THE PRICE IS RIGHT
I have a customer who has several locations throughout Michigan. One amazing common thread these employees have regardless of their location is; they are adamant to take their lunch break at 11:30 am so they can enjoy their lunch as they watch - THE PRICE IS RIGHT. I am certain if you own a TV you have watched this show at least a dozen times and Bob Barker’s name is an icon. Bob hosted this show for 35 years and Drew is the new host - just seems odd to me. However, what seems so comical to me is, as I observe my classes, as they watch THE PRICE IS RIGHT, - is the fact of how interactive they become for this 30 minutes. I feel like I am in the live audience.
The last several days my mailbox as well as my email has been deluged with pre-Black Friday sale ads. The lure is to convince you to buy now while – The Price Is Right. Fortunately I absolutely hate shopping! Yes I am a woman and to top that we raised three daughters who love to shop. They already are making plans on how their Black Friday shopping adventure will transpire. When the girls were teenagers I had to institute a rule; no looking at the Sunday paper until after church. This was to cut down on the fighting over the ads that would take place every Sunday morning before church. Eventually I also had to say, “no shopping on Sundays” because I began to dread Sundays.
I started thinking about the price of salvation. Salvation cost us absolutely nothing but it cost the Son of God His life. Praise the Lord the story did not stay in the grave. The resurrection power bust forth paving a way for us to experience eternal life and escape hell’s flames. Not only do we receive freedom from hell but the word salvation comes from Sozo, meaning nothing lacking, nothing missing. This means that healing, deliverance, and provision have been included in our salvation gift. In fact a day will come when we receive “rewards” for what we have done on this earth. Now that sounds great, however that will cost us something, our willingness to serve the King. I have often thought about my life wondering if what I have done as I serve my King will gain any type of reward. In one respect that sounds boastful but not when you look at the flip side………………..
1 Corinthians 3:12-17(NKJV)
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (to me, entering Heaven with hell’s flames trying to lick my feet sounds horrifying!)Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (to me, entering Heaven with hell’s flames trying to lick my feet sounds horrifying!)Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
I have been a Christian since I was a young girl. When I face judgment day I want to know that I have somehow served my King. Hopefully there will be a reward for me, but I am the only person that can make sure the life I live here on earth is advancing the kingdom of Heaven. Now I am not saying this for merely gaining a reward, but to know the One I love and serve, I have not failed.
I encourage you to read the following verses that give us insights into the rewards that can await us in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 3:8(NKJV)
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
1 Corinthians 9:25(NKJV)
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Revelation 2:23(NKJV)
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
Revelation 22:12(NKJV)
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
The Bible talks about five crowns.
The Crown of Righteousness:
2 Timothy 4:7-8(NKJV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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.
The Incorruptible Crown:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27(NKJV)
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 in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
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 in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
The Crown of Life:
Revelation 2:10(NKJV)
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.
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.
The Crown of Rejoicing:
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20(NKJV)
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?
For you are our glory and joy.
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?
For you are our glory and joy.
The Crown of Glory:
1 Peter 5:1-4(NKJV)
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
How shall we serve our King? What price are we willing to pay?
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