Competition... a healthy test of our Faith.

As we continue with our theme of Focus, with Christ at the center of all we do, I have been led to share some thoughts with you about how we handle the competition that is provided through sports. I have always enjoyed competition, as I am sure most of you do as well... but it never ceases to amaze me at what competition can do to us. It can seriously make us crazy at times. As I think back to my own athletic career, there are many things that I did or said that I would like to have a "redo" on because I let the intensity of the competition get the best of me.

I have been convicted lately on what it truly means to keep my focus on Christ, which never gives us an out. The Bible does not tell us to honor God with every breath unless we are in a close basketball game, or to glorify Him with everything in us unless we just lost a big game because of a blown call. Whatever the circumstance, good or bad, there is no out for us as coaches or athletes... in all we do, we are called to keep our focus on Christ, and to love one another in the same way that He first loved us.

All of these thoughts have led me to a verse that I am going to use for this weekend's devotion...

Examine youselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you
not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5

I truly believe that athletics are very important for many reasons, but we often don't think about how effective athletics are as a guage of our spiritual health. In this verse Paul is challenging us to examine and test ourselves to see if we are in the faith. For many of us, this happens each time we coach a game at the Community Center. Let me challenge you, that when tested by the intensity and dynamics of competition, you pass the test by keeping your focus on Jesus. By keeping our focus on Jesus, we rely upon His strength and do not compromise the Christ-like Character that we are called to live by as Christians.

When we pass the test each game day, we are modeling what it truly means to live a life focused on Jesus to our teams. With young impressionable people on our teams, it is absolutely critical that we pass this test that Paul is referring to... it is a matter of eternity as we share the love of Christ with others.

We love you all, and we are on this journey together. If I can serve you in any way, please let me know. See you Saturday.

Brody

The One

Just like you heard in Saturday's devotion, we are now trying to answer the question "Why Jesus." As we challenge people to a season of focus on Jesus, I want to make sure we understand who He is and what He did for each of us. Saturday we watched the video called "The One" that took us through all the reasons that Jesus is worthy of our praise and reverence. Without the Gospel message... the good news that Christ was sent to die for our sins and then rose again...we have no eternal life. Not only was Christ sent to be the sacrifice for all of our sins, but He still desires to have a personal relationship with each of us today.

Speaking from my own journey so far, it is amazing how different life is while putting Christ first vs. putting myself and others before Him. I mess it up often, but during the seasons of life where Jesus is the #1 focus, everything else comes into the proper perspective. Living with an eternal focus definately makes the craziness of life seem less stressful and more manageable. It is my desire through the coaches challenge and through this blog that we collectively learn more about who Christ is and understand the importance of putting Him first.

Let me encourage you to stay the course with the coaches' challenge reading plan.

We will be reviewing John 14:6 before each game during the week to follow up with last Saturday's devo with the kids. Thanks again for all you do!

Serving Together.

Brody

Another Inside Stuff Game Season is Off and Running!

2009 Basketball Coaches:

Once again it is truly a joy and pleasure to serve with each of you. I understand how difficult it can be to balance all of the activities of life while adding a commitment like coaching a youth sport. This week in your practices just keep stressing our theme verse for the season, which is...

Hebrews 12:2

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."

Let me encourage you to repeat the verse to your team at the end of your practice and then have them say it together out loud.

Also, I hope your journey through the life of Christ in the Bible is going well. If you have gotten off track by a day or two (like me), do not give up. It is easy to get back on schedule because the passages are not that long. In order to have a focus on Jesus, we must first understand who He is and what He did!

Have a blessed week and email me at bhillman@carolinaforest.org if I can do anything at all to serve you.

Rock on.
Brody