Keeping The Faith

"I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith." - 2nd Timothy 4:7 (GNT)

There are lots of things we can't do.

We, really, control so little. We can't make things turn out like we want or people to do as they ought.

But we can, with God's help, keep the faith - knowing Jesus paid for our sins, obeying Christ in our choices, and trusting that through it all God is at work in the world, our families and our lives.

If we do that we have a great future.

"... I have kept the faith. ... The prize ... is now waiting for me. ... He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. - 2nd Timothy 4:7b-8 (GWT)

- fritz

Where are they now?

"The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight ... he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." - Mark 10:51-52

Many people, like blind Bartimaeus, were touched by Christ and followed - but where were they at the crucifixion?

Where are we when following Christ is not so popular? More than just being receivers, we need to be disciples?

- fritz

The Church Clock

"Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael. When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." - Genesis 16:16-17:1

A pastor friend of mine had a clock with a steeple on top and a little man underneath. The figurine would continuously pull up and down on his little rope and every hour the clock would "ding".

I commented it was cute but he said it was more than that, it was a representation of life - a whole lot of pulling for one little "ding" each hour!

We think every effort should result in a "ding" but it doesn't work that way, even for the faithful. Look at Abraham - the bible records a 14 year period after the birth of Ishmael where there was nothing recorded, still Abram kept faith.

We, as spiritual children of Abraham, are called to be stay faithful, active, and confident day in and day out knowing God is still at work and that at the right time there will be another "ding!"

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1st Corinthians 15:58

-fritz