I have fought a good fight—2 Timothy 4:7

You and I don’t have to look far these days to see that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle. And like the other generations of Christ-followers before us, you and I are called to fight as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul understood this battle well. In fact, when he was facing his martyrdom, Paul looked back on his life and said, “I have fought the good fight.”

Now, few people could speak with such confidence, but Paul could. He had the battle scars to prove his faithfulness. In the course of battle, Paul was pummeled with stones. He was shipwrecked and left to die in the deep. He was beaten with rods, and imprisoned multiple times. And yet, through it all, Paul fought on and never turned back.

But today there are shocking numbers of people claiming to be Christ-followers who are AWOL in this battle. These people seem to take the battle for granted. They act as though it’s someone else’s job to fight.

So let me ask you something, “Are you in the fight?”

We aren’t tourists in this world, but soldiers fighting against the forces of darkness! And Christ is calling you to get in the battle!

Take your place and endure like the good soldier you’re called to be. Live in such a way that you can say, “I fought the good fight!”—By Jack Graham

CHRIST IS CALLING YOU TO GET IN THE BATTLE!

Staying Focused on God’s Plan for Your Life

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

The devil would love to get you distracted and get you off the course on which God has placed you. God has something He wants you to do and you had better not substitute the good for the best.

Find out what God wants you to do and refuse to be distracted by the devil. You need to say as the apostle Paul said, “This one thing I do!” Know what it is that God wants you to do and do it with all your strength for His glory!

Take a few minutes to write out a mission statement about your life focusing on “that one thing” (TOT) that you think God has called you to do. Then, post the letters TOT everywhere to remind yourself to stay focused on the calling of God in your life.(Adrian Rogers)

And God will wipe away all tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

How would you define pain? Since 1968, the most widely used definition of pain in clinical settings is the one set forth by pain researcher Margo McCaffery: Pain is “whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever and wherever the person says it does.” In other words, no one can tell another person that they are not in pain. Pain is as unique as the individuals who profess to experience it.

Think about any pain you may be experiencing now–relational pain, physical pain, emotional pain, spiritual pain. Regardless of the kind of pain you are experiencing now it will “soon” be over. The Bible says that in the New Jerusalem “there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Whatever kind of pain you feel today, an eternal day is coming in which you will feel it no more if you live
in the New Jerusalem. Every God-designed need and longing of the human spirit, soul, and body will be met completely in Christ.

Let today’s pain lead you to tomorrow’s pleasure in heaven.(From Turning Point)

God…shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
C. S. Lewis

“Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more”   (Nahum 1:12).

There is a limit to affliction. God sends it, and God removes it. Do you sigh and say, “When will the end be?” Remember that our griefs will surely and finally end when this poor earthly life is over, Let us quietly wait and patiently endure the will of the LORD till He cometh.

Meanwhile, our Father in heaven takes away the rod when His design in using it is fully served. When He has whipped away our folly, there will be no more strokes. Or, if the affliction is sent for testing us, that our graces may glorify God, it will end when the LORD has made us bear witness to His praise. We would not wish the affliction to depart till God has gotten out of us all the honor which we can possibly yield Him.

There may today be “a great calm.” Who knows how soon those raging billows will give place to a sea of glass, and the sea birds sit on the gentle waves? After long tribulation the Rail is hung up, and the wheat rests in the garner. We may, before many hours are past, be just as happy as now we are sorrowful. It is not hard for the LORD to turn night into day. He that sends the clouds can as easily clear the skies. Let us be of good cheer. It is better on before. Let us sing hallelujah by anticipation. (From Faith’s Checkbook)

Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. Job 10:2

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star-not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of His children’s graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?-for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you? (By Charles Spurgeon)

“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.”