Are You Ready for Some Football? 5

"He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly"

Proverbs 14:29

Did you ever think about the fact that during a football game there are very few fights? With all the hitting and tackling and pushing and shoving the players control their anger. It is part of the game. They understand that if they do not control their anger, the team will be penalized, they can be personally fined or even thrown out of the game. That would be embarrassing for the team and the player and could cause them to lose the game.

God says that if you have control of your anger, you will have great understanding! Before you get upset and yell or say things that are not kind, try to think that if you say what you are thinking you will be penalized. What if what you say causes you to pay a fine? What if what you say throws you out of that relationship? Is it worth it?

Proverbs 10:31
The mouths of those who do right produce wisdom. But tongues that speak twisted words will be cut out.

Think first! Be wise! Speak healing

Are You Ready for Some Football? 4

Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount will be poured into your lap. It will be pressed down, shaken together, and running over. The same amount you give will be measured out to you. Luke 6:38

Leo Lewis graduated from the University of Missouri where he played as a wide receiver. After trying out with the St. Louis Cardinals and playing a year in the Canadian Foodball League, he joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1981.

Leo gives all the credit for his ability and talent for playing football to God. Leo says, "When I play football, I play for God. Imagine if your father came to watch you play. You'd want to play your very best and make hi happy. I know, that at every game, my heavenly Father is watching me play. Nothing motivates me more than to please Him by giving my best effort. God not only motivates me to do my best, he also picks me up when I fall short. He's there with me whether I win or lose.. Playing in the NFL, your team can be up one week and down the next. What a joy it is to know that whether our team wins or loses, God, along with my wife and children, will accept me and love me just as I am."

God cares for you just as much as he cares for Leo. he has given you abilities and talents to magnify Him. Will you use them for His glory?

Are You Ready for Some Football?3

It is better to have respect for the Lord and have little than to be rich and have trouble. Proverbs 15:16

A few years ago there was an Atlanta Falcons player that had great wealth and fame. He was well known, well liked and played exceptionally well. He had a great treasure! But then, because he did not fear the Lord, he did some things that were not acceptable. He eventually lost his job, lost his reputation and created a lot of turmoil. How much better would it have been if he had honored God? Remember that wealth does not necessarily bring happiness.

NFL-Baltimore Ravens

Since the Cleveland Browns are in the AFC North, I thought I could share some biblical insight for each team name…I will try not to be biased…especially for the Baltimore Raisins…oh sorry, Ravens. Must I remind you that this “raisins” team originally moved from Cleveland? Feel free to watch this three minute video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFuN3-DbM9w

Ravens are very symbolic in the Bible. My pastor has a sermon about ravens and doves. www.freechapel.org . The raven is a scavenger and hunter.  Pretty much eats garbage. Maybe I should just stop there….

No, here is a verse that sheds a good light on life! Ponder on this verse today-Luke 12:24  "Think about the ravens. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't have any storerooms at all. But God feeds them. You are worth much more than birds!”

Are you worried about a job loss? Are your bills piling up? Is God who he says he is? Has he changed? You are worth much much more to God and if he is who he says he is, God will provide. It is hard, I know. Trust me at this point in my real estate career….I know. But, I have this opportunity to tell you that you are worthy and He is able. Trust him, easier said then done sometimes but that is the basis of our faith. Believe and do not doubt.

Browns are "playing" Steelers

No comment on the title. No comments at all....

The following is from a devotional I did for Free Chapel's children's ministry monthly devotional on football. (http://www.freechapel.org/)

"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored." Proverbs 13:18

If you are to be a part of a football team you have a lot of work to do BEFORE you actually get to play the game. Every day you need to be at practice, do drills lift weights, eat healthy and learn the plays. if you are late to practice or do your drills incorrectly, your coach, who want you to be your best, may tell you to change your attitude, to be at practice on time "or else", or to do a drill over.

If you choose not to listen to the instructions you will eventually be cut from the team or asked to leave. If you choose to listen to the instuctions you will grow stronger and become a better player. That is what God wants from you. Listen to His instructions and you will be stronger and become better for His team,  the Kingdom of God. Choose not to obey His commands, don't read your Bible, don't attend church-and you will hurt your team. Choose wisely!

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Are You Ready for Some Football? I have joined a football pool with one of the lenders I use. It doesn't cost anything, which is good, because I haven't won anything yet. As a matter of fact, I haven’t even come close. Perhaps it is my method of choosing the teams. You see, the way I choose the winners has nothing to do with the teams EXCEPT for two. I choose the Cleveland Browns to win every week. AND, I choose whichever team is playing the Pittsburg Steelers. That is it. That is all I care about. Then for the rest of the selections I either choose all on the right one week, all on the left the next, every other one and so on, ….probably a little less technical then the others in the football pool.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwkl5q6AaS8

Just in case you get a little more attached and emotional about “your team”. Whether they win or lose, in the grand scheme of things, is irrelevant. It is only our walk with God that will continue to influence our lives for the rest of the week. These times we are living in seem to be especially hard. People around us are hurting. Struggles in all areas are defeating so many.  But, take heart! We know the one who has overcome!

Let me encourage you today with this-we are currently playing the game but the score isn’t even close. We have already won. Meditate on these words and celebrate your victory!

Psalm 44:5-7 

 ⁵ Through you we push back our enemies;
       through your name we trample our foes.

 ⁶ I do not trust in my bow,
       my sword does not bring me victory;

 ⁷ but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.

 
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 5:5
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Revelation 1:8   "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," says the Lord God. "I am the One who is, and who was, and who will come. I am the Mighty One."

Revelation 1:9  I, John, am a believer like you. I am a friend who suffers like you. As members of Jesus' royal family, we can put up with anything that happens to us.

Today, once again I am rooting for the Browns! Sorry Atlanta friends!