Category Archives: Devotional

A youth devotion is an opportunity to plumb the depths of a deeper spiritual life by using a story, illustration, or real life experience to illustrate a Bible principle and entice the reader to apply it in a very personal way.

Devotional

Bait?

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One of my favorite pastimes is hiking.  

Southeast Asia has a wonderful variety of places to go. From tropical rainforest to incredible beaches, you can find it all here.  Another aspect that makes it such fun is that you meet travelers from all over the world. On a trip to Thailand, I was on a jungle trek with recently met friends from France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, and England. As we traveled we helped each other across rivers, through mudslides, and across rice paddies.  But one wonders how much commitment to that friendship would exist if one of us really got into trouble.

There is a story of two teens hiking through the Taman Negara in Malaysia. If you have ever been there, you know the jungle, a tropical rainforest, is fascinating but humid, and full of the worst of insects. Mosquito repellant is almost useless as the sweat of your body dilutes it and washes it away within minutes.  Yet Mosquitoes are not the only thing wishing to suck your blood… there are also leeches and other unpleasant irritants.

Fighting off the leeches these boys were traveling what seemed a trail when they discovered a cave in the hillside.  Curious, as are most teen boys, they entered the cave, with little thought of safety or of what might lie inside.  The cool dampness of the cave was a welcome retreat from the tropical steam bath outside.  The cave was bigger than expected and soon, the dim light from the entrance was no longer sufficient for them to see more than shadows. One boy thought he heard something ahead, but wasn’t certain.  Maybe it was just dripping water or his imagination. The jungle will do that to you.  Your imagination often plays tricks with reality.

Still, they pressed on, keeping their eyes and ears attentive just in case it wasn’t imagination, in case they were not alone. Suddenly, a large shadow loomed in the distance ahead.  Two luminescent eyes reflected the dim light, accompanied by the unmistakable roar of a Malayan tiger.  Awakened from a nap, the tiger was a bit grouchy — to put it mildly.  It was his trail they had followed and this was his den.  

Scared, the boys turned to make a dash for the entrance, when one of them dropped to the floor and started removing his hiking boots– soon to be replaced by his running shoes. While tying his laces, his shocked and frightened friend yelled at him, “Aiyaa! Chapat! Hurry up… Let’s get out of here! Why do you change your shoes?  We have little chance of outrunning that tiger… we might as well face it… we are lunch…”

Getting to his feet and beginning to run the first boy replied, “I don’t
have to outrun that tiger… all I have to do is outrun you.”

Ever felt like tiger bait?  

When things get tough, your friends forget you exist or worse yet, use you as a sacrifice to enable them to get out of trouble.  You get the blame for their actions. They vanish and you get left as tiger bait, left alone to deal with the problem.  Ever felt like a friend led you somewhere you might not have gone on your own, and then when things got difficult, left you.  Maybe it was sex, drugs, alcohol, smoking, or merely a small prank. But they escaped and left you to face the consequences.  It seemed a cool, pleasant, and enjoyable break from things but it turned dangerous. and when it did, you found yourself alone.

“Be controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8)  But even when you haven’t been quite as alert as you should, and you seem to be alone, in the dark, facing your worst nightmare, you need not fear.  One of the greatest joys of living as a Christian is knowing that Jesus will never leave you as tiger bait. To the contrary, he has sacrificed himself that you might escape the gnashing teeth and darkness, that you might escape death and walk again in the light. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13)  

Trust Jesus with the tigers in your life.

Devotional, Food for Thought

Be It unto Me According to Your Word

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christmas_mary“When the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her of God’s invitation to her to bear the Christ-child, there was a silence between the angel’s news and Mary’s response. In that silence, all the heavenly host became quiet and the celestial movement of the stars and planets ceased. In that silence even God himself leaned over from his heavenly throne and listened. The whole universe waited her reply. Then, when Mary said “Yes, be it unto me according to your word,” God smiled deeply while also shedding a tear, the angels began to sing, the heavenly host celebrated, and the cosmos had started once again.”

We will never know, at least not in this life, if Mary was the first one to whom this offer had been made. We will never know if God’s offer had been rejected before. What we do know is that Mary could have rejected the announcement.

I’m sure Mary may have had many ideas and expectations about what her life would be like. We all do. We knew she was expecting to marry Joseph. And then this angel shows up with a message from God that lays out a whole different plan for her future. To say that this was going to complicate her life is putting it lightly. While Scripture talked a lot about the coming of the Messiah, it didn’t include instructions for being the Messiah’s mom.

Mary is the ultimate example of a life yielded to God’s purpose. Mary puts God in the driver’s seat. But it’s one thing to see that kind of faith in a Biblical figure who lived 2,000 years ago. It’s another thing to live out that faith today, and walk in submission to God. True worship, True adoration, gives God control.

Let us rearrange our lives around the Savior. As Mary did!

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Devotional, Youth Sermons

Superbowl Christians – Spiritual Lessons for Youth from the Game of Football

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It’s going to be Superbowl Sunday this weekend and we’re sure your youth are excited to be watching the game. Why not make it an opportunity to share something about how the game relates to their spiritual lives? Even if you don’t watch football, the lesson is applicable to most sports. Have a great weekend!

An Illustration

While you might not think of your Christian life as a football game, the Bible does use sports to teach about spiritual truths. In Biblical times they might not have had American football games or superbowls but they did have athletic competitions.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul writes, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

In Hebrews 12:1-2 we read, “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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

“Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5

The sports may be different, but you’ll find some things in common with American football if you read the verses carefully. You’ll find running, a prize, winning and losing, competition, training, goals, fighting or struggle, opposition, spectators, obstacles and hindrances, focus and rules. Even so, there tons of lessons we can learn from football.

Take It to the Next Level

COMPETITION is part of the Game

By nature, sports are a competition. But to compete you must be in the game. Just as a coach chooses players to be in the football game, God has chosen us. Our competitor is focused on our defeat (1 Peter 5:8). But we also compete against ourselves. And it is sad to say, but just like in real life football games, most of the people in the stadium sit in the stands. Then there are those who are on the team, but sit in the bench. Most of us would prefer rest on the bench (or pew) and observe the game – both with encouragement and more often with criticism about how others are playing on the field. But God doesn’t call us to be spectators, but participants. Our field is the world (Mat. 13:38), and our goal is to win it for Jesus Christ. Sure, some will have a special call to play a bigger role, but everyone is called onto the field to play. Even if you may not have a key role a particular play, you must still be ready at a moment’s notice to dash onto the field and play your part when the coach calls your number to be on the field. You must clearly know your position, train, and practice your plays to be best prepared for that moment when you might be called upon to make a difference in the game (1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 4:1-5).

There are RULES to the Game

The football field is laid out in ten yard increments, has boundaries, and there are rules to the game. The boundaries are there to keep us in the game. The 10 yard markers are there not as the object, but as a point of reference as we move toward the goal. If they weren’t there, we wouldn’t know if we were heading in the right direction or running to the wrong goal. God’s laws and the 10 commandments function in much the same way. They keep us in the game and give us points of reference for gaining or losing of ground. Violating the rules results in penalties and may even take us out of the game for a while. There are turnovers and fumbles as well. Yet when we compete according to the rules, and are victorious in our efforts, we will receive a prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Our TIME on the field is limited

The clock is counting down. The game of football is played in four quarters with a set time limit. The wise player, especially the quarterback, will keep his eye on the clock and make the most of his time. The same is true for us as Christians, but unlike the game on the football field, we can’t see the clock. We don’t know how much time is left. This makes it even more important for us to value our time and make the most of it. The Bible commands us to redeem the time, to make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16) rather than waste it. In fact, if you think about the world today there is not much time left on the clock. In fact, it’s already the fourth quarter, down to the two minute warning, and now it’s up to us to play our part win another one for the coach. Things may seem dire. But in life, just like in football, nothing is impossible, everything can happen. You should not slack or give up until the referee blows his whistle and declares the Victor.

TRAINING is essential for Victory

In football there is an in season and an off season. During the off season the team works on the fundamentals to get ready for the big games during football season. They train for the big games ahead. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 2 Timothy 4:8 “Be ready in season and in the off season” 2 Timothy 4:2. “There is a season and a time to EVERY purpose under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. There are times in our Christian walk when we experience seasons of rest. They’re not for us to be idle, but to prepare ourselves spiritually, to grow, to draw closer to God.

GEAR up for the Game

In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul gives the team the pre-game pep talk and reminds us to check our football gear. He’s talking about gearing up for battle, but football players also gear up for the game. If he’d been thinking about football he might have phrased it this way, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the uniform, so that you can take your stand against the opposing team… Therefore put on all of your gear so that when the game day comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the shoulder pads of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the shoes of readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the face mask of faith, with which you can conquer all the opponents’ plays. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, your playbook, which is the word of God. Let’s all commit the game to God as we kneel for a locker room prayer, that we might prove victorious in this game.”

We strive for the GOAL

It is not enough to simply be in the game. It is not enough to simply overcome the enemy. Out goal is to score one for the team. And another one. And another one. Touchdown after Touchdown. In life, the goal may seem at the far end of the field. It can be difficult to keep moving forward. It may seem that every time you run a play you get knocked down. Sometimes you may even get sacked. The solution is not to focus on where you have come from, but where you are going. “Press on toward the Goal.” Philippians 3:14 And while touchdowns are great, as Christians our goal is to do more than simply score, but to be the player the Head Coach has chosen us to be. We must be always moving forward, never fumbling the ball, and always gaining new ground. If we do stumble and fumble, we are to recover the ball quickly and press onward. If we step out of bounds, or get the wind knocked out of us, we must get back in the game and focus on the Coach. And even if you are tackled for a loss, When you are focused on Him, and run the plays He calls, you’ll find yourself moving toward the goal.

We don’t play alone, but play as part of a TEAM

Football is a team sport. You don’t win it alone. When the team is working in harmony under the direction of the coach things will happen. There’s are star players, but the star players cannot function without the core team. They need blockers, the need linemen to open up opportunities in the defences. There is an offensive team, a kickoff team, a team of receivers, and a defensive team and each are critical to a win for the team. There is no individual victory, only the victory of the team. Only when all players, from the starting quarterback, the receivers, the linemen and the person playing his part in even the smallest position work together, does the team run a successful play. Likewise, every believer has a unique role and a part to play in the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 12:4-6; 12-20)

The Victors receive a PRIZE.

It’s not Super Bowl rings, but the crown of eternal life Christ that we seek. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Make it Practical

Are you in the game?
No one in the crowd ever gains a yard on the field. No one in the crowd ever adds a single point to the scoreboard. The game is played and won by the players on the field, and not by anyone else. Are you in the game or a spectator? Just being a Christian isn’t enough. You are called to be on the playing field, not in the stands or on the sidelines. Are you on the field playing the game and gaining ground for Jesus Christ or are you merely watching the game? The clock is ticking away, and time is running out. Get in the game before you lose your chance forever!

Scripture References

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
– 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
– Hebrews 12:1-2

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:12-14

“Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”
– 2 Timothy 2:5

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
– 1 Peter 5:8

“The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one.”
– Matthew 13:38

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
– 1 Peter 3:15

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
– 2 Timothy 4:1-5

“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
– Ephesians 5:16

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
– Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
– Ephesians 6:10-18

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:14

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
– 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Devotional

Having Failed Myself

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“Having Failed Myself”
By Bob Perks

By some statistics many who made resolutions for the new year
have already failed at some if not all of them.

I’m here to remind you that’s okay.

Failure is an event not a person.

We put way too much emphasis on the first day of the new year
anyway.

As for setting goals, we also place too much on the first day of
the month or Mondays.

I remember when I was in sales, we struggled with getting people
to commit to something as we got closer to the holidays each year.

“Well, let me think about it.  Call me after the holidays.”

Then there was vacation time.

“As soon as I get back from vacation.”

The truth is, most people spend more time planning their vacations
than they do planning their life.

We are all procrastinators in some way.

So, when is a good time to begin?

How about right now?

Whatever resolution you may have failed to keep can be started again
and again, at any time if it is for all the right reasons.

Whether it be a change in diet, attitude, exercise, finances,
relationships or simply to read more, play more, rest more,
there is no better time to begin than right now.

Obviously, you have chosen something that you believe in.  By failing
to follow through on that belief you may be revealing the real truth.

You don’t believe in yourself enough to make it happen.

Now is the time to begin.

Permit me to ask you this question.

If you had failed God in any way when should you ask for forgiveness
and change your ways?

Monday?  The first of the month? After vacation? After you do it wrong
a few more times just to get it out of your system?

No!  God would want you to do it now.

What you failed to accomplish in these first days of the new year may
not be an actual sin against God.  Still, He wants you to be happy, to
thrive, and to be all you can be.

So, if those changes, those resolutions you made would make you a better
you, isn’t that what God expects of you?

When you were born He made the best possible you.

He then expected you to live up to it and grow into the plans He had for
you from the very beginning.

Here’s the best part.  Everyday that you wake up He gives you another
chance to begin again.  He closes the door on yesterday and opens
the door to today.

You know what you have to do.  You know why you should.  You also know that
you can.

It’s not just another day, it’s another chance.

“I believe in you!”

by Bob Perks

Bob is an Inspirational Columnist for Beliefnet
http://www.beliefnet.com/author/author_148.html
and you can visit his site at http://www.BobPerks.com

Devotional

God’s WORD for Youth: Choices

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“Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” – Mark 8:35

What are the prizes in life worth winning? This is the question that haunts me.

I don’t want to rush through life pursuing one thing after another, only to find in the end that the only prize worth choosing is the prize I’ve managed to lose. I could spend my whole life collecting the nicest clothes, the smartest car, or the most notorious name in history and still lose my own soul.

Jesus asks me even harder questions. What am I willing to die for, or what in my life must die so that I can truly live? I may not always choose the easy ways; in fact, at times I will need to make hard choices. Some may be choices for which I even choose to die.

The path I see before me is full of choices. As a capable young adult, I look at the future and choose those vocations and avocations that are worthy of my time and calling as a person of God. I sort out what is important and put my efforts there.

Today I choose prizes worthy of my calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Devotional

God’s WORD for Youth: Relationships

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“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” Hebrews 1024-25a

Relationships are critical for youth.  We can’t survive without relationships some casual, some close, and some intimate. It’s important to have shared moments and experiences and simply to be present for another person. This communion with other people is a celebration of life and God which lifts my spirits and lets me know that I am not alone. Companionship is essential if I am to continue to make progress in my journey of discipleship. Being there for someone and knowing someone understands my fears gives me strength to go on.

Each day I look for opportunities to give of myself as well as to receive what others have to share. I set aside time to be with my family, friends, and faith community. I have a primary responsibility to myself and the people I care about to spend time in their presence and to share myself with them.

I find growth and affirmation in the company I keep.

Devotional

God’s WORD for Youth: Giving

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“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” – Matthew 10:42

Today I give a cup of cold water. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, this means I extend myself for other people, especially children. When I see a need, I reach out to help. I am fully aware of what’s going on around me, and I see the opportunity for service along the way.

At one time I looked at all the injustices and waited for God or someone else to fix whatever was wrong – and perhaps even to fix me. I believed that God could make everything all right and that all I had to do was sit back and watch it happen.

The truth is that God’s work takes place through me as well as through others. When I recognize my responsibility and accept oneness with all God’s creation, I take the first step toward the healing of myself and the world I live in.

Today I give a cup of cold water and become part of the healing process. Today I live in hope as a person of the light. I, like John, tell others about the light I’ve found, joyfully inviting them to explore this light for themselves. Especially when I enter into places of darkness – hopelessness, abuse, hatred, or war – I share the light that is a part of who I am as a Christian.

In the darkest corners of my life there still may lurk dark shadows, menaces, and threats. Darkness separates me from my neighbor or friend. When I step into darkness I cannot recognize the trouble within.

Today I step out of the murky shadows and experience the wonderful light that was lit when Jesus appeared in the world. In light I have hope, a new beginning!

Jesus was and is a light to the world. Only as I understand the darkness in which I once lived can I fully comprehend and experience the wonderful light of Jesus.

Today I have hope as I rejoice in the light of the world, Jesus Christ!

Devotional

Road Kill Grill

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Had a chuckle a couple of weeks back when this image of a dead raccoon was painted over on the Franklin Road in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA.  Reminded me of this menu that was circulating on the internet many years ago.

Roadkill Grill

The Roadkill Grill Menu

 

“A Taste of the Wild”

 

Appetizers

  • Fried Deer Hide
  • Rigger Mortis Tortoise
  • Awesome Possom Blossom
  • Critter Fritters
  • Bug Juice Soup

“Fender Lickin’ Good” Entrees:

  • Chunk of Skunk
  • Rack of Racoon
  • Smear of Deer
  • Cheap Sheep
  • Flat Cat
  • Wreck of Lamb
  • Squeal Parmigiana
  • Robin on the Hood
  • Alley Cat-serole
  • Baked Chicken
  • Squiche Lorraine

Canine Cuisines

(“Eat like a hog when you taste our dog!”)

  • Poodles and noodles
  • Slab of Lab
  • Cocker Cutlets
  • Ground Round Hound
  • Hushed Puppies
  • Rabbit of the Day
  • “Thumper on the Bumper”

Special:
“Guess that Mess”

  • Guess what it is and you eat free!

Desserts:

  • Road Toad Alamode
  • Armadillo Crunch

    •  
     

“Food is more fun when you hit it on the run!”

 
 

Unfortunately, many unsuspecting animals end up on the menu of the Roadkill Grill simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were in the middle of the road.

And there are many young people who are in danger of becoming roadkill too. That’s because they are “middle-of-the-road” Christians. They are neither on one side nor the other. They live for Christ when it’s convenient, then live for themselves or for the crowd when that’s more convenient. They are Christians on Sunday, but the rest of the week you can’t really tell which side of the road they are on. They are middle-of-the-road Christians.

The Bible says, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Also: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise they other” (Matthew 6:24). And further: “So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my moth” (Revelation 3:16). All of these Scriptures make the point very clear. If you are a middle-of-the-road Christian, you are roadkill.


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Devotional

Bible Lessons from the Olympics: Blind Focus – Im Dong-Hyun

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The athletic feats of the Olympics continue to astound us. The excellent displays of speed, strength, agility, and determination continue to inspire us. But there are few who are as amazing and inspirational as the less-than-perfect Olympians. We thought we’ve seen it all. A leg-less runner pretty much topped the list. Until we heard of a blind archer. Read on…

Blind Focus

 

On 27 July 2012 at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London a new world record score of 699 in archery was set. World records are broken all the time at the Olympics. But what makes this world record unique is that it was set by someone who is legally blind – Im Dong-Hyun from South Korea.

He has only 10 percent of normal vision in his left eye and slightly more at 20 percent in his right which makes him legally blind. In competition, he refuses to wear corrective lenses while shooting, because they make him uncomfortable. Instead he relies on his muscle memory and a slight difference in color in his blurred vision. At 70 meters, he sees only a blurred yellow blob, but says he has grown used to seeing the target that way. Dong-Hyun describes what he sees as being similar to different colored paints being dropped in water. The colors are not very distinct and the boundaries between them are blurred.

In spite of his less than perfect vision, he more than proved his ability to hit his target. Dong-Hyun’s sight may be impaired, but his vision is crystal clear – to win the gold at the Olympics.

Take it to the Next Level

 

The great men of faith in the Bible didn’t have perfect vision either; far from it. They were blinded and misled by lust, fear, greed, pride and jealousy. They were murderers, thieves, liars, adulterers, vengeful and power-hungry. They were pretty much as bad as the next person. Interestingly, the word “Sin” is actually a term from archery. When it says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” it means to “miss the mark,” to miss the target. Like these great men of faith, we were given one shot and we all missed by a mile.

We fell short of God’s plan for our lives, we missed the target, we sinned. But can draw inspiration from Dong-Hyun who overcame his physical imperfection to win his prize. He was blind but he didn’t let his condition control his destiny. Though it certainly took courage and perseverance, what I believe are two keys to his success are:
1. Focus – He doesn’t focus on his limitations, but on his target.
2. Reliance – he relies on the feel of the bow, a steady hand, and past experience.

Focus

Like Dong-Hyun, we can choose to overcome our spiritual imperfection. As Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14, to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. If we want to lay hold of all that God as in store for us, we need to shift our focus away from our sinful “disability” and focus on God’s supernatural ability.

But what made these men of faith great, what set them apart from the rest was their focus on God. Their sights were set on Him. Like them we must keep focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith and act, trusting that God will guide us to His intended target for our lives.

Reliance

In our attempt to live godly lives, we often depend on our own strength. We tend to rationalize, depend on conventional wisdom, try it on our own for a while and when everything falls apart, God becomes our “Plan B”. Dong-Hyun could have used corrective lenses. That would have been the logical, smart thing to do to overcome his “disability”. He might even have done better. But would his life have been as much of an inspiration if he did? We often wonder why God places limitations on us. Why do we still have to deal with sin even though Christ won us the ultimate victory, why do we still struggle with it?

God certainly isn’t a fan of doing things the conventional way. If He did, none of us would ever make the cut. We’re not perfect, we’re not the best of the best of the best. The irony is God very often chooses the weak, humble, and foolish things to show His glory through them. After all, if God always chose the “perfect people,” others would just as easily attribute their successes to their natural ability; nothing to do with what God has done.

So even though these men of faith led seriously messed up lives, once they trusted God enough to make Him the center, the bulls-eye of their lives, they accomplished amazing things. “However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him'” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

Scriptures Verses for Youth Bible Study

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
“However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him'”

Phil 3:13-14 (NIV)
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:23 (NIV)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Questions for Youth Discussion

  • Have you ever seen those circus sideshows where they try to hit a target blindfolded? How do you believe they do it?
  • Have you ever tried shooting at targets yourself? Basketball? Golf? Soccer? Archery? The rubbish bin? How good are you at hitting the target?
  • Why is it that God allows us to struggle with sin?
  • What are some common struggles that youth face? Christians in general?
  • What famous personalities do you know about that have had some pretty serious struggles?What was their story? Was it a triumph or defeat? Who did they turn to for help? What are some things they learned through their experiences?
  • Who are some of the Bible personalities who had some serious struggles? What were their stories? Was it a triumph or defeat? Who did they turn to for help? What are some things they learned through their experiences?

Application to the Lives of Youth

  • What are some struggles you have faced personally?
  • Who did you depend on in the midst of your struggle?
  • Did you overcome your struggles? Or are you still working through them?
  • Will you do anything differently, knowing what you’ve learned today?

If we’re willing to say, “God I know I’m not perfect but here I am, with all my imperfections, ready and available to allow you to work through me;” if we’re willing to make God our focus and depend on Him, willing to see beyond our past and fix our eyes on Jesus, the arrow of our lives will fly surely enough to hit God’s intended target and destiny for us. And we’ll leave our mark and legacy on the pages of history.

Get "Go for the Gold" Youth Bible Study SeriesGo for the Gold
Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
-> Tell me about “Go for the Gold”

Get "Destined to Win" Youth Bible Study SeriesDestined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”

Devotional

Bible Lessons from the Olympics: Downhill from Here

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Downhill from Here

Jean-Claude Killy, the French ski champion, did more than work hard at his sport.

When he made his nation’s ski team in the early 1960s, he was determined to be the best. He decided vigorous training was the key. Up at dawn each day, he ran up mountains with his skis on – a very painful activity. Weight training, sprinting…Killy was determined to do whatever it took to reach peak physical condition.

Other team members were working just as hard, and in the end it was a change in style, not conditioning, that set Killy apart.

The goal in ski racing is to ski down a prescribed mountain course faster than anyone else. Killy began experimenting to see if he could pare any seconds off his time. He found that if he skied with his legs apart, he had better balance. He also found that if he sat back on his skis when executing a turn, instead of leaning forward as was customary, he had better control, which also resulted in faster times. Rather than regarding his ski poles as an accessory for balance, Killy tried using them to propel him forward.

Killy’s style was unorthodox. But when he won most of the major ski events in 1966 and 1967, including 3 gold medals at the Winter Olympics, skiers around the world took notice. Today, the Killy style is norm among downhill and slalom racers. Any other “style” would be considered odd.

As Christians we are not called to conform to the world’s standards, but to God’s standards. Our lifestyle should challenge people to come to Jesus Christ and live according to His higher ways and purposes. The Christian “style” may seem odd to the unbeliever, but in the end, it is the style that will previal!

Don’t be afraid to be a little “unusual” today in the eyes of those who observe you. Your example may help win them over to a championship lifestyle.

This devotion is from “Breakfast with God.”

Get "Go for the Gold" Youth Bible Study SeriesGo for the Gold
Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
-> Tell me about “Go for the Gold”

Get "Destined to Win" Youth Bible Study SeriesDestined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”