A Life Well Lived (2 Tim. 4:7)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 9-14-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Paul looked back

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 4:7

 

            Message of the verse:  “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith,”

            Paul was reflecting back on his life since the Lord had called him on the road to Damascus, which is recorded in Acts chapter nine.  He looks back without regret because he had done the things that the Lord had called him to do.  He was not always the most popular or the most successful as far as what people would call success, but he was faithful to the Lord who called him.  He speaks of himself as a fighter, (fought the good fight), a racer, (finished the course), and a guardian, (keep the faith).  By keeping the faith Paul was speaking of the truths and standards of the revealed Word of God.

           

Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This would be fitting words for any believer to have put on their tombstone.  When you look at the worlds standards for success neither the Lord Jesus Christ, nor the apostle Paul would fit into the mold, but if you look at success for God then both fit into that mold perfectly.

            Paul was not bragging when he wrote these words because it was the Lord working through his life to accomplish the things that he accomplished.  Paul was very important to the spreading of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire in the early days of the Church.  He wrote many letters in the New Testament that have helped believers of all ages to understand the truth of the most important information that a person could hear and understand, and that is how the God of all creation could accept and have fellowship with the lost people of this planet.

            I can learn from Paul’s life many things, but the one thing that I want to take with me is that the Lord has given me a job to do and also the strength and knowledge to do it, and by the presence of the Holy Spirit He will cause me to accomplish the tasks that He has for me to do.

 

The Word of God has spoken to my heart today with encouragement as only it can.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To continue to fight the good fight, and to continue to keep on the race God has given me to run, and to keep the faith.

 

Memory verses for the week:  2Timothy 3:16,17

 

Al Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, throughly equipped for every good work.