Triple Threat

About Sarah Roberts

READY:

“Then He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.’” – Mark 16:15

SET:

In the game of basketball it is well known that the “triple threat” is the best offensive position to start in before making any move. You are harder to stop in a triple threat because the defense doesn’t know what you are going to do. You have the option to dribble, pass or shoot, making it difficult for your opponent to anticipate your next move.

In becoming a Christ follower, you may find yourself not sure of your next move and asking “where do I go from here?” or “where do I start?” I would recommend that you ready yourself in the Christ-followers triple threat position by serving others, loving others and reaching others with the news of Jesus Christ. Much like basketball, if we do the Christian triple threat relentlessly, we will be hard to contain.

So what does this look like? It’s serving your family by taking out the trash, doing the dishes or mowing the lawn. It’s loving and befriending those in your school that nobody else will talk to and that are picked on and made fun of. It’s telling your teammates about Jesus and how much He loves them. We all have the ability to change the world for Christ simply by serving, loving and telling those around us about the love we ourselves have received from Jesus. This is the ultimate triple threat.

GO:

1. How can you better serve your team?
2. In what ways can you show love to those at your school?
3. Write down one person you want to tell about Jesus and pray for the opportunity to share His salvation message with them.

WORKOUT:

Joshua 1:8-9
Psalm 27:1
John 14:6

OVERTIME:

Lord, You have saved me, and now I want to serve, love and tell others about You. Guide me, lead me and give me the boldness I need to make a difference in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Finding A Way Past Defeat

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18, 19 KJV)

Amy Elrod

READY:

Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:18-19

SET:

As competitors, we will all inevitably face defeat. We’ll play an incredible game but still come up a little short. And the feeling can be crushing. In the aftermath of defeat, we look back and think about all the missed opportunities, mistakes or “almosts” that could have changed the result of the game. We can dwell in the past and allow it to affect our future. Many times our coach will say, “Don’t think about last game. It’s done. You can’t change the result. Focus on the future opponent and prepare for the next game.”

We must do the same thing in our spiritual lives. It’s easy for us to dwell on our past defeats, mess-ups or circumstances. But Jesus Christ desires us to look forward and not reside in the past. Sometimes it’s difficult to see where God is moving in your life in the midst of defeat, but He promises that He is doing something new and making a way through any trial or defeat.

Don’t let a crushing defeat – whether on the field or in your life – fool you. God is at work. Focus and examine to see where God is working in the details. Then expect that He will make a way in, a way out or a way through any defeat, wilderness or desert you may encounter!

GO:

1. How do you handle defeat?
2. In what ways can you change your perspective when faced with a touch circumstance?
3. How can God use your past defeats for His new plans for you as a competitor for Christ?

WORKOUT:

Philippians 4:13-14
2 Corinthians 5:17
Colossians 1:9-14

OVERTIME:

Lord help me not dwell on the past but focus on where you’re working in my life and creating something new.

The Right Pursuit

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. (Proverbs 21:21 KJV)

About Rex Stump

READY:

“The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21

SET:

Tragedy strikes every day across our nation and unfortunately occurred in 2011 at the Texas Rangers stadium. In an effort to grab a foul ball, a young man lost his life when he fell 20 feet out of the stands. A few days later, during the MLB Home Run Derby, another fan nearly fell over the railing while reaching for a ball. What causes grown men to jump after a $4 baseball, risking injury and possibly their lives?

Proverbs 21:21 says to pursue “righteousness” and “faithful love.” Nothing here about pursuing money, power, trophies or objects! The Hebrew word for pursue means to “run after or chase.” It’s an attitude of running after something until you get it. You don’t stop until you have obtained that object. As Christians, what should we pursue? We are to pursue righteousness, things that are right and true, and faithful love. We are told to actively chase after things that reflect Jesus!

When you pursue these things, you will find life, righteousness and honor. The word “find” means to attain or to fall in with. Imagine tripping and falling into a puddle. You are immersed in water and completely saturated. When we actively pursue the things of Jesus, we are told that we will fall into and be immersed by righteousness and honor.

We are consumed with trying to look good, instead of pursuing what is good! Beyond a baseball, a trophy or your name in the paper, we should first be pursuing Jesus Christ.

GO:

1. Are you pursuing worldly things or the things of Jesus?
2. Is your pursuit like a chase or a casual walk?
3. Have someone who knows you answer the first two questions for you!

WORKOUT:

Psalms 119:31-33
Proverbs 15:8-9
2 Timothy 2:21-22

OVERTIME:

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have lost focus on pursuing You. You’re more valuable than a sport or trophy; help me to seek You first. Amen.

The Best Motivation

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV)

About Kerry O’Neill

READY:

“For Christ’s love compels us...” – 2 Corinthian 5:14a

SET:

For the first time in her professional boxing career, Laila was on the receiving end of some really damaging punches. Yet, she recovered and won the fight. Afterward, Laila was asked by a reporter if she was tempted to quit. She replied, “Yes, but I remembered who my father is.” Laila Ali’s dad is none other than Muhammed Ali. For the Christian, it is key that we remember who our Father is – God Himself. Since beliefs determine actions, it is vital that we have the correct biblical view regarding God. Our attempt to play for God leads to two very different responses:

Notice me! This is the unhealthy performance trap. This athlete or coach wants to succeed so God will notice them and be proud of them. This athlete is competing for the attention, approval and love of God (and others). Thank you, Jesus! This is the healthy realization that God loves me unconditionally and, therefore, I don’t need to try to compete for His attention or earn His love because I already have both. I cannot do anything that would cause Jesus to love me more or less. His love is about Him, not me. My response? I am so grateful for His love and grace that I am motivated by thankfulness to live and compete to bring honor and glory to Him.

There is pressure in trying to perform, but there is freedom in competing and living from the overflow of love and thanksgiving. He wants us to experience His joy and freedom in all areas of our lives.

GO:

1. Who are you trying to impress or please when you compete?
2. When you compete, do you feel more pressure or freedom? Why?
3. How can God’s love expressed in Jesus’ sacrifice motivate you in sports and life?

WORKOUT:

Philippians 2:13
Colossians 3:17
2 Corinthians 5:14-15

OVERTIME:

Luke 7:36-50

Heavenly Father, show me how much you love me and let that be my motivation to compete and live for You. Amen.

LORD, I WANT TO SEE YOUR POWER AND GLORY!

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (Psalms 63:2 KJV)

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21 KJV)

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:8-11 KJV)

Psalm 63:2

David says that he has seen God in His sanctuary. This means he believes God and trusts Him-not his feelings, apparent circumstances, human perspective, what the world is saying around him, or his own earthly desires. He sees God's power and glory right where he is; even in the midst of the desert he could see God in the sanctuary. David glorifies God as he exercises faith and trust in God and receives His grace.

How can we be like David and walk forward by faith in God's grace so that we can experience His grace more fully and truly see God in the midst of every circumstance, particularly when we are tested daily (and sometimes severely)?

As we read and study God's Word, it is key that we really put that Word into practice. We want to really, truly believe the grace we have been given in Christ that enables us to live the Word so that we will really, truly seek to live the Word! We want to step forward in faith, be transformed by the renewing of our mind, and walk in obedience to His Word, all the while trusting in God and His power to accomplish it no matter what the circumstances look like.

David lived by faith, trusting in God and His Word. He saw His power and glory. When we put God's Word into practice-when we believe it by obeying it-we will see His power and glory. It is His power working through us as we walk forward in faith by grace and leave the things of this world behind. He will be glorified before our eyes and before the eyes of those around us. Hear Paul speak of this in Philippians 3:8-11.

Pray for God's grace to enable you to truly follow Him by faith, to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, so that you too can proclaim with David, no matter where you are and even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances: "So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory" (ESV).

O LORD, YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS IS BETTER THAN LIFE!

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psalms 63:3, 4 KJV)

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19 KJV)

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:11-32 KJV)

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:13 KJV)

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)

Psalm 63:3-4

David understood God's love. The word for lovingkindness in the Old Testament is the word "hesed," which is often used to describe God's loyal, steadfast, covenant love, a love that surpasses knowledge. Read Ephesians 3:17-19 and listen very carefully and prayerfully to Paul's prayer for the church.

Comprehending and believing God's love is essential to being able to walk in His transcending, transforming love. We don't really believe something until we really receive it, take it in, and walk in it.

This means that when we get up from spending time with God in His Word and enter into the day-and all that comes with it-we trust and believe that God loves us. Likewise, when we fall completely short of the mark, knowing that we continually do, we choose to trust in His forgiving lovingkindness. This is the Gospel!

The parable of the prodigal son is a powerful picture of God's hesed-His lovingkindness, His covenant love. Read Luke 15:11-32. When the son returned to his father, he hoped that his father would at least take him back as a servant. But his father received and accepted him as a son! The father poured out his love upon the son, threw a party, and gave his son the finest robe and a gold ring. When that son received his father's love, he entered into a full relationship with his father.

If we have trusted in Jesus, then we have that same loving acceptance from our heavenly Father. But how often do we forget this? It's important that we believe in God's acceptance of us in Christ and in His lovingkindness toward us. When we believe in His love and acceptance of us and receive it, we will be able to live in that love and give it.

My Soul is satisfied in You!

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: (Psalms 63:5 KJV)

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: (Psalms 63:1-5 KJV)

Psalm 63:5

So what is your favorite dinner? Take a moment to think about the meal, the surroundings, and the people. There is hardly anything better than sitting down to your favorite meal, enjoying every last bite, and sitting back and being completely satisfied.

In our focus verse today, David declares he is completely satisfied in the Lord. He has learned how to fully enjoy and rejoice in God's love.

What keeps you from being fully satisfied in Christ? What is spoiling your appetite?

In C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," Edmund stuffed himself with Turkish Delight. The more he ate, the more he craved. It didn't satisfy. Isn't it that way with the things in this world? The more we have, the more we want, the emptier we feel. But it's not this way with the Lord. He truly and deeply satisfies, stimulating a godly desire for more and more of Him.

So we must say no to the lies, deny the flesh, and feast on the Lord! What are the thoughts, emotions, imaginations, attitudes, or other things that keep you from being fully satisfied in Christ? Sometimes it's people, those in our lives who we may idolize or find misplaced pleasure or satisfaction in or put too much emphasis on (i.e. spouse, children, boss, etc). Take all of this before the Lord. Confess the things that are spoiling your appetite for the Lord and relinquish them. Ask Him to give you a holy appetite for Him.

When we find our delight and our satisfaction in the Lord, we can join with David and say, "My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips" (ESV).