G I F T S

I Peter 4:10

Which of your athletic gifts is most important to you as a competitor?  Is it strength, speed, hand-eye coordination, your competitive nature?  Who is the giver of that gift?  What would be a proper response to your benefactor?

Peter mentions giftedness in his first letter at chapter 4 and verse 10 where we read, “As each one has received a gift, serve one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  How do we thank the giver of our gifts, by serving our teammates.

Peter takes it as a given that each one of us is gifted.  Probably no group on the planet understands this like an athletic team.  The issue for us is not whether or not we’re gifted, but who gives the gifts and how shall we respond to him?

Our gifts are described as being part of the manifold grace of God.  In other words, God’s grace has been parceled out to each one of us in a unique way.  Our best response to a gracious giver is to employ our giftedness in the service of those around us.

As you compete today, drain every drop of benefit from your gifts for the good of your team.  Be a great steward of God’s grace as you serve your teammates in the pursuit of a great victory.

Bible Reading Plan:
John 2:12-25
James 3:13-18
Ecclesiastes 5
Jeremiah 14-15

S O U L   F O O D

John 4:34

What is most pleasing to your soul?  Setting a new personal record?  Maybe it’s a new scoring record?  Perhaps a solid friendship is most pleasing?  Beautiful music? Today, we’ll see what was pleasing to Jesus’ soul.

In John chapter 4 and verse 34 we read, “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work.’”

Jesus says that doing God’s will and finishing His life’s work is more satisfying to Him than the biggest steak dinner.  Pleasing His Father in heaven was what fed his soul.

Think about it:
• Food for your body will only satisfy you for a short time, and soon you’ll be hungry again.
• Soul food like Jesus mentions will last for years.
• Pleasing God with all of your life yields satisfaction that endures throughout eternity.

Step up to the Soul Food Cafeteria line and satisfy your heart’s deepest longings.  Take as much as you like, the bill has been paid.  Jesus is picking up the check.

As you play today, invest your soul, your mind and your body in this season’s best endeavor.  Playing with your best effort will encourage your teammates and will feed your soul. 

Bible Reading Plan:
John 2:1-11
James 3:1-12
Ecclesiastes 4
Jeremiah 12-13

D I S C I P L I N E   A N D   K N O W L E D G E

Proverbs 23:12

What are the keys to success as an athlete?  What brings about the best life for us as Christians?  It seems that these ideas overlap a great deal.

In Proverbs chapter 23 and at verse 12 it says, “Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge.”  As you press through your season of competition it is imperative that you apply your heart to discipline. 

The first part means you must involve your mind, your will, even your emotions in a life of discipline or self-control.  It's easy to let your imagination and your emotions get out of control and to thus see your hard work go to waste.

It says to apply our ears to words of knowledge.  That's what the coaching staff is for.  Apply your ears to those who have invested years in learning their craft.  Listen to the words of wisdom that come from your coaches, teachers, parents, ministers, teammates and others.

Lives lived with discipline and knowledge are of great worth and lead to profound success.  In today's competition, apply your heart to the discipline of your game with all your heart, soul and mind.  Pursue the goals you have set as an individual and as a team.  Apply your ears to working out the wise game plan as outlined by your coaches. 

Bible Reading Plan:
John 1:43-51
Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
Jeremiah 10-11

S O U L   F O O D

John 4:32

We all know that we need to eat well for our bodies to perform well on the field of competition.  How many of us know what feeds our souls well?  What keeps your soul from starvation and running strongly?  Jesus knew about soul food.

In the Gospel of John at chapter 4 and verse 32 we read, “But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat of which you do not know.’”

Jesus’ disciples were thinking with their stomachs, but Jesus knew how to feed His soul with something even better than pizza.  He knew that doing what God wants for us is even more satisfying than your favorite meal at home.  That’s the food the others didn’t know about.

In your life, don’t simply feed your stomach and let your soul shrivel up from starvation.  Feed it with rich relationships, with sweet music and literature.  Dine on satisfying study and wash it all down with generous floods of prayer.  This diet will satisfy your soul and will endure long after you’re dreaming about a milkshake from the Dairy Queen.

Have a great game today, and then celebrate with food for the body and the soul.

Bible Reading Plan:
John 1:35-42
James 2:1-13
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Jeremiah 7-9

A   D A I L Y   D E B T

Romans 13:8

How many bills have you had come due this week?  I've had my share too.  Today, I want us to think about a debt that is always due.

As Paul the Apostle wrote to his dear friends in Rome, at chapter 13 and verse 8, he said, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law."  It seems the one debt that is always due is our obligation to love people.

We'll always have bills to pay, the grocery bill, utility bills, car payments, etc...  This is a debt we can't pay with money; it costs us our blood, sweat and tears.

Our daily debt to our team is paid in our best effort, its payable in today's competition.  Our daily debt to our families, friends and team is to love sacrificially, it's payable today.  It's always due.  Make your payment on the field of competition today.

Bible Reading Plan:
James 1:19-27
Ecclesiastes 2:17-26
Jeremiah 5-6

H U M I L I T Y

Proverbs 15:33

Everyone likes to win awards, especially things like MVP trophies.  It's easy to assume that the person who wins such awards is just lucky or got a break of some sort.  However the Bible tells plainly how these things tend to work.

In Proverbs chapter 15 at verse 33 it says, “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

Not everyone who wins awards is following the Lord, but many are living by this proverb's principles.  Most who win these awards have spent hours, months and years in practice and perfecting their skills.  Many spend years toiling in obscurity, out of the spotlight, then all of a sudden.... MVP!!  They worked in humility for a long time and were rewarded with honor.

Ultimately, the best honor springs from humility.  That humility is born of a relationship with Christ Jesus.  That's what he means by the fear of the Lord.  Fear of this sort is a reverential awe for the Lord God and that is best accomplished while in a daily, living, love relationship with Christ.

As you prepare for competition, ask the Lord to be honored by your humility.  Ask Him to work in your life as you humbly serve the Lord and your team.  Be assured as you do, He honors those who fear Him and humility comes before honor.

Bible Reading Plan:
John 18:1-18
Revelation 10
Job 34:1-20
Jonah 1-4

W O R R Y

Philippians 4:6

What are the keys to overcoming anxiety and worry?  What can we do that will lead to an active trust in God?  How can we approach the Lord and overcome our fears?  The Bible verse for today answers these questions.

In Paul's letter to his friends in Phillipi at chapter 4 and verse 6 he says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Today, don't be overcome by the anxiety that sometimes accompanies a big game, rather take your needs and concerns to God in prayer. 

God knows just what you need, He just likes to talk with you.  That's what the Lord wants in prayer, a relationship with the people He loves.

As you prepare for today's competition, be confident that the Lord is hearing your prayers and He is working out the best for you.  You can be confident in praying for the Lord's purposes to be accomplished in your life.  Pray with thanksgiving in your heart and bring the Lord of love your requests.