The Thought for the Day is from 2 Timothy 4 v 8.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Recently a man received a magazine sweepstakes letter that addressed him by name and repeatedly mentioned a £500,000 prize. It spoke of instant wealth and a lifetime of leisure. Finally at the bottom of page 2, in very small print, he found the part he was looking for. As required by law, the letter told him that the approximate numerical odds of him winning the prize were 1 in 80 million. Now that’s remote!
Contrast that with Paul’s anticipation of what awaited him in heaven: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” Note his assurance: “There is laid up for me,” Not “there might be” or “there’s a slight chance”—“there is.”
If you have welcomed Christ into your life then the same prize awaits you. Count on it, plan on it, anticipate it! It’s a promise from God.
Our present choices determine our future rewards.
Many years ago, when my husband got the Reader’s Digest delivered, he used to get this kind of letter. It all sounds so wonderful but the letters got torn up and put in the bin. How many people who have won millions on the lottery have been happy?
On many occasions marriages have broken up or friends have been lost. Sudden wealth can bring so many problems. Isn’t it wonderful to have the belief that our treasure is in heaven and not to hope for a “big win” on earth.
Please pray that people will keep their focus on God and not the false promises of the world.
Our Prize in heaven comes from Him alone.