1 Corinthians 9
24Do 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.
25Everyone 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.
26Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
27No, 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.


A True Hero
Let others write of battles fought,
Of bloody, ghastly fields,
Where honor greets the man who wins,
And death, the man you yields;
But I will write of him who fights
And vanquishes his sins,
Who struggles on through weary years
Against himself, and wins.
Here lies a soldier, whom all must applaud;
Who fought many battles at home and abroad.
But the hottest engagement he ever was in,
Was the conquest of self in the battle of sin.
Who conquers self, - he is a hero born,
His name may die, forgotten by his peers,
But yet the seed he sowed in care and tears

Shall bear rich harvest through immortal years.
F.A. Shaw


Matthew 25 Being praised by our father!
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.
15To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, a each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
23“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’


The Sheep and the Goats
34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’


The Sheep and the Goats

2 Timothy 4
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8Now 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.