F A I T H

Hebrews 11:1

For what do you hope with a great confidence that it will be realized?  A conference championship?  A win in this competition?  A date this weekend?  Your mother’s love?  Of what are you certain without ever having seen it?  Are you certain that the ball will come down after it goes up?  Are you certain that your mother will be there when you go home for break?  That’s what faith looks like.

Faith is defined in the book of Hebrews at chapter 11 and verse 1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Obviously the things for which we hope are just out of reach or it wouldn’t be hope.  Faith is the substance of such things.  Things which we can’t see are often hard to believe, but faith is the evidence that they are real.

As competitors we’d be terribly weakened if we had no hopes, no aspirations, and no expectations of success.  Through faith, active trust, in our teammates and coaching staff we can experience the substance of those things hoped for.  We can touch those achievements that are often months in the future.

We all need faith, active trust, to continue to believe that we can achieve like champions on the days when we fail like losers.  To see the untapped potential in a teammate is the stuff of faith.  To see yourselves as winners during a frustrating practice session is to have evidence of things not seen.  Faith = active trust.
Exercise faith in today’s competition and so achieve like never before.

Bible Reading Plan:
Proverbs 10:17-32
Nehemiah 6

R E S P E C T

John 1:26-27

What would happen if the greatest player you’ve ever heard of came to your practice and wanted to play with your team?  How would you react?  How much respect would he be given?  A similar situation happened one day in Jesus’ life.

In John’s Gospel at chapter 1 and verses 26 and 27 we read, John answered them saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know.  It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”

John the Baptist knew what no one else could grasp on that day.  He knew who Jesus was and he knew the respect that was due Him.  The people who stood there that day had no clue that this young man from Nazareth would in the space of three years die a sacrificial death on a cross in Jerusalem.

Had they been athletes, John might have said that he wasn’t worthy of carrying Jesus’ shoes to the gym.  John knew the respect that Jesus was due, even when no one else recognized Him.

It may be that way with you and your team today.  There could be in your midst, on the field of competition with you, one of the great players of the game.  The important thing is to recognize and respect such greatness.  Your coaching staff may prove to be among the most influential people in your life, give them the respect and honor they are due.  Be like John the Baptist and recognize the wise and honorable people who cross your life’s path.  Have a great game today.

Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 16:1-9
I Timothy 6:11-21

C O M M U N I C A T I  O N

I Corinthians 6:11

Who are the best leaders among your teammates?  Would you say that they communicate freely or rather grudgingly?  Today, we’ll all receive a leadership lesson in communication.

In his second letter to the Corinthian church at chapter 6 and verse 11, the Apostle Paul wrote these words, “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.”  This is the nature of good leadership – free and open communication.

In the first century and in the 21st century, good leadership comes from the open hearts of leaders.  When leaders are open and honest with their teams, following is rather natural and productive.  Good leadership speaks freely and from the heart.  Such speech inspires and encourages teammates to be their best.

Take a moment to examine your personal leadership style, is it characterized by an open heart and free communication?  Do your teammates believe you when you speak to them or do they wonder about what you’re trying to get from them? 
As you approach today’s competition, open wide your hearts to each other and your communication will flourish.  Let your open hearts lead you to a great victory.

Bible Reading Plan:
Proverbs 5
Ezra 8

L I F E   A N D   F A V O R

Proverbs 8:35

What could you look for that upon its being found, pays the dividend of life itself?  What could be so valuable that when it’s attained brings the best stuff of life?  The scriptures have the answer.

In Proverbs chapter 8 and verse 35 we read further about Wisdom personified, “For whoever finds me finds life and received favor from the Lord.”

The proverb says that whoever finds me finds life.  I would infer that not everyone is going to look… there are plenty of fools around… they can’t even spell wisdom!  The person who would be wise will have to search for wisdom and pursue it at all costs.  When one does find it, the payoff is life itself… what a great reward!

Additionally, the one who finds wisdom also receives favor from the Lord.  Favor is often entrance to a most exclusive place of influence…like being a college athlete.  Sometimes it is gracious accommodation of you as a person…like when you get to fly first class when you paid coach fare.  We receive such favor from the Lord as we pursue and attain wisdom.

In today’s competition, find wisdom and find its rich rewards.  Life and favor will be yours as you compete wisely and with all you hearts.

Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 13:22-35
I Timothy 3:1-10

W I S D O M

John 14:6

Where do you look for wisdom about how to do things?  What is the source of ultimate truth?  How do we find real life?  The Bible answers these and many more questions with a one word answer...Jesus.

In the gospel of John chapter 14 and verse 6, Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me."  In pursuing our goals in life and in competition we must know the way to go, the truth to hold on to and the life that satisfies.

Christ is the way - He directs our paths to the right things, the right people, away from things that are harmful to us and toward things that bring us life.  Look to Him for the way to win.

Christ is the truth - He speaks to us the truth about all matters of life.  A life based on lies cannot be successful.  Search God's Word to know real, timeless truth.  Listen for the truth when making decisions moment by moment.

Christ is the life - He gives us life through relationship with Him.  Life that is powerful, exciting, confident, secure, bigger than death and free of fear.  Receive this kind of life and enjoy it!!

Compete today with the great confidence that comes from knowing the right way, the real truth and possessing real life.

Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 20:20-26
Philemon 12-25
Proverbs 17:15-28
Esther 9-10

F A I T H ,   H O P E ,   L O V E

I Corinthians 13:13

What is the most durable thing you can think of?  What is there in your life that will outlive you?  I have some ideas from a powerful scripture.

In the first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul the Apostle writes at chapter 13 and verse 13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love."  Here are three things that are eternally durable.

Two thousand years from today they will still be as vital and powerful as they are now.  Of the three, love is preeminent because it provides the relationship that is the context for the faith and hope.

Today play with confident expectation of good - that's hope.
Play in faith - actively trusting your coaches, your teammates and your God.  Play in the great freedom afforded by those who love you and are committed to you.

Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 20:9-19
Philemon 1-11
Proverbs 17:1-14
Esther 7-8

F I E R C E   C O M P E T I T O R S

Psalm 104:21

Have you ever seen an athlete compete like he was stalking his opponent?  When you compete do you do it with passion and ferocity?  Is it possible that these kinds of ideas are in the Bible?

In Psalm 104 and verse 21 it says, “The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God.”  I've read this at times and thought about how athletes sometimes "roar" after their opponents in competition.  Often when I'm competing in athletics it seems like I'm stalking my opponent, preparing to make a kill.

As we compete, like a wild lion, we can fiercely pursue our goals, but ultimately we must seek our food from God.  We must see the Lord as the only source of the kind of food that satisfies.  Food for our souls.

Let's compete today in a way that is like a roaring, young lion.  Let's doggedly pursue our quarry and let's not be satisfied until we've accomplished our goals.  As you pray, ask the Lord to feed your soul with the food that only He can provide. 

Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 20:1-8
Titus 3:9-15
Proverbs 16:17-33
Esther 5-6