Jesus Christ gave us the basics of believing on Him for salvation…

and indicated that God desires our fellowship…each person, His special creation.

Sadly, though, some will spend time with Him barely just once a week,

which makes us want to remind them…there’s more that they should seek.

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There will be rewards in heaven for what we’ve done in regard…

to contributing to His kingdom, which doesn’t have to be hard.

We can open up our wallets, helping many established outreaches.

We can pray or serve in some way…not having to be one who “preaches.”

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If they’ve believed in Jesus Christ, confessing Him as the Lord of Lords,

that’s wonderful, but they must realize He wants to also give rewards.

And, in giving, with love, to others, we receive during this life, too…

Doing for our “neighbor,” not living just for ourselves, is a fulfilling thing to do.

P. A. Oltrogge

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Read Matthew 25

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Revelation 22:12-13

1 Corinthians 3:11-15
2 Corinthians 5:10
Hebrews 6:10

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There are many established Christian outreaches which have been mentioned on this blog, and you may be aware of others as well. Samaritans Purse is often looking for volunteers. Of course, as Christians, we are serving the Lord, too, in our daily workplace. But I wrote the above poetic text out of concern for those who think they’re right with God, but may not actually be born again, since they don’t really commune with Him, and attend church very infrequently.

Father, please awaken those who need to take things a step further–from knowing of You, to knowing You and serving You, as You lead them… You want them to receive reward. Help us all to follow as You lead… in Jesus’ name, we pray…Amen

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-5

Jesus, You are the True Vine, to which I’m blessed to have a strong connection. It’s through Your truths and the Holy Spirit You sent, that I find wisdom and direction.

Before learning to trust Your guidance, I attempted some plans of my own. But they only showed me my need to draw close–to You at Your heavenly throne.

There, You’d waited patiently for me, to learn more about You and abide…in the peace of Your presence in order to bear fruit, by which Your Father is glorified.

It’s written in Your Word, that I’m seated with You, together in the heavenly places; I’m an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ, so I receive of divine daily graces.

“Much fruit” are actually the words that this portion of scripture has detailed; You will perfect a good work in me, so I won’t be a branch that has failed.

Without You, I can do nothing; but, by drawing from the Vine, I become able…to tell of the One who changed water into wine–the best at the wedding table.

Many other miracles come to mind as I think back on all that I’ve read: Parables shared and words that were prophetic are among the things that You said.

In and through You, I’m the kind of branch that remains and continues to thrive, sharing through kind deeds and words about Jesus, our God, who is very much alive!

P. A. Oltrogge

“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:6-11

“You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me.” John 15:3-4
(New Living Translation)

“Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7

“The spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 KJV

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Jesus, along with His chosen disciples, came to His hometown location…

He taught in its synagogue on the Sabbath, where He was met with offense from the people, rather than admiration.

Despite the wisdom He displayed, those who were there could only think of Him as the carpenter–Mary’s son…

who’d been raised there in Nazareth, with His brothers and sisters.  Those who thought higher of Him were almost none.

Jesus noted how His own household and relatives gave Him no honor, but doubted His God-given role.

He could do no mighty work there except to lay His hands on a few who were sick and healed them–always His goal.

Moving on to other villages to continue His work for God, His Father, He marveled at their unbelief.

Yet, He did move on, for He knew there would be others ahead who would be welcoming of His relief.

Expanding God’s ministry, He commissioned His twelve disciples, and sent them out two by two…

telling them that taking authority over unclean spirits was an assignment which they, also, could do.

They were to take only a walking stick, but no bread, traveling bag, or money for their journey ahead.

They could wear sandals but not take along a change of clothes.  They set out, heeding all He had said.

Jesus had also shared that when they entered a house they were to stay there until they were ready to depart.

And if any place would not receive them or listen to them, they should shake the dust from their feet and make a new start.

That would be a warning to that household, as they continued to journey on to share with others of the need to repent.  So the disciples cast out many demons and healed the sick, to whom they’d been sent.

P. A. Oltrogge

(the above was derived from Mark 6)

After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection:

“Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’

“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” Mark 16:14-20

Jesus commissions us, as believers, today, too…

Visit a powerful ministry at: http://www.dynamisworldministries.com