God Rewards You

Part IV

Pastor Young Joon Park

September 28, 2008

 

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please Him,

for he who comes to God must believe that He is

and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

 

I. The Bible helps you to walk by faith

 

In 1999, I had an encounter with the Lord and the Holy Spirit gave me clear revelation in certain areas.

One of the revelations was to have a balanced Christian life.

There needs to be a balance between the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

 

So we need to go back to the word of God, because our faith comes from there.

 

Romans 10:17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

 

I am not going to share what the Bible is, but I am going to share how the Word of God helps us to walk by faith.

 

1. God's divine character

A lot of people have the wrong concept about God.

Some of them were taught by false teachers, or were hurt by Christians or church leaders. Many people have different views about God.

 

One day I received an email about a TV program where the host of the TV show (Oprah) was debating with Christians.

She had attended a Baptist Church until the age of 27. She turned away from the Lord because a preacher taught that God is a jealous God. She totally disagreed with it, and left the church.

She could not understand the simple word about the Lord's Divine Character "Jealousy¡± at all. If she saw the real meaning of the Lord's jealousy instead of her concept of jealousy, she might kneel down to the Lord.

 

We need to know and understand the Lord's Divine Character.

How can we understand and know Him?

The Bible is the answer for this question that is why we have to go back to the Word of the Lord.

 

Through the Word of God, we can understand and know Him more clearly, and then we can worship Him in spirit and in truth.

 

We can rely on Him when we know Him better with complete trust.

 

2. God's promises

The Word of God is full of His Promises for us.

 

#Jeremiah – God released His Promise about Jerusalem to him.

Jeremiah 29:10

For thus says the LORD, ¡®When seventy years (605-538 BC) have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.

 

#Daniel found the promise from the book of Jeremiah.

Daniel 9:2-3

In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.

 

That is why Daniel started to pray for Israel.

 

Our life in learning to walk by faith will shift to a new level when we learn to use the promises of God and apply it to our lives.

 

This is one of the ways you can hear the voice of the Lord with great conviction in your spirit. And this is the moment you can experience the spoken Word of the Lord.

You can experience the Voice of the Lord and the Living Word of God.

 

I have experienced the Living Word of God quite a bit, since I've been following Him and having Him as my Lord and Savior.

 

God speaks to us at the right moment through the Word of God, the Bible.

 

3. God's view for our life

I shared about Jim Williams' life when I began the "God rewards us¡± series.

We might not have the same difficulty or be in the same situation as him, but it was not easy to handle.

But he went through and was victorious.

It was the worst storm season of his life, but he broke through it with victory.

 

To this present day two verses from the Word of God have taken away all my difficulties. It is Romans 8:28.

 

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

 

Also another verse from the word of the Lord is I Corinthians 10:13.

I Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

 

God is speaking to us and saying that the storm or difficult time that you were going through, are going through, or will go through has a purpose. It is not by accident.

 

When I traveled by airplane there was a storm.

The airplane was shaking severely, the seat belt sign kept blinking, and the captain announced to stay in our seats because of the rough weather.

 

And then finally we were over the clouds. Suddenly the airplane was steady, and we could see the sun and clear skies above the clouds. There was no storm at all. It was a totally different situation.

 

I believe that God is speaking to your personal life at this moment, so please listen to what the Lord is speaking to you right now.

 

Now we need to enjoy Him. And we need to grow and produce fruit through His Word, so our life can transform to become full of life. So I would like to share in a certain area right now.

 

4. God's resources for your transformation

 

God did not give us His Word to argue or debate about theories or doctrines.

God gave us His Word to bring transformation to our life. We need to transform through the Holy Spirit.

 

Many Christians want to transform their lives, so they study the word of God.  But they have missed one important element.

 

They have not experienced a personal Word from the Lord.

They read the Bible, but they do not perceive what God is speaking to their personal life.

 

Suggestion – Everyday spend time with the Lord with the Word of God.

Wait and listen carefully to the Lord. See if there is anything related to your situation or what you are concerned with when you read the Bible.

Focus on the Word and listen to the Lord's voice, and see how the Word of God is related to your situation.

Write down the meaning of the Word of God that God speaks to your heart, and then ask the Lord what you have to do with what you heard from the Lord. Write down what you are going to do with this word in detail.

 

It might a little bit difficult or you may not be used to doing it from the beginning, but it will become your life if you keep doing it everyday.

 

Then you will experience the Living Word of God in your life more and more.

 

I saw many people become arrogant who are not focusing in this area, and I also saw many people grow in the Lord through this type of lifestyle.

 

God's Word is an unlimited resource in every area of our life.

So let's pour out our heart to the Word of God.

 

 

II.  Praise brings transformation

 

We have 2 major kinds of people around us.

One person always thanks or praises, and the other person always complains, blames or gossips.

 

You are continually at peace and it brings you joy when you hang around people who praise the Lord, thank Him, and are positive.

But you are going to be frustrated, tired, and want to get away from people who are gossiping, complaining, blaming, or are negative.

 

God wants us to transform our life by praising Him with a thankful heart all the time.

We really need to change our negative attitudes to a positive attitude.

 

How can we praise and thank the Lord no matter what situation we are in?

 

1. God

We have to know God and to have faith in God.

     1) Sovereign

Every thing in the universe is under His Hand; there is no exception at all.

He controls the universe, each nation, the world, the natural weather, economy situation¡¦ Lots of people worry about the US economy situation or political situation, but it is under His Control.

 

Do you believe that nothing is going to affect your life without our Father God's permission?

 

Luke 12:6

Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God (yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father).

 

     2) Good

Our God never plays a dirty game with you at all.

He wants to give you the best things.

He is a good God for you.

 

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

 

     3) Omnipotent

 

Luke 1:37

"For nothing will be impossible with God."

Sometimes we regret something if was not done right from the beginning because then the circumstances would be different. It is not going to help or change the situation if we regret what we have done.

 

We need to not regret the situation, but go to the Lord who is omnipotent.

There is nothing impossible for the Lord.

 

Instead of regretting what happened, we need to thank and praise the Lord. We also need to look for the Lord's purpose in the situation.

 

     4) Omnipresence

 

Psalm 139:7-8

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

 

This means that He never leaves you, and He will be with you all the time even if you do not feel Him.

 

 

     5) Omniscience

 

Luke 12:7

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

 

God knows your every situation.

He knows your past, present, and future.

 

It means that God is going to take care of you throughout your entire life.

 

2. The result of a praising life

 

   1) God's power into your life through your praise

In general, people get excited and praise when everything goes well. But when things are not going well, then we start becoming concerned about it, and end up with worry, anxiety, and fear.

Spiritually we are going to be attacked by the devil, and this brings discouragement and accusations, which falls into depression.

But when you start praising and worshipping the Lord, you are entering spiritual warfare and at the same time you allow the Lord to come into your problem or difficulty.

God is going to release His Power in your life when He comes into your situation.

 

Psalm 22:3

Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.

This means that God abides in our praise.

 

Do you have a difficult situation right now?

Bring it to the Lord, praise the Lord and thank Him, and see how God is going to work in your life.

 

   2) God's peace in your life through your praise

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Everything – is there any exception from everything?

Thanksgiving – we need to thank the Lord, because He is going to answer our request.

Peace of God – this peace comes from the Lord.

When you have this peace, then you know the answer is already a done deal and on the way.

 

God spoke a word to me, and I had great peace in Him during my difficult situation.

This is the Word God spoke to me.

Psalm 12:5-6

 "Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,

Now I will arise,¡± says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs.¡±

The words of the LORD are pure words;

As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

 

And I knew that my prayer was answered with great conviction and deep peace.

 

   3) God changes your situation or yourself through your praise

 Praising is not just a method to solve a problem, but it is a life style.

 

Testimony #

One old lady – her life style was full of praise and thanksgiving – all the village people knew her as a worshipper – her only son broke his leg severely – continuing as usual she praised the Lord about her son's broken leg – people wondered about it – soon after that problem the war broke out– every young person was recruited to the military except her son

 

God can change yourself or the situation.

Let's take a step forward in praising and worshipping the Lord with thanksgiving.

 

III. A Giver is a Receiver

Jesus gave us the heavenly mathematics.

 

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

 

Who asks you to give an offering to the Lord?

Father God Himself asked us to give to Him.

Why did He ask us to give?

He asked us to give because He loves us and He died for us.

Our Father God is a Giver, and He wants to give us abundantly.

 

God spoke to us about the blessings of giving.

 

 

1. Blessings of Giving

 

1)    You can do the best investment with money

Money is the main issue of our life.

People can be up and down emotionally and even give up on their own life because of the money issue.

Black Friday – the great economic depression – lots of businessmen committed suicide.

 

Right now we have the stock market falling

 

But heaven is the safest place to invest our money, and also God will release the great interest for us.

 

Malachi 3:10-11

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,¡± says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,¡± says the LORD of hosts.

This is God's word and His Word is true.

 

Some people try to analyze the word and try to change the meaning.

 Tithing is not a Law from Moses, but this was a custom from Abraham's time among the people. The tithe means giving your best from the income that the Lord supplied for you.

The best means that everything is the Lord's.

God sees how much you give with your heart, and it is not about the amount.

 

Some people question the tithe because of their financial situation.

 

An offering is a matter of the heart between you and the Lord.

No one can make the decision for you in terms of an offering, and also no one has any business to either allow or forbid how much offering you decide to give to the Lord.

 

If you believe that God is going to fulfill His promise to you, then you know what to do.

 

Some people compromise the offering for their convenience.

We need to check our heart and where our faith lies.

 

 

    2) You can have the Kingdom mind

We want to live deeper for the Lord's work. Do you want to be concerned about what concerns God?

Matthew 6:21

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

You are already giving to the Lord, so you are concerned about what concerns God too.

Many companies encouraged their employees to buy the company stock because they know the rule of the heart that Jesus taught us.

When we give an offering to the Lord it goes to your church, and not someone else's church.  You will see His Kingdom and will have the Kingdom mind to glorify His Name through your life.

 

    3) You can grow to spiritual maturity

I look back on my past and present through my giving.

I do not know how, but God has poured out His Blessings throughout my life. Our giving changed our life and we learned how to trust the Lord.

 

I have seen the mature person's offering level different from the immature person's.

 

 

    4) Your debt will be paid off

I have seen many cases. Someone was homeless, but God restored him from the situation. Some people were in debt, but they paid if off and also bought a house. I shared about a couple who lost their job and God spoke to them to give what they had to the Lord.  After this they received $28,000, and after one week the husband and wife got a job.

 

Proverbs 11:24

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,

And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.

 

We really need to claim His Blessings and expect from the Lord when you give to the Lord. That is why we stand together to claim the covenant blessings.

 

    5) You will be prosperous and successful

We know the beatitudes about the 8 blessings from Jesus' teaching.

There is another blessing that we call the 9th blessing.

 

Acts 20:35b

remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ¡®It is more blessed to give than to receive.' ¡±

 

You will receive blessings when you give, and this is a way to receive His Blessings.

 

 

2. Invest your money in the Heavenly Bank

 

When you deposit your money to your saving account, you can receive interest.

We try to find out the highest interest CD, and we choose to deposit in that account.

 

Our God's Bank will give the best interest to us, and also we will grow in faith in the Lord.

The real meaning of giving money to the Lord is to give your heart and your life.

God wants your heart, and also God honors your heart.

 

II Corinthians 6:7-8

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

 

Let's open our heart to give to the Lord.

And trust the Lord that He honors you.