One thing in life is certain: You and I will all die one day. There is nothing we can do about that. So, in a sense, we are all "dying." We have all heard of people who live well. They give to others, have a positive attitude, and trust God every day. How many times have you heard a story about someone who is "dying" well? What if you knew that you had six months, two months, one month to live? How would you or I handle that? How about when your body starts shutting down and writhing in pain? When your hair begins to fall out? How would you and I handle that? Would we trust God? Could we still be joyful and hopeful?
I am witness today of this happening in one of my best friends. Agnes, a woman who I have known for over thirty years. Recently, she was asked to share a message with her local church. She was so weak and frail that she decided to write it out instead and have someone read it to the congregation. Over the next few days, I will be sharing the text of that message.
Agnes's body is in the brutal final stages of cancer. She has been told that she can go at anytime. She, and her husband, Johnny, were a vital part of our ministry in a tiny rural village in northern New Mexico. They were amazing armor bearers for us as we pastored our first church. They were there for us during the good times and the rough times. They were always there to encourage us to keep on going. We began leading that church when we were just twenty-six years old. They are a little older than us and were still willing to respect the spiritual authority of their young pastors.
Steve and I have kept a strong bond with Johnny and Agnes even though we moved to Albuquerque. We have spent many of our wedding anniversaries with them. I can go on and on about our sweet friendship and fellowship with them. I feel that this message will encourage you because even though she is walking through the valley of the shadow of death, she is determined to "finish strong."
I am witness today of this happening in one of my best friends. Agnes, a woman who I have known for over thirty years. Recently, she was asked to share a message with her local church. She was so weak and frail that she decided to write it out instead and have someone read it to the congregation. Over the next few days, I will be sharing the text of that message.
Agnes's body is in the brutal final stages of cancer. She has been told that she can go at anytime. She, and her husband, Johnny, were a vital part of our ministry in a tiny rural village in northern New Mexico. They were amazing armor bearers for us as we pastored our first church. They were there for us during the good times and the rough times. They were always there to encourage us to keep on going. We began leading that church when we were just twenty-six years old. They are a little older than us and were still willing to respect the spiritual authority of their young pastors.
Steve and I have kept a strong bond with Johnny and Agnes even though we moved to Albuquerque. We have spent many of our wedding anniversaries with them. I can go on and on about our sweet friendship and fellowship with them. I feel that this message will encourage you because even though she is walking through the valley of the shadow of death, she is determined to "finish strong."
"Life's Journey" - Pt. 1
Hebrews 11:10
". . . for he waited for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
2 Timothy 4:7-8
"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 love His appearing."
In this life, we may enter many races to win many different kinds of crowns, medals, or prizes, but it is only those who are serious and will work hard who will win anything.
How is it that we can finish the journey of life well?
Finishing well requires:
- Fighting the good fight
- Finishing your work
- Faithfulness in Christ
Throughout the Bible we find people of God who began well and finished poorly, who were running well but stumbled along the way, and those who may have began badly but finished well. We need to maintain our focus if we are going to finish well...
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