larshaukeland

12 How to keep going

Encouragement for difficult days (12):
HOW TO KEEP GOING

Paul knew wherever he went, there would be trouble, pain and persecution. His friends warned him to protect himself and run away, but Paul was not one to run from his difficulties. That’s why he said…

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.“

Acts 20:24

Let’s look at the tree phrases that stand out in this testimony:

My life
Paul said “neither count I my life dear unto myself…”
He learned this truth from none other than Jesus Himself as He told his disciples “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt. 10:39). He also said “ If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23).
Your life is a gift from God. Even before we were born, God had a plan and a purpose for our lives.
Paul didn’t keep all his talents and abilities for himself, but he gave all of himself back to God.
Selfish people are unhappy people. When you give your life to God, He showers you with the very best blessings available.

My course
Paul said “neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy…”
The word course suggests a race with Paul as one of the runners. Paul often used athletic illustrations in his letters, and this is one of them. No one can run in the Christian race unless he is a child of God. When God puts you on the narrow road that leads to heaven, and He assigns a track for you on that course, it is important that we obey the rules, stay in the correct lane, and keep running for the prize. If we do, God will reward us at the end of the course. If we fail to run as we should, we will lose our reward.
We must be careful we do not get out of training. Just like an athlete must stay in training, so must we.
We need proper diet, fresh air, and proper rest. We need to feed on the Word of God, breathe the purebair of heaven as we pray, and rest in the Lord and trust Him for the strength we need. We shold forget h\those things that are behind us, and keep our eyes on the goal. Look up 2Timohy 4:7.

My ministry
Paul said “neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus…”
His life was a gift from God. While he was running his course assigned by God, he wanted more than anything to fulfill the ministry the Lord had given to him.
Each of us has a ministry to fulfill. Each one of us has a special ministry from the Lord that no one can do for us. It is our ministry, assigned to us by the Lord, and we are responsible to finish it for His glory.
Whatever ministry God has called you to fulfill, be sure to magnify the grace of God. Most of the people in the world think they can earn their way into heaven, or please God by good works and religious activities. It is our privilege and responsibility to tell them the gospel – the good news – that God will give them salvation if they will only receive Christ and trust Him.

Let us focus on this thought; what is my life (have I given it to Christ?), my course (am I running it?) and my ministry (am I following God’s plan for me?) Let us lift our eyes up to the prize set before us, not look back on the mistakes we did yesterday…