Friday—Run the Race

Happy Friday! I hope you are ready for the weekend and to celebrate the joy of the Lord! Isn’t He something wonderful? Something truly worthy of celebration? The Great God Jehovah, the God of the Angel Armies, the Balm of Gilead, Yahweh, Yahweh—oh how we love to sing of your name! 


Today, I’m with my Uncle Buddy who just celebrated his 83rd birthday. Uncle Buddy teaches 3 Bible studies every week at assisted living centers because there is a need. He has Sciatica bad enough that he will have surgery next Monday but he continues to do these Bible studies. Today, he’ll have about 24 attending. I believe God calls all of us to a work, a work that proclaims the Message, but not all of us heed the call. 

“I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple. You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you —keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭4:1-5‬ ‭MSG‬‬

And Uncle Buddy has done just that. He has kept his eye on what he’s doing, accepting hard times along with the good and all the while keeping the Message alive. Not too bad for 83, but you know I believe the closer heaven becomes for us, the more real and the more urgent the message becomes. That’s what we see as Paul continues. 

“You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.”  ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:6-8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today, whether you are 23, 33, 53 or 83, let’s pray for a good run...a strong run all the way to the finish line. And never, never quit serving God until He calls us home. 

Love you dear one,

Pam



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