Swan Song
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
What can be said at the closing ceremonies? The athletes have run, the skaters have skated, the jumpers have jumped. Everyone did their best; all worked hard to do what their coach asked of them. It is finished.
Life isn’t a competition, thankfully. The Christians’ closing ceremonies will look different from those of the athletes. Ours will be in heaven, where we will cast whatever imperishable crowns we receive at the feet of Jesus, who deserves all the crowns there ever were.
The only words I want to hear at that Closing Ceremony are these:
“…Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:23).
I struggled mightily in considering all I could say in this final devotional. I concluded that all has been said that should have been said. “Having done all, to stand.” Jesus had three years to conduct His ministry; we have had ten. If the important stuff hasn’t been said yet, more time won’t get the job done.
I leave you, then, with a prayer.
Father, You have been faithful to us all the years of our lives, just as You promised. You have written us on the palms of Your hands; You have held us close when we were afraid; You have drawn us back when we meandered away, never letting us stray so far that we could not return. You have taught us, guided us, gifted us, and provided for us. May our collective “thank You” today be the incense of prayer to You.
You are bigger than we know; You give far more than we deserve; Your thoughts and ways are beyond us. For us, there is no God but You. In Your divine plan, You gave Your Son to be our salvation, and in that act, You became God-With-Us, Emmanuel.
And now, Father, make our faith strong. As the tribulation in the world increases until the Final Day, make us confident of our hope in You. Remind us of all You have taught. May Your Word be our thoughts, hidden so deeply that nothing can shake us. Keep on showing us how to love others—and how to love You. And most of all, show Yourself to be a very real and noticeable Presence in our lives.
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Revelation 22:21
It’s been a glorious journey reading ‘Walk His way’ first thing every morning. I will miss the wisdom and encouragement shared so real, with hope. Thank you❤️
Thank you to everyone who lovingly lifted us up through the devotions. And most importantly lifted up our Heavenly Father whose presence is forever with us.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your Words of wisdom and encouragement!!
I would love it if a book was made of the past devotionals. I know most of us would buy it.
What a gift He gave to allow the ladies of our fellowship to minister to each other in this ministry. Thank you to all who gave in this work of love and encouragement! ♥️🙏♥️
As a contributor and a reader I would like to thank the editor of the devotionals who has spent countless hours on this incredible project, to HER ministry for the opportunity to be a part of it with such a talented and passionate group of women who seemed to know exactly what I needed to read/hear every morning, to everyone who read it and those who wrote such encouraging comments and to the Lord for all the grace and mercy He poured out over it. To Him be all the glory!
God Bless You All, with Heartfelt Thanksgiving.
Thank you to each and every person who played a part in this encouraging work. It has helped me to laugh and cry and know my sisters in Christ have walked through the same struggles and pain and persevered through the love and strength of our loving Abba Father, the grace and mercy of our Savior, and the indwelling guidance of the Holy Spirit. Your encouraging words will live on in us. May God bless you all!
Feeling sad, but asking the Lord, what now Lord? Speak Lord, to each of the writers, and readers. Open our ears to hear only Your voice saying….”This is the way…”. Thank you for Your faithfulness Lord as You used our editors and writers together as they served You faithfully.