Killing It
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I bumped into the last twenty-seven minutes of the European Champions League Semi-Final match between Manchester City and Paris Saint Germaine (PSG) on my way home this evening.
Man City was leading by two goals to zero but manager Pep Guardiola made several changes in the last ten minutes. This looked unusual to me because it is normally the losing teams that make sweeping changes in the dying minutes to turn the game around. But then it occurred to me that he was leaving no stone unturned to ensure the game was won till the end! In his experience as a manager, he knows that the game can turn round very quickly if he let his guard down, even in injury time! He was not ready to take any chances.
Pep Guardiola’s focus on finishing the game properly and successfully reminds me of Apostle Paul.
In Acts 20:22-24 Paul told the Elders in Ephesus,
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
(Acts 20:22-24 ESV)
Paul said he was constrained by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem not knowing what would happen to him but the Holy Spirit testifies to him that imprisonment and afflictions await him. Then he said, he does not count his life of any value nor precious to himself “if only he will finish his course and the ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus”
In a way, the motivation to finish the course numbs him to all the pain and sacrifices he had to make in order get to the end.
Just like those times, the Christian race can become really tough these days, needing us to press and strain. Changing world order has made it even harder, and we have to grapple with all kinds of things daily.
To kill the game of Christian race will not be easy, unless we constantly remind ourselves of what is set before us – a fruitful life here on earth, and eternal life hereafter — and not relent, but marshal all resources to make sure we complete the race well.
MEMORY VERSE
“…if only I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus…”
(Acts 20:24)
QUESTIONS
What do you have set before you, or what motivates you to follow Christ?
Does it excite you enough to want to pay the price?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me to see
what You have set before me,
so that with razor-sharp focus
I will pursue it and
finish my course.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship
with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church
where you can Fellowship with like
minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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