This Week at Hope – Fighting, Running, Guarding, Receiving
Dear brothers and sisters, this Sunday we will plan on taking a break from our John and Ecclesiastes studies and spend some time considering how the Apostle Paul described the Christian life as he came to the end of his own life in this world. In his personal letter to his son-in-the-faith Timothy, Paul wrote the following (2 Tim. 4:7-8 which will be our text this Sunday): I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The descriptions we find here challenge the common, present-day views of the Christian life. Do they challenge your views? Ask yourself these questions – ‘Have I gone about my activities, projects, and duties this very day as a man who is fighting, who is running, and who is guarding? Have I demonstrated in my choices this day that I truly am looking toward and waiting for His appearing with an unquenched love? Have my thoughts today laid hold of that which is laid up for me in heaven, which I shall receive?’
I must honestly say that I struggle with these things – in fact, I have failed this very day. And I fear that I may not be the only one. So, may the Spirit renew our motivation, remove our hesitation, and destroy every wicked desire. May we be helpers of each other on this journey to the Celestial City.
Prayer this week will be at the Noah’s house.
Please pray for Scott as he travels to Alaska to minister to the Pepperd family during this difficult season.
Songs for Sunday area as follows:
Am I a Soldier of the Cross
The Son of God Goes Forth to War
Take My Life and Let it Be
O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer
We’re Marching to Zion