Bible reference:  Acts 20:24 In life, it's easy to start something new.  A new diet, an exercise program,  a new job, new relationships,  a new beginning.   But life isn't a 50 yard dash, but a marathon.   There are lots of good starters, but poor finishers.  I  have known many who have started well with a bang, but finish with a whimper. People start with a bang, then get hit with criticism.   There are lots of people who say things that put you down.  Sometimes the stress spills over into marriage and cause problems.   People sometimes leave ministry with a broken heart.   Paul did not want this to happen to the elders in Ephesus.   He wants us to reach the finish line.   Paul was sharing from his own life the trials and perseverance.  2 Timothy 4:7 Paul in Acts 20:24 had a difficult task.  Paul did not consider his own life more important than what Jesus called him to.  He put his trust in Jesus.   God is in control,  that's all we need to know.   God is most importan

Bible References:  Duet. 6:1-23; Romans 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:1-14; Duet. 4:32-40; Ex. 1:11; Ex. 12:15; Ex. 19:24 We are called to live in obedience of faith.  We are to maintain what God gives us.  Before you gave your life to the Lord, you were in slavery – e.g.  to pride, sin, money, lust, things, other people. In the end what you gain materially here on this earth stays here.  God calls us to be obedient in faith.  We can’t save ourselves.  We can’t deliver ourselves from sin.  Only God can.  The world critizes the Church (just as they critize Israel).  We are called to obey God and be faithful. It’s not about what you or I have done.  It’s about being faithful to God .  God asked the Israelites to keep commandments. He gave them (Duet. 6) including the 10 commandments.           1.       Be devoted only to God           2.       Have no substitute “gods”           3.       Uphold the honour of God’s Name           4.       Keep God’s day for Him and for yoursel

Bible references: Genesis 12:1-3; Job 1; Gal 4:21-31 Abraham:  Faithful.  Genesis 12:1-3.  Abraham was called by God to a land he didn't know.  Abraham wasn't perfect.  He made many mistakes and it took many years for him to get to the land God wanted him to go to.  But God made Abraham a promise - see Genesis 12:1-3 Joseph:  Honourable.  Joseph trusted and obeyed God through trials and temptations.  He learned to forgive those who had treated him badly. God used Joseph to save the known world at that time from famine.  Joseph was highly respected even in prison and then as Prime Minister in Egypt. Job: Righteous.  He loved God.  He wasn't perfect.  He made sacrifices on behalf of his children in case they had sinned.  But Job wasn't God and he couldn't make his children right with God.  Each person is accountable for their relationship with God. Are you in a place of bondage or freedom?  It's not about whether there is trouble in your life or