We get our DNA from our parents. And while our genetic makeup tells us what color hair and eyes we will have, what about our personality traits? Studies have shown that we do pass on certain personality traits such as our attitudes and even our sense of humor to our children. If this is so, do we have any say about who we are or who we will become? Are we destined to be nothing more than a genetic product of our parents...good or bad? What does the Word of God say?

Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." God's design is for us to put our full trust in the work of the cross. Jesus died for us so that we could not just "live," but live abundantly. We must choose to stand on God's Word and break every chain with which the enemy tries to shackle us. God wants every Christian to walk in freedom, but we must choose to do so.

In the Proverbs, a question is proposed: where can one find a virtuous woman? In Christ we find her: the church. His Bride and His Body, the church, is the place of power, healing, and refuge on this earth. Come discover why and how you belong in the Body of Christ, the church.

The time to think about the finish line of a race is not when the race is over, but before the race has been completed. When all is said and done in your life, will you be able to look back as Paul did in 2 Timothy 4:7 and say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith"? This Sunday we finish this message series by covering the last three keys to Winning the Race of Life.

In order to win the race of life, we must have the right attitude. No matter what crisis may come our way, if our attitude is right, we can still win. This Sunday, we will uncover another key that will help us face any crisis, overcome it, and stay on course to win the race.

So we've learned the first two keys to Winning the Race of Life: 1) know who you are, and 2) know where you are going. This Sunday we discover the third and fourth keys, so you can say with Paul the Apostle, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

When David went out to face Goliath, he knew he was going to win. David was able to maximize his own strengths and talents to defeat a giant much taller and stronger than he was. Why? Because he knew who he was, and he was able to draw from the ultimate source of his strength and abilities: God!

Every Christian should be able to confidently say they are Winning the Race of Life. Paul, nearing the end of his life said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) If Paul did it, so can you!

We need to know where we are going in life...it is imperative! We will explore three different aspects of vision: heavenly vision, pastoral or church vision, and individual visions and dreams.

Last week, we began exploring a theology of the Holy Spirit, discovering who He really is according to the Bible. In doing so, we found that theology is an important and even exciting part of our daily walk with God. This Sunday, we will discuss what the Holy Spirit does in and through us, as we continue the sermon series, Led By The Spirit.