“For I am now
ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a
good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love
his appearing.” (2Timothy 4:6-8 KJV)
ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a
good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love
his appearing.” (2Timothy 4:6-8 KJV)
Each year, on its
last day, I wonder just how to review it. What was important? All of it, each
and every day. Do I mention blessings received? There are too many to relate.
Something memorable perhaps? At the time of their occurrence, each one was
remarkable.
last day, I wonder just how to review it. What was important? All of it, each
and every day. Do I mention blessings received? There are too many to relate.
Something memorable perhaps? At the time of their occurrence, each one was
remarkable.
But I decided that a
personal review is always in order. And I found the Apostle Paul’s self-review
to be a good model. It is honest and true. And he concluded, after all, “I
am ready to be offered.” Now there is a testimony to be noted, a legacy to
receive, an example to follow.
personal review is always in order. And I found the Apostle Paul’s self-review
to be a good model. It is honest and true. And he concluded, after all, “I
am ready to be offered.” Now there is a testimony to be noted, a legacy to
receive, an example to follow.
Of course, one year
does not record everything. It takes a lifetime to truly identify one’s
success. Yet, looking back in review, to conclude that I did my best in every
battle gratifies the soul. To know that I have not compromised the faith is
certainly edifying. To recognize that my work is complete and no more
assignments exist is satisfaction complete.
does not record everything. It takes a lifetime to truly identify one’s
success. Yet, looking back in review, to conclude that I did my best in every
battle gratifies the soul. To know that I have not compromised the faith is
certainly edifying. To recognize that my work is complete and no more
assignments exist is satisfaction complete.
But most of all to
know that my Lord, the Righteous Judge, has a reward reserved for me, along
with all the faithful, can only renew my determination to continue faithful.
And when he is ready, “I am ready to be offered.” This was the great
Apostle’s personal review of his ministry.
know that my Lord, the Righteous Judge, has a reward reserved for me, along
with all the faithful, can only renew my determination to continue faithful.
And when he is ready, “I am ready to be offered.” This was the great
Apostle’s personal review of his ministry.
And here at the end
of 2013, I want to follow Paul’s example and be faithful to the end of my
ministry and life.
of 2013, I want to follow Paul’s example and be faithful to the end of my
ministry and life.
Dear Father, thank
you for your faithfulness to me and my family. Empower us with the
determination to endure to the end. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your faithfulness to me and my family. Empower us with the
determination to endure to the end. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Today faithfully
persevere,
persevere,