Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: 2 Timothy 4:6-18
2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful,"
In one of their most recent hits, It's Alright, Third Day, a contemporary Southern-sounding Christian band, sings about the return of Christ:
Your letter said that you were leaving
But you didn't know how long
I have never stopped believing
That one day you would return
And though waiting is the hardest
Part of everything I do
I do confess it's getting better
Knowing I will be with you
This song aptly puts our walk with Christ in perspective. We have all heard that one day our Savior will return--He promised this Himself. Though He did not specifically say when His return would take place, His promise is backed up by His obedience to die on a Roman cross even though He had never committed a sin in His lifetime. Such faithfulness should leave no doubt in our hearts about His promise.
The apostle Paul believed with his life that the Lord Jesus would return some day. That is why he wrote, "And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return" (2 Timothy 4:8). These words are from a man who was looking back over 30 years of ministry for Christ. Paul kept his eyes on the prize as he faced danger, imprisonment, beatings, and death for Christ (2 Timothy 4:7). He experienced some wonderful winning times in his life, but some pretty bleak times too. He worked, he persevered, he looked to God, and he came out the prizewinner. He understood that his whole life was a sacrifice to Christ and that his faithfulness and obdience would be rewarded when his Savior came again, whether or not He saw it occur in his lifetime.
Christ's return may be soon. The earth may be getting ready right now as people of all nations turn to Christ. And when He appears in glory and victory, our former days of struggle, sin, and suffering will be wiped away. So, ask yourself: Are you so focused on Christ that you will never doubt His return and live a life of sacrifice pleasing to Him, or are you so worried about the days busyness that you overlook your relationship with Him?
Faith Lesson: Jesus is coming back--perhaps today. Are you ready?
In Christ,
Darin Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe to the Daily Message please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
READ: 2 Timothy 4:6-18
2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful,"
In one of their most recent hits, It's Alright, Third Day, a contemporary Southern-sounding Christian band, sings about the return of Christ:
Your letter said that you were leaving
But you didn't know how long
I have never stopped believing
That one day you would return
And though waiting is the hardest
Part of everything I do
I do confess it's getting better
Knowing I will be with you
This song aptly puts our walk with Christ in perspective. We have all heard that one day our Savior will return--He promised this Himself. Though He did not specifically say when His return would take place, His promise is backed up by His obedience to die on a Roman cross even though He had never committed a sin in His lifetime. Such faithfulness should leave no doubt in our hearts about His promise.
The apostle Paul believed with his life that the Lord Jesus would return some day. That is why he wrote, "And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return" (2 Timothy 4:8). These words are from a man who was looking back over 30 years of ministry for Christ. Paul kept his eyes on the prize as he faced danger, imprisonment, beatings, and death for Christ (2 Timothy 4:7). He experienced some wonderful winning times in his life, but some pretty bleak times too. He worked, he persevered, he looked to God, and he came out the prizewinner. He understood that his whole life was a sacrifice to Christ and that his faithfulness and obdience would be rewarded when his Savior came again, whether or not He saw it occur in his lifetime.
Christ's return may be soon. The earth may be getting ready right now as people of all nations turn to Christ. And when He appears in glory and victory, our former days of struggle, sin, and suffering will be wiped away. So, ask yourself: Are you so focused on Christ that you will never doubt His return and live a life of sacrifice pleasing to Him, or are you so worried about the days busyness that you overlook your relationship with Him?
Faith Lesson: Jesus is coming back--perhaps today. Are you ready?
In Christ,
Darin Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe to the Daily Message please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
