Finishing well!

 

2 Tim 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Hi friends,

Hope you are doing fine. Today I want to share the importance not only of starting right but the importance of finishing well also. In 2 Chronicles 24, we read about King Joash who did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight under the guidance of the priest Jehoiada. He rebuilt the Temple of the Lord and collected money from the people for its work and to make articles like ladles and other vessels for use in the Temple. Though he started very well, and was successful as long as he obeyed the priest Jehoiada but after the priest dies, he follows the wrong advice of the leaders of Judah and is led astray into abandoning the Temple of the Lord and instead turning to idol worship. This displeased the Lord who sent prophets to warn him but they would not listen to them. Later on they even kill Zechariah , the son of the dead priest Jehoiada. King Joash is then attacked by the Arameans and killed by his own officials for killing Zechariah , the son of the priest Jehoiada.

Here we see that though King Joash had an awesome start assuming office at the tender age of 7year old , he dies a tragic death and doesn't finish well.

We read in 1 Samuel 10 about Saul who had a great start and is anointed by prophet Samuel to become the King of Israel but because he chose to disobey the Lord and because he feared the people more than God, he was rejected by God.

We also read about Judas Iscariot who was selected by Jesus to be one of the 12 disciples. Though he had the opportunity to be with the Lord so close to Him and to spend about three and half years with Him yet because of his love of money , satan got a foothold and led him to betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. We see how remorse causes him to hang himself to death later on. Another great start but tragic finish.

Let us learn from the lives of these three men how starting well is not enough. We have to ensure that we finish good as well. 

However I am also reminded of the thief on the Cross at the time of Jesus Crucifixion in Luke 23:33-43. He asks the Lord to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom and Jesus answers him "Truly I say to you Today you will be with me in Paradise." This man, though he had a horrible start had a glorious finish because He called on the name of Jesus even in the last few hours of his life.

2 Timothy 4:7 says “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” We need to remember always that we are in a race and that we need to stay steady and consistent till the finishing line. We cannot afford to slack in the race as it is the end that really matters. Only if we complete the race will we qualify for the prize. The prize here is eternal life with our Lord Jesus.

Some other verses that remind us of this is 2 John 1:8 which says “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward.”

Acts 20:24 “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Thus in this race of life ,no matter how difficult it seems, let us run diligently fixing our eyes on Jesus and make sure that only we start good but that we finish well.

Let us sing I will run the race with Faith : https://youtu.be/DzhhDKvG2nY?si=GnKa6XWV_XatSrha

Have a blessed week!

Sparky laurie

Related post : RUNNING THE RACE OF FAITH

His Grace is Enough!

 

Hi friends,

Its been a while since I've written anything. Hope you are doing fine. Today while I was praying I just was made to reflect that life is indeed messy, not necessarily that we all have a fairy tale ending to all our stories. We are human, make mistakes, things happen and more often than not we cannot say that everything happens perfectly even in the Christian life. If “no problems” were the aim of our Christian life, then how come Jesus had to be born in a stable, his parents were literally warned in the dream to escape for the life of Jesus was in danger. Why was Jesus betrayed? Why did the innocent Jesus have to suffer the painful trial and then the gruesome Cross? If the perfect Son of God had to go through all that He went through, why do we ,His followers expect life to be any easier for us? Life may not ever be easy but it can be glorious just like His resurrection and Today He sits at the place of honor- at the right hand side of the Father and intercedes for us.

We read in Hebrews 11 in the Hall of Faith the mention of the heroes of our faith. The truth is that not all of them had it easy or perfect. Some don't even appear to be successful, judging by human standards but in God’s eyes even in their so called failures the Lord approved of them and considered them worthy to be mentioned in this record of heroes. Thank God for a merciful God who sees beyond our frailty .Just like he saw the timid Gideon and called him mighty man of valor, how he included Rahab ; and Samson to name a few, (Heb 11:31-32) He looks at us and calls us capable, courageous, bold, efficient, successful. If we have the God of the Universe backing us up, what more do we need? He sees us beyond what we could ever see ourselves. He imagines the best for us. He has great plans for our lives. Jer 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and no t for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

So no matter what our Cross is – and everyone of us has one! Jesus has asked us in Mathew 16:24 that if anyone desired to go after Him, that person should deny himself, take up his cross and follow Him. Jesus had the heaviest and most painful Cross to bear and so we His followers also have smaller crosses to bear. There is no point in comparing crosses , for the Lord will give us only that which we can bear (1 Corin 10:13) and above all He will help us bear that Cross too. We have a High Priest who understands us perfectly , being tested in all things and emerging victorious, He is set before us as the Perfect Example to follow.

Above all, let us always remember 2 Corin 12:9-10 Each time He said ,”My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Let us sing “Your Grace is enough” by Chris Tomlin

https://youtu.be/vpYtYYaTFGQ?si=WbwEolvuqgIMri0H

Have a blessed week!

Sparky Laurie