I read a post by Sister Beverly that made me think…
https://wp.me/p4siHw-2Px
This is what you pray for, hope for, believe in. Your sharing will stimulate something in someone that will help, stimulate, guide, lead…there is just no end! Let me ask all the writers/readers on the site…why do you write/read? Seriously!
I can answer why I write, I think!
To ‘explain’ this, the words are in me; the question is “should I let them out?” Why keep them in? Will my share be helpful to someone else?
Actually, let me ask…if a writer, why do you write? If a reader, why do you read? Is there not anything better for you to be doing? BIG question! “Like what?” Watch TV, read a book…what? Read? Isn’t that what you are doing now? So the question was not ‘stupid’. Here you are reading!
So I’d better get straight to the point. Let us take a quick look at The most read book in the World! The Bible. To make this clear, a quick review showed:
- The Bible.
- Quotations From Chairman Mao.
- Harry Potter Series.
- The Lord of the Rings.
- The Alchemist.
- The Da Vinci Code.
- The Twilight Saga (Stephenie Meyer)
- Gone With the Wind.
Mark 16:15 says “
I read a post by Sister Beverly that made me think…
https://wp.me/p4siHw-2Px
I can answer why I write, I think!
To ‘explain’ this, the words are in me; the question is “should I let them out?” Why keep them in? Will my share be helpful to someone else?
Actually, let me ask…if a writer, why do you write? If a reader, why do you read? Is there not anything better for you to be doing? BIG question! “Like what?” Watch TV, read a book…what? Read? Isn’t that what you are doing now? So the question was not ‘stupid’. Here you are reading!
So I’d better get straight to the point. Let us take a quick look at The most read book in the World! The Bible. To make this clear, a quick review showed:
The Bible is #1. So, no matter what we say, it is the worlds most read book! It was meant to be that way by the Creator of this Universe.
Mark 16:15
“And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Spreading-The-Gospel/
https://dailyverses.net/evangelism/niv/kjv
Are we doing as directed? We have been asked to do something; are we?
https://www.openbible.info/topics/spreading_the_gospel
I understand that this is repetitive, but the reason I state this is for a specific reason. I am led to share. Many people share because they know to! Ever been too busy, shy, unsure, too bogged down…?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D3c7ay8Pp2Pw&ved=2ahUKEwjxzsXPv5_kAhXvSt8KHUBwD5sQwqsBMAl6BAgBEAU&usg=AOvVaw2eSOFcdROBLBrFvtQ3bta1
We can hear this from different sources. Reason? We must know what we gave been asked to do! How?
We have directions, do we follow them?
Why?
https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/share-the-gospel/evangelism-principles/why-we-share-the-gospel.html
Ok, so you ask; “Why this lengthy diatribe?” Sister Beverly just shortly said what the difficulties were in sharing The Word. To back this up, I studied and read. There is no end to The reason to share! We get joy from sharing The Word. When we get ‘Home’ The joy is unspeakable! When and if (which you will!, Amen) come in spirit with someone you led to Christ. The joy! Wow! The joy! Knowing that the may have missed excellent AWESOMENESS if you had not shared when you did…absolute pleasure is expressed.
There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. They are the imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life. The Greek word translated “crown” is stephanos (the source for the name Stephen the martyr) and means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.” Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest. As such, this word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful. Paul’s passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.
1) The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (NKJV). All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). This is analogous to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
2) The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19) “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us. As Christians we have more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else. Luke tells us there is rejoicing even now in heaven (Luke 15:7). The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
3) The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:8) “Finally, 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.” We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. Through our enduring discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (Philippians 3:20). This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.
4) The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:4) “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” Though Peter is addressing the elders, we must also remember that the crown will be awarded to all those who long for or love His appearing. This word “glory” is an interesting word referring to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His great splendor and brightness. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God (Acts 7:55-56). This word also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11; Galatians 1:5). It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself. For as Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NKJV).
5) The Crown of Life – (Revelation 2:10) “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This crown is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who endure sufferings, who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death. In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives. He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” (John 4:10, 6:35). We know that our earthly lives will end. But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25).
James tells us that this crown of life is for all those who love God (James 1:12). The question then is how do we demonstrate our love for God? The apostle John answers this for us: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). As His children we must keep His commandments, obeying Him, always remaining faithful. So, as we endure the inevitable trials, pains, heartaches, and tribulations—as long as we live—may we ever move forward, always “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and receive the crown of life that awaits us.
No matter how it ‘feels’, share! The joy itself cannot be described!
Your message reminded me of an Ecclesiast Verse when and why to read and write, assuming the content is meaningful.
King Solomon
Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well. (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
Regards and goodwill blogging.