1. Please take this time to silence your cell phone. Running the Race: Lessons from Paul for Today’s Woman

2. Focus on the Goal!

3. Your goal: intimately and experientially knowing Jesus

4. John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life – that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.”

5. Focus on the Goal! Your goal: intimately and experientially knowing Jesus

6. I Peter 2:20-25 “ For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God. For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.

7. I Peter 2:20-25 When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.”

8. Focus on the Goal! Your goal: intimately and experientially knowing Jesus

9. Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

10. Focus on the Goal! Your goal: intimately and experientially knowing Jesus Your responsibility: intense effort Your mindset: forgetting the past and reaching ahead Your reward: God’s upward call as victor

11. Michael Phelps

12. Focus on the Goal! Your goal: intimately and experientially knowing Jesus Your responsibility: intense effort Your mindset: forgetting the past and reaching ahead Your reward: God’s upward call as victor