Pactolus Baptist Church

Daily Devotional

By Pastor Jerry Teboe

A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026

Finishing Well

2 Timothy 4:6-8

          For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

The Apostle Paul was at the end of his life.  He was in the Mamertine prison and was to be executed at any time because of his faithful ministry of preaching the gospel.  At that time, the Christian faith was under persecution by the Roman government, and anyone who was a believer could have been arrested and put into prison and put to death for their faith. As a leader in the Christian church, he was facing a trial for doing just that.

He did not face that trial with fear and trembling, nor with worry about the future.  He knew who was taking care of him and trusted his soul to his Maker and Lord.  His statement in the face of death was, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  His was a calm assurance that God was in control, and he, Paul, had done what was asked of him.  This needs to be our outlook as well.  When we have done all that God has asked, we know that God will take care of the rest.  In 2 Timothy 1:12, we see Paul's assurance when he says, For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

          Finally, we see that Paul was sure of the reward for his faithfulness.  He also assures us that we will have that same reward when he says, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

          With this assurance, we can finish well just as Paul did if we follow his example!

Bible Reading for the Year

Prayer Needs

Pray for services this Sunday. 

We will ordain two deacons. 

Come and support them as they move

into this important position in their lives.

Thank you for praying for Shea Harris, Maggie Harris’s stepson.  He is doing much better and was supposed to go home Friday.  Maggie appreciates everyone’s prayers.

Continue to pray for Mary and the rest of the Marvin Silverthorne family as they remember Marvin in his homegoing. 

Please pray for Shirley Deal, Carolyn Tyson’s sister.  She is back in the hospital in Washington.  She is very weak, but is starting to eat a little better to gain back her strength.

Please pray for Willie Pollard, Deb Skinner’s brother.  They put in a tube to drain his right lung, which went well.  He is feeling better and may go home in a few days.

Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister.  She was moved to rehab Monday for physical therapy and to help improve her eating.  

Please continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer.  She had another infusion of blood on Thursday because of low hemoglobin.  The doctor gave her iron, which is causing diarrhea.  Pray for healing and strength for her, for the tumors to shrink, and that the medication will not cause inflammation in her lungs.

Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans.   She is home and some better but is still weak.  Pray for wisdom for the next step forward.

Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton.  Pray for God’s healing.  She has some good days and some bad ones.

Linda Franks wants to thank everyone who prayed for her.  She is doing much better.

Please continue to pray for Beth Buchta.  She starts physical therapy on October 19^th.

Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan.  The doctors changed his meds which has helped him, and he is getting stronger. Please continue to pray for him.

Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren.  She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting some better physically. 

Pray for our Missionaries! 

Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia

Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries) 

Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia