The Crowns of Life...

The Crowns of Life...

Have you ever given any thoughts of God's reward system? There is one you
know. In James 1:12 (NIV) it says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under
trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the Crown of Life
that God has promised to those who love Him."

Our prize is the gift of mercy that is freely given by God. We are employed
in His army and serve his Kingdom and should always be in training. Ever
wonder how the Roman army conquered the know world at the time? They never
stopped training. They knew that their victories were not totally dependant
on sheer numbers and courage alone. It was their constant training that
kept them alert and ready to meet the enemy at all times. We as soldiers in
God's army should be no less prepared to go into battle for souls at any
time and in any place. And we are in constant battle for victory over the
devils schemes and souls. Our battle is for the souls that have not yet
come to the knowledge of God's love and mercy. You were there once. And
there was a battle going on in your life and spirit, and it was some soldier
of the living God that was prepared for that moment and stepped in and
pulled you out of your crisis and helped you turn your life over to Jesus.
The best way to repay a kindness as great as that is to enlist in God's army
yourself and send yourself to the front line of the battle every day. To
many of us find a personal relationship with Christ and retire into smug
resolve. Smug in our knowledge that we are saved. We tend to think that
others will find their way to Christ and that someone else will be there for
them just as someone was there for you. Well, to whom much is given, much
is expected.(Luke 12: 47-49NKJV) In order to "earn your keep", so to speak,
you must enlist in this army and do your part for the Kingdom of God.

Although we do not strive to serve God simply in order to win a prize
(crowns), how will you feel on that day when you stand before the Almighty
and, in overwhelming awe, you, as all of us, place your crowns at His feet,
and you find that you only have one crown to lay before him? P L I N K.
What a hollow little sound that will make. Here you are before the
magnificent author of your salvation and all you have to show for it is the
one crown you won for staying the course of your Christianity. A freebie
from God. I would want to crawl away and hide for all eternity.

So the solution is that we all keep our eyes on the prize,(Philippians 3:14)
but focus our daily walk with Jesus, we will all be victorious and not come
to the wedding feast empty handed. There is nothing more amazing than
introducing a lost soul to Jesus Christ. You won't have to look far. There
is probably one right next to you........Patti