What is more important?

I was recently listening to the podcaster Dennis Prager talk about what is more important, what you do or what you think?  His claim was that what you do is clearly more important than what you think. Now even though he is Jewish, he was trying to make this point so that the Christians in his audience would agree with him. He referred to Matthew 21:28-32, where a dad wants his two sons to go work in his vineyard. One says, he will do it, and then doesn’t, while the other says, he won’t do it, and then changes his mind and does the work. His point in telling this story and what he believes is the point of the parable is that the doing is more important than thinking about it. 

But I think it actually revealed a different point. It's not that the thinking was unimportant, but that what they do reveals what they really thought or what was in their hearts. The one says he's going to serve his father and get the job done, but he doesn't. Revealing that he doesn't actually care about obeying his father, just appearing to obey. The other son has a change of mind (repentance), and does the good that he should have done in the first place. It's not that your actions and your thoughts are different. It's that your actions show what your thoughts really are, no matter what you say. 

Therefore, when Jesus in Matthew 5, talks about anger and lust being akin to murder and adultery. It's not that he's saying the thoughts/emotions are exactly the same as the actions, but they are sinful and that sinful thoughts are the precursors to sinful actions. The place to address sin first then is not when it's already gotten to the level of sticking a knife in someone. Rather, we need to “take every thought captive to obey Christ,” as the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5. 

Therefore, I want to encourage you to think about your thinking. You are not just a victim to your thoughts. With God’s help you can consider your thoughts and feelings and bring them to him. One of my favorite verses in this regard is Psalm 139:23–24

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting! (ESV)

God wants us to change from the inside out. To renew our minds as Romans 12:2 says. Romans 12:1 says that we do this by understanding the good news of the gospel that we are loved and then offering all of ourselves, our bodies and minds to Him, so that we can know what the good things that He desires us to do. As we offer ourselves to Him daily, we become more and more like Jesus, learning to think and act in ways that show love to God and our neighbors. Go to Jesus today and everyday to renew your mind and your actions will reflect the changes He is making in you.

Read Your Bible

Here is a picture of my Bible reading plan from this morning as I sat reading. It's kind of tiny and coffee stained, but it's what works for me to help me regularly read through the Bible. Almost weekly as I preach and teach others, I am encouraging them (you) to read your Bible, but sometimes I think people do not read because they simply do not have a workable plan. So I want to give you the basics of what I do, so that if you do not have a plan, you could at least start here.

1. Get a physical Bible. 

I am very easily distractable with electronics, and while I do have several Bible apps, for my regular daily reading, I sit down with a physical Bible, and it helps me focus.

If you do not have a good paper Bible, here are some links to ones I recommend. 

ESV Study Bible - This is a big dude with lots of info. It's the one I'm currently reading through.

CSB Study Bible - This version is little easier to read and it's currently my favorite to recommend to people who are non-readers.

Any simple reading Bible. If you need large print, there are lots of them available, just go to Amazon or Christianbook.com and you can find them. Invest in a good paper Bible it may help you.

2. Get a plan.

In the picture above you see that I have printed out plan with daily readings listed. It is a Bible in a year plan, but I do not use it that way. I just read the next chapter, and some days I read several chapters. It generally takes me 2-3 years to read through the whole Bible, then I print out a new plan and start over. I like marking off the reading and seeing my progress. I also have the same plan in my Bible app that I can read on my phone or tablet when I'm not home for a few days.

Here is a site to choose from a number of different plans. Bibleplan.org . You can start just reading a part of the Bible or get a whole Bible reading plan (which is what I really recommend). Most Bible apps also have plans, but again if you are easily distracted, you are probably better off having a paper copy as your primary reader.

3. Set aside some time

I do my daily reading in the morning when I get up. It's become really routine now. I generally spend 15 minutes reading the Bible and if I have time, I also read a devotional, pray, and spend time in Bible memory. Set aside 10-15 minutes at some point during the day to make it a habit and you will be able to read at least a chapter a day. I often still miss a couple days a week, but that's often because I'm in a group Bible study in the morning those days. 

Honestly, this will probably be the hardest thing for those who do not already do it. You have to commit to setting aside some time. If Bible reading is a priority (and it should be in your relationship with God) then you have to make time.

4. Take notes.

One of the things that has helped me focus, especially on some of the "boring" parts of scripture, is to write at least one note for every chapter I read. I do use a notes app on my phone for this, and yes it sometimes distracts me with other notifications. I would recommend a notebook and pen right alongside your Bible. Also, do not be scared to write in your Bible. Highlight, underline, and make notes for yourself. Use your Bible. Study your Bible. I use a pencil in my Bible to underline and take notes there too. Anything about the passage that strikes me, I write a note. Any thought that God brings to mind, I write a note. It keeps me engaged, and often God uses these lessons throughout my day to bring His word back to mind. 

So, if you don't have a plan, this could be a good starting point. God has spoken, and we can hear from Him daily. Let's read our Bible together.

Rewards in heaven?

In a larger conversation, a friend asked me this question and I thought I'd make a blog post with my response. Just to let you know, I spoke out my own thoughts and then used an AI to help clarify and then went back and edited it again to make sure that I agreed with the final product. 

The original question :

"I also have a question on the “rewards.” I thought being in eternity with Jesus was the reward, but many Bible passages discuss storing up treasures in heaven. I’ve always been perplexed on this concept of rewards." 

Okay, here's a quick take on rewards in heaven—I know this can be confusing!

Scripture is clear that salvation is a free gift available to everyone through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). But it also teaches that there are different levels of reward based on how we live and serve here on earth. There are even degrees of punishment in hell, so it makes sense that rewards vary too.

What are those rewards? They're tied to our faithfulness with what God gives us. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the servants who faithfully use their gifts are rewarded with more responsibility: 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!' (Matthew 25:21). So heaven isn't just eternal rest—it's a place of continued purpose and activity.

We're also told we'll rule and reign with Christ. The more faithful we are here, the greater our role or responsibility there (e.g., Revelation 5:10: 'You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth'; or 2 Timothy 2:12: 'If we endure, we will also reign with him').

No one will be unhappy or jealous—everyone will be fully satisfied in God's presence, and heaven will be paradise compared to earth. But there will be varying degrees of responsibility or capacity for joy/service.

I also think rewards go beyond 'things'—they're not about more gold or possessions. They're relational: the more we grow in our relationship with God here, and the more people we influence for eternity, the more prepared we'll be to enjoy deeper fellowship with Him and others there.

A fun illustration I've heard (not sure if it's historical fact, but it captures the idea): John Wesley and George Whitefield, two famous evangelists who once worked together, parted ways over theology. When asked if he'd see Whitefield in heaven, Wesley joked, 'No—he'll be so close to the throne that I won't be able to see him!' It's tongue-in-cheek, but it points to the idea that greater faithfulness here leads to greater closeness or prominence in eternity.

Bottom line: Rewards are about being better prepared for eternal life with God—more responsibility, deeper relationships, and greater capacity to glorify Him. Everyone in heaven will be thrilled with what God gives them, but our earthly faithfulness matters.

If you'd like, I can dig up more specific passages or go deeper on any part!

Suggested Bible Verses:

On storing up treasures in heaven (the core perplexity your friend mentioned):

Matthew 6:19-21 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

On rewards according to works/faithfulness:

Matthew 16:27 — “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”

Revelation 22:12 — “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”

Parable of the Talents (responsibility/reward for using gifts):

Matthew 25:14-30 (especially verses 21 and 23, as above).

Ruling/reigning with Christ:

Revelation 5:10 — “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

2 Timothy 2:12 — “If we endure, we will also reign with him.”

On varying degrees of reward (and satisfaction for all):

1 Corinthians 3:8, 14 — “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor... If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.”

(This ties into the idea of works being tested, with varying outcomes but salvation secure.)