Reminders

I was able to watch the funeral service of the gentleman that I wrote about on the previous post. The service was "televised" online. I cried, seeing the family walk in, watching his wife, is what really did me in. She spoke about what a wonderful godly man her husband was. It made me smile as I was reminded of Jared's service when we all talked about what a great godly man Jared was too. The pastor at this service had a good sermon, he talked about finishing the course as a Christian.

He used Acts 20:24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

That verse triggered something that my pastor talked about at Jared's service.

He used Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I never write in my Bible, occasionally I will underline a verse or two that means something to me. I found these underlined verses today while working on a Bible study.

Philippians 3:7 Whatever things were gained to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. v. 10-14 that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

These men, our husbands, pressed on, they have attained the resurrection from the dead, they are now perfect.

Today gave me a great reminder and a renewed focus. I need to go back to running the race, pressing on, staying the course, not letting the encumbrances and sin that entangles me to weigh me down. Also, not considering my life dear to me, Christ gave up His life to save me, the least I can do is testify to the grace of God in my life.