2 Chronicles 15:7
As for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
Acts 20:24
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.
(NLT) But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
John Calvin, Sermon on 2 Timothy 1:6-8 "I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God..."
If we would remedy our coldness and our laziness, knowing that our zeal and devotion are not what they should be, let us tell ourselves: ‘Well, God who put me in this world has revealed himself to me, and I have known him these many years. He has honoured me, wretched, useless creature that I am, by using me to exalt his glory and to advance his kingdom. I have served him, but not in my own strength. What must I do? Shall I now rest and idle the hours away? No! Let me be stirred up all the more to finish my race, since God has set me on the right path. He leads me on. I must not fail!’
Richard Baxter "Dying Thoughts on Philippians 1:23" - "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
My Lord, I have nothing to do in this World, but to seek and serve thee; I have nothing to do with a Heart and its affections, but to breathe after thee. I have nothing to do with my Tongue and Pen, but to speak to thee, and for thee, and to publish thy Glory and thy Will. What have I to do with all my Reputation, and Interest in my Friends, but to increase thy Church, and propagate thy holy Truth and Service? What have I to do with my remaining Time, even these last and languishing hours, but to look up unto thee, and wait for thy Grace, and thy Salvation?
Richard Sibbes The Matchless Love and Inbeing
How shall we persevere in our course?
1. Hold out a strong resolution against opposition, since scandals and difficulties will come. A firm resolution will carry us through all.
2. Labour to know the truth, and practice what you know.
3. Get the love of God in your heart and focus on your encouragements. Who would not hold out having such a captain and such a cause?
4. Strive for self-denial. A true Christian has a single eye. Worldly aims divide the heart. You cannot have God and your lusts together.
5. Grow deeper in humility. A man is humble when he accounts sin his greatest evil and grace his chiefest good.
Such a one will hold out in times of trial.
Thomas Gataker, pastor of Rotherhith, member of the Westminster Assembly, on Philippians 3:13-14
(Paul) did as men in a race that look not back to see how many they have passed, or how far they have progressed, but have their eyes fixed on the ground before them (and) how far we are to go, and how far we come short of that Christian perfection that we should all strive and contend to attain unto.
John Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress
Mr. Feeble to Honest and Gaius after he was rescued from Giant Slay Good by Great Heart
"I expect more onslaughts, but this I've resolved to do - to run when I can, to walk when I can't run, and to crawl when I can't walk. My way is before me, and my thoughts are beyond the River..."
Peter Young, Daily Readings for a Year, on the Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1863, on Luke 13:22–30
Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, he said; labor, wrestle, strain every nerve, put forth all your powers; do your very best; let nothing daunt or discourage you: let nothing induce you to relax your efforts or your watchfulness. Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, for many will seek to enter in but will take no real pains, and so shall not be able.
Prayer of Rowland Williams
Into Thy hands I commend my soul (Psalm 31:5, Luke 23:46) and my prayer: give what Thou seest fit, and fit us for what Thou givest. Give us wisdom to abound, or patience to suffer need; and where the Master placed us, there to be content. Let all our work be done well before we come to die; and let us be gathered into Thine arms, as the harvesters gather a shock in full season. Let our death be happy; and our happiness beyond the power of death.
(Martin Luther's Small Catechism Evening Prayer "Into your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things.")
Rev. James Smith The Believer’s Daily Remembrancer, 1864
Isaiah 46:4 (NLT) - "I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you."
Aged pilgrim, lean upon your God; look unto him; He will prove himself faithful to his word, and ultimately call you forth as a witness to the same. Fear not the evening of old age: your God will supply you; He will support you; and at last land you safe where the storms of trouble never blow, where weakness and fear are never felt. The promise of your God cannot fail you; He will guide you and carry you to his kingdom and glory.
A.B. Simpson
This is a most serious thought, this thought of finishing our work. There is nothing in the Christian life quite so sad as unfinished work.
As I look over the work of God, I see strewn all along the way this curse of incompleted work. The book of Judges tells us of five hundred years of declension because God's people did not complete their work when they were in possession of Canaan. They conquered Jericho; they conquered 31 kingdoms; they divided the land among 12 victorious tribes; but they left here and there little strongholds that were not subdued-little tribes that could not or would not be driven out-and it was not long until they brought Israel under subjection and neutralized all the work of Joshua's conquest. Consider the ministry of Elijah. Never has the world seen anything more sublime than his victory on Carmel. But who has not grieved at his reaction on the following day when, at the shaking of a woman's finger, he fled into the desert and left the field in possession of God's enemies.
It is not enough to go on for a while. It is the last step that wins. May God put on our hearts this thought, that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have receive of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).
How lovely to see a dear old saint folding away his books at night and humbly saying, "Lord Jesus, things are still just the same between us" and then falling asleep in His keeping.
A.W. Tozer
The Next Chapter After the Last
True faith is not an (end); it is a journey. The initial act of believing in Christ is a gate leading into the long lane we are to travel with Christ for the rest of our earthly days. That journey is hard and tiring, but it is wonderful also, and no one ever regretted the weariness when he came to the end of the road.
Renewed Day by Day
Lord, keep my eyes on the glory of completing Your will for my life, and help me to remember that there is much more ahead than what lies behind.
C.T. Studd
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.
2 Timothy 4:7 commentary
http://www.preceptaustin.org/2_timothy_47.htm
Hebrews 12:1 commentary
http://www.preceptaustin.org/hebrews_121.htm#12:1
Michael W. Smith "Take Me Home" - 2013 Tribute to Billy Graham on his 95th birthday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA75Nyd92sM&list=PLiAmCj4Bjc1YuLCxBB1zHNIr5rEov-ebP
The Afters "Well Done"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZu7mfYS_VY
Mercy Me "Almost Home"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lKdHXfpsFQ
J.C. Ryle Holiness
Your salvation is nearer than when you first believed. A few more days of labor and sorrow, and the King of kings shall send for you, and in a moment your warfare shall be at end, and all shall be peace.
F.B. Meyer Our Daily Walk
I pray Thee, O Lord, to deliver me from the fear of death; and when mine eyes open in the dawn of heaven, may I see Thee standing to welcome me, and may I receive Thy Well-done!