Jesus has come to give us the abundant life in His Presence. It is always there for the taking. He is no respecter of persons and is "The Rewarder" of those who diligently seek Him. Thank God He is a rewarder! You can see that God knows that we need something called "incentives." You see Jesus giving us incentives to be generous, to seek Him, to love and follow Him in all things. He created us and knows what motivates us.
How does God motivate or give us incentives? Start with giving. He says, "Give and... what?" “It shall be given to you - even a good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over." (Luke 6:38) Why would He say this to us? He is motivating us!
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
The first church I ever regularly attended was a faith church. On occasion they had a speaker that would come in by the name of Buddy Harrison. He was the founder of Harrison House Publishing and had an extremely great sense of humor. I can remember him talking about giving. He would say, "God loves a feeeeaaarfuuuul giver? Then would wait for response. Then he would say, "God loves a teeeeaaarfuuuul giver?" Would then wait once again for a response with people laughing. Then would say that "God loves a CHEERFUL giver!" Everybody would be cracking up laughing because he was a hysterical preacher.
The truth is that God LOVES cheerful givers and wants us to be hilariously generous because He really wants to bless our lives beyond what we can imagine.
Seek and Find
When we seek, He doesn't say, "but don't expect to find anything." He tells us that "we will find." God calls Himself the Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He wants us to have expectation of reward, blessing, increase, multiplication, and overflow!
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." Psalm 103:2-5
What an amazing passage! Even David, who lived in pre-Christ times, understood and believed in the benefits that God freely gives. Don't ever fall for the lie that you are being humble by not expecting anything - faith expects! Without faith it is impossible to please God. Jesus wants us to believe with actions that express it - have faith and expect Him to do far above all we can ask or think. Jesus said, "Only believe" and "All things are possible to him who believes." Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)
God says and does things for a reason. Jesus spoke the things He did so that we would believe what He said. Again, Jesus said if your earthly father, being evil, gives good gifts to his children - then HOW MUCH MORE will your heavenly Father give good gifts and the Holy Spirit to those who ask. (Matthew 7:11)
Know that GOD IS FOR YOU and that all of His promises are YES and AMEN in Christ. Believe God to breakthrough in your life, for promises fulfilled, and then also be faith-full and cheerfully generous in all things.
God has refreshing for your soul. If you are feeling weary invite Him to come and wash over you with His Presence!
Pray This Prayer
Jesus, come inside me. Holy Spirit, I welcome you to wash me and cleanse me with the river of Your Presence! Come refresh me heart and help me to surrender all I am to You! Jesus, thank you for your goodness, blessing and overflow in my life by the power of Your Spirit! Amen!
John Belt
