1. A Winning Strategy for 2008

3. Good Resolutions Getting closer to God Getting closer to people Getting closer to a fulfilling life

5. “Our Sport is Your Sport’s Punishment”

6. Both take: Commitment Passion Perseverance Commitment Passion Perseverance

7. Hebrews 12:1-3 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.

8. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

9. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

10. Hebrews 12:1-3 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.

11. Hebrews 12:1-3 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.

12. Things that are to be thrown off: Stuff that will weigh us down Stuff that will trip us up

15. As long as we live in this world we will have burdens.

16. ___ Work (job, career, etc.) ___ Relationships (family, friends) ___ Personal Concerns (self esteem, guilt, fear, etc.) ___ Money (financial issues, etc.) ___ Health Issues (Yours or anothers) ___ Time Pressures (deadlines, etc.) ___ Appearance (weight, looks, etc) ___ Loss (divorce, death, etc.) ___ Other Total = 100%

17. The pace of the American life.

18. The lures of the American life.

19. What are we giving up? Quiet times Down times Family times Sleep

20. …everything that hinders

21. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you.

22. What keeps you from God?

23. Hebrews 12:1-3 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.

24. What trips us up?

25. Wasted opportunities Wasted health Wasted time Lack of character development Shame Regret/Remorse Deceit

26. Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

27. James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

28. 1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

29. ... the sin that so easily entangles

30. Psalm 119:32 I shall run the way of your commandments, for you will enlarge my heart.

31. Hebrews 12:1-3 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.

32. 1 …and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

33. Any race will have: Hills... Ruts... Any race will have: Hills... Ruts... And it gets harder as you near the finish line!

34. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

35. 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

36. 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

37. “In Russia, Christians are tested by hardship, but in America you are tested by freedom. And testing by freedom is much harder. Nobody pressures you about your religion. So you relax and are not so concentrated on Christ, on His teaching, how He wants you to live.” - Pavel Poloz

38. Who is a witness for whom you need to keep running?