Ready To Be Offered

Whatever offering God wants–are you ready to offer it? In the above verses Paul stated he was "now ready to be offered." He continues admitting it had been a fight–be he fought a good one. Maybe we have not fought like we should–but I need to put forth an effort and fight a good fight.

Paul said I have "finished my course." It sure had obstacles just our course has. However, we are still going. We got out of bed this morning; we're not in the grave. We must face the obstacles in our course and finish it, whatever it may be.

Paul then said he had "kept the faith." The culture of the day is to go after new ways. Many have forsaken the old paths and some have just not kept the faith. Though it may get tough, we too must keep the faith.

Whatever offering God wants of us, can we say we are ready to offer it. I may have fallen a bit. I may not have had the faith I should. I may have been weak and vulnerable, but I'm not dead. I still have a chance to fight, a chance to finish the course well.

If God says it's now time for departure, are we ready. When called upon for an offering, whatever it is, can we give it–will we? There is not one of us who has no burdens; we find it hard to run the race. The devil has clouded our thoughts about God and what God wants from us. We may have struggled with keeping the faith. Satan has many deceived. Fighting is tough. Running takes exertion. Still Paul said he had fought good. He had run and made it. He did not let the devil take his faith.

Paul was really going to be offered. He was waiting for the chopping block. Nero wanted to finish Paul's course by beheading him. From prison Paul declared he had already finished; he had already run; he had kept the faith and was ready to be offered.

The battle may be tough; the obstacles may be many; BUT WITH GOD'S HELP, we can make it. Take a new look at what you are giving to God. Do you need to offer yourself anew? Let's come and pray. Ask God what he'd have you do and trust him to help you finish it.