September 25, 2016

The Shepherd's Corner

[:en]6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8

Paul is at the end of his life. He knows he doesn't have a lot of time left. He is reflecting back writing to one of his closest disciples and he knows that he has run the race well. He's kept his faith, he's fought the good fight, he's finished the race - he's done well...not perfect...but well.

How are we doing? Can we say the same things? How do we even judge and evaluate if we are doing well?

Because he's done well there is a prize. The prize that is mentioned is the crown of righteousness, but I'm sure there's more.

I assume in the Olympics, when an athlete wins the gold, it isn't just about the gold. I picture them walking off the plane back home and people cheering. I picture people running up and giving them hugs and congratulating them. I picture people saying things like, "I knew you could do it! I'm so proud of you! You're my hero! I started my sport because of you!"

I wonder if it will be like that in heaven? People coming up to us, cheering us, congratulating us, saying I am here because of you! How can we live our lives so that people will? There's no greater honor than that.

Pastor Steve
[:id](Tidak ada terjemahan dalam bahasa Indonesia)

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8

Paul is at the end of his life. He knows he doesn't have a lot of time left. He is reflecting back writing to one of his closest disciples and he knows that he has run the race well. He's kept his faith, he's fought the good fight, he's finished the race - he's done well...not perfect...but well.

How are we doing? Can we say the same things? How do we even judge and evaluate if we are doing well?

Because he's done well there is a prize. The prize that is mentioned is the crown of righteousness, but I'm sure there's more.

I assume in the Olympics, when an athlete wins the gold, it isn't just about the gold. I picture them walking off the plane back home and people cheering. I picture people running up and giving them hugs and congratulating them. I picture people saying things like, "I knew you could do it! I'm so proud of you! You're my hero! I started my sport because of you!"

I wonder if it will be like that in heaven? People coming up to us, cheering us, congratulating us, saying I am here because of you! How can we live our lives so that people will? There's no greater honor than that.

Pastor Steve
[:]

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