Will you finish your course?

Pastor Adrian Rogers

 

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, that I might finish my course” Acts 20:24

Do you pay a price--some extra time in the morning--to get into the Word of God?  Do you pay the price of being ridiculed because you keep your Bible on your desk in the office or bow your head and thank God for His gracious goodness to you when He gives you a meal? Are you willing to be different? Will you finish your course?

When you’re running this race, you’re going to find out that you’re running right against the grain. Don’t get the idea that there’s the broad road and the narrow road, and the narrow road runs alongside the broad road, and over there a bunch of people are going this way, and over here you’re going in the same direction.

No, there’s the broad way, and here you are, right in the middle of it, going the other way. Against the grain. What we believe:

• starts at a different source
• follows a different course
• ends at a different conclusion

...and there is a price to pay.

Frankly, today we don’t like that idea of a “price to pay.” We say, “Well, I’m saved by grace, and so I’m just going to float on into heaven on flowery beds of ease.” No. A disciple is one who follows his master, obeys his master, and there is a price to pay.

Today's Bible Verse...

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." —Mark 6:31 

 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Come away." We do need to withdraw — not once-in-a-while, but often, daily! What is incredible is that Jesus invites his disciples (today that's us!) to withdraw with him to a quiet place and rest with him. The little childhood prayer is appropriate here: "Now I lay me down to sleep and pray the Lord my soul to keep." Only this isn't just about a good night's sleep; it's about taking time in the middle of our wild and crazy days to join him for a few moments of grace, rest, and refreshment. Let's make these daily stops in God's Word more than quick e-mail viewing; let's let it be a time to withdraw with the Savior and take a few minutes of rest!

My Prayer...

Holy and gentle Shepherd of my soul, thank you for your constant care and loving faithfulness. Please touch my heart as I try to be more disciplined in my rest times with you. Please keep my soul, but even more, please restore my soul as I withdraw to spend time with your Son and my Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated

Missing Breastplate of Righteousness

by Doug Hall