Not many people grow old gracefully. Some folks are sunny throughout their lives. There are others who were sunny earlier on, but It seems the nearer they get to the end of their lives the less sunny they have become. Many of these folks have all the toys they have ever wanted, but for some strange reason they are not happy. These poor souls cannot carry on a conversation without barking and growling at the other person.
Over the last 10 years, I have had to deal with at least one person per week who have displayed what I would like to call a “Nasty Disposition”. I used to get offended, but as the problem occur more and more, I realize it is not personal. It is who they have become, and they cannot do anything about it.
Hence, I thought about how cruel this world is. If we are not careful, it will chew us up and spit us out-leaving many miserable and aloof.
Therefore, I thank God for Jesus. He has the answer for every question and the solution for every problem. If I continue to hold on to the promises of God, and most importantly, His unchanging hand, then my life will be sunny to the end. Hopefully, my testimony then will be similar to one apostle gave at the end of his life: ” I have fought the good fight I have finished the race I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”(2 Timothy 4:7-8).
When you have Jesus in your life, heaven does sound sweet all the time.
Let's Talk Gospel 
Really when you think about it “the Crown at the end of our journey” is a tremendous prize for such a simple thing as “following Jesus”. Not sure how I’ll look in a crown, but I sure am going to enjoy wearing it (smiling).
Great post Noel, thanks for sharing it.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continue to bless and keep you and yours.
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Absolutely! Sometimes I try to imagine how Paul must have felt. I gather he was in a joyful mode when he wrote 2 Timothy 4:7-8. One can almost feel his confidence radiating out of the page.
Thanks so much for your input, Michael. You are a blessing as always.
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I am one of those who have “longed for His appearing.”
I’m not sure I can put myself in Paul’s place or life. He certainly persevered till the end. His trials and suffering, clear to his martyrdom was a triumph in itself. No one could ask for a more loyal subject than Paul. that’s for sure.
You are welcome for the input, Noel. Not so sure what blessing I am to others, but I certainly try daily to lead others into the Lord’s realm and to show others that the pathway to heaven is filled with certain obstacles and treachery. Hoping I can show them just one little thing that might bring them back onto the right lane towards salvation and repentance.
Keep up the good fight, Noel. God bless.
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Thank you so much for sharing this! What a very beautiful message! It feels so good to picture yourself as the man who is being awarded with the crown of righteousness by the Lord himself when the time comes. I would not be able to describe how happy I would be. 🙂
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Thanks so much for your input, Erin. Without sounding self-righteous, sometimes I wish I had wings live a dove so I could fly away home to glory.
Keep the faith. God blesses.
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Loved the post Noel. You are going to have so many “crowns” dear friend God is going to have to give you a lot of heads to wear them! 🙂 God Bless, SR
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Thanks S.R. If we continue to stay focus and steadfast, we will be rewarded according to our work. My goal is to hear the heavenly say, welcome to my Kingdom, thou good and faithful servant.
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I love this testimony Noel “I have fought the good fight I have finished the race I have kept the faith.” I hope to say the same when I meet Jesus in heaven. God Bless.
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Great post!
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Thanks Jo. To God be the glory.
God blesses.
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How can anyone who is at the age when they know life is now shorter than short, not l-o-n-g for the time when we will be presented faultless before the throne? We have lived a life and our bodies are just starting to tell us that they are tired. “Home” beckons.
I believe time is running out, one way or another: either by physical death or via the rapture, and the one and only thing that limits my cry of “Even so, come Lord Jesus” is the thought of those loved ones who won’t be leaving with me. I pray that will be given faith to believe before it is too late and I pray I won’t miss any opportunities to witness of the One who saves.
We are one day closer!
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Noel,
you are so right when you say..
“Hence, I thought about how cruel this world is. If we are not careful, it will chew us up and spit us out-leaving many miserable and aloof.”
How true it is. It always amazes me how those who have a close walk with Christ will use the discouragements of this world to grow in grace and increase their dedication to be faithful to the end.
You are displaying that in this posting Noel. The Lord is good. May you be blessed and continue to grow in His service. Lord bless you richly for your faithfulness.
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Thanks so much for your comment, Rob. The journey get tough, and the world gets seriously tempting sometimes. However, if we stand fast in the liberty by which has made us free, then we will endure to the end.
God blesses.
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Very powerful message, thank you for sharing. God Bless 🙂
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Thanks P.J. To God be the glory. We have to be on guard and be watchful at all times because the enemy is watching and waiting for an opportunity to attack.
God blesses.
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You very welcome Noel, You said a mouthful on that one! We can never have enough of his Blessings 🙂 Many Blessings
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Love !love ! Love this post. It couldn’t have come to me at a better time thanks.
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Thanks so much, my friend. It was very kind of you to have visited. I hope you will come again. To God be the glory.
The Bible says, “For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding” (1 Chronicles 29:15).
God blesses.
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