Rhapsody of Realities 16 January 2024: There’s a Crown Waiting

Rhapsody of Realities 16 January 2024: There’s a Crown Waiting

SCRIPTURE: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown (Revelation 3:11).

What a strong admonition from the Lord! He counselled the church in Philadelphia to hold fast to what they had. These weren’t earthly things but spiritual things. He told them to hold fast to them because of the possibility of losing them. The way to hold fast to what God has given to you is to put it to work; keep using it.

Imagine a Christian who was always winning souls and bringing them to church. But one day, something offended him and he stopped winning souls. If only he knew that there was a crown of righteousness waiting for him; but now, someone else was going to get it.

If it weren’t possible for someone else to get it, God wouldn’t have said so. Read our opening verse again: “…hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Seeing someone else do what God told you to do is one of life’s deepest pains. Think about Saul for example; when God called Saul to be king of Israel, He promised him an eternal dynasty. Saul however lost it, and David got it 1( Samuel 13:13-14).

Read Yesterday’s Rhapsody of Realities Here

Whatever assignment is given to you to carry out in the house of God, hallow it. Do it joyfully and do it as unto Christ. Handle it with great care, because at the end of the day, the Bible says we’ll al give account to God for al that we did. Also, there’s a crown waiting and it’s a crown of righteousness for all who obeyed Him and fulfilled their assignment.

PRAYER: Dear Father, I recognize the spiritual treasures you have entrusted to me and I hold fast to them diligently. I thank you for the grace you’ve given me to complete every assignment. I refuse to be swayed by offence or distractions, but I remain resolute, steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord, committed to fulfilling your purpose for my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.

²⁵ Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.

²⁶ Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.

²⁷ But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

⁸ [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

1 Peter 5:1-4

I warn and counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the church) as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a sharer in the glory (the honor and splendor) that is to be revealed (disclosed, unfolded):

² Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully;

³ Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).

⁴ And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror’s crown of glory.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 12:1-21 & Genesis 38-39

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 9:32-43 & Job 3-4

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Rhapsody of Realities 16 January 2024

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