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Jan.12.07: Light for the Day - "Faithful to the End"
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(>>) -- Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the Gospel of God’s Grace. -- 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith. The people of a small town were in mortal danger from terrible disease. The only medicine that would cure them could be found in a city miles away. One man offered to make the journey, so a collection was taken and given to him. Not far out of town, he was set upon by bandits. They fought hard, but he fought harder and beat them off. Then, a little farther on, he noticed he was being followed by wild animals. They ran after him, but he ran faster and reached the city safely. But in the city, he found he was in worse danger than ever. Hundreds of people offered him some fancy pleasure that could never be had in his small town. And the man was tempted to enjoy just a little of the "good life." Would anyone miss one bottle of medicine? But he remembered how his friends had placed their Faith in him, and he knew he couldn't let them down. So the man got as much medicine as the money could buy, and he returned home. The grateful people of the town rewarded him well. Prayer Thoughts: Lord, we ask Your blessing so that each of us may complete the task You have given us. Help us fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the Faith of the Gospel strong, so that in the end, each of us might gain the crown of righteousness. In Jesus' name, Amen. -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. -- 1 Timothy 6:10-12 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the Faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, Faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of Faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. -- 2 Timothy 4:1-5 1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the Truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove Faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. -- Hebrews 12:1-2 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of Faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our Faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- 1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is Faithful. -- 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are Faithless, He will remain Faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. -- 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is Faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. -- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -- 2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you -- Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. -- 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is Faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. -- 1 Peter 5:7-9 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the Faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering. -- Ephesians 6:10-13 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. -- Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. -- Psalms 97:9-12 9 For You, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for He guards the lives of His Faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name. |