WORD OF THE WEEK - REWARD -5/11/2025

Definition: Something given in return for a good deed, service rendered, or merit earned; or a stimulus like acknowledgement, money or a trophy that reinforces a desired response, often associated with motivation and behavior.

Scriptures:Psalm 58:11 – "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth."
Matthew 16:27 – "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."
James 1:12 – "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life."

Website:  www.wow-newton.com

Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

Definition: Something given in return for a good deed, service rendered, or merit earned; or a stimulus like acknowledgement, money or a trophy that reinforces a desired response, often associated with motivation and behavior.

Scriptures:Psalm 58:11 – "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth."
Matthew 16:27 – "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."
James 1:12 – "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life."

THOUGHT

When God created man, he was given an essence that responds to rewards. A reward is the acknowledgement, or payment for the successful completion or accomplishment of a goal, task or assignment.  
"From the beginning, as illustrated in Genesis 2:16-17 humanity was presented with God’s reward system. Life and abundance were promised—but only through obedience. The choice was clear. But temptation led to disobedience, and the consequence was death, as chosen by Adam.
As a former Human Resources professional, I have seen how rewards shape behavior. Employees strive for recognition, promotions, and benefits: Often, the mere acknowledgment of success among their peers was the best motivator for performance.Athletes, artisans, and craftsmen train for years to compete against others in their effort win rewards of status and achievement. Whether the reward was as simple as a piece of paper with their name on it, or as exclusive as a mansion or a luxury car, every reward began with making a choice.  And that is what makes “choice” an extremely powerful word in determining your reward.  Choices may be made intentionally, instinctively, according to the laws of physics or may seem random.  Animals make choices based on instinct and environmental factors; artificial intelligence choose actions based on mathematical algorithms and interpretation of data; in physics, particles may behave unpredictably and randomly, as if they are choosing states. Humans have been created uniquely –with complex intelligence to make conscious moral decisions.  
God made choices. God chose to create, protect and save.  God’s adversary, Satan, however,  chose to steal, kill and destroy.   Choice is relevant to universal destiny.
Today, humanity can choose to follow the commandments of God or not.  And with today’s technology, ignorance of God’s Word is harder to claim. The Word of God has become accessible through every means of communication that exists.  
The Word is shared on television, radio, newspapers, flyers, computers and cellphones; it is disseminated in most languages and may be delivered directly from the Holy scripts or presented in secular formats, including self-help books, or mindfulness and wellness programs.   It is becoming increasingly difficult to claim ignorance of what is required to receive the rewards of peace; purpose; spiritual health, prosperity, love and community that God offers.  
But many of us miss the rewards, not because we do not know better, but because we choose alternatives that lead to destruction, hatred, war, division, and spiritual death.
The question today is…
” What will you choose?”  
Yes, the choice is yours. But your reward is God’s.