpose and hope through what we may experience, however difficult it may be. He will always be faithful to bring greater good."

Words of wisdom-

~ Problems are seemingly multiplied through worrying. As the Lord enjoys taking them into His care and "melting them" like icicles into manageable measures, it may be wise to allow Him to take care of them. They'll "melt" in His hands.

Today's question-

Who Is this Jesus?

He was a great prophet, yes. He demonstrated authority when He spoke, which amazed the religious leaders and everyone who heard Him. He healed the sick who came to Him, He opened the eyes of the blind and set captives free from demonic oppression. What the people didn't understand was that He was their King, the One promised to them that they'd been looking for.

There were 456 Messianic promises that He fulfilled, which was an impossibility for any normal man to do. He was crucified for our sins on a cross, was buried in a burrowed tomb, and was raised to life again on the third day. He was seen of 500 on one particular day, and He talked daily with His disciples to instruct and encourage them in what He was going to commission them to accomplish for Him.

This is the foundation of our faith as born-again believers in the Lord Jesus. We have everything we need in this One who is the supreme authority on everything. There will be no end to His kingdom, as we will be taken to heaven with Him when we are raised from death, or at His second appearance.

This is Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of all lords!