Devotional Thought: New and Fresh!

I’m not going to make this devotional thought really deep.  Actually, they never are.  I’m struggling with how to describe this devotional thought…so help me out.

What are some things that come to mind when you think of “new” or “fresh?”

Do you think of Subway and fresh bread?  How about walking into a new school or climbing into a new car and smelling that brand new “fresh” scent?  How about the smell of fresh coffee brewing?  I know a few people who buy baseball gloves and hold them up to their noses and take in that “fresh ball glove scent.”  Awwww….  Finally, how about fresh cut grass and the smell of fall and football!

Now consider the rotten smell of spoiled foods or a sweaty locker room!  Quite the contrast?

Which is more appealing?  Not a tough question.  I’m sure we would all gravitate towards a fresh scent as opposed to a spoiled scent.

God’s word is pretty clear on how we resemble a fresh scent in a smelly world.  "You have begun to live the new life. In your new life, you are being made new. You are becoming like the One who made you." Colossians 3:10.  The apostle Paul writes and reminds those who believe in Jesus Christ, that we are new!   Being new in Christ means that we have an appealing and fresh scent, just like a new ball glove, car, baked bread, or a brewed cup of coffee.

Sometimes we don’t feel new or fresh.  There are those down days when we make mistakes and do things we shouldn’t do.  We may say things we regret.  There are times when we realize we haven’t been living in a way that honors God.  Maybe we have let down our teammates, our coach, our spouse, or our family.  Maybe we have disrespected our parents or other authorities.   Suddenly we don’t feel good about ourselves and we don’t like the way we look.

Mary Pickard said, “If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.”

The good news is that God forgives and allows us start fresh.  God picks us up, brushes off the dirt, and encourages us to move forward.  If we were a house, it would be like God brushed off the chipped and worn paint, sanded us down, and applied a fresh coat of paint.  We are new and fresh!

Grab your teammates and family members who are looking worn down and tired.  Remind them of this truth.  “It's a new day; you are a new person in Christ, so live in a new and fresh way!”

For a deeper thought, read God’s Word  - 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:12-14, and Ephesians 4:23-25.

Devotional Thought: Tough!     January 2010 - Week 4

If you were to define “being tough” where would you start?  To describe “being tough” would you use a word, a picture, a story, a movie, or a memory?  One of the toughest things in life is to get back up after being knocked down.  Maybe that is why I enjoyed movies like Rocky, Braveheart, The Gladiator, and the Last Samurai.  Outside of Hollywood, when have you been inspired by someone showing the ability to be tough?

I’ve witnessed families struggle through horrible circumstances of pain, death, and financial woes in which they fought to emotionally and physically to survive.  I’ve witnessed children struggle time and time again to accomplish an improbable task.  Each moment brings inspiration, as they choose to be tough and fight to survive.

Just this past week I was again inspired by the toughness of Brett Favre.  Although the Minnesota Vikings lost in overtime to the New Orleans Saints, Brett Favre didn’t cease to inspire me.  He was never officially sacked in the game, but he was tossed and hit like a piñata at a birthday party teeming with hundreds of hungry children.

Over the past few years, he has had his aches and injuries but it has not kept him from missing one game!  Even in the off season of retiring and not retiring, he returns to play the game.  He holds the “most consecutive starts by a quarterback” in the NFL at 253 games!  (275 - Including playoffs)

Most people don’t know that Brett suffered internal injuries in an accident on July 14, 1990, having 30 inches of his intestines surgically removed 24 days later.  He shocked his coaches and teammates by returning to the starting lineup a month later (Sept. 8) and escorting the Golden Eagles to an upset over Alabama.  During this same senior year, he led his team to an 8-3 record and just eight points from an undefeated season.

Brett played much of the 2003 season with a broken thumb on his right (throwing) hand.  One of the defining moments of Favre's career and arguably his greatest game ever took place on December 22, 2003, in a Monday Night Football game against the Oakland Raiders. The day before, on Sunday, December 21, 2003, Brett's father, Irvin Favre, died of a sudden heart attack.  Sensing his family’s wishes and his father’s wishes, he played in the Monday night game. 

From individuals like Brett Favre, we learn that to survive and to succeed, you must choose to get up every day in the midst of your everyday battles.

Consider Joseph from the Old Testament.  He was a slave, tossed in prison, falsely accused, abandoned, and lonely.  At any time Joseph could have said, “Enough.”  Instead, he was tough, he was dependable, and he chose to stand each day hoping for the best.  Maybe his circumstances were dark and disappointing, he never gave up because he knew that his God never abandoned him.  God’s faithfulness encourages me to get up – how about you?

If that isn’t enough, read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 – “For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

For Christ’s love compels us! Because Jesus Christ loves us so much, He came to this earth to die on the cross, defeat death, and pay the price of our salvation! He did this for you and me; therefore we are compelled to live for Him. We no longer live with our own agenda in mind. We live with His agenda in mind. His love compels us!

Be tough!  Keep getting back up!  Never give up!  

For a deeper thought, read God’s Word – 2 Timothy 2-4; 2 Corinthians 6:3-6;  I Corinthians 9:23-25.

Devotional Thought: Home Court Advantage!         January 2010 Week 3

Ask any coach to choose between home and away games, and they would typically choose to compete on their home court.  As a coach I didn’t enjoy riding the school bus, getting home later than normal, filling out bus slips, being in an unfamiliar setting, dealing with visiting locker rooms or no locker room, seeing a lack of our fans, or dealing with unforeseen issues that could arise in traveling.  I would rather be on my home court where I had practiced all week and I’m familiar with me settings.  There is something right about being at home.

I believe God wants us to be to experience home court advantage on a consistent basis too.  I believe every day we can worship God, no matter where we are.  But one day out of the week should be set aside to worship God on His Home Court.  At least one day out of the week we should be gathering with our Christian brothers and sisters to worship God and God alone.  Why would we choose to not gather in as a church to worship, sing, and pray together?  That’s our opportunity for home court advantage!  It’s the one time we can gather on familiar turf to worship God.

In the book of Hebrews there is an incredible verse that should encourage you and I to meet together on our home turf!  Hebrews 10:25 says;

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

The first part of this verse, “let us not neglect”, shouts out to someone who is extremely discouraged and depressed.  This may be a person who feels left out, down, and far behind everyone else.  I think we would all agree that when we feel like we are failing or falling short of everyone else we don’t want to go to church.  It is often during those moments when Satan whispers into our ear, “Oh, just stay home from church today. You don’t need to go there with all those people. You know that you don’t feel like being with them today, so why not just stay home by yourself? You don’t need them. You can just read the Bible at home!”

You see, that is just like our enemy to tell us in our times of need that we don’t need anyone.  That’s a lie!  We need our teammates – our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We need to gather in a familiar setting where our Heavenly Father, our coach, can instruct and encourage us. 

We know the church is not just brick and mortar.  The church is the body of Christ, believers who gather together under one name – Jesus Christ.  In a sense, we are a team, as members of the body of Christ.  It says in the book of Ephesians 2:19-21;

“You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.  We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.”

We are a team, members of God’s family, together, joined together in Him!  Apart from other believers we will struggle, and apart from Christ we can do nothing.

God is our coach, whom we worship.  How can we know the game plan, how can we find hope and encouragement, and how can we praise Him for all He has done if we don’t gather together as a team to worship?  We must meet together.  Some of us meet in a church building, some of us meet in homes, and some of us meet at our FCA Huddle.  Regardless of where you meet, I encourage to you gather weekly to worship God.  This is home court advantage.  The rest of the week we are on the road on Satan’s turf – and it’s a battle.

For a deeper thought, read God’s Word – Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 2:19-21, and John 15:3-5

Devotional Thought: Live Loud By Talking Less!     January 2010 Week 2

How many times have we seen athletes get themselves in trouble by opening their mouths? 

1. A coach says he loves his school, team, and the program and says great things about the team, but leaves for a better job the following year.  He said one thing, but did another.
2. An athlete runs down the court taunting the other team’s bench or fans when he makes a good play, but in the end his team loses the game.
3. An athlete trash talks his opponent and a few minutes later his opponent beats him in a play.
4. An athlete predicts his team will win in the upcoming game, but a few days later they lose.
5. An athlete swears he didn’t use steroids, illegal drugs, or participate in something illegal or immoral and within time is found guilty.

It doesn’t matter what kind of game we talk, we have to prove it in the end.  Recently on the TV show, “American Idol” I heard a contestant proudly boast, “I’m the next American Idol.”   Yet, after standing in front of the judges, that same contestant left without a ticket to Hollywood.   How many times have we said one thing, but in the end we do the opposite? 

If you are a child of God and you have surrendered your life to Him, then live it!  Simple.  Right?  However, many times people who claim to be a child of God can talk about their faith, but they don’t live out their faith.  God gets tired of trash talk, boasting, and hypocritical living.   

In the book of Amos, God is tired of how the people talk big about Him, but don’t live big for Him. Check out what God says through Amos to His people;

 “ ²¹ “I hate all your show and pretense, the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.  ²² I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.  I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.  ²³ Away with your noisy hymns of praise!  I will not listen to the music of your harps.  ²⁴ Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”

God hates and He rejects the way people were showing off themselves in their religious festivals.  They were making a show of what was supposed to be honorable and respected.  It was all about “look at me” attitudes and “look what I’m doing” instead of focusing on the actual worship of God.  They were talking a fine game and they would have received an “A” for their ability to sound good.  But in reality they failed in worshipping God.

God didn’t want their big talk, their showy worship, or their loud boasting and singing.  God wanted to SEE them living in a just and right way.  I love the description He uses; a “mighty flood” of justice, an “endless river” of righteous living.  Our lifestyle of living a godly, just, and right way should be catastrophic!  Our words quiet – our living loud!

How do we live loud?  A New York taxi driver, Mohammad Asadujjaman, gives us a picture of how to live loud.  Mohammed was raised to be honest, but he didn’t go around talking big about how honest he was, and how godly it is to be honest…instead he lived it out loud.  Recently, Mohammed discovered a purse left in his car.  A 72 year old left her purse in his taxi, which contained her groups traveling money, jewelry, and passports.  The amount of cash was more than $21,000!  He did the honest thing by tracking her down and returning the purse and all its contents.   He said, “I’m broke, but I’m also honest.”  He didn’t look for praise; he was just living out a godly principle.  Would you have done that?

God wants us to live loud, like a mighty flood and an endless river!  Let our faith in Him be evident by how we live!

For a deeper thought, read God’s Word – Luke 3:7-9; Romans 14:12-14;  and I John 3:9-11.

Devotional Thought: Sticking to the Game Plan!          January 2010 Week 1

Doing the right thing can sometimes be the hardest thing, agree or disagree? 

As a coach, you have a game plan for how you expect to practice and compete.  What happens when the game plan isn’t working?  What happens when things are going the way you hoped they would go?  Do you change plans?  Typically, as a coach, when things don’t go as planned you are criticized and blamed.  Many times fans will watch a sporting event and question the coach’s decision.  Although we are limited in our knowledge of the game, the players, the strategy, coaching philosophy, the opponent, etc., for some reason we think we know more than the coach.  The coaches then sit under the scrutiny of the voices of critics, while wondering if their plan is the right plan.

Coaches aren’t alone.  As a parent, sometimes things don’t go as we planned in raising our children.  We have a game plan in how we feel God wants us to raise our children, but what happens when things don’t go the way we hoped?  Do we change plans? 

There is a man, Zechariah, in the Old Testament who receives only a few sentences of recognition in the Bible.  He was the son of Jehoiada, a priest who helped lead reformation in Judah.  Jehoiada did great things for God in helping restore faith in God and the renovation of the Temple.  When Jehoiada died, the people convinced the king to abandon God’s Temple and worship Asherah poles and idols instead.  God’s plan was to have Zechariah stand before the people and encourage them to obey God.  Zechariah said, “Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering?  You have abandoned the Lord, and now He has abandoned you!” 

I’m not sure if I would have used those words.  I may have chosen a few more encouraging words to give to those people.  But here’s the thing – I’m not the coach making the call.  I don’t have all the information.  Zechariah did.  God gave Zechariah a plan and the words to use.  Zechariah stuck to the game plan because he trusted God. 

In the end the leaders did not like Zechariah’s words and they plotted to stone him to death.  Wow.  Today if you don’t like the words or the game plan of a coach, the worst thing that can happen is to be fired.  Zechariah was put to death.

Living for God and following His game plan for life may not always be popular and the results may not always be favorable.  But it’s the right thing to do!  Zechariah knew what God wanted him to do and he faithfully carried out the game plan.  How about you?

Do you know God’s plan for your life?  If not, spend time in God’s Word and in prayer seeking His plan for your life.  Are you following God’s plan for your life?  Are you doing the right things for God?  If not, ask God’s Spirit to give you the courage and strength to be bold.

Maybe the outcome won’t be what we think it should be, and most likely you will be criticized by those who don’t know God; but at least we are remaining obedient to God and His game plan!  Trust Him, it’s worth it!

For a deeper thought, read God’s Word – 2 Chronicles 24:17-22; Romans 12:1-2; and Joshua 24:14-24.

Devotional Thought: Priceless Gifts?!

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” - Dr. Seuss, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Christmas is not just a little bit more, but a lot more than what comes from a store! Christmas is our time to reflect the love of God. To give, as He gave us His Son. To love, as He unconditionally loves us.  I’m beginning to hear more and more stories from FCA Huddle leaders and coaches about how their teams and students are showing God’s love to people in their schools and communities.  Just today as I visited Onsted High Schools FCA I was reminded that you can give to others and remind them of the love of Jesus Christ, without breaking your piggy bank. They held a “Secret Santa” gift exchange, where students who attend FCA exchanged names.  The rule was to spend only one dollar, keeping in mind the hard economic times, and the gifts have to be spiritually driven.  I sat there and watched these students exchange gifts, explaining each gift’s spiritual meaning.

Fruit roll ups – the challenge was to roll with Jesus!  Where Jesus wants us to go – go there.

Candy bar – God sweetens your day!  Savor Him!

Body Wash – God washes away your sins. 

Hangers – Hang on to God.  Be patient in your prayers.

Candle – Jesus is the Light of the World.  He will overcome dark times in our lives.

Lip Balm in a Heart Shaped Case – Jesus resides in your heart.

Strainer – Ask God to strain things from your life that aren’t good.

A notepad shaped like a FROG – Forever Rely On God, trust Him at all times.

Those were just a few gifts and challenges given with each gift.  What a creative way to give a small gift with a big message. 

As you read the story of the birth of Jesus Christ we remember the gifts of the Magi (wise men) to Jesus – gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  It says that the Magi fell to their knees and opened their treasure chests.  They stopped, they dropped, and they worshipped the King of kings.  They knew this infant deserved the best they could give, and so they gave their treasures. 

I encourage you these final days before Christmas to stop, drop to your knees, and reflect on the love of God.  In response to worshipping the King of kings, give you best.  In large or small gifts, in serving others, in giving away food or cookies, in sending a card, or stopping in to pray with someone.  Your giving is a reflection of your love for the King of kings.

Alone and with others thank God for sending His Son Jesus Christ to earth to live and die for us.  His gift is priceless and incomparable to all that we could ever purchase for friends and family. 

From Leann Weiss’s book Christmas Promises:  My treasured child, I sent Jesus to guarantee you abundant life regardless of your economic condition!  Christmas and life aren’t just about you.  Love is the greatest gift you can ever give.  It’s important to think about the needs of people.  Take advantage of the opportunities  you have to do good.  I’ll make you increase and abound in love for others.  I’ll bless you and keep you and make my face shine upon you.  Experience my peace today and always.  Graciously Your God of Love

Devotional Thought: Become A Hard Target!         November Week 2

I was reading the other day that in July 2000, the ex-Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson was relieved of his wallet and the $4000 cash it contained by a small group of gypsy girls.  These little girls pick pocketed him in Rome.   First, of all I can’t imagine carrying that much money around!  But what really amazed me is that they outran him and got away!  Even the fastest man around couldn’t catch these little girls.  The lesson is clear – watch out!  These simple, sweet little girls were actually cunning little thieves.  They were well-practiced in their methods and knew how to pick off those are un-expecting.

I then read in a vacationers guide to Rome (no, I’m not planning any trips…) that although violent crimes are rare in Rome, pickpockets and con artists are frequent.  The article said, “even if accompanied by the best guide money can buy, you still have to be extremely careful to ensure that their valuables and documents are not stolen.”  You can be surrounded by the best and still be taken by thieves.  Wow.   The article went on to say, “Just like wolves, thieves and other con trick artists can smell their prey coming a mile off. They spend their entire day looking and listening for a vulnerable animal to pick off from the herd and make a meal of.”

As I read this, I realized I was reading a modern day version of what Jesus taught in the book of John.  In John 10, Jesus teaches that He is the shepherd and those who place their faith in Him are the sheep.  He warns us that as sheep we must be aware of thieves and robbers who want to steal us away.  He even speaks of those who are hired hands and really don’t care about the sheep.  When trouble comes they run and are easily picked off by the wolves.  Jesus gets to the point in verse 10 by saying, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give abundant life.”  We are warned that Satan, our opposition is compared to a thief.  He will unexpectedly try to steal the joy from our life.  He will sneak in and take what doesn’t belong to him, making all kinds of effort to obliterate our life.  He is our opponent and seeks to make our life miserable.  Like a pickpocket, Satan will take from you and run!

I went back to the vacationers guide to Rome and read the following, “The best prevention is being prepared and aware, and most importantly, to look like a difficult target.”  There will always be thieves, so figure out how not to fall prey to these sneaky wolves.  My friends, Satan will always bring opposition to your life and will make every effort to take from you.  What are you doing to become a difficult target?

Here’s my challenge:

1. As a sheep, stay close to the Shepherd!  Pray, spend time in devotion with God, and worship Him on a consistent basis.  As you spend time close to God, the thief (Satan) won’t come near. 
2. As a sheep, stay close to the flock!  Get in the midst of a great church, small group Bible study, FCA Huddle, etc.  Surround yourself with strong believers in Christ.
3. As a sheep, don’t wander off from the Shepherd or flock.  Doing life on your own may sound commendable as you show off your independence, and yet alone you are vulnerable.
4. As a sheep, don’t hang out by the fence.  Too many believers in Christ are satisfied with being “casual” Christians.  Some people like to call themselves a Christian, hang out with the flock on occasion (attend church and talk like a Christian) and be part of something positive.  Yet, those same believers stand next to the fence and peer out into the world believing there is something better on the other side.  Of course standing next to the fence makes it real easy for the thief to reach over and snatch you away.

My friend, our Shepherd Jesus Christ, loves us and desires us to live obedient and abundant lives.  We have opposition, a thief who wants to rob us and obliterate us.  Don’t be easily taken, don’t fall victim to the thief.  Become a hard target as you draw near to the Shepherd and the flock!  Remember, if you think you are above the opposition, remember that even the fastest man was taken by little girls…

For a deeper thought of God’s Word read; John 10:1-12, Psalm 23, and Hebrews 13:19-21.

Devotional Thought: Lavished Love!                 Week 1 November

Recently at Halloween I decided to hand out candy to the kids who came to my door.  However, I decided that I was going to make the kids work for their candy!  As the children approached my door, holding out their bags, I just smiled and stared at them. 

“Can I help you?”  Of course they just stood there expecting me to hand them candy, but they needed to ask me for the candy.  So I asked, “Are you selling something?” I would continue to ask them questions until they finally blurted out, “Trick or Treat!”  At this point and time I would reply, “Trick or treat?  Well, I choose trick!”  I would then push the button on my remote control fart machine, which was hidden behind a pumpkin on the front steps.  The sound would echo, causing the children to smile and wonder “who did that?”  I would then ask one of the children, “Did you do that?”  Of course they would start to laugh and blame one of the other children.  Eventually, the girl dressed like the princess was blamed. (They aren’t always little princesses!)

Eventually, I would give them each a couple pieces of candy.

One mother, who was sitting in her van, yelled out to her kids, “JUST grab something and keep moving!!!”  (Someone didn’t appreciate my badgering of their children…or they just wanted to get home.)

My boys circled the neighborhood and visited our front door a second time, so as I tossed handfuls of candy into the yard I jokingly yelled out the door, “Get away trick or treaters!”  I heard kids across the street excitedly say to their parents, “Look they throw the candy at that house!”

I figured that I paid for the candy and I could make the kids work for it, or at least have fun with them, right? Aren’t you glad God doesn’t do the same thing with us! 

If God had a house that we visited on October 31, we would approach the door and discover someone who wouldn’t make us work for His love.  He wouldn’t toss His love out the door and tell us to leave Him alone.  He wouldn’t give away just “one” piece of love.  Instead, God pours out His love on us!

Exodus 20:6 says, “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”  That word, “lavish” means to make or produce.  God’s love comes from Him alone.  His love is home-made, one of a kind, only from Him!  This word also means, “To press or squeeze.”  It’s like God says, “I have something incredible that I have made and I’m going to squeeze it like an orange and let the juice flow upon you.” 

In Psalm 31:19 we read, “How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you.  You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.”  In this passage the word lavish is defined as “stored up treasure.”  Picture God having a big candy jar hidden in His house, and we when we come knocking, He brings out this hidden treasure jar of candy, and pours it out upon us.  I love it!  His love is beyond comparison with our generosity. 

So how does that matter to you and me?  As children of God, He is our mighty God and Heavenly Father, and we reflect our Heavenly Father.  How are you doing with reflecting His love?  Are you stingy when it comes to loving others?  Are you making others work for your love? 

I encourage you today to first accept and soak in the love of God that has been lavished upon us!  Then, I challenge you to love others in a way that truly reflects our Heavenly Father.

For a deeper thought of God’s Word read; John 3:16, Romans 8:38-39, and Deuteronomy 5:10.