Me: Faithful, so faithful, You always are to me Teaching me patiently how to be holy Explaining Your covenant written in Your blood When evil tempts in an overwhelming flood Lord: I am standing near waiting to help in time of need In every trial, I want you to succeed A victor’s crown waits for those who win the race I am for you, not against you, showering you with grace For the joy set before Me I endured the cross When dying to self, you will suffer much loss A victory awaits you on the other side A place beside Me, where forever you’ll abide Debbie Furey May 2, 2023 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 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.” Hebrews 12:1-3 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Acts 20:24-38 Hebrews 12