“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth, there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.”

Key Thought: This scripture comes at the end of the Apostle Paul’s life, who wrote a good portion of the New Testament in the Bible.  He talks about a crown of righteousness, there are other crowns mentioned in the Bible too (1 Cor. 9:23-27, James 1:12, 1 Thess. 2:19, 1 Peter 5:2-4).  Athletes love to be rewarded for their efforts, both in training and in competition.  The sacrifice and service is rewarded in the now and the not yet!