This week Ps Carla caries on the theme begun by Ps Steu last week. She begins speaking about Saul (who became Paul) and how he persecuted the Christians - Acts 8:3 (NLT) “But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.” Later, scripture tells us - Acts 9:1 (NLT) “Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.”

This continues in Acts 9, but then Saul has a life-changing encounter with Jesus! He had to let go of the “old” life in order to live in the new life that God had for him. As Paul, he wrote a huge part of the New Testament, teaching the early Christians about salvation by grace and the “New Creation”. Paul endured much hardship, but at the end of his life he was able to say this: “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” (2 Timothy 4:6-7 NLT).

Paul completed the race that God had given him. He was totally reliant on God as he ran his race. Two major things that can hinder us to run the race that God has set before us are self-reliance & pride. The race that God has called us to requires faithfulness and consistency.

We must strip off the things that are unnecessary - sin, weights, offence, hurt, shame, self-reliance, pride, distractions etc. Ps Carla takes us through many scriptures illustrating these points and ends with the challenge that we must run into the presence of God and hold on to the hope that He brings to our lives.

This hope is JESUS!