13 I can do anything through him who makes me strong!

29 He gives strength to the weary and power to the powerless. 30 Even young people grow weak and tired—they fall down when they’re exhausted. 31 But those who trust in the Lord will have their strength renewed. They will fly high with wings like eagles. They will run and not be tired. They will walk and not be worn out.

10 I will happily celebrate in the Lord! My whole being will shout praises to my God. For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation, and has wrapped around me a robe of goodness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for the wedding,* like a bride wearing her jewels.

13 For it’s God who is working within you, creating the will and the ability to do what he wants you to do.

13 My friends, I don’t consider that I’ve already won, but this is my one objective: disregarding what is behind me, I strain forward to what is in front of me. 14 I run towards the finish line to win the prize of God’s invitation to heaven through Christ Jesus.

24 Wouldn’t you agree that there are many runners in a race, but only one gets the prize? So run your best, so you may win! 25 Every competitor who participates in the games maintains a strict training discipline. Of course they do so to win a crown that doesn’t last. But our crowns will last forever!

26 That’s why I run straight in the right direction. I fight accurately, not punching the air. 27 I also treat my body severely to bring it under my control, for I don’t want somehow to be disqualified after sharing the good news with everybody else.

1 For that reason, since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of people who gave evidence of their trust in God, let’s get rid of everything that holds us back, the seductive sins that trip us up, and let’s keep on running the race placed before us. 2 We should keep on looking to Jesus, the one who begins and completes our trust in God. Because of the joy ahead of him Jesus endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus who endured such hostility from sinful people so you don’t grow tired and become discouraged.

23 Do whatever you do really well, as if you’re doing it for God, and not for people,

11 I know what I intend to do for you, declares the Lord. I plan good things for you and not bad. I’m going to give you a future and a hope.

13 I’ll do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified through the Son. 14 Whatever you ask for in my name, I will do it.

19 So go and make disciples of people of all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to follow all the commands I have given you. Remember, I am always with you, to the very end of the world."

6 Be strong! Be brave! Don’t be frightened or terrified of them, because the Lord your God will go with you. He won’t ever leave you or abandon you.

10 Whatever you do, do it with all your strength, for when you go to the grave there’s no more working or thinking, no more knowing or being wise.

7 A thousand may fall beside you, ten thousand die at your right hand, but you won’t be harmed.

29 Don’t be concerned about what you’re going to eat or drink—don’t worry about it. 30 These are all things that people in the world worry about, but your Father knows you need them.

10 Even while we were with you we gave strict instructions that anybody who didn’t want to work shouldn’t eat. 11 But now we hear that there are some lazy busybodies among you who don’t work at all. 12 We’re ordering such people, urging them in the Lord Jesus, to settle down and work to pay for their own food.

13 Brothers and sisters, don’t give up doing good.