The Final Debrief: What We Carry Into Glory

Every believer stands on the same foundation, Jesus Christ. But what each one builds upon that foundation is tested by fire at the Bema seat of Christ. Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 3 is not about salvation but about legacy: wood, hay, and stubble represent the self-serving, the superficial, and the temporally motivated, while gold, silver, and precious stones represent faithful obedience built for God's glory. The judgment seat described in 2 Corinthians 5 is not a courtroom of condemnation but an accounting of stewardship. every deed done in the body examined not for guilt, but for faithfulness. The reward of that faithfulness is heard in the simplest words imaginable: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). But the teaching does not end with the reward, it ends with worship. Revelation 4 reveals that the crowns given to the elders are not kept as trophies; they are cast before the throne of the One who alone is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. The whole arc of the teaching presses a single question: What are you building, and for whom? What survives the fire will be laid at His feet and that changes everything about how we live today.

Works That Follow Us: What we do in this life has eternal weight.

• Revelation 14:13: our works follow us beyond death.
• 1 Corinthians 3:10–15: Christ tests the quality of our work; only what is fireproof remains.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10: every believer appears before Christ for reward.
• Colossians 3:23–24: work done “unto the Lord” becomes inheritance.
• Ephesians 6:7–8: the Lord repays the good we do.
• Hebrews 6:10: God is not unjust to forget faithful labor.

Character That Carries Forward: Sanctification is not discarded at death. It is completed.

• Romans 8:29–30: God’s endgame is Christlikeness.
• 1 John 3:2: we will be like Him when we see Him.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18: the transformation happening now continues into what is revealed then.
• Philippians 1:6: He finishes what He starts.
• Colossians 3:10: renewed into the image of the Creator.
• Jude 24: He keeps us and presents us blameless with joy.

Souls Won and Discipled: People, not possessions, cross into eternity.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20: believers Paul invested in are his crown.
• Philippians 4:1: people are lasting fruit.
• Daniel 12:3: leading many to righteousness shines forever.
• John 4:36: the sower and reaper rejoice together.
• Proverbs 11:30: the one who wins souls is wise.

Rewards, Faithfulness, and Stewardship

The Parable Framework: Jesus ties eternal reward to faithfulness in ordinary responsibility.

• Matthew 25:14–30: talents judged; reward proportional to faithfulness.
• Luke 19:11–27: faithfulness over “very little” leads to authority over cities.
• Matthew 25:34–40: serving “the least of these” is serving Christ.

Crowns as Specific Rewards

• 2 Timothy 4:8: crown of righteousness for loving His appearing.
• James 1:12 / Revelation 2:10: crown of life for endurance.
• 1 Peter 5:4: crown of glory for faithful shepherds.
• 1 Corinthians 9:24–27: imperishable crown for disciplined service.
• Revelation 3:11: hold fast so no one takes your crown.

Stewardship Principles

• Luke 16:10–12: faithfulness with what is small reveals readiness for true riches.
• Matthew 6:19–21: treasure in heaven, not on earth.
• Luke 12:42–48: much given, much required.
• Romans 14:12: each gives an account to God.
• Hebrews 4:13: nothing hidden before Him.

Accounting for Time and Gifts

• Ephesians 5:15–16: redeem the time.
• 1 Peter 4:10: steward spiritual gifts for others.
• Matthew 12:36: account even for careless words.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13–14: every deed brought into judgment.

Hearing “Well Done”

The Direct Words

• Matthew 25:21, 23: “Well done… enter the joy of your Master.”
• Luke 19:17: faithfulness in little brings kingdom authority.

Approval From God, Not Men

• 2 Timothy 2:15: present yourself to God as one approved.
• 1 Corinthians 4:3–5: the Lord examines motives.
• Galatians 1:10: seek His approval, not applause.
• John 5:44: desire the glory that comes from God.

The Joy of the Master

• Matthew 25:21: reward includes shared joy.
• Hebrews 12:2: Jesus endured for the joy ahead; we follow that pattern.
• Zephaniah 3:17: God rejoices over His people.

Standing Before the Judge-King

• Revelation 22:12: Christ returns with rewards in hand.
• Isaiah 40:10: His recompense is with Him.
• Hebrews 11:6: He rewards diligent seekers.
• Romans 2:6–7: He renders according to works.

The Crown Returned in Worship

• Revelation 4:10–11: every crown is cast at His feet. Reward becomes worship.

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Develop a prayerful outlook, Quiet time with the Lords Prayer

Preparing to meet a new friend today (Bob), specifically to talk about matters of faith and fellowship. How to have a 30 minute quiet time (using The Lord’s Prayer)

The Bible is way more honest about life than the church. We don't need formulas. Keep it simple, keep honest/real and keep it going.

Pray continually. (1 Thes 6:17) is to have a "a constant attitude of intercession, even as we go about our daily routines...we can maintain a natural, ongoing conversation with the Lord that encompasses our whole lives...Through our time with Him, we discover His goodness, faithfulness and wonderful direction for our lives. We also find the strength and wisdom for every turn on our paths so we can experience all He has created us for....When we develop a prayerful outlook, eventually our communication with the Lord becomes our first instinct in every situation — not only when we face a challenge or encounter a difficulty. And in time, it will never occur to us not to pray." - What Does It Mean to “Pray Continually”?

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Matthew 6:7-8 MSG 

How to have a 30 minute quiet time (using The Lord’s Prayer)

(2 min) Our Father in heaven

Be still. Sit quietly and ask “Where is the evidence of the Father’s love in my life right now?” Give thanks.

(3 min) Hallowed be your name

Read a Psalm or listen to a worship song.

(3 min) Your kingdom come, your will be done.

What would it look like for God’s kingdom to come in the three circles of your life today:

1. Pray for your own needs

2. Pray for your friends and family (perhaps using the Inner Room app)

3. Pray for the wider world (perhaps focusing on situations in the news).

(15 min) Give us this day our daily bread

Using a bible reading guide, if you find it helpful, read from a Gospel, a New Testament epistle, and then from the Old Testament. The emphasis here is on quality not quantity. When a phrase resonates with you, treat it as if God is starting a conversation by pausing to pray about it.

(2 min) Forgive us our sins as we forgive others

Review the last 24 hours, allowing the Holy Spirit to challenge any sinful thoughts, words and deeds. Are there people to whom you need to apologise, or others you need to forgive?

(2 min) Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Pray protection for yourself and for those you love, especially in areas of vulnerability. If you are under spiritual attack, take authority, standing on relevant promises from the bible.

(3 min) For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours…

Finish by listening to another worship song or returning to the psalm with which you started.

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Big questions in life and arriving at your own answer

Reading What Are the Major Worldviews? relates how we all piece together some ideas like John Godfrey Saxe poem “The Blind Men And The Elephant.” - Each one of the blind men was partially right in what he experienced but ultimately wrong in his conclusion. Together they confused their limited viewpoint with the whole of reality.

The article concludes with how some believe in the scientific method as the ultimate guide to truth while using transcendental meditation (a pantheistic practice) to relieve stress. Others think like existentialists, believing that all objective values are meaningless while joining a social activist organization to fight for social justice.

1 Cor 13:9-12 puts it this way regarding the mystery of God's Love for people, "...Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely."

I'm so glad for https://alphausa.org/ that helps people ask some of life’s most heartfelt questions:

What is real?

Who am I?

Where did I come from?

Why am I here?

What is the basis for my values?

What does the future hold?

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Prayer, Quiet Time, Envision the Future in Community

And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning. Ecclesiastes 4:12-13

I've had to resolve many issues, problems, that hindered me in the past. Knowing there is a problem is important and seeing the harm in myself, and relationships are also important. But the first thing you need is to give yourself to God and ask Him to shape you. Then you need a vision for where you are going, that's how you can see the issues, problems, hindrances. The way I overcame was to pray and listen to God via personal quiet time, journal, and finally ask for help for people you see as successful.

The fruit of SILENCE is Prayer
1) Pray to the Holy God, Creator, and Lord of the universe. He alone is God, all things are possible with Him, apart from him you can do nothing. All good gifts are from the Father of lights. Every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord of all. - So pray authentically, conversationally a good format is "Sorry, Thank you, Please" or "WAR - Worship, Admit, Request" - When praying think about the scripture you've stored in your heart.
2) Journal your vision, if all goes well what will my character, relationships with family and friend and work life look like in 10 years. Then work back to what it can look like in 5 years, 3 years, 2 years, 1 year from now. 
3) Ask for help, get involved in diverse small groups - get out of your comfort zoon, build relationships where people know you and can see things in your life, talents that may be put to good use.

Now you probably need an example of how this came together for me right? While in rehab, I asked God to take my life and make it His, I believed He could restore me and asked him to shape me (#1). I had a vision of going back to school, exploring what I was good at (#2). Fast forward 2 years later, I landed "the job" - then after a month, was asked not to come back. WHY? I would have never known unless I had #3, I asked for advice which was to "be professional" in every aspect of my day. I thought, what the heck does that mean? Then I was flooded with examples in myself that were unprofessional that I could change right now. I came back 2 days later a "new man" and got another great job that lasted 2 years with 3 promotions. Hard to fathom that was over 20 years ago...

Thank you, God, for saving me and putting my feet on a firm foundation.

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The Lord knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19-26)

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”

Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common). Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels. The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone [even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be], skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged. He must correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth [accurately understanding and welcoming it], and that they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

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4 Ways to start Hearing God (from general to specific)

Hearing God is on my mind today, I've been searching for wisdom in ministry. Came across these great resources. I love how God works in my heart and brings me to these resources. Last week I decided to put together a personal strategic calendar. Every day at 6:00 am I put quiet time in Bible study. I guess this is part of lent, do something different and think about God's plan for our lives. If you're looking to hear from God - check out these good points. (P.s the points are from the video below).

Hearing God

John 10:27 (believers hear), Romans 10:17 (faith from hearing), Jeremiah 33:3 (good plans for our lives), John 8:47 (Not heard by those not of God)

1. Be prepared: Set an appointment: Exodus 19

• Time and place to meet God - when you're at your best at a place that's comfortable
• Missed appointments are disappointments

Principle: God comes to prepared atmosphere
2. Be Still and worship, Psalm 46:10, Ex 14:13,

• 2 Chron 20:21 - singers before soldiers
• Let him put a song in your heart (Psalm 40), I sing in the car
• Acts 13:2, One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ...

3. Pray and read

• Mark 1:35, Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there. AMP
• Pray for courage to follow where he leads Romans 12:1-2

4. Listen and write

• Value what God says (2 Tim 3:16,17), let it stir your heart (Psalm 45:1, Heb 4:12)
• Write prayers, track answered prayers 
• write what you think God's answer to your prayers - James 1:22
• Write what you think God is speaking to you through your quiet time in scripture.

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