DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: Genesis 24:1; Deuteronomy 8:8-10; John 10:10; James 1:17	PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for the physical, financial and relational blessings He has given you.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Deuteronomy 8:11-18	PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you appreciate blessings without putting them before Him in your life.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: 1 Samuel 12:24; Matthew 4:10; Galatians 5:13 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you give up anything that is getting in the way of serving Him as you should.

THURSDAY - VERSES: Luke 6:38; Romans 8:18-25 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you remember the future rewards for the sacrifices of today.

FRIDAY - VERSES: Deuteronomy 32:11-21 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to forgive you for times you did not give up something you should have.

SATURDAY - VERSES: Psalm 24:3-5; Malachi 3:10; Luke 18:29-
30; James 1:12 PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for the promises He has given to those who will give up physical things for spiritual things.

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"...the Christians, who reject the gods and fearing to die after death do not in the meantime fear to die." - Minucius Felix

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We have all heard that you can never get more out than you put in, but when God is in the equation that rule no longer applies.

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ASSIGNMENTS

1. Daily read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Place the scripture where you will see it each day.

3. Think of times and ways you have been blessed by sacrificing for Jesus.

4. Write down the ways you have sacrificed or been blessed because of previous sacrifices.

5. Plan to tell the class how you have been blessed as a result of sacrifices you've made, or tell how you have not sacrificed when you should have.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 62

RECOMPENSE 10-06-13 TO 10-12-13

SCRIPTURE - Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

COMMENT – Jesus promises us that whatever we give up for his sake, or because we are Christians, here in this life, we will receive blessings from him worth a hundred times more than what we gave up. These blessings will come in this life and in eternity in heaven.

SONG – IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS

1. The service of Jesus true pleasure affords, In him there is joy without an alloy; 'Tis Heaven to trust him and rest on his words;

CHORUS: It pays to serve Jesus each day. It pays to serve Jesus, it pays ev'ry day, It pays ev'ry step of the way; though the pathway to glory may sometimes be drear, You'll be happy each step of the way.

2. It pays to serve Jesus whate'er may betide, it pays to be true whate'er you may do; 'Tis riches of mercy in him to abide;

3. Tho' sometimes the shadows may hang o'er the way, and sorrows make to beckon us home, Our precious Redeemer each toil will repay;

THOUGHTS

They Dared Lose Home

Many years ago Mr. Truett of Texas was invited to a church that was raising $6,500 to build a church building. After $3,000 had been promised, the offerings ceased.

Then a plainly-dressed woman arose and spoke to her husband who was taking the names. "Charley, I wonder if you would be willing to give our little cottage, just out of debt. We were offered $3,500 for it yesterday. Would you be willing to give our little house for Christ that His house may be free?" The fine fellow responded in the same high spirit: "Jennie, dear, I was thinking of the same thing." Then looking up at Truett with his face covered with tears, he said, "We will give the $3,500."

Then there followed a scene beggaring all description. Men and women sobbed aloud, and almost in a moment others provided the $3,500. Then without invitation there came down the aisle men and women, saying, "Sir, where is the Savior, and how can we find him?"

Principle Of Immediate Reward

Years ago Gerald Stanley Lee told about an American employer in Mexico who was driven almost crazy by the dilatory actions of his workmen on a construction job. They were paid a daily wage to wheel loads of dirt to a dump. They worked as if engaged in a slow race.

When he figured out what it was worth to haul and dump, he paid each workman for each wheelbarrow load dumped. After that he had trouble keeping the men from working themselves to death.

All this employer did was to give recognition to the truth that the lower in the scale of intelligence men are, the closer to their work must be placed the reward for that work.

Are you intelligent enough to give up everything now for much more later?

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Give and Get

When we are willing to give ourselves to God, He gives our lives back to us much better and more rewarding than what they were before.

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Parable Of Pig And Cow

A rich man said to his minister, "Why is it everyone is always criticizing me for being miserly, when everyone knows that I have made provision to leave everything I possess to charity when I die?"

"Well," said the minister, "let me tell you about the pig and the cow. The pig was lamenting to the cow one day about how unpopular he was. 'People are always talking about your gentleness and your kindness,' said the pig. 'You give milk and cream, But I give even more. I give bacon and ham—I give bristles and they even pickle my feet! Still no one likes me. I'm just a pig. Why is this?' The cow thought a minute, and then said: 'Well, maybe it's because I give while I'm still living.' "

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Sorrowful

Many there are who would think that the word "sorrowful" would never be associated with the words "rich," "young," and "ruler." But such was the case with the young man in Matthew 19:22-23; Luke 18:18. He had position, possessions, and youth. In spite of having all three, he went away sorrowful.

He was sorrowful because of what he would have to give up. He should have been sorrowful because of what he would miss in the future.

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GIVE UP AND GET MORE

INTRODUCTION - MATTHEW 19:23-30

I. THE _______________ FOR THE REWARD: THE BELIEVER IS TO BE REWARDED BECAUSE HE HAS LEFT ALL; HE HAS GIVEN HIS SUPREME ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS CHRIST

A. LEAVING IMMEDIATE FAMILY – NOT ALLOW FAMILY TO COME BETWEEN US AND OUR ALLEGIANCE TO GOD

B. LEAVING LANDS (POSSESSIONS)- BEGAN WITH HOUSES ENDED WITH LANDS

C. LUKE 14:33

D. CONSIDER WHY ABRAHAM IS CONSIDERED THE FATHER OF THE FAITHFUL. - GENESIS 12:1-3; HEBREWS 11:8-10

II. THE _________________ REWARD: AN HUNDREDFOLD.

A. THE GOSPEL OF MARK MAKES IT CLEAR THAT CHRIST WAS SPEAKING OF PRESENT REWARD - MARK 10:29-30

B. THE REWARD IS BOTH HUMAN AND MATERIAL. - 1 JOHN 1:3,7; JOHN 10:10; MATTHEW 6:33; 2 CORINTHIANS 9:8; PHILIPPIANS 4:19; EPHESIANS 4:28)

III. THE ______________ REWARD IS __________________ LIFE IN HEAVEN - MARK 10:21; GALATIANS 6:8; 1 PETER 1:3-4; HEBREWS 12:22-23

CONCLUSION

A. Eternal Loss Or Temporary Pleasure

B. HEBREWS 11:24-28

C. PHILIPPIANS 3:7-11

GIVE UP AND GET MORE

INTRODUCTION

SCRIPTURE - (Mat 19:23-30) Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. {24} "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." {25} When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" {26} But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." {27} Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" {28} So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. {29} "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. {30} "But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

A. GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS WHOSE FAMILY DISOWNED HER WHEN SHE BECAME A CHRISTIAN

B. FOURTEEN YEAR OLD CONVERT IN PAKISTAN WHOSE PARENTS KILLED HER WHEN SHE TOLD THEM OF HER CONVERSION. AND FIFTEEN YEAR-OLD WHO TAUGHT HER, TO BE PUBLICLY EXECUTED.

C. MY CLOSENESS TO MY SPIRITUAL FAMILY MORE THAN PHYSICAL FAMILY

I. THE REASON FOR THE REWARD: THE BELIEVER IS TO BE REWARDED BECAUSE HE HAS LEFT ALL; HE HAS GIVEN HIS SUPREME ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS CHRIST

A. LEAVING IMMEDIATE FAMILY – NOT ALLOW FAMILY TO COME BETWEEN US AND OUR ALLEGIANCE TO GOD

B. LEAVING LANDS (POSSESSIONS)- BEGAN WITH HOUSES ENDED WITH LANDS

C. (Luke 14:33) "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

D. CONSIDER WHY ABRAHAM IS CONSIDERED THE FATHER OF THE FAITHFUL.

1. Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

2. Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (9) By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: (10) For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

II. THE PRESENT REWARD: AN HUNDREDFOLD.

A. THE GOSPEL OF MARK MAKES IT CLEAR THAT CHRIST WAS SPEAKING OF PRESENT REWARD - (Mark 10:29-30) So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, {30} "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time; houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

B. THE REWARD IS BOTH HUMAN AND MATERIAL.

1. THE HUMAN REWARD – A HUNDREDFOLD MORE FAMILY

a. (1 John 1:3) that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

b. (1 John 1:7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

2. THE MATERIAL REWARD – A HUNDREDFOLD MORE POSSESSIONS

a. (John 10:10) "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

b. (Mat 6:33) "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

c. (2 Cor 9:8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

d. (Phil 4:19) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

e. (Eph 4:28) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

III. THE FUTURE REWARD IS EVERLASTING LIFE IN HEAVEN

A. (Mark 10:21) Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

B. (Gal 6:8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

C. (1 Pet 1:3-4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

D. (Heb 12:22-23) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, {23} to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

CONCLUSION

A. Eternal Loss Or Temporary Pleasure

A tribe in Africa elects a new king every seven years but it invariably kills its old king. For seven years the member of the tribe enjoying this high honor is provided with every luxury known to savage life. During these years his authority is absolute, even to the power of life and death. For seven years he rules, is honored and surfeited with possessions, but at the end he dies.

Every member of the tribe is aware of this, for it is a custom of long standing; but there is never lacking an applicant for the post. For seven years of luxury and power men are willing to sacrifice the remainder of life's expectation.

Scores and hundreds and thousands are willing to be bankrupts through eternity if they may only win their millions here.

B. (Heb 11:24-28) By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, {25} choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, {26} esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. {27} By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. {28} By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

C. (Phil 3:7-11) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. {8} Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; {10} that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, {11} if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.