DEVOTIONALS

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 During the recent World Cup, it was interesting to watch some of the teams play. Well, as we all know a soccer team wins a match by simply scoring more goals than their opponent during the regulation of 90 minutes of play (or during any subsequent extra time/ or penalty shootout). Achieving this requires a delicate balance of tactics, physical fitness, psychol

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13 Paul knew that he really needed to focus on “One thing” and names it. This is a challenge for you and I to ask ourselves today: “What’s the One thing I can do this summer such that by doing it everything else will be easier to manage?" You can journal it and then do follow-up on regular basis. Paul was reminding us

They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 1:19 Well, Jeremiah was known by God before he was formed in his mother’s womb and set apart. When you read this how does it make you feel? As soon as he heard this, fear overcame him. He was already thinking of how he will be faced with rejection and might fail! His immediate response to God was “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young.” If that was y

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 Have you ever been asked, “who are you”? What was your response? Well Jesus was asked the same question and this verse says it all: “Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” John 4:12 When Moses was assigned a task that he felt was beyond his ability and he asked the questio

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athlete’s race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (MSG) When we choose to wear the jersey of our favorite player or team, we don’t have the same experience as that athlete! We are only showing solidarity, as a symbol of support! To hear and know God’s voice, we have to read his Word pur

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. *Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12: 2 The outcome-focused for competitions is striving to win, defeat opponents, and achieve superiority. The success or failure of the event is judged by the final outcome. Paul uses the metaphor of athletes to explain that they cannot be