You Ready to Score a Touchdown?

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

On October 18, 2002, Jake Porter, 17, was a member of the Northwest High football team in McDermott, Ohio. Jake was born with chromosomal fragile X syndrome, a common cause of mental retardation. He couldn't read or write, but he loved football and he faithfully attended every practice. Northwest coach Dave Frantz wanted to do something special for Jake. So before the game on October 18, against Waverly High, Frantz called his friend Derek Dewitt, the head coach at Waverly. Frantz suggested that both teams allow Jake to run one play at the end of the game, assuming the game wasn't on the line. Jake would get the ball and take a knee, and the game would end. So, with Waverly leading 42-0 and five seconds left in the game, Frantz called a timeout.

Jake trotted out to the huddle, and the two coaches met at midfield. But a disagreement broke out between the coaches. Waverly's Dewitt wanted Jake to score a touchdown, not merely take a knee. Dewitt called his defense over and said, "They're going to give the ball to number 45. Do not touch him! Open up a hole and let him score! Understand?" The ball was snapped and Jake was about to kneel when his teammates stopped him and told him to run. Suddenly, the Waverly defense parted like peasants for the king and cheered him to the end zone. Players on both sidelines held their helmets to the sky and whooped. Jake had the run of his life, scoring the touchdown heard round the world, all because of Dewitt's unselfish decision: "I want him to score."

Like coach Dewitt, God has high purposes for each of us. He wants us to score a touchdown. Will you score your touchdown today?  Will you be the tool that helps somebody else score a touchdown?

Dear Lord, thank You for the great plans You have for our life.  Help us seek and follow you today and all of your life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Smiling Pilot

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

You might be tossing about in a sea of despair  You might even feel as if your life may crash about you and you will never again be healed, whole or happy.

They say Robert Louis Stevenson told the story first. It's worth retelling: It seems a storm caught a seafaring vessel off a rocky coast. The wind and waves threatened to drive the boat to its destruction.

In the midst of the terror, one daring pas­sen­ger, contrary to orders, made his way across the ship. Groping along a passageway, he found the pilot house. There he beheld an intriguing sight; the ship's pilot was lashed to his post. Secure against the raging elements, he held the wheel fast, turning the ship, inch by inch, once more out to sea. The pilot saw the watcher and smiled.

The daring passenger found his way below deck where other passengers huddled. Encouragingly, he said, "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All is well."

There are times we need to hear that. Especially when we feel tossed about by a raging storm, it helps to remember that the pilot smiles.

Dear Lord, we thank You that you are smiling, because You are in control. Help us remember when things look out of control that You are there. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Right Path.

Psalm 23:3 (NIV)

He refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

We all face the same problem: we don’t always like the “right paths”. Those “no admittance” rocky ways look much more tempting than the admissible paths. Let me explain.

A couple of years ago there were some hikers hiking at Letchworth State Park in New York. It was a glorious fall day, made even more nostalgic by a train crossing over a bridge high above the gorge. Intrigued, they wondered if they could walk on that bridge. They  were sure that the view would be unbelievable up there.

Apparently they weren't the only ones who thought this, for many were climbing up the side of the canyon, intent on reaching the level of the bridge! As they approached the railway, however, they noticed that a fence had been erected all around it. Where were all those hikers going? Maybe there was an open gate somewhere that would give us access to that bridge?

It’s then that they realized all these people were walking over a trodden-down, vandalized gate, stepping on and over a glaring warning: “Forbidden access to hikers”.

What surprised them was that no one was slowing down. No one even hesitated to ask themselves if it was prudent to ignore the no trespassing sign. As they looked out over the bridge, they weren't to see that it was covered with people.

They decided to remain on the hiking trail they were on, and they didn't cross the “no trespassing” barrier. Unfortunately very few people followed their example, and continued crossing the bridge.  Soon the sound the whistle of a fast-approaching train could be heard ...

What happened with all these trespassers. Was there panic among them? Did the train slow down? Only one thing was certain: the train would get through no matter what.

They had chosen to take the right path, for in so doing, they avoided unnecessary adversity. And as an added bonus, as they hiked the “allowed” trail, they discovered autumn in all of its glory amongst the calmness of nature. The surrounding trees were full of reds and yellows and oranges, and fluttering golden leaves floated down onto the path, already strewn with a soft carpet of various colors. They would have missed all of this if they had followed the crowd and ignored the sign!

As we look at this story we can learn that the ways God lead us are truly worthwhile, and much more intriguing than the forbidden ways, where adversity lurks at every corner. God does care!

Dear Lord, as the things of this world try to pull us from path that You have for us we pray that we would keep our eyes focused on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our Life is a Trail.

Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Your word is a lamp for my feet,  a light on my path.

As you read about the Appalachian Trail you learn that every now and then, a tree will be marked to let hikers know that they are on the right trail. There are many other trails that intersect the Appalachian Trail. Sometimes, hikers will come to a fork and guess which trail to hike, and then after a while, realize they were not on the right trail.

Our life is a trail. We do have a road map for our life called the Bible. In it, we can read about the trail Jesus Christ expects us to follow.

At times in our lives, there are situations in which we cannot find specific verses that tell us what to do. In these cases, we can rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is the way God leads us in our lives. We will hear Him say, "This is the way."

On this trail called life, let us daily read our Bible to know what God expects. Let us also spend time in prayer daily and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit so we will know the way to go.

Dear Lord, forgive us when we don't follow the trail on which You would have us travel. Help us to spend time with You so that we will know Your voice and then be willing to follow Your leading. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Are You On God's Super Bowl Team?

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

I don't know if you are 'in' to football or not. If you are, then you are probably aware of the significance of the Super Bowl. If you are not, you should know that this is one of the biggest sports events of the entire year. There will be an estimated 130 million people from nearly 200 countries tuning in to the colossal contest.

We don't exchange gifts or cards, but Super Sunday might as well be a holiday given the number of gatherings  and the bazillions of dollars dished out to devour delicacies such as Domino's and Dr. Pepper. Have you ever thought about how your view of the Super Bowl says something about you as a person?

To me, the Super Bowl and all the accompanying festivities brings out three types of people.

First, there are the Inquisitive. These are the folks who are curious about the flashy new commercials and enjoy watching grown people yell at inanimate objects while putting down more food in four hours than a family of four does in a year.

Then there are the Indifferent. They could not care less about the contest, the commercials, and even the condiments. What attracts these folks is the gathering. It's a chance to get together with friends and take a break from life for a few hours.

Finally we need to mention the Interested. To them, this really is about the game of football. It is the ultimate championship where five months of battling champions.

Perhaps you can relate to one of these categories of people- or maybe not.  As you watch the game, the commercials or just enjoy being together with people I would like you to consider how the Christian life relates to Super Sunday.

When you trusted Christ, you joined a team and you picked a fight. We were 'drafted' from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18). Every second of every hour of every day we are engaged in a contest that is bigger than all the Super Bowls combined. Instead of 130 million people watching, we have billions of angels and the God of the universe tuning in. This doesn't involve over 200 countries- rather our battle encompasses the entire physical and spiritual universe...and just like the big game, it generally brings out three types of people.

First there are the Inquisitive. Oh yeah, they know that there is an intense and eternally significant war going on- but their real concern is entertainment. They are always into the latest Christian fads and watching other people make fools of themselves as they get 'radical' for Jesus. There may be a battle going on, but you wouldn't know it by watching the Inquisitive.

Of course there are also the Indifferent. Becoming a believer was fire insurance for the future and a party for the present. They could not care less about advancing God's Kingdom and fighting the good fight, there are too many church functions going on! The Indifferent have been out of the battle so long they wouldn't know a non-believer from a golden retriever.

Praise God there are still the Interested. To them, life really is about defeating the enemy through the power of the Spirit. Their motto reflects the words of one of heaven's MVPs- the Apostle Paul:

Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (I Corinthians 9:26)

Remember that someone else is watching you to see which type of believer you have chosen to be. Just remember that God's starting line-up has plenty of positions open...are you Interested?

Dear Lord, we pray today that we would be interested, that we would be working to further Your gospel to the world around us that needs You so bad. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God Will Bring the Right One at The Right Time.

Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart

    and my portion forever.

After her nurse's training, while living in a Navigators home, Helen became engaged to a Christian man, but she had no peace. The Holy Spirit spoke to her: "Take off the ring:" It was difficult, but she obeyed. "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26), she pledged as she committed herself totally to God. "Lord, I'm completely Yours. I'll do as You choose."

After graduation Helen found work in Seattle and attended a Brethren assembly, where she learned still more about waiting on God for His leading. A fear of missionary service was growing within her, yet she was afraid to disobey God. If I don't do what He wants me to do, He will withdraw blessing from my life, and I'll have nothing.

She still was certain of the missionary call but felt inadequate. She was afraid to meet missionaries, thinking they would see through her and recognize that she could never qualify for missionary service. At twenty-two, other matters troubled her, too. She worried about being single, about missing out on romance. She wanted to have a Christian husband-a marriage approved by God.

The realities of life interrupted her dreaming. Her mother had a stroke, and Helen went home to care for her. Another Christian man came into her life. Again she had no assurance that he was the one.

"Twice I've been sidetracked from doing Your will by my longing for romance. Today I vow that I will not date anybody for a whole year so that I can concentrate on preparing for the mission field." She put it in her little notebook and added "unless You bring someone into my life so obviously that not to see him would be disobedience."

Soon afterward Helen met Dr. and Mrs. Dick Pitman of Wycliffe Bible Translators, who urged her to attend the Summer Institute of Linguistics in North Dakota, where they would be teaching. Helen applied, but Wycliffe wrote back requesting that she attend their linguistics program at Briercrest Bible Institute in western Canada.

But l want to go where my new friends are! Helen rebelled. The Lord again gave her what the Quakers call "a check from the Spirit:" Before she refused, she prayed. The answer was unmistakable.

"Maybe you'll find a nice young man up there," her mother suggested hopefully. She didn't want her dainty daughter going off to the wilds of a mission field without a man to take care of her.

"No, Mom, I am not going there to find a husband. I am going to study." And she set her heart and mind to do just that.

At Briercrest, in a class of only seventeen students, it was impossible not to notice the young man with the Dutch accent. After several weeks, Helen decided, "He is different!"

John hadn't overlooked the tiny American with the big brown eyes. She's the prettiest girl in the class. By the third week, concentrating on his studies was more difficult. Helen is to be my wife. Had God impressed this on him? John was confused. He had never dated, yet he had at times daydreamed about a small dark-haired girl-like Helen. Was this just his idea, or was the Lord really speaking to him? If Helen is to be my wife, God must have spoken to her also, he reasoned.

Helen was in bed, not yet asleep, when she became aware of the presence of the Lord. "I want John to be your husband:" The words were clear. She sat up in bed. "But, Lord, he's such a character!" And then the Presence was gone. Helen was awestruck that God had spoken about something so special to her.

"Why doesn't he speak to John?" She wondered when two weeks passed and John was not paying any attention to her. She knew the Bible said to "try the spirits:" So she prayed, "Lord, if this was You speaking to me, please give me one hour alone with John tomorrow:" She knew their days were fully scheduled. That was the day John decided he must get acquainted with Helen. After class he caught up with her and suggested a game of Ping-Pong before lunch. After the game, as they walked to the dining room, he asked, "Could I have one hour with you this afternoon?" Helen was stunned. One hour-today! It was exactly what she had prayed for! That afternoon, they walked on the prairie. "Helen, I have been strongly affectioned toward you in my heart," John announced in his Dutch accent. "It has been interfering with my studies. So I asked the Lord if it was not of Him, would He please take it away. And if it was of Him to give you the same conviction also."

"Oh yes, God told me that you are going to be my husband," Helen replied matter-of-factly. John was dumbfounded. For several moments he continued to chew on a straw, smiling speculatively at Helen.

"In that case, we'd better spend some time together!" He finally concluded. Students and faculty thought the idea was hilarious and teased them endlessly. "What an unlikely pair," they thought-and said. "I've never seen two persons more opposite in personality, temperament, and background. You will have many problems," a professor warned. In spite of counsel and clucking, Helen and John remained confident that the Lord had arranged it all.

Dear Lord, We pray today that our ears and eyes would be open to what You are telling us. Help us not to go ahead on our own but to trust You fully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Are You Really In Control?

John 15:5 (NIV)

Apart from me you can do nothing.

Summer 2011/2012 in the Southern hemisphere was greeted by heavy flooding in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Some areas received 15.5 inches of rain, more than what they received in any given month, in just 48 hours. The rain persisted as if it had no end. It flooded State Highway 2, as well as numerous other roads in the region. Warning signs were placed on every road implicated in the flooding, hoping to deter disaster for anyone who was unaware of the possible dangers.

One couple drove right by those menacing warnings. They thought they were in control, and nothing could stop them. Once near Whakatane however, their vehicle was swept away by the current.

As it happened, the passenger lowered her window just in time. It was a gesture that would save them. With difficulty, they were able to swim to the bank, where they remained, shivering with cold, until authorities could come to their rescue. Not only had they lost they vehicle, they also faced the wrath of authorities for putting their lives, as well as the lives of those who were implicated in the rescue operation, at risk. Too late they realized that truly no human can be in complete control.

Adam and Eve also realized this same truth. The very first temptation in Eden was about control and pride: "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:5 NIV)

Jesus was tempted in the same way, though He never fell into temptation: "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." (Matt 4:3 NIV) It was again an urge from the evil one for Jesus to prove Himself by taking matters in His own hands.

The second temptation wasn't any better: "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" (Matt 4:6 NIV)

The third temptation appealed not only to control, but also to the pride of possession: "The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.'" (Matt 4:8-9 NIV)

Even today, most, if not all of us, fall for this same trick: We are tempted with issues of control and pride.

Sin is not just disobedience and doubting God. It especially involves taking matters into our own hands with the goal of being in total control. We are in the driver's seat, and if you don't like our driving, you can get out! It's all about: Me, Me, ME!!!

Jesus came not only to save us from ourselves, but also to demonstrate that real living can only be obtained by leaving all of our control issues in God's hands. He is the One who knows best. He cares for us better than we can possible care for ourselves. He is the One we must leave in charge. With Him, we truly have nothing to worry about. He will take care of us!

Dear Lord, help us daily to leave all control to You. From now on Lord we want You to be in the driver's seat. Thank You for being our guide in all things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.