2 Tim. 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Here Paul is looking back over his life. His words carry great assurance and encouragement to us as well. When he says he fought the good fight, he speaks as a soldier. He has fought against the world, the flesh and the devil without shrinking back. When he says he finished his race, he speaks as an athlete, as a runner going for a prize. He ran his course, no matter how hard it was; no matter it was filled with lots of obstacles. He did not turn aside; the prize is now in sight! When he says he has kept the faith, he speaks as a steward. He held fast to the gospel that had been entrusted to him. He did not mix it with human traditions. He did not ruin its simplicity by adding people’s vain opinions about what it should be like. So, he could say he was not ashamed. What a great testimony Paul could give here at the end of his life! Will we be able to say the same things? By God’s grace we will be able to.

As J.C. Ryle once said: “All things are growing older. The world is growing old; we ourselves are growing older. A few more summers, a few more winters, a few more sicknesses, a few more sorrows, a few more weddings, a few more funerals, a few more meetings, and then – what? Why the grass will be growing over our graves!”

These are not morbid thoughts at all, but a wise perspective and a good motivation.

Therefore, “one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”Phil. 3:13,14

I have good news! Our state government and health officials have given us the green light to begin meeting again for church! We have to stay below 25% capacity and practice the common sense guidelines the Mn. department of health has given out for churches. You are welcome to come but if you feel uncomfortable with coming quite yet, that is fine, we will continue to live stream our service online.