December 10th, 25: Finishing the Race: Paul's Final Words and Encouragement in Second Timothy

hunterpotery.com. get your mugs while they last!Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form!TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 1-4Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! In today's episode, Hunter guides us through the 10th of December, continuing our year-long journey through the Scriptures. Together, we explore the book of 2 Timothy, chapters one through four, reflecting on Paul's powerful final words to Timothy—words of encouragement, endurance, and unwavering faith. Hunter helps us draw practical wisdom from Paul's perspective at the "finish line," insisting that we stay focused, keep our minds clear, and persevere in our spiritual race. The episode invites listeners to embrace courage in dark times, find strength in God's love, and live out our calling with purpose. As always, we close with prayer—for our own souls, our families, and all who tune in—lifting up our hopes and needs to the Father in this season of Advent. We also take a moment to recognize the generous support of our podcast partners, and extend an invitation for others to join in supporting the ministry. Tune in for a soul-enriching blend of scripture, reflection, encouragement, and community. TODAY'S DEVOTION: We're in the coach's corner, and Paul is giving us some perspective from the finish line. Some perspective from someone who's already won his race. In verse seven, chapter four, Paul says this: "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race and I have remained faithful." Paul, standing at the finish line, looking back at his protégé Timothy, wants to give him—and us—some perspective for our journey. Stay focused. There's no off season. Do what you're called to do. Preach the word of God and offer the gospel of Christ. Correct, rebuke, and encourage people into and with the gospel. Keep a clear mind. Renew your mind by staying focused on the gospel. Don't be afraid. You'll have to suffer in this life, but the suffering will pass, and God will be with you each step of the way. You must keep focused and stay in the fight. The race has an endpoint, and we see Paul at the threshold. He says, "I've run the race. I've finished it. I've won the prize." Brothers and sisters, there is a prize that awaits us—a crown of righteousness: absolute wholeness, healing, and joy. Having finished his race and looking back from that line, Coach Paul has us in the coach's corner and he's calling out to us: courage, wisdom, perspective. Receive it well. Take it to heart. Stay focused and don't be afraid. Keep fighting the fight. Keep your mind clear and run to the end. God is with you and he is good. That is the prayer that I have for my own soul today. It's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen. Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may...