READY:
“My father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” -John 15:8
SET:
Having a team to rely on is one of the best parts of sports. Knowing you are not alone in competition bolsters confidence and morale. Even the seemingly solo sports have a team of coaches, practice partners and supporters around them to help encourage and lend a hand. Teammates are the ones we turn to when the competition gets hard, when things are not going the way we hoped and when we want to give up.
We have a giant team around us when we say yes to following Jesus. It is what helps us withstand the hate Jesus warns of in John 15:18-25. If we focus more on working with the team who is following Jesus and less on the team working against us, we will prove to be disciples.
American Christians don’t really experience persecution the way believers in other parts of the world do. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ in those areas where simply owning a Bible can land you in prison. Encourage the followers of Jesus in your gym. Offer to pray with other coaches who also love Jesus. Talk about what Christ is doing in your life with your young athletes.
Committing to Christ comes with unmeasurable blessings and rewards (nothing better than eternal life in His presence). But it also comes with an enemy who seeks to destroy us and our faith in Him. “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We already know who wins this rivalry – God does. And we have the strength of the one who overcame death and the tomb living inside of us. Commitment to Christ means remaining on the winning team.
GO:
- Do you have a team of fellow followers of Jesus you can go to? If not find a local church that preaches God’s Word and get connected.
- In what ways can you encourage a fellow follower of Jesus this week?
WORKOUT:
OVERTIME:
“Lord, thank You for choosing me for Your team and giving me teammates all over the globe. Open my eyes to see where I can build up the team. Give me boldness to shine my light for You no matter where I am. Thank You that Yours is the victory in the end. Help me to persevere to the end. In Jesus’ name, amen.”