Finishing with Joy

Luke writes in the Acts of the Apostles that Paul's desire, despite his sufferings for Christ's sake, was that he might finish his course with joy (Acts 20:24). Today that part of scripture really hit me. I said to myself, "Me too." I really, really want to finish my own course here on planet earth with joy.

I want to finish well, with joy, though I know that joy and trials just seem to go together in living for Jesus Christ. It did for the Lord in his earthly ministry (Hebrews 12:2); it did for Paul (above), and Peter writes of it (1 Peter 1:6-9).

And not only that. I want my wife Mary and my children to finish well, with joy. I want my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ to finish well. I preach the gospel open-air and witness to friends and neighbors, because I want them to be found on THAT DAY safely in Jesus Christ, so that they will finish well. With joy!



So much in scripture speaks of encouraging and helping one another, reaching out with a helping hand to pick someone up when they've fallen; to challenge one another to press on through the promised trials and tribulations of this life (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, for example), because of the promise of the life that is to come. Just ahead for the believer is joy unspeakable and full of glory!

That's the reason for this website. Whatever circumstance in life this finds you, I hope what we publish here is a helping hand, an encouragement, or a challenge to live more fully for Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, until we go to be with Jesus, or he comes to catch us away. Let us know if we can help or pray for you in any way. Maranatha!