sports

The List

August 17, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20)

Moses said this to the Israelites after receiving the Ten Commandments. The people had seen Mount Sinai smoking, heard trumpets and felt an earthquake. They were afraid. God was giving them a list to live by and we still have that list.

I was walking around my property and saw several things I needed to do…my list. It made me think and pray, “God, what is on Your list for me?” And I wondered, would His list be numbered? I’d like to see His list of things to be accomplished by me starting with #1. Have you thought about what God’s list for you might look like? The Ten Commandments might be a good place to begin.

As a former teacher and coach, I know there are lists of things to be accomplished in school and in sports. And, as the verse above states, there will be some testing. Students and athletes must follow the list, and the rules, to move forward and be successful. You’re not going to graduate after completing the 9^th grade list. And there will be tests. Then, there will be another list and more tests. A coach will have a list of things to be done by the players to progress in their sport. When I coached basketball, I’d make a list of things to do for each practice. That list changed as the players progressed. In the workplace, in order to move up, you have to follow the rules and check off the boss’ list. So let’s again think about God’s list for us. He has given each one of us gifts to use to make it through the “list”, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10) To serve one another. Our “list” will be based on our gifting and we are all commanded to “do”. God also gave us a general list in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” So, think about what your gifts are and do your best to use them. And…ask God to direct you according to His list. He’s the teacher and coach.

The End Zone

May 25, 2024 by Bill 1 Comment

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve;” (Joshua 24:15)

Many of the revelations I get from God come to me as images or videos. Being a former coach, many of these are related to sports. Today, I want you to picture a football field.

First, you’re looking down on the field from above. In one end zone you see Satan standing there with some of his people. In the other, you see Jesus and some of His own. Next, the view switches to the sidelines where many people are standing. You also see people ON the field standing on every yard line from the 50 yard line to the 10 yard line, some closer to Satan’s end zone and others closer to Jesus’. These people are moving toward Satan on the left or toward Jesus on the right. You also have many in the stands on both sides of the field cheering. One cheering for Satan’s “team” and the other, “a great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) for Jesus. Those in the stands and on the sidelines have already made their choice of which end zone they went to and are cheering on those on the field who are trying to make a choice.

Those on the field are moving slowly in one direction or the other. Satan is showing some tempting things in his end zone to draw those on the field to him. Jesus is holding His arms out, with His nail-pierced hands, showing His love to welcome them to come to Him. People on the field are drawn to one side or the other and move, some slowly and others quickly, toward the end zone they want to be in. They go from the 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, then cross the line to a deceptive, laughing Satan or a loving Jesus. Can you visualize this scene?

So my question today is…where are you? In the stands, on the sidelines, on the field or in one of the end zones? If you are not on Jesus’ team, you can go there today. Even if you’re on Satan’s team, you can leave and run to the other end zone. And, if you die without joining God’s team, you are automatically in the other end zone forever. So, choose you this day who you will serve. (Joshua 24:15)

Loyalty

March 2, 2019 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given March 2, 2019

“Renew a loyal spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). I have a series of Biblical prayers that I read/pray each morning and this verse is included and it got me thinking recently. If David was asking God to “renew” a loyal spirit in him, that must mean that his loyalty had expired or lessened. Think about our loyalty…where is it directed and how strong is it? Think of the things we’re loyal to; our family, a sport, a brand, an addiction, a friendship, a church, a political party or a hobby. There could be many more things on this list. The definition of loyalty is: “Giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.” Yes, we can look at the things listed above and agree with that definition. I guess you know where I’m going with this.

What about God? Are we giving or showing Him firm and constant support and allegiance? Sometimes people show unloyalty to other people, hobbies or even church, (although I can’t imagine a person loyal to a sports team sneaking into a room to watch another team on TV.) And it’s a battle being un-loyal to your addiction. But what about God? What does it take for us to be loyal to Him? Look back at that definition, “firm and constant support or allegiance”. God himself said, “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3). And Jesus told the people, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God,” (Matthew 6:33). So, think about your loyalty to God. Is it first, strongest, constant? Or is it just another thing on your list, a Sunday only loyalty?

I think we all need to pray as David did, “God, please renew a loyal spirit within me. Help me to see where my loyalty is slipping and give me strength and wisdom to sort out my priorities. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.”

Lessons from Football – The Field

October 21, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given October 19, 2013

We are in the middle of football season on many levels and many people are into the game. This week we will begin a series of articles on some Biblical lessons we can learn from the sport of football. Ready? Hike!

First, let’s look at the field. It’s 100 yards long with yard markers every ten yards and areas at each end called end zones. One end zone is defended by one team and the other end zone by the other team. Each team’s name or logo is painted in their end zone. Do we have a mental picture of the field?

Now picture this: In one end zone, the devil and his demons are all gathered. On the opposite end, God and His angels are standing. We see many people standing on the fifty yard line looking both ways trying to make a decision on which end zone they will move toward. The devil’s bunch is hollering and waving from their end for the people to move toward them. They’re making all kinds of good-sounding promises if people will come join them. (Actually, the devil wants to kill, steal, and destroy them, (John 10:10)). On the other side, God is just holding out His arms with love shining out from His eyes saying, “I love you, come to me, I’ll make everything alright.” (Matthew 11:28). Which way should the people go?

As some start moving toward God, some of the demons run around, get in their way, and try to lie and trick them into turning around. As some move toward the devil, God’s small, Still voice whispers in their ear, “Don’t do this, it’s not what I made you for, (Jeremiah 29:11), turn around and come to me.” Some keep moving, some stop to think, some turn and go in the opposite direction. As we look at the field, we see many people between the 50 yard line and the goal line on both ends. Where are they going to end up? Where are you on the field? The clock is running down.

Lessons From Sports – Part 6, Cheering and Praise

October 12, 2010 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given March 2010

In this final installment to the Lessons from Sports series, let’s look at the similarities and differences in cheering for your team and praising the Lord.

Any good sports fan will get excited when they’re at the game and their team does well. They love the team and when they succeed their emotions and actions erupt with cheering, clapping, jumping and whatever else they can use to express their joy. Some seem to go a little overboard at times, maybe even fanatical, but it’s accepted because they’re all there to support their team.

Any good Christian should get excited when they’re at church and the congregation is offering up praise to God for all the great things He has done. They love God and when they’re in His presence their joy and thankfulness is expressed by shouting, clapping, jumping and other ways they can express their praise. Some criticize the emotion expressed in praise but accept the emotion expressed at the game. Why is that? “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” (Psalm 47:1). “And David danced before the Lord with all his might,” (2 Samuel 6:14). Fanatics?

I certainly am not condemning anyone for cheering at a ball game. I have let up many a shout when a last second shot went in or one of “mine” crossed the goal line. I’m suggesting if we love God as much as we love our team…shouldn’t our praise and cheering be similar?

Another comparison is the Super Bowl party. We have a special gathering, sometimes at church, to cheer our team on to victory and if you are a super fan, you might even get tickets to be there in person. However, I hear there is a “great cloud of witnesses”, (Hebrews 12:1), assembled in a stadium in the sky cheering us on as we “compete”. And¸ when someone gets saved, I can just hear the crowd erupt in rejoicing, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7). These lessons are designed to make us think and see if there’s anything we need to learn. Go God! We love you!