Today's Passage - 2 Timothy 4:6-7

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english 2 Timothy 4: 6-7     "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."                  When Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he was coming to the end of his life. Many people are often full of regrets when facing the end of their lives, but Paul faced death with positive attitude, without any trace of remorse, instead it seemed he had prepared himself for that moment. He said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith," it resembles the analogy that he used in chapter 2, that a seasoned worker is like a good soldier, or anyone competing as an athlete, and a hardworking farmer.                  As a good soldier of Christ, Paul said, "I have fought the good fight," here it refers not the battle of flesh and guns; instead it is the spiritual warfare.  People serving God will meet all sorts of spiritual warfare in their personal lives and ministry journeys, some come from the lust of the flesh, and some are attacks from the outside environment. But Paul said he has fought the fight and it's a good fight. What is the spiritual warfare that you're facing? Do you know the fight in front of you and rely on God to win every one of them?                  Next, as an athlete competing on the field, Paul said, "I have finished the race," he has reached the finish line that God gave him. God has prepared a certain race for every believer; His heart is we have to reach the finish line given to us, receiving the prepared rewards. For Paul, he has finished the race, are you running the race that God has given you? Many believers run a worldly race instead of a Godly race; if you run the wrong race, it's impossible to receive God's rewards. God, help us adjust our strides to follow Him.                  Third, as a hardworking farmer, Paul said, "I have kept the faith," like the Lord said in the parable of the sower. Our given Word of God need not only to grow on good soil, they also need timely watering by the farmers. God's workers are to help the Word of God growing in the believers' lives; have you kept your given Word of God? Are you reading God's words daily as well as following them in your lives?                                             Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, please help us to become seasoned workers that we can rely on you to win the warfare facing us. Upon facing the ways of ministry and life, we can change from the worldly race to your own race, so that we'll receive your rewards. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!