Season 3: RYB Mission... we are reading the Bible in a Year.... following the M’Cheyne daily reading plan. It’s 365 days- covers the OT and NT twice. 

Please- if you are for the challenge: follow along and invite a friend!

Psalm 119... 

God: may you “Open our eyes that we may see wonderful things in your law.”

LETS GET IT!!!

More info on the reading plan:
Robert Murray M’Cheyne was a minister in Scotland in the mid 1800’s. He created one of the most popular Bible reading plans ever. It takes readers through the OT once and the NT twice over a year.

M’Cheyne offered four warnings about the misuse of plans like his:

1. Formality- reading the Bible for the sake of duty rather than reading the Bible for the Love of God.
2. Self-Righteousness. We read to make ourselves feel righteous before God. M’Cheyne describes this type of reading as complacent and unaffected by the work of God.
3. Careless Reading- Reading the Word of God without trembling in His presence
4. A yoke too heavy to bear- Beginning the year reading with joy but being consumed by the burden of reading. Legalism consumes and destroys.

M’Cheyne also listed 5 rewards of dedicated Bible reading plans:

1. Reading the whole counsel of God’s Word
2. No time wasted in selecting passages to read
3. Family devotions
4. The Pastor knows where the congregation is reading
5. Christian unity strengthened when reading together.

*the above information is from Rhyne Putman’s blog.

Much love, God bless & Go Cougs!

Day 15/40 - Take a Loss and respond with Worship


"Praise HIM in Victory & Defeat, the hills and the valleys, the good and the bad. No excuses whatsoever... time to go to work and be better. Gotta keep fighting and keep believing! Gonna be a fun ride the rest of the season!" -Carson Wentz (after taking one of the toughest losses of his career)

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: 
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
    and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
    may the name of the Lord be praised.”
-Job 1:20-21

Faith in Action:
Respond to a loss this week (on or off the field) with Worshiping God!

14/40 - The Perfect Game...

No one sets out to make mistakes or errors...

Russ Schoene (Former Seattle SuperSonic) broke it down for me:‘The goal is to play a perfect game... you never reached it but you strive for it and aim to be as close to it as possible.’

Baseball: no perfect game... pitcher will throw some balls.

Football: every completion? Perfectly? Short of a TD?

Basketball: miss any shots ever? Defense no one gets by? Perfect passes?

““You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” -Matthew 5:43-48

Greek: ‘teleios’. 40x in NT... brought to completion, fully accomplished, fully developed.

Strive to train and play perfect... fully developed, completion, accomplished.

Jimmy McKinney... Vashon HS, STL... 4 year start at University of Missouri, played overseas, back coaching at Vashon.

-EVERYDAY after practice... didn’t make 15 shots, swished 15. 

-Wasn’t enough to make it... perfect- needed the swish!

-Jimmy was training to be perfect.

Spiritually when we look at our day... the goal is to live as Jesus did and He was perfect... we evaluate that, know it’s impossible... but strive for it everyday!

Faith in action:
-Focus on one aspect of your game to be perfect in.

-Focus on one area of your spiritual life to strive for perfection.

The results of striving each day after perfection are night and day difference- than when we don’t.

Our lives should be drastically different when we are striving to be like Jesus, than when we didn’t.

Live our lives pursuing perfection on and off the field.

13/40... People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.

Everybody has a story to tell.

“Jesus looked at him and loved him.”

On any team you have members of a team from different places, backgrounds, cultures, upbringing, strengths and weaknesses... all with one goal in mind- win a championship.

Church is a team... same goal in mind- Love God and Love People...

We love when people care about what we know...we have great stuff to offer.

People don’t care until they know... you care about them... their life and story.

Mark 10:17-22

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ” 

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

Jesus cared about his story- knew his life.

Loved him and told him exactly what he needed to hear!

BD Israel story) Jerusalem tours with Americans.

Palestinian dude cursing wife out...

‘Here for God’... Cursed God.

I WAS HEATED... blood boiling.

Went back... met guy- confronted him.

‘That’s my brother’... he had 2 more brothers that were killed by American soldiers.

Waited for guy, met him. Hugged... called me brother. Pray for me please.

I was so angry because of my story... disrespected.

When I heard his story- I cared, loved and understood his pain.

Faith in Action:
Take time to ask your teammates their story. Get to know them. Care about them. Love them.... then they will care about what you know!

This imitates Jesus... he looks at us, knows our story, knows what we need... and loves us.

Today, hear one teammates story... care about them and show them love... you will learn something new!

Amen family, God bless & Go Cougs!

Day 12/40 - Have a Day

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalms 118:24 NLT

-Inky Johnson posts this on Twitter everyday... it’s Good to be alive!

-God has given us this day... be glad, give joy and make the most of it!

-86,400 seconds have been given to you today... use it wisely!

Q: What’s a monumental day in your life?

A: July 10, 2009... Blake Hawksworth called up to Pitch for the STL Cards!

Most days you don’t wake up knowing the monumental moment that will happen.

“As long as God gives me breath on my lungs I’m gonna make something great of my life.” -Jimmy Valvano...

-Look at long term goals I become overwhelmed.

-Can’t buy years back.

Look at today only- I get excited!!!!

No day is promised.... all about today.

Most days that God does big time things we have no idea when the day starts that’s gonna happen... Live as if a monumental moment will happen today!

Faith into Acton: Jim Valvano...
Laugh
Think
Cry
That’s a pretty good day!

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalms 118:24 NLT

Can’t do anything about yesterday... or tomorrow... but today is an opportunity to have a day!

Today could be another monumental day- attack it with gladness and gratitude. 

11/40- Who is my enemy?

 “You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. 

They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the Lord, but he did not answer. 

I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets.”

Psalms 18:40-42 NIV

Players pray to same Jesus- not even about opponent.

“Athletes, as with all people, fall into two motivational categories: those that truly want success and those who simply try to avoid failure.” -Eric Hanson... Inglewood Jr. High

-Many athletes internally avoid, fear, and shrink at the possibility of failure.

Who is our Enemy within?

Fear of opponent.

Fear of outcome.

Q: How do we combat internal enemies of fear???

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we

trust in the name of the Lord our God.” -Psalms 20:7 NIV

Our confidence against ANY opponent and ANY outcome comes from our TRUST in God!

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,” -Psalms 95:6-7 NIV

When we BOW before God... we can STAND before all MEN.

When we BOW before God... we can STAND before all OUTCOMES.

If you want to trample the enemies of fearing opponents and outcomes...

Spend more time bowing before God and worshiping Him!

Faith in Action:

-Showing your willingness to BOW before God in the way you live!
-Next time you pray before you play... Instead of thinking about the training, preparation, and strength you have... spend time communicating to God your confidence in Him!

Because of our faith in God’s power we can stand before all OPPONENTS...

And we can stand before all OUTCOMES.

By faith in the power of God we can CONQUER our enemies!

10/40 PRAYER WEIGHT ROOM

Q: What is something Jesus did- that you would want to learn how to do?!

Heal, miracles, walk on water, genius answers- know when to flip a table, taught, preached...

Spiritual discipline, truly serve, walking on water, being grateful- count blessings, not reacting.

Q: What did disciples ask to learn?

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 

...He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ””

Luke 11:1-4 NIV

Q: Why did they ask him about prayer above all else?!

When we learn how to pray- everything else is unlocked! The KEY!

Prayer is like the WEIGHT ROOM... You don’t just get stronger because you show up!

We get stronger, like anything- when we engage, dive in, work, learn and grow!

PRAYER WEIGHT ROOM REPS:

In the moment throughout entire day like a conversation...

Job/Football

Specific and detailed

Don’t rush.... process it.

Energy

Pray when GOOD things happen!

Lord’s Prayer,

Basic provisions

Dreams

Questions

Past great moments and tough moments

Challenges

Seeking what He wants

Help- loved, from temptation, lonely

For other people

Q: What was the key to them learning? Teachable spirit.

‘Wisdom is knowing how much you don’t know’

*Learn to pray everyday and become a prayer warrior*

-Write down how you want to pray and go after it!

Faith into action:

Ask a teammate to pray every day.... then another... and another!

Prayer is like the WEIGHT ROOM... You don’t just get stronger because you show up!

We get stronger, like anything- when we engage, dive in, work, learn and grow!

9/40- The Parable is in the Game

“I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.”-Psalms 78:2-3 NIV

What is a parable??? It’s an earthly story with a heavenly  meaning.

-How Jesus taught... 55 in 4 gospels... 7 alone in Matt 13...

Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:3-8.

Parable of the Weeds - Matthew 13:24-30.

Parable of the Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:31-32.

Parable of the Yeast - Matthew 13:33. 

Parable of the Hidden Treasure -Matthew 13:44.

Parable of the Pearl - Matthew 13:45-46.

Parable of the Fishing Net -Matthew 13:47-50.

Your sport is a parable.... God can use your sport to teach you about life, faith, yourself.

 Ex) at a camp in Alaska... What did you learn about God?

Every practice, game, workout... what did you learn about God?

-Win... stay humble or the importance of every teammate.

-Loss... ownership and remaining confident. Identity in Christ.

-Teachable? Put into practice what you were corrected on?

 BD story... ran play wrong. -Hard to be humble.

When we view our experience in sport as a parable from Jesus- it will transform the excitement and incorporate our faith into everything we do.

Faith in Action: Today- what did you learn about Jesus?

“...blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.”

-Matthew 13:10-17 NIV

Let’s learn what we can everyday viewing our sport as a parable- seeing and hearing what Jesus is teaching us!

Amen, God bless & Go Cougs!

8/40- Give Courage

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” -Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV

-Greatest command: Love God and Love People... when we sin- heart hardened and do the opposite.
-Following Jesus isn’t about what you get- it’s about what you give!

-‘See to it’ not optional!

-Encourage one another daily!

‘Name in front of jersey’... represent team!

Jesus says- on my team... we encourage others!

Encourage means- giving someone courage to do what’s right!

You have something unique that no one else can offer... use it to encourage others.

‘Be yourself- everyone else is taken’... you are 1 of 1...

Arizona Basketball:

Josh Pastner (Coach for Georgia Tech)... rebounded for Jason Terry- 500 makes a day!

1997 NCAA Championship

Seniors @ Missouri:

While stretching... said something encouraging to a teammate pre practice

All things to emulate on the court or field.

Off the court:

-Real conversation with someone and encouraging them in what they are doing and can do!

-Serve another with something that inspires them!

Following Jesus is not about what you get... it’s about what you give!

-Being a member of Jesus’ team reflects Jesus; thoughts, words and actions!

Faith in action:

See to it that you encourage those around you every day!

I pray we would have a mentality that looks to encourage our teammates, friends, family- those we don't know every day!

Result: heart would not be hardened, but softened- see Jesus in your life and feel his love in theirs!

7/40- By Faith: Shooters Shoot

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
-Hebrews 11:1

Before you shoot- you should believe that jumper is going in... Swish.

-Even if you missed the one before....

Ray Allen after going 0-11, Seattle SuperSonics: “Nothing’s wrong. I shot the ball the right way, they just didn’t go in.” Ultimate confidence!!!

Steph Curry... running back on defense after releasing the Ball....

Before you swing the bat- believe it’s gonna connect.

Before kicking against a goal- believing it’s gonna go in.

Before punching... believing it’s gonna land.

Before going into the water for a Triathlon... better believe your gonna make the time.

Before passing FB- believe WR is gonna catch it.

Faith is essential to success in any sport.

Faith is essential to success following Jesus... in fact-

“... without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” -Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Believe he exists.

Believe he rewards those that earnestly seek him.

***Faith into Action:

1)Do you believe Jesus exists? Believe what He said? Believe He’s the Truth? Believe he hears you when you pray.

2)Do you believe He rewards those that earnestly seek Him?

Lie from satan... you can’t thoroughly follow Him. You CAN.

Before faith in yourself, start with Faith in Him... before you step foot onto floor in the morning...

Remember to be sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see...

It takes faith in following Jesus... trusting in Him- we don’t see where we are going!

Ex) disciples... wondered often.

You can live life faithfully follow Jesus!

Pray- this inspires you as you compete by faith at practice, you think of living by faith the entire day!

God bless & Go Cougs!