Run Strong – Finish Well

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with JOY, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God. – Acts 20:24

You’ll see this verse on lots of Keswick literature in 2013 as it is the theme verse that goes along with our theme JOY IN THE JOURNEY.

My charge to the graduates of Lancaster Bible College was to TRAIN so that they would run strong and finish well:

Train Hard – “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an ETERNAL crown.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT)
Train physically – Train educationally – Train spiritually

Run with Endurance – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight 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 our faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

Accept Accountability  — “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded cord isn’t easily snapped.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12 (The Message)

Integrity Matters – “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.” Proverbs 2:7

Never give up — But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with JOY, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God. – Acts 20:24

The charge to the grads points right back to me. I think it is a good reminder to you too, today. Are you training well today? What are you doing to run strong – finish well?

Running with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Obadiah; Proverbs 18; Revelation 9

Quote of the day: The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t. Henry Ward Beecher

Bible Memory: Level 1: James 5:7  Level 2: James 5:7-12

Prayer Quotes:  Pray because you have a Father, not because it quietness you, and give Him time to answer. – Oswald Chambers