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Team Jesus READY:
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
-Luke
19:10 (KJV) SET:
The NFL Draft is coming up in April. This year the experts say that
the number one pick will
be either Texas' Vince Young or USC's Reggie
Bush. Could you imagine being the number one pick? Well. . . You
are! Do you realize that you are a top recruit? God is recruiting you for
His team, and Satan is trying his best
to keep you from joining "TEAM
JESUS." Psalm 51:5 says that we were born in sin and shaped in
iniquity.
That means that we have to make a decision to join God's
team. If we leave this world without accepting Christ, we
cannot
enter the Kingdom. The Bible tells us that God has our jersey and our hat, and He is
waiting for us
to shake His hand and accept the terms of His
contract. He's recruiting each of us (Luke 19:10). We are all His top
picks. YOU are His top pick! "Coach" God had plans for you before you
were born (Jeremiah 1:5, 29:11). And
once you give your life to
Christ (join His team), you can live knowing that you will win in the
end. You may lose
an inning or quarter, but you will win the game! GO:
1. Are you a part of "Team Jesus"?
2. If you
are, are you actively helping God in the recruiting process?
3. Are your actions a recruiting tool for Team Jesus or
for the other
team? WORKOUT:
Acts 4:12
Galatians 2:20
Hebrews 11:25
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All Things
READY:
"I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances
I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret
[of being content]-whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who
strengthens me."
-Philippians 4:11-13 SET:
This summer, many coaches and athletes will come to know
Christ through the camp ministry of FCA. Every year, there is a new theme for FCA Camp, and this year it is "GET FOCUSED."
As coaches and athletes we often prepare for competition by getting focused in different ways. We may read Scripture, listen
to music, talk to ourselves or do other pre-game rituals. Recently, I have noticed many players-Christian and non-writing
one particular Bible verse on their taped ankles or wrists before games. The verse is Philippians 4:13, which says, "I
am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." It amazes me that players who have never acknowledged Christ
as their Lord and Savior or even attempted to cultivate a relationship with Christ would promote such a powerful verse. Why
would Paul write that to the church at Philippi? Was he arrogant? Did he think he was better than others? Was he conceited?
No. When you read the verses leading up to verse 13 you read that Paul was saying that he had learned to be content in all
situations: hungry or full, rich or poor, healthy or sick, free or in prison. As a former athlete and coach, I also take that
to mean content in times of winning and losing. Not happy with losing, but content because I did my best (Colossians 3:23),
and content because I can do, or in this case, handle ALL things (including losing) through Christ who gives me strength.
After big wins many players and coaches thank God. But can you imagine a coach or player saying that they would like
to thank God for giving them the strength to do their best and giving them the wisdom to praise Him when they lost? It's
easy to thank God after winning a championship, but what about after losing a championship?
Today, let's recognize
that learning to do all things through Christ includes handling every situation with an attitude of praise. Let's learn
to rejoice in Him through the good and the bad and show the world the love and peace of Christ. GO:
1. What can
you do to show others that God is good even when you lose?
2. Have you ever heard a player or coach thank God after a
loss? Will you be the first?
3. What is the difference in being content in all things and being happy with all things?
WORKOUT:
Job 1
Matthew 8:23-26
Philippians 4:4-7
1 Timothy 6:6-8
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True Satisfaction READY:
Chapter John 4: 1-26
SET:
The summer is here and that usually means
it is the off-season for most school sports. Football teams are working out and having seven on seven competitions, while
baseball, softball, volleyball, and soccer teams fill club rosters. Many basketball players are playing games this summer,
while others athletes are attending camps around the country. Why? What is the purpose of spending all these hours in gyms,
weight rooms and on ball fields? TO WIN! No one wants to lose. God made us winners and we all want to win. Wouldn't
it be great if God would bless every coach and player who is involved with FCA with a state championship this season? Wouldn't
that be awesome! Let's say it happens; let's say all our teams happen to win the state championship, or even the conference
championship...then what? I remember watching an interview with an NFL coach after he had won the Super Bowl. The young
coach acknowledged that winning the Super Bowl was great but it handicapped him for the next season. After the game he said
he had to get ready for the Pro Bowl, then the draft, then mini camp, and then the season starts again. He said he couldn't
take a break because the teams that didn't win the Super Bowl and the teams that didn't make the playoffs have already
started working on next year. The only thing that coach wanted after winning a big fat Super Bowl ring...was to win
another. Championships don't satisfy us- we'll just want more. Look at the empty lives of many entertainers, musicians,
athletes, and actors. Many of them are beautiful, rich, and famous, yet they live empty lives because nothing can fill the
Jesus shaped void inside of them- except JESUS. We all have a hole inside of us that is shaped like Jesus. Money, popularity,
drugs, alcohol, sex, championships, or even good grades won't satisfy us. The only thing that satisfies is Jesus. Don't
walk around thirsty. Drink the good water that will quench your thirst forever. Drink the living water; Jesus Christ. GO:
1. Are you thirsty? Do you feel that there has to be more to life?
2. If so, ask God for his living water, by asking
him to come into your life?
3. Christian's have the cure for the problems of the world=JESUS. We should share. WORKOUT:
Matthew 6:33
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
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