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From the voice of the martyrs Extreme devotion, Extreme statements Rome the APostle Paul Day 248 but my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus. The work of telling others the good news about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24 Paul wrote to Timothy, fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you. 1 Timothy, chapter 6, verse 12. He was familiar with the fight. Paul describes some of his experiences to the Corinthians. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights and gone without food. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. Second Corinthians chapter 6, verses 4, 5, 9, 10 while in jail with a death sentence, Paul wrote to the Philippians, for to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I could do more fruitful work for Christ, so I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires. I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. Philippians, chapter 1, verses 21 through 25 some years later, however, he wrote, Timothy, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have remained faithful. Second Timothy, chapter 4, verse 7. In Rome at the age of 64, Paul was beheaded by the order of Emperor Nero and went to be with Christ. If ever we need inspiration to continue on in the face of suffering, we need look no further than the life of Paul. He coursed through a myriad of hair raising experiences recorded in the Book of Acts. Yet he considered all that he endured nothing compared to knowing Jesus and making him known. Are you able to say the same thing as Paul when it comes to suffering? Is nothing able to deter you from your goal of knowing Christ and making him known? If you fear you are on your last lap of faithful service, take heed of Paul's encouraging words and get your second wind. You can hear testimonies directly from persecuted Christians and Gospel workers. Serving them every week on VOM Radio. Search for the Voice of the Martyrs or VOM Radio. Wherever you listen to podcasts and subscribe today, SA.