TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
-
TODAY IN THE WORD

The White House was still cluttered with unpacked crates when a young radio announcer arrived one Sunday morning in March, 1933. CBS announcer Robert Trout had come to the White House for the first of a series of radio talks by the new President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. To gain entry to Roosevelt's home, Trout merely rang the doorbell and was admitted. Entry to the White House required no security checks or special passes.

In these days of international and home-grown terrorism, we may long for a simpler age, when even the President of the United States could dwell securely behind unguarded doors.

But while those days are probably gone forever, today's illustration is a beautiful picture of the security we enjoy as the children of God. Although our world is a dangerous place physically and spiritually, nothing can touch us because our Father holds us in His hand (cf. John 10:29; Rom. 8:38-39).

The closing verses of 2 Thessalonians are Paul's final words of comfort to his beloved spiritual children regarding the subject of Christ's return. The contrasts between believers and the people mentioned in the previous section are truly incredible.

Note, for example, their relation to God. Those in the unbelieving group are objects of God's judgment; believers are His loved ones. The former choose to reject the truth; God's beloved are marked by belief in the truth (1 Thess. 2:13). Further, those who reject the truth are left to wander in the darkness of Satan's lies. Those who are chosen of God bask in the light of Christ's glory (v. 14).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY

Today's study gives us more excellent reasons to exercise our Thanksgiving spirit. As you pray today, you might thank the Lord for these realities:

First, those who know the Lord are loved by Him (v. 13). You're in the family of God! You're an heir of all that God has prepared for His children--and that inheritance is far more than you can imagine (see 1 Cor. 2:9).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
-
TODAY IN THE WORD

After the outbreak of World War I, the board of governors of the New York Stock Exchange took the unusual step of closing down the Exchange in July, 1914, following the lead of European exchanges. But within days of the shutdown, traders and speculators began doing business in the street outside the Exchange's headquarters on Wall Street. Despite threats from the Exchange, this open-air black market operated for months. Full trading did not resume until April, 1915.

Some activities will continue, no matter what else happens or what barriers are put in place. That's the way Paul asked the Thessalonians to conduct their lives--obedience to God under all circumstances, come what may (v. 4).

We know we're near the end of 2 Thessalonians because Paul says so. ""Finally"" is his signal that he's about to wrap up his letter and wants to leave his readers with some final words of encouragement, request and exhortation. We find all three in today's reading.

The apostle begins with a twofold prayer request for himself and his ministry companions, Silas and Timothy. He wanted to see the gospel spread as far and as fast as possible. And as much as possible, he wanted to preach it unhindered by wicked men such as those who attacked him in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-10) and in Corinth (Acts 18:5-17), from which he wrote this letter.

As we have seen throughout these two epistles, Paul was also deeply concerned for the spiritual welfare of the converts in Thessalonica. They were faithful, but they had been frightened. They were committed, but confused about key points of doctrine related to the return of Christ.

On the whole, though, their steadfastness in the face of persecution delighted Paul's heart. And he had every confidence that their obedience would continue--especially after they had received the comforting truth about the future.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY

God's love and Christ's example are also what will hold us fast today when circumstances are difficult or upsetting.

These two blessings from God are two more great reasons for which to thank Him today as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving. We have been rejoicing all month in the reminders we have read of God's eternal love for His children.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
-
TODAY IN THE WORD

Our Pilgrim forebears were hard workers. According to their agreement with the London merchants who helped finance their voyage to America, the Pilgrims agreed to put all the proceeds of their work into a common fund that would provide for the settlers' necessities. At the end of seven years, all profits and property were to be divided equally among the financiers and the Pilgrims. When that arrangement did not work, the merchants sold their interest in the company to the Pilgrims in 1627. One historian says, ""Through steady and hard work, the colony was able to live moderately well.""

Could there have been a group of Pilgrims refusing to work but still expecting to sit down to three meals a day? No. Their numbers were too small to accommodate any loafers, and conditions in the New World too harsh. Besides, their commitment to God did not allow for laziness. The Pilgrims had probably memorized today's text!

In one important respect, the Thessalonians resembled colonists in a new world. As the body of Christ in a hostile environment, they needed to rely on one another. This was not a church where people saw one another on Sunday mornings and maybe on Wednesday nights, then went back home to live and work. Their lives were very closely woven together.

How serious was the idleness problem? Aside from the fact that loafers would be an economic burden, this was a spiritual issue. Today and tomorrow we'll see that Paul worded his instructions in very serious language. Verse 6 alone is enough to make the point. What Paul is about to say concerning work and idleness is delivered ""in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."" Paul's words are a command, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY

Thanksgiving is a relaxing holiday in our culture. But there is one way you can work hard today: in prayer.

This is a day when some people who haven't prayed since last Thanksgiving, or perhaps Easter, feel obligated to give thanks. Wouldn't it be great if God used the greater spiritual awareness surrounding Thanksgiving--and the upcoming Christmas season--to turn many hearts toward Christ?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15
-
TODAY IN THE WORD

Recent research has confirmed what farmers have known for a long time: those who eat alone tend to eat less food. Farmers have observed that fact in the behavior of animals such as pigs and chickens, which eat more when grouped together than they do alone. Research shows that on average, people consume 44% less food when eating alone than they do when eating with others.

Paul didn't have the benefit of research on human eating habits when he issued his orders concerning the Thessalonian idlers, but he didn't need it. Whatever the effects of eating alone, going hungry alone was no doubt strong motivation for the person involved to get to work!

Exclusion from the fellowship of believers was the discipline Paul ordered for those in Thessalonica who refused to work. Verse 10 suggests that this included having their dinner plates confiscated, as it were. That, plus the shame of being disciplined (v. 14), was expected to do the job.

Ostracism is a serious step in church discipline, used in Corinth to deal with flagrant sexual sin (1 Cor. 5:1-11). The method worked so effectively there that Paul told the church to relent lest the offender ""be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow"" (2 Cor. 2:7).

The solution for the lazy Thessalonians was to ""settle down"" and shoulder their share of the work load (2 Thess 3:12). The non-workers may have been trying to spiritualize their idleness by saying that they were waiting for the Lord to return. But regardless of their excuse, it didn't wash. The point of church discipline is always to bring the wayward back into line, not to drive them away (v. 15).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY

The day after Thanksgiving is also a work holiday for many and a day usually given over to relaxation.

Since the chances are good that you have some extra time on your hands today, here's a day-after-Thanksgiving question to consider: How does your service and witness for Christ compare with that of the faithful Thessalonians?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18
-
TODAY IN THE WORD

Last Monday we told you about the thousands of buried World War I artillery shells still being recovered from battlefields in Belgium. The danger was highlighted last year when an amateur collector lost an eye and a hand when one of the 80-year-old shells exploded.

Such hidden explosives are actually a worldwide problem. A military officer who works on a team collecting the shells from farms, gardens and construction sites, says: ""In Bosnia, in Africa, in Laos and in Cambodia, they will be having this problem for 50 years, minimum.""

This is a graphic reminder that what the world calls ""peace"" is often a fragile commodity. We know that the peace God promises us as Christians is not dependent on our circumstances or on what happens in the world.

But there's nothing wrong with praying for peace to rule in our daily lives. Paul prayed that way often and urged his converts to do the same so that the gospel would advance (1 Tim. 2:1-4). After all, our God is the ""Lord of peace"" (2 Thess. 3:16).

That's the spirit behind Paul's closing prayer for the Thessalonians, his fourth prayer in these few chapters (1:11-12; 2:16-17; 3:5). Their need for peace was evident from what we know of their circumstances: severe suffering, grief over deceased loved ones, confusion over the details of Christ's return, distress from disobedient members, and perhaps even frustration at Paul's inability to return to Thessalonica for a follow-up visit.

Paul's personal signature on the letter was more than just a nice closing touch (v. 17). It authenticated the document as coming from his hand. Someone had, in effect, forged Paul's name to the false report which the Thessalonians had earlier received (2:1-2). So it was doubly important that this letter bear the unmistakable mark of the apostle's authority.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, our thoughts turn to Christmas, a season during which we often sing about ""peace on earth.""

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ruth 1:1-18; 2:1-9; 3:1-11; 4:1-12; Mat
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
A book recently tackled one of life's minor puzzles--how do homing pigeons find their way home? The answer seems to be: we're not sure. One theory is that young pigeons develop an ""odor map"" by smelling odors that are carried to their homes on the winds from various directions. Another theory is that the birds use the earth's magnetic field to determine course and position. Whatever technique homing pigeons use, their instincts are uncanny. They always finish their journeys in the right place.

That's what we want to do as we come to the final month of the year. We want to finish well in these closing days of 1996. The Bible is filled with stories of people who did and of those who did not finish well. They have much to teach us. We will learn from these fascinating biblical characters throughout the month, with a pause during Christmas to consider the birth of Him who has no beginning or end.

The story of Ruth gets us off to a great start. This young woman from Moab definitely finished well. She became the great-grandmother of David. Ruth's name is on a short list of women singled out for special mention in the genealogy of Jesus. She was part of the Savior's royal bloodline and is therefore a background figure in the Christmas story.

All of this is an amazing turn of events for a widow from a ""mixed marriage"" between an Israelite and a Gentile. There is no hint in the early verses of chapter 1 that Ruth had become a devoted follower of the God of Israel.

But evidently she had, as demonstrated by her dramatic statement of belief and loyalty in verse 16. Her faith guided her decision to return to Bethlehem with Naomi, even though she apparently had no prospects awaiting her in Israel.

Once Ruth left Moab and identified herself with the true God, her story unfolds as a wonderful narrative of God's guiding hand in the ordinary affairs of life. Ruth's decision to follow the Lord saw her loneliness replaced with companionship, her poverty with plenty, and her obscurity with spiritual fame.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
By the time Decem-ber arrives, most people are starting to focus on the new year and what it will hold.

But we have a whole month still ahead of us this year, thirty-one days which will call for many large and small decisions in many areas of our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Numbers 13:1-6, 30; Joshua 14:1-15;
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
In a recent survey approximately 900 business managers were asked: ""Would you continue to work if you suddenly came into enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life?"" Nearly 40 percent of the managers said they would quit. About 26 percent said they would stay in their present jobs. Interestingly, a similar survey in 1955 among business professionals found that only 14 percent said they would quit their jobs.

Given the chance, would the Israelite warrior Caleb have taken the easy road to retirement? Not a chance! Not when he was ready at age eighty-five to kick the Amalekites off the land God had promised to him forty-five years earlier (Num. 14:24). According to Joshua 14-15, he successfully did so. Talk about finishing well!

If Caleb were alive today, he might have his own workout show on cable TV--""Fitness After Eighty."" But we don't need to know Caleb's diet or exercise routine to learn the secret of his vigor. Caleb was a spiritual powerhouse, a man who followed the Lord with the fervor of a teenager.

Caleb first appears in the biblical narrative as one of the twelve Israelite spies Moses sent from Kadesh to check out the promised land. He and Joshua brought back a good report, saying the land was bountiful and ready for conquest by God's people.

But the other spies gave a different report; Joshua and Caleb were outvoted ten to two. So much for democracy! The faithless Israelites turned back at Kadesh and wandered in the wilderness for another forty years. But God did not turn His back on Caleb. That's because Caleb never turned his back on God.

Caleb and Joshua were the only two men of their generation to survive those years of wilderness wandering. When the conquest was nearly complete and the land of Canaan was ready to be divided among the Israelite tribes, Caleb approached Joshua to claim his inheritance.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What earnest Christian wouldn't love to have the epitaph that he or she had followed the Lord wholeheartedly? God has not made the path of wholehearted discipleship a mystery. If we seek Him, we will find Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 19:1-29; 2 Peter 2:7-9
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to a recent report, four-wheel-drive sport/utility vehicles were a hot item last summer at car rental agencies. So hot, in fact, that the agencies could not meet the demand. Why the big increase? One rental agency owner said it had nothing to do with the need for off-road driving capability. Instead, the popular vehicles have become a status symbol among the ""water-bottle and boat shoe set."" Driving a sport/utility vehicle sends the message, ""I'm a with-it person.""

Perhaps Abraham's nephew Lot would have bought into that mentality as well. We know he lived in the middle of the most worldly, ""with-it"" culture of his day--the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

We also know Lot was headed for trouble the day he chose ""the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east"" (Gen. 13:11)--that is, toward those evil cities. In verse 13 of this same chapter, Moses added a fatal footnote: Sodom and Gomorrah were already headed for judgment.

Nevertheless, Lot plunged ahead. Genesis 13:12 and 14:12 make for an interesting comparison. Lot went from living near Sodom to living in Sodom. By the time we come to the end of his sordid story in today's text, it is clear that the polluted atmosphere of Sodom had smudged Lot's soul and obscured his witness.

Scripture sadly recounts Lot's failure to convince his sons-in-law that God was about to destroy Sodom. Even his wife left her heart in Sodom. She looked back at all she was leaving behind--and became a proverbial warning for anyone who would try to hang on to the world's trinkets (Luke 17:32).

Actually, things grew even worse for Lot when his daughters defiled themselves with him (Gen. 19:30-38). By many measures, it does not appear that Lot finished his earthly race well.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As Dr. Ronald Youngblood has pointed out, Lot built his life with the stubble of this world and was saved only ""by the skin of his teeth.""

How long has it been since you checked the ""building materials"" you have been using in your life? Are you creating a life of wood, hay and stubble, or one of materials that will last (1 Cor. 3:10-15)? Today is a good day to take a look at your activities from the perspective of Lot's disaster.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 15:11-24
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
Author Bernard Palmer lived out a real-life ""prodigal son story"" with his own son, Barry. The story, My Son My Son, has been made into a novel and a movie.

After college and marriage, Barry began to fall into ungodly lifestyle patterns, including immorality and alcoholism. His job and family suffered, but even being jailed for drunkenness didn't bring Barry to his senses. ""What did we do wrong?"" his parents wondered.

But like the son in Jesus' parable, Barry ""came home again."" At a church meeting, he admitted defeat and asked for prayer. Later, on the hospital bed where he lay due to pneumonia and heart complications, he accepted Christ as Savior, asked his family's forgiveness, and began to witness to his friends before dying a few weeks later.

Jesus' story of another lost son in today's text is a familiar one. But we need to see it in its context in Luke 15 to appreciate fully why the ""good finish"" of the son in the story was so joyous.

If your Bible is a ""red letter edition,"" the page in front of you today is full of red ink. The parable of the prodigal son is part of an extended discourse by Jesus. Some Bible students even see the three stories in Luke 15 (including one about a lost sheep and another about a lost coin) as forming a single parable.

However we divide the text, Jesus' point is inescapable. Whether the imagery is a coin, a sheep, or a beloved family member, God welcomes repentant sinners with open arms. With this attitude Jesus ministered to the sinners of His day, much to the disdain of the arrogant Pharisees and experts in the law (15:1-2).

Why did Jesus do this? Because it is sinners who need a Savior (Luke 5:31-32)! He came for the purpose of calling sinful people out of the world to the love, acceptance and fellowship of His Father's house.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you know anyone who needs to finish 1996 or begin 1997 well by seeking God's forgiveness offered in Christ?

We do not have control over the way another person responds to the gospel. That's the business of God and of that other person. He simply asks us to be faithful. The question today is this: are you seeking and cultivating friendships with unbelievers? The idea is not to go hunting for ""spiritual heads,"" but to love and care about them as people--the way Jesus does.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 2:1-21; 6:17, 22-25; Hebrews
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
You might not find Elizabeth Fry on a list of the influential people of this world, but she was a heroine in the kingdom of God.

Elizabeth was a young Quaker in 19th-century England with a deep compassion for people. Gripped by Jesus' command to love her neighbor, Elizabeth reached out to people who were beyond hope. She visited a women's prison at Newgate and was horrified by the inhuman conditions she found there. She returned again and again, reading the Bible and telling the women about Jesus. She also pressed for prison reforms, leading a successful fight to improve British prisons--an heroic effort from a woman who took God's Word seriously.

Like Elizabeth Fry, Rahab qualified for God's ""hall of faith,"" although there is a very different beginning to her story. The Bible is straightforward and honest about Rahab's unsavory lifestyle: she was a prostitute. But her beginning, at least as far as Scripture is concerned, did not keep her from finishing well. In fact, she earned a place of honor in Hebrews 11!

Much like Ruth, Rahab was a Gentile woman who confessed the God of Israel as her God and put her faith in Him (Josh. 2:11). A resident of Jericho, Rahab had heard of the Hebrew God and of what He had done to Egypt and the other enemies of Israel.

When the two spies sent by Joshua arrived in the city to survey it before the attack, Rahab hid them. She and her family were saved by her faith in action.

Even though Rahab lied about the spies' presence in her house, James commends her for her faith in casting her lot with the true God. The author of Hebrews agrees, considering Rahab worthy of remembrance among God's greatest heroines and heroes.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The old saying is still true: ""We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is not alone.""

Certainly Rahab, Ruth, and all other believers are saved by faith alone. But all of God's people are called to put feet on their faith (Eph. 2:10), especially in the lives of the needy and the helpless.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 11:1-11; Mark 6:14-29
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
One hundred seventy-five years ago, a trader named William Becknell and his men left Franklin, Missouri, to forge an 800-mile trail across prairies, plains and deserts to New Mexico in search of riches. Becknell illegally entered Spanish-owned Santa Fe, where the Spanish soldiers eagerly bought his inexpensive goods and sent him back for more. Becknell's route became the legendary Santa Fe Trail of Western lore.

John the Baptist blazed a trail, too, but his purpose was far different. He was the messenger of the Messiah (Mark 1:2), the forerunner of Jesus, who prepared the hearts of Israel for the Savior's ministry.

John's ministry was even more brief than that of Jesus, to whom he was related through Mary and Elizabeth. We sometimes forget that John's impending birth was the other birth announced at Christmas (Luke 1:5ff.). Luke's well-known statement that the angel appeared to Mary ""in the sixth month"" (v. 26) is a reference to Elizabeth's pregnancy with John. From God's standpoint, no one had a better beginning than John the Baptist. Today, let's talk about how he finished.

John was so powerful and fearless in his prophetic ministry that the incident recorded in Matthew 11 seems out of character. Surely John knew the details of his birth and of the birth of Jesus. He himself had baptized the Lord.

So why did John slip into temporary doubt about Jesus' identity? Perhaps because he was human. He had been arrested by Herod Antipas for exposing Herod's sin, and we know that Herod would soon order John beheaded.

In the uncertainty of his circumstances, John's heart may have wavered momentarily. Ordinarily, ending one's life on a note of doubt does not qualify as a good finish. But notice how gently Jesus dealt with John's disciples (Matt. 11:4-6) as well as His commendation of John (vv. 7-11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Since we all wrestle with doubt from time to time, it's worth noting how John dealt with doubt.

Most importantly, John sought an answer to his doubt rather than jettisoning his faith because of one area of uncertainty. In other words, John was willing to doubt his doubts; and he received definite reassurance from the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 5:18-24; Hebrews 11:5-6
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
Although you may never see a television ""infomercial"" touting the benefits of walking, one insurance industry source says walking is the most popular form of exercise. In fact, when measured by the number of participants, no other exercise even comes close to walking. Besides its health benefits, walking is available to people of almost any age, location or health level.

Enoch may not have started the walking-for-exercise craze, but he is probably the most famous ""walker"" in history. Clearly, the Hebrew verb for ""walk"" in Genesis 5 is intended to convey more than the act of putting one foot in front of the other.

""Walk"" is a popular biblical metaphor for our daily lives, the way we conduct ourselves day in and day out. Enoch and the Lord were such intimate friends that one day the Lord decided Enoch might as well ""come on home.""

The text indicates that Enoch suddenly disappeared, similar to the way that Elijah was carried to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). The resemblance between the two men's departures is not coincidental. The same word is used in Genesis 5:24 and 2 Kings 2:3 to describe how God took each man to heaven.

Part of our curiosity about Enoch is because we know so little of his life. But what we know is important, because his portrait also hangs in God's ""hall of faith."" Enoch's faith must have been remarkable. His testimony was impeccable, as today's verse reveals. His life is the context for the classic statement about faith in Hebrews 11:6.

The Bible is full of men and women of remarkable faith who pleased God. So why was Enoch chosen for a direct trip to heaven without passing through death? To learn the answer to that question, we'll need to wait until heaven.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Enoch walked in intimacy with God for 365 years. Most of us have a hard time staying close to the Lord for 365 days!

We would all like someone to say of us what was said of Enoch--that he ""pleased God."" If those closest to you--your spouse, children, fellow Christians--were to record the impact you had in their lives during 1996, what do you think they would say?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Samuel 31:1-13
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
For several years now, researchers have been about the controversial business of exploring the ship's wreckage. Trying to learn what actually happened to the Titanic on that April night in 1912 has been the focus of much study. Now comes the revelation that the ship's steel may have been so brittle that it fractured on impact with the iceberg. One metallurgist says the steel used to build the Titanic ""would never get out of a shipyard today.""

Did the ""unsinkable"" ship carry within its very makeup an undetected, fatal flaw? If so, the tragic end of the Titanic is a perfect metaphor for the life and death of Saul. For this same reason, Israel's first king did not finish well.

Saul's sad end wasn't what anyone would have predicted for this ""impressive young man without equal among the Israelites"" (1 Sam. 9:2). A full head taller than anyone else, Saul towered over his peers. No one quibbled over Samuel's anointing of Saul as king.

But Saul carried within him a fatal flaw. His soul was brittle. He could not bring himself to trust or to obey God completely (see 1 Sam. 13-15). In addition to Saul's rashness and disobedience, we read that he resorted to consulting a witch at Endor (1 Sam. 28:3ff.), not to mention attempting to murder David.

Saul's eventual suicide in battle was humiliating and tragic in every detail. First, he was defeated by Israel's longtime enemy, the Philistines. Second, his sons lost their lives, too (1 Sam. 31:2). Third, Saul took his own life when his armor-bearer refused to kill him (v. 4). And finally, to complete the humiliation, the Philistines mutilated Saul's body and displayed it publicly (vv. 9-10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Can any positive lessons be drawn from the life of Saul? The Bible indicates that Saul did not set out to ruin himself spiritually. He made some of his biggest mistakes in an impatient attempt to ""help"" God. Despite God's instructions, Saul thought he had a better idea (see 1 Sam. 13:11-12).

The temptation to take spiritual shortcuts is a common one. Perhaps you're facing a situation right now that presents you with two options: God's way, which may seem longer and more time-consuming, or your way, which looks like a more direct path to the desired goal.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Esther 7:1-10; 8:1-8; 9:1-10
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
For many students at Moody Bible Institute, God works behind the scenes to make it financially possible for them to attend school here.

Lucie Lipas of the Czech Republic is a good example. While in high school, she felt God calling her to become a Christian counselor. She started looking for good Bible colleges, and a missionary recommended Moody. Lucie applied and was accepted, but where would the money come from? Her family prayed for guidance.

Meanwhile, a friend of the Institute had donated funds specifically for students such as Lucie. That special gift answered her family's prayers! Working behind the scenes, God had orchestrated circumstances perfectly.

Even when we can't see the big picture, we know that God in His sovereignty is always working behind the scenes. Esther's story is another example of this truth. This dramatic book of the Bible, famous for its omission of the name of God, unfolds the story of a woman who not only finished well herself, but also helped to save her people in the process.

Esther and Mordecai were Jewish exiles in Persia under King Xerxes. Esther's beauty won her a place in the royal harem, where her nationality was apparently not known. She quickly came into favor with the king, putting her into position to counter the plot of the Jews' evil enemy, Haman, to destroy God's people.

We don't have space here to recount the entire intrigue. Since our focus is on ending well, we bring your attention especially to the demise of Haman, Esther's plea for a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves, and the success of that plan.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Perhaps nothing we will be called upon to do will be as dramatic as Esther's nation-saving act of courage. But that's alright because the size of our responsibility is God's concern, not ours. Where has God placed you at home, at work, at church, and in your neighborhood? Is He preparing you for a new or an expanded sphere of influence for Him in 1997? Or perhaps He wants the kind of day-to-day faithfulness that may be less spectacular but that requires the same spiritual fortitude.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
-
TODAY IN THE WORD
By every measure, Timothy Dwight was born for leadership. He was the grandson of Jonathan Edwards, considered one of the greatest theological minds America has ever produced. At the age of four, Timothy taught the catechism to Native Americans in his area. By age six, he was studying Latin; and at thirteen he entered Yale, where he tied for valedictorian honors in his graduating class.

But Dwight's greatest legacy was spiritual. Assuming Yale's presidency in 1795, Dwight prayed and labored long to reverse the damaging influences of secularism and spiritual indifference in the student body. His fervor for Christ paid off when revival came to Yale in 1802.

Timothy Dwight's intellectual and spiritual pedigrees were distinguished and impeccable, like Paul's. The ""apostle to the Gentiles"" received the finest education possible in that day. As did some of his fellow Jews, Paul had a misguided zeal for God before his conversion (Rom. 10:2). The difference was that nobody could match Paul's zeal (Phil. 3:6).

The fact that Paul finished well is beyond dispute. He is a model of perseverance and faithfulness for all believers in all ages. What sincere Christian hasn't claimed today's text, especially verses 7-8, as his or her life goal?

Paul finished his Christian race as a winner. What makes him even more remarkable is the point from which he began his race.

Paul abandoned everything in his life that seemed to be to his advantage--his degrees and accomplishments and reputation--when he met Christ. Paul was stripped of anything human that could get him ahead, as God retooled him into the man He wanted. God Himself taught Paul theology during his years of isolation.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul tells us which prize he was pursuing: ""the crown of righteousness"" which God would give him (2 Tim. 4:.

The crown is a familiar New Testament metaphor for the rewards God has in store for His faithful children. For a midweek dose of encouragement, use a Bible concordance to trace the word ""crown"" through the New Testament. It will give you new energy for your race--a result Paul would surely applaud!