Passage of the Day:
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing, 2 Timothy 4:1-8.
Reflection:
Determination is the process of establishing something exactly by calculation or research. Individuals that possess this behavior display firmness of purpose and a resolute spirit. Depending upon your aspirations and personal interests, determination is often conceived by setting goals. From a spiritual point of view, determination begins by putting on the mind of Christ, Colossians 3:1-4. This is what the apostle refers to while writing a teenage pastor in the passage above. Fighting the good fight of faith requires determination.
Prayerful Action:
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.
Building Up Bible Believing Behavior:
As a former long-distance runner, I understand the apostle Paul’s analogy to the Olympic fans of Corinth. Perhaps, Paul is referring to the importance of mind over matter. One of the tee shirts I often saw working out in college was “No Pain No Gain.” Developing determination requires a willing to push your body to its limit. Anyone whose life verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” gives Christians a spiritual goal which often breeds determination.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
In Romans 7, the apostle Paul details his failures to control his own body. However, in the final verse, Romans 7:25, Paul gives credit to Jesus for delivering him from sin. Sometimes developing determination is simply grinding a day out to start anew tomorrow. This is how Paul fought the good fight.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 