“WELL DONE”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: 2 Timothy 4 (Focus vs.1–8)
MEMORY VERSE
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
BACKGROUND
The school where my son Brian coaches football lost the state title game in a hard-fought battle. Their opponent was undefeated over the past two years. I sent Brian a text to commiserate with him and received a terse reply: “Kids battled!”
No coach shamed the players after the game. No one shouted at them for their mishaps or bad decisions along the way. No, the coaches showered the young players with praise for what could be praised.
Along the same vein, it’s good to know that believers in Jesus will not hear harsh words of condemnation from Him. When Christ comes and we stand before Him, He won’t shame us. He’ll see what we’ve done as we’ve followed Him (2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 6:8).
I think He’ll say something like, “You battled! Well done!” The apostle Paul testified that he had “fought the good fight” and looked forward to being welcomed by God (2 Timothy 4:7–8).
Life is a relentless struggle with a fierce, unyielding foe devoted to our destruction. He will resist every effort we make to be like Jesus and to love others. There’ll be a few good wins and some heartbreaking losses—God knows—but there will be no eternal condemnation for those in Jesus (Romans 8:1).
If we stand before Him in the merits of God’s Son, each one will “receive [his] praise” from God (1 Corinthians 4:5).
By: David H. Roper
INSIGHT
In 2 Timothy 3, Paul warned Timothy about people who “[have] a form of godliness” but completely oppose God’s truth (v. 5). At the conclusion of chapter 3, he pointed to the crucial value of Timothy’s faith in Christ and then wrote:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (vv. 16–17).
This was essential for Timothy to understand in his role as a servant of God. Timothy was to “correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (4:2), countering the false teachers who say what “itching ears want to hear” (v. 3).
In other words, Timothy was never to seek the approval of others by telling them what they wanted to hear. He must share only God’s truth—the truth the Scriptures clearly teach.
By: Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
Does the thought of standing before God fill you with dread or delight? What would make the difference?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“My legacy doesn’t matter. It isn’t important that I be remembered . It’s important (though) that when I stand before the Lord, he says, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ I (just) want o finish strong.” James Dobson
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
Life is a relentless struggle with a fierce, unyielding foe devoted to our destruction… There’ll be a few good wins and some heartbreaking losses—God knows…”
*YOUR TAKE? 
PRAYER
“Thank You, God, for the promise that because I have Jesus as my Savior, I’ll never be condemned.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WELL DONE” THE AFTERS
What will it be like when my pain is gone
And all the worries of this world just fade away?
What will it be like when You call my name
And that moment when I see You face to face?
I’m waiting my whole life to hear You say
Well done, well done
My good and faithful one
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done
My beloved child
You have run the race and now you’re home
Welcome to the place where you belong
What will it be like when tears are washed away
And every broken thing will finally be made whole?
What will it be like when I come into Your glory
Standing in the presence of a love so beautiful?
I’m waiting my whole life for that day
I will live my life to hear You say
Well done, well done
My good and faithful one…
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done
My beloved child
You have run the race and now you’re home
Welcome to the place where you belong
What will it be like when I hear that sound?
All of heaven’s angels crying out
Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord
Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord
Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord
Waiting my whole life for that day
Until then I’ll live to hear You say…
You have run the race and now you’re home
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done
Well done, well done…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
THE BOOK OF HOSEA CHAPTERS 1-7
THE BOOK OF MATTHEW CHAPTERS1-7