RUN YOUR OWN RACE RUN YOUR OWN RACE

RUN YOUR OWN RACE

RUN YOUR OWN RACE “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. ” Acts 20: 24)

RUN YOUR OWN RACE “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. 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. ” I Corn. 9: 24 -25

RUN YOUR OWN RACE “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. II Tim. 4: 7 Your history will be part of your race. Let God use it.

RUN YOUR OWN RACE “After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Acts 18: 1 -4

RUN YOUR OWN RACE The experiences and events of Paul’s background were critical pieces to the race he was now running (son of a Pharisee; taught by a leading Rabbi; Jewish education) Your history will be a part of your purpose and destiny.

RUN YOUR OWN RACE Anything that slows you down needs to go. “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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews

RUN YOUR OWN RACE Hindrances that slow us down - Material things or Pleasure/Entertainment - Fear & Worry - Unaddressed inner issues - Comparison game

RUN YOUR OWN RACE Our race is not measured by what we have done compared to what other’s have done, rather it is measured by what we have done compared to what we were supposed to do. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Whatever we focus on will empower us.

RUN YOUR OWN RACE Follow where He leads It is hard to follow God and to do what He says. One lesson I have learned about following God is that He doesn’t always take us to the places we want to go, but rather to places we need to go. He is far more interested in changing us than rescuing us. He knows that with every trial comes a new revelation if we are open to it.

RUN YOUR OWN RACE “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. ” Phil. 4: 12 -13

RUN YOUR OWN RACE Your desire to follow where God leads gives Him enormous pleasure even if you stumble, fall, or rebel. Your desire to follow is a big deal to God. Always remember that!

RUN YOUR OWN RACE Run your race for the glory of God “How can God be glorified in this situation or in my life right now? ” - You are here by God’s appointment - His strength, grace and power will be enough for you - He is teaching you as we go (there are still lessons to be learned)

RUN YOUR OWN RACE - His timing is perfect (you will move into a new season at the right time) - God will be glorified through it all (in ways you can’t always see at the time).

RUN YOUR OWN RACE “My grace is sufficient for you”, “ for my power is made perfect in your weakness. ” “That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ” II Corn. 12: 9, 10

RUN YOUR OWN RACE

RUN YOUR OWN RACE

RUN YOUR OWN RACE

RUN YOUR OWN RACE