2 Timothy 4:7 Fight the good fight of faith!

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

When you have done all that you can, stand, and let the power of God accomplish all that you cannot. The grace of God moves mountains. Keep the faith it pleases God. Carla

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. NKJV)

2 Timothy 4:7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. New American Bible 

Paul had been vigilant in his service to God. Note that Paul did not make these comments until the end of his race, until he was about to die. He did not presume or rely on His past service. Instead he persevered, struggled, and served God until the end (1 Corinthians 9:24–27). The NKJV Study Bible

Paul’s use of athletic imagery seems to suggest that he expects to die soon. Even in such dire circumstances, Paul considers himself victorious because he remained faithful to God. Faithlife Study Bible

Acts 20:24

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, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown…

1 Timothy 1:18

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 

This I know: I want a world where is it safe to come home.
I want to live in a world where fear is not the final word.

“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.” Jesse Jackson reminded us. Now that, my friends, that is the music of Grace.

And we say, “Thank you, Mr. Jackson, for making our world a better place. And may you rest in peace.”
Former President Obama said, “He was relentless in his belief that we are all children of God, deserving of dignity and respect.”

Yes. Belief is, literally, all about where and how our feet hit the ground in terms of the choices we make.
It’s not uncommon to be asked, “What do you believe?”
And in response, we recite a creed (or doctrine or dogma). And it’s not that we don’t avow what we recite. It’s just that creed profession is one thing, and we need a paradigm shift in terms of how we “measure belief”.

Instead of asking, “What do you believe?” Let us say, “Show us how you treat the least among us, and then we will know what you believe.”

“We need stories that tell us the reason why compassion and the humane treatment of our fellows is more important—and interesting—than feathering our own nests as we go on accumulating property and power.” William Kittridge

“Our country and our people cannot continue to be drenched in animosity, hatred, and the denial of respect for human beings. There has to be another way home to peace and justice. A Herod-like atmosphere cannot be allowed to destroy our nation’s spirit of hospitality and good will for all.” Thank you, Joyce Rupp.  “Sabbath Moments” Terry Hershey 

Romans 15:13 (ESV) "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Joy and peace may feel distant from us when life is difficult. But the tug-of-war tension gives way to God's Truth when we seek "joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13), even when we don't have joy and peace in feeling. Earlier in his letter to the Roman church, Paul also reminded believers that hope is not an emotional response to how well things are going around us. Instead, "through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant [this] ..." (Romans 15:4-5).

Even when God's promises don't fit our preferences, through the Holy Spirit's power, we can learn to trust His Word and wait faithfully for Him. If God met all our desires and expectations immediately, we wouldn't need to endure ... but that's not what He promises.Instead, through life's ups and downs, God gives us His strength in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), and He gives us His Word as our instruction. If a situation doesn't change, or even if it worsens, faith keeps us open to what's still possible with our limitless "God of hope" (Romans 15:13).

The church in Rome was facing persecution as well as divisions between Jewish and gentile believers, and Paul knew these problems and pains wouldn't disappear the moment they opened their Bibles. But the hope he referred to in today's key verse was about more than earthly desires being fulfilled. The ultimate hope is joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation through Christ (Romans 5:3-5; Romans 12:12).

Joy comes from delighting in Him. Peace comes from releasing our cares to His care. We can be certain that even in the places where sins' burdens and life's battles have left us empty, we will "abound in hope" (Romans 15:13). First5