Our reading this morning is 2 Timothy 4: 1-9: 

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

6 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Paul gives Timothy a lot of warnings in these last few chapters.  People will grow tired of hearing the truth. They will turn from God and turn to themselves. They will not listen; they will turn aside. They will not seek the truth; they will not see what is right.  Paul is warning him that this will happen.

And Paul says this, still, be faithful.  Be sober.  Focus on right.  Be persistent. To some encourage.  To some rebuke. To some convince. Be patient.  Figure out what they need and do it.  Love them.  Care for them, be their guide and their pastor.  Know they will get it wrong, love them anyway.

Run the race. That is what Paul is doing.  He has finished.  He has kept the faith. He will receive his reward. Don’t only run the race when the path is easy.  Run it when it is hard. Run it when you are alone. Run them when you feel left out or cast aside.

Keep your faith in Jesus; that’s what counts.  And when you finish that race, you will receive your reward.  Today, be faithful, even if is hard. Lean on Jesus, love Jesus, turn to Jesus.  He is your rock, your shield, your strength. Turn to Him, no matter what.

Run that race, keep the faith.  Jesus is the prize and He is yours and you are His.

Today, faithfully work on the task in front of you, even if it appears to be too hard or too much.  Keep the faith.  It is what matters. 

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If you’d like to get each day’s daily scripture reading sent to your phone along with this reading guide, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up!