DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2020-09-12
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁶ I say this because I won’t be around to help you very much longer. My time has almost run out. Very soon now I will be on my way to heaven. ⁷ I have fought long and hard for my Lord, and through it all I have kept true to him. And now the time has come for me to stop fighting and rest. ⁸ In heaven a crown is waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And not just to me but to all those whose lives show that they are eagerly looking forward to his coming back again.

OBSERVATION: Saul, who was well known for his accomplishments in shutting down Christianity and its churches, had a life changing event happen in his life when Jesus met up with him. He changed his name to Paul and he made a 180 degree change in what he expended his efforts on. In this reflection time by Paul in our Scripture today, it is obvious where he felt His time was best spent, and he had no regrets. Knowing that God could call you home at any moment, what might your time of reflection reveal about how you have spent your time? Is it something God might be proud of, and rejoice with you on?

APPLICATION: I recently retired after spending 47 years of my life in the banking industry. There were many times that I reflected over those years, and together with others who celebrated with me, we rejoiced in my achievements and my devotion to my various bosses over the years. Wouldn’t it be great if we had such a celebration in our Christian walk about every 10 years, and take time to reflect over the past 10 years to evaluate how effective we feel our time was in God’s work? Please note up front that our work in and of itself is worth nothing, but very often we will see that based on the condition of our heart, and the determination of our spirit, we will gladly get involved in the work of Christ in our family and in our community – especially our church family. In fact, this would help facilitate our memory as we stand before God and respond to the question ‘why should I permit you to enter my heaven?’. This will also serve to remind us of where we were, and how far we have come in our Christian walk. Have you advanced in the knowledge of God and His Word? Are you more at ease sharing the Gospel and your walk with the Lord, than you were 10 years ago? Do others tend to look at your Christian walk, and desire to be just like you? Do you feel like it is evident to the world whose you are? Friends, this might also be a time to reflect on how you personally feel about your walk with the Lord. Often we are so busy about church work, that I’m afraid we never stop to reflect on where we are at personally in our walk with the Lord. Unfortunately, the two things are not synonymous, for one could busy themselves in church work, without spending time alone with God to enhance their own relationship with Him. You see, it is vitally important that church leaders reflect so much of Christ in their lives, that others will pay little attention to their leadership qualities, but rather to their spiritual condition. When one sets a goal in life, the idea is that they will look towards that goal, and not the everyday hiccups that tend to knock us around while heading towards that goal. Paul’s goal was set on being in the presence of his Lord. What’s yours? Keeping your eye on your goal will help direct how you spend your days and hours reaching for that goal!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand I am tired, I’m weak, I am worn, Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the li-ight, Take my ha-and, precious Lord, Lead me home. My eyes are fixed on You dear Lord. While here on earth, please guide me on so that I may represent You well and be an influence to others in search of You. For each reader today, please draw them close, take their hand and lead them on to draw closer to You. May our goal always be to reflect on You and to worship endlessly at Your feet in glory. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!