“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?” 1 Corinthians 9:24

“You were running a good race “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 9:24

What Really Matters The righteousness of Christ Jesus’ resurrection power Unconditional fellowship with Christ Eternity with Christ

No matter where we are in our spiritual journeys, we need to deal with the past, focus strongly on today, and finish strong.

What steps will help me grow? 1) Face my faults.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal…” Philippians 3:12a “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.” Philippians 3:13a

What steps will help me grow? 2) Focus.

“But one thing I do…” Philippians 3:13b “…but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12b “But one thing I do…” Philippians 3:13b “I press on toward the goal…” Philippians 3:14a

“You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything “You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything.” John Maxwell

Important “1 things” to do… Sharing your time –TAWG Time Alone With God

“But few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

Important “1 things” to do… Sharing resources

in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” Mark 10:21 “Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” Mark 10:21

Important “1 things” to do… Sharing the Best News

“Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see.” John 9:25

“…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward What steps will help me grow? 3) Move past the past. “…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Philippians 3:13c

Forgetting means to “no longer be negatively influenced or affected – either by past defeats or victories.”

Our past consists of two categories a) Minimize your confessed failures. “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15

“Do not gloat over me, my enemy. Though I have fallen, I will rise “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; and I will see his righteousness.” Micah 7:8-9

Our past consists of two categories b) Minimize your successes. “’Teacher,’ he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’” Mark 10:20

What steps will help me grow? 4) Finish strong. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14b

If I had it to do all over again… I would reflect more. I would risk more. I would do more things that would live on after I die.

Pressing On! “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7