If this encouraged you, praise the Lord! Mission accomplished! The beauty of it is that no matter what trial, tribulation or testing we're going through, it is common amongst the brethren and there will be at least one other brother or sister who will know exactly what you're going through and what you're talking about because they're going through it themselves!

    The reason I dreaded the Judgement Seat of Christ was because all I could see were the things in my past that were wood hay and stubble. Grieving for all the time wasted. The worst nightmare I can think of is to not have a crown to lay at His feet. What the Lord was reminding me of was that because He is in me, there were also times that there were things that were done by Him through me that, no matter how small or insignificant in mans opinion those works will not be forgotten by Him and will be rewarded. And it is the same with all who are called by His Name. The very fact that we are longing and watching for His return will be rewarded with a crown of righteousness. This is supposed to be our blessed hope. Not our dread. This is the day we should be longing and preparing for. All that the Lord is doing is giving me an attitude adjustment. And if my attitude adjustment will edify and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to soldier on, so much the better.

    You know there is no debate that the Lord requires His followers to turn away from sin and pursue holiness, without which no man shall see The Lord. There also is no question that He is coming back for a church without spot, wrinkle, blemish or any such thing. The question is how is this accomplished? Through our own understanding and strength? Relying on our own abilities? Then woe be it to us! The arm of flesh will fail us. Not might. Will. If we rely on our own strength to obey the Lord then we will fall flat on our face. If it is true that we see through a glass darkly and we are helpless to save ourselves, then our only hope is to trust Jesus for everything. Whether it be purity, understanding, holiness, righteousness all of these things come from Him and Him alone. He alone paid the price for our redemption and He alone is the author and finisher of our faith. Now before anyone misunderstands I am NOT talking about "saying a sinners prayer" and living like the devil. If God's Spirit truly lives in us, He will tell us to stay away from all ungodliness and will lead us in paths of righteousness for HIS names sake. If we are truly walking in The Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
If we rely on our own strength to resist sin without repenting and letting The Lord remove the root of it from our hearts then we will be led into sin from our own desires.

With regards to standing before the Bema what I've been seeing in myself and others is confusion with gifts, fruit and works.
The fruit of the Spirit comes from abiding in Jesus and His word abiding in us. It's all Him.
Gifts are given from the Father and they are without repentance. It's all Him
Works are either of the flesh or led through and by the Holy Spirit of God. It's either Him or us. So there is a good chance that every single one of us will have works of wood hay or stubble in our lives. Unless you are one of the fortunate few who have walked in perfect obedience since you were saved. But there is also a good chance that we will have some gold silver and precious gems. Will everyone be rewarded? Of course not. The word is plain about that. That was the point of the letter... to encourage everyone to keep going, obey the Lord. Walk in the Spirit so that you CAN be rewarded on that day. If you've lived in such a way that you're ashamed of, choose today and every day from here on out to follow and serve Jesus till the trumpet sounds. You can't change the past you can only press on to what lies ahead.
 In the meantime, V2, may The Lord richly bless you and use you for His glory. And always remember:
Hebrews 10:34-35 "For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.  For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise
In Jesus Name and for His Sake
Dayna