When I was Baptized on November 7th, 2021 at Southeast Christian Church - (BEST DAY EVER) - I accepted that my life was now fully and totally turned over to Jesus as both LORD and SAVIOUR. You know not just the words and "excitement" of the fact that He died...for me. But, the TRUTH of the power of The Cross. And then I get stunned...humbled...knowing that God Knew me, Knew my return to Him before I came home. God so loves us.

SO: I read today about the Rewards in Heaven for Believers. Hmm. I thought all believers went to Heaven and it was even and justified. An entirely new thought - rewards actually layered out differently in Heaven - a kind of system.

Now I am just beginning to look at this. Seeking out sermons, teachers, and of course THE WORD to guide me into a new knowledge. So bear with me, write me, share with me what you know, what the Word shares with You.

For now, my beginning of awareness into this thought of Rewards in Heaven starts here:

For Pastors and Leaders - there is a responsibility to shepherds.

1 Peter 5:2-4 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind

This is on my mind now as I am reluctantly exiting a church I love... because as I have matured I see it is a comfort church, a don't-be-too-tough church, a modern social church bending to culture rather than bringing culture to the Word. That is not the responsibility of the Shepherd: He is to bring the Whole Word, unbending to current trends, ideologies or language. Only some pastors will get this Crown of Glory and many, many will not. I am not that judge, God is. But over Easter - from the Last Supper to Crucifixion, to not have even mentioned the very Name of Jesus in the one same sermon that was repeated 8 times (to accommodate the people's times and busy schedules) - it simply must make God Weep.

For the Faithful through their life into death - martyrdom for the LORD.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

When I read about this, and read the stories of each Apostle's martyrdom I sat long and quiet with myself. You call in this Power, God - and yes, I will offer the sacrifice. I think I would not deny God at all: I also.... think of Peter and that crow. I pray to be the servant I think I am and way, way beyond that.  So humbled by what Jesus did for me, so humbled as the broken human I am, revealing myself to myself over and over. I now pray daily for that sureness of strength and conviction. Fill me up God!

These scriptures have guided me, and I continue to read and ask for guidance as to how be the best Warrior Here, Now, in THIS time I am born to. I am built to be here now because I AM here now.

1. Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
2. 2John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
3. Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Not only that there are rewards and a syetm in Heaven - but, we are COMMANDED to lay rewards in Heaven. This is all new to me. Help me as we walk through this together!

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Let's consider these things together in the chat and conversation.