Romans 16: ²⁷To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.)

1 Corinthians 16:²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ²⁴My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13: ¹⁴The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Galatians 6:¹⁸Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Ephesians 6:²³Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Philippians 4:²³The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Colossians 4:¹⁸The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:²⁰ O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: ²¹Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:²²The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Titus 3:¹⁵All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Philemon 1:²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Grace = God giving us what we do not deserve

What do you know of Paul’s history?

Why do you think grace mattered to Paul?

What do these words matter to you?

Our focus – Hebrews 12: ¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!