Reluctant Retiree

How many rewards programs are you involved with? Reward programs are everywhere. Hotels, airlines, online shopping companies, and even grocery stores offer inducements to get your loyalty. Most are great, if properly utilized. But have you tapped into the greatest reward program offered anywhere?

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” God offers us the best rewards that we can find anywhere, and He freely gives these rewards. However, they are only available by faith in seeking God. These rewards include salvation, redemption, goodness, peace, eternal life, hope, joy and abundant love. Sign up today by giving your life to the God who loves you.

We share the closest friendships with those who have similar values and interests. Those who pretend to be our friends but whose behaviors indicate that they have self-interests only, are relegated to a less close relationship. We shouldn’t ignore them completely and not express interest in them, but we would naturally spend less time with them and not consider them close friends.

Hebrews 10:22 says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” God is holy. Therefore, in order to draw near to God, we must come to Him truly desiring to know Him and with a sincere faith that He will lead us in His goodness and mercy. Sharing God’s values allows us to grow close to Him.

I don’t know how often I have planned something with due diligence, only later to find disappointment at the end. I gave it my best shot, using all the ability, knowledge, and care that I could master, but the results did not live up to my forecast. Even when I have tried to do something that benefitted others, when using my own abilities, I have not succeeded as I would like.

Psalm 20:7-8 explains why, when it says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.” When we depend solely on our own abilities, knowledge and strength, we will face disappointment in the truly important matters of life. No amount of good intentions, street smarts, experience, or human endeavor can secure salvation and redemption. We cannot earn God’s favor, forgiveness and mercy. Only when we fully trust in His wisdom, power, and goodness can we find the best of what life offers and the grace of God.

A stadium is crowded with 50,000 people united in cheering for their team. When their team makes a good play, the crowd rises to their feet and screams joyously. Fans of the opposing team moan in disappointment. When the game is over, everyone returns home with memories of victory or defeat. The game brings temporary satisfaction or suffering.

Isaiah 66:18 says, “For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory.” One day God will bring history to a close. He will gather all people before Him and we will see His glory. Just like the game, some will rejoice at seeing God’s glory and others will suffer. If we have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we will be ushered into God’s presence and rejoice forevermore. If we have rejected Jesus, then we will be thrown into eternal punishment. God judges in righteousness, because He knows our thoughts and works. We will have no opportunity to plead our case or make a defense. We already had a lifetime to accept God’s gift of salvation. I pray that you will be on the winning side at the end by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior now.

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Matthew 6:12

Forgiving is a form of giving. When we forgive others we offer them peace, comfort, healing, freedom, love, hope, and reconciliation. We also give ourselves freedom from chains of unforgiveness and bitterness that seek to bind us and hold us back from who we can become. Generous people give generously and forgive freely.