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1 Corinthians 9:24-27

^{” 24} Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! ²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. ²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

Have you ever been in those situations where you ask yourself why did I just do that, say that, or even feel the way I did? I know I have. I have done things in my life where I have told myself Christian you have to be smarter then that. I have had moments where I have told myself I can’t treat people like that. Have you felt this before? Of course you have your human, and that’s what humans do. We all mess up and do things, say things, and feel things that we don’t mean too.

How do we control our emotions, and actions? We have to spiritually discipline ourselves. We spiritually discipline ourselves by spending time in Gods word and prayer. This helps us connect with God, learn who he is, and teaches us how to act and respond with others. We can also worship and praise God which helps us in recognizing who He is and magnifies the glory of the King. Serving and giving is also another way to bring us closer to the Lord when we do it with the right heart and mindset. All of these acts are ways to spiritually discipline ourselves and walk in obedience. We should all make it an effort to spiritually discipline ourselves everyday.

Luke 8:11-15

“11 This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

Prayer:

Father, come and take over my mind, body, and spirit today. Come and have your way in my heart. Cleanse me from the inside out. Let me thirst for you every second of the day, and let my eyes stay focused on the plan that you have for me today. Lord I long to stand next to you in your presence, and shout “Holy are you God,” but help me to do a better job sowing the life that You have given me. Help me to do a better job following your ways, and living my life as an instrument for Your Glory. Lord come and take over me. Let me reap a harvest that honors You and brings glory to Your name. In Jesus name. Amen

Question: Are you giving it all to Him?

Luke 8:11-15

“11 This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

I got asked a question one time and it was this “If I can do anything in the world and money wasn’t a factor, what would it be?” I came up with some ridiculous answer and said “I would play video games for the rest of my life.” The real answer deep inside of me was this “I would serve the kingdom of God until the day that I died, I would give my possessions to the poor, I would do what ever God wanted me to do, I would love others how God loves me, and I would try and save as many lives as I could by telling them about the love of the Father.”

There might be some people that ask why would you do that, and my answer would be this?

I am passionate about the Kingdom of God because I understand that my life is a gift from God, and without Him I am nothing. I would also tell people because I know if I gave up everything and served Him with all my heart; I would be that much closer to the Kingdom of Heaven and that is my ultimate goal.

God loves us more then we will ever comprehend. There are so many obstacles that try to distract us from His love and doing what He has called us to do, but He is always ready to love us no matter what. God might ask you to lay everything down, and we have to be willing too. Sometimes in order for our roots to grow we have to be willing to dig deep and get rid of the negative roots that have gotten in the way.

Question: What negative roots do you need to get rid of?

Luke 8:9-15

^“9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, ¹⁰ he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ ¹¹ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. ¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. ¹⁵ As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

Jesus gave parables, so that people would think carefully about what He was saying. When Jesus taught in parables there was always a two part meaning to them. He told these parables to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to those who have ears to hear, and to conceal the truth from those who do not. One of the main reasons that Jesus gives this parable is because He wants to teach those who believe in God to persevere and stay obedient through Gods word.

Staying obedient and persevering is sometimes tough because there are so many things trying to pull us away from the truth of the Lord. The enemy is constantly trying to draw us away because He knows how strong the Lord can be inside of us. We create good soil in our lives when we hold fast and stay true to what God wants to do through us. Good soil is produced in our life when we stay consumed in His scripture, walk in the Spirit, fellowship, forgive, ask for healing, and love constantly. Holding up our cross takes perseverance, but we have the greatest example right in front of our eyes. That example is Jesus.

When we obey and persevere through the storm of life God wants to bless His children. Yes, we are supposed to reap good soil in our lives, but the Lord also wants to help His sons and daughters out. It’s like when farmers work hard to plant their seeds on good soil there is a great harvest in the end. Same thing applies with us. When we work hard to better the kingdom of God; God wants to bless us with an overflow of an abundant life.  The Lord is always looking for a way to help His children out when they stay obedient to His word.

Question: What kind of soil are you producing your life on? Do you know that being a Christ follower takes perseverance? Do you know that the Lord wants to bless you when you persevere and obey His word?

Luke 8:4-15

The Parable of the Sower

^“4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, ⁵ “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. ⁶ And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. ⁸ And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Purpose of the Parables

⁹ And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, ¹⁰ he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ ¹¹ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. ¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. ¹⁵ As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

Prayer:

Father, I pray that I would sow my seed on the surface of your heart. I understand that I am weak at times, and I need your help. Father, help me to bear fruit with patience and to stay strong to your word. I realize that I need you every second of the day. Please help me to be consumed by your Holiness. I am far from perfect and I need your good soil to root deep within me. Thank you for your unending grace, and always producing a fresh start. Father hear and anoint this prayer. I love you Papa God. Amen   

Question:

How are you sowing your seed?

Ephesians 3:16-18

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

What is prayer? Prayer is an act of humbling ourselves before God, connecting with Him, and sending out power to the Heavens. Prayer is a time where we demonstrate our selflessness and exercise our dependence on God. Prayer is a time to waste time with God, and to connect with Him in a Spirit filled manner. Prayer is a time to be filled with the Holy Spirit, worship God, build relationship, receive healing, ask for guidance, and the list goes on.

Some would say you have to pray a certain way, but I think as long as your humbling yourself before The Lord. It doesn’t matter how it comes out. God just wants to hear your heart, and you profess your dependence upon Him. Scripture clearly states that God already knows what you are going to ask before you even ask. Then, why should we pray?

We should pray because it brings us in relationship with a living God, and the creator of the universe. God gives us the ability to exercise free will. Meaning we can depend on God, or we can’t. Throughout the gospel we see many people depend on God, and you see this dependence because they built relationship with Him.

When we pray, God doesn’t want our religious baggage. He wants our hearts, and us to build relationship with Him. Relationship with God is us being in constant communication with Him. Through our communication with Him we our able to thank Him, ask for forgiveness, receive His Holy Spirit, ask for His protection, and invite Him into our business. Prayer is a gateway to God, and God loves to hear His children’s voice’s.

Question: Are you spending time in prayer?

Psalms 119:101-105 states, “I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter then honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.”

Sometimes we fall away from the path that God has created us to walk on. We try to do things on our own, or we let the world influence us in believing that we have to live in the now. Everyday we wake up, and go on with our lives is a new opportunity to fix what we have messed up. The Lords love is continues and it never gives up on us.

God wants us to walk in obedience with Him, so he can mature us into the person he created us to be. When we learn how to be obedient to the word of God, we realize that we never needed anything that ever pulled us away from Him in the first place. This life that we live is only for a short time, but eternity is forever. I know as for me I rather walk in the light, then follow the ways of this world. I have gotten a taste of and seen what God has to offer me, and it is more then the world will ever have to offer me.

Father, help me to walk in your path and to refuse the things of this world. It is so easy to get caught up, and help to remain still in the presence of your word. For when I fall off track from time to time that I would remember the greatness of your word and what you have taught me. Father refresh my heart with a simple taste of your heart. I desire to walk in your presence, but I need your help to do so all the time. Father, I thank you for never leaving my side. One thing always remains, and you are always faithful. Lord I love you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Question: Are you walking in obedience to Gods word? Do you know that God is always faithful and forgiving?

Isaiah 43:1-2

43 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
² When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.”

Fourtheen years ago I had just gotten to school, I was sitting in my classroom, and my teacher flipped on the television, so the class could see what was going on. The World Trade Center had been hit. I suddenly broke into tears, and I was in absolute shock. I was in absolute shock because a week before I was standing right underneath the towers looking up from the streets below in New York City. I thought to myself that could have been me and my family.

I remember this incident very vividly, and it still breaks my heart till this day. I still have the mental picture of people jumping out of the building, the planes crashing, the buildings collapsing, and the thousands of lives being taking away from this one incident. This day fourtheen  years ago was devastating, but I saw our country do something that I have never seen us do before.

Gods children reached out to God in away that I had never seen before. There was prayer going on everywhere, and people were reaching out to one another and caring for each other in a way that was breath taking. I know God never wants to see something like this take place. I guarantee it broke Gods heart more then anyone this day, but people were loving on another and reaching out to God how God wants us to reach out to Him.

God wants us to come to him in desperation, knowing that we need him, and asking for Him to get us through the fire of oppression. I think this is something that our world is missing big time, and that’s why we see so much devastation happening right in front of our eyes. It is time to open up our eyes, and run to God in a way that we haven’t ran to Him before. God waits constantly for His children to run to Him. He extends His hand to those who seek after His heart. We just have to be the one’s to seek Him to understand His heart.

The God of the universe will walk with you through the fire, will go with you through the river of difficulty, will be with you in deep waters, and will call you His own. Tell me that’s not an awesome God. If you are going through something today, or the 9/11 incident still hurts your heart. Do not be afraid to reach out to God and hand your concerns over to Him. You are a child of God the most high, and he wants to comfort every surface of your heart.

Question: Do you have trouble reaching out to God? How can you reach out to God? How can you reach out to someone else I need?

John 4:13-14

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Many of us spend are lives searching for what our purpose in life is. We search and we search, but we still don’t know. Some people know their purpose instantly, and some people live their whole lives searching.

In the verse above, the Samaritan woman had been searching her whole life. She had been searching for hope, freedom, grace, and even acceptance. While searching for all of this, she also finds purpose. Through the healing that takes place from her encounter with Jesus, we see her become an evangelist for the Kingdom. We see her become excited about what God did in her life, and she goes out and tells the other Samaritans. This woman was now living out her purpose after being broken, and searching numerous times.

I don’t know about you, but I can relate to the searching that this woman did. For most of my life I searched for purpose through other things. I searched through sports, women, partying, and even money. My purpose in life didn’t come until I finally surrendered my life too Jesus, and I let Him be my water of life.

God wants to define your purpose for you, but that means we might have to hand over some of our desires. Our desires get in the way of what God wants to show us, and even do in us. If you are searching, let God be your water of life. He will show what he needs to show you. He is a God that provides. We just have to let Him provide for us. He has already done the searching.

Question: What desires get in the way of God showing you His purpose for your life? Are you ready to hand those desires over?

Isaiah 64:4 “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!”

I truly believe in this scripture above. No ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God more powerful then our God. There is none more powerful then the God who created the Heavens and the earth. God is all powerful and all knowing.

Many of us try to find hope and strength in other things everyday. Sometimes it is God who we look to for strength, but sometimes it is things that the world provides. We look to things like the internet, unhealthy relationships, drugs, alcohol, money, or even things that will hurt us physically, or emotionally. These things do not help us understand the power of the one true God, and how much He loves us.

The end of this scripture, say”who works for those who wait for him.” Some of you have even been turned off by God, because you have never seen him move. Usually when you don’t see Him moving that is when God is moving the most. The scripture above says we must wait for him. Patience is hard for us to do because we are a creation that wants to see the process happen instantly. God wants believers that are waiting on him constantly.

Waiting is tough, but Gods power is tougher. I have seen God move through the miraculous, and I truly believe that God is stronger then anyone of your problems that you have going on. I guarantee God doesn’t want to see you go through the trials you have been through, but if you wait on Him and allow Him to work; you will see God move. God is more powerful then you can comprehend, and He wants to pour His power down on you.

Question: What is blocking you from watching the power of God move in your life?

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”(‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12-14‬ NLT)

Have you ever met someone that was completely perfect in every way possible? I know I haven’t. If there was such a person they need to walk around with a sign over their head that says “I’m perfect.” We need to understand that we aren’t perfect, and we are going to stumble along the way. Thank God there is grace in His glorious standards.

The Lord doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but we should work hard to do so on and off the field. Even though we will never reach perfection, we need to keep striving to do so. The Lord knows we’re going to mess up along the way. He just wants to see us put in our best effort when the struggles come our way.

As an athlete growing up I was always determined to be the best, but even the best athletes will never reach perfection. There’s always more work to be done. As a Christian, It kind of goes the same way except their is an eternal prize at the end of the road. Where perfection is all around you. That perfection is called “Heaven”, and that place is perfect.

Question: Are you striving toward the Heavenly prize that awaits you?

* Luke 2:41-52

“Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant. Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” (‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭41-52‬ NLT)

Practicing is very important. If we don’t practice how do you expect to grow as an individual. I know as an athlete you have to practice all the time in order to reach your full potential. You have to put in the work, listen, and even ask questions.

In the scripture above, even Jesus practiced what He preached at a young age. He sat with very intelligent religious leaders and asked questions and listened to their teachings. He also put in His input and practiced what the Heavenly Father was teaching Him. Jesus practiced before he got to the bigs.

As Christian men and women, we have to practice are faith. We have to ask questions, read, pray, listen to our teachers, and even put into action what we are learning. What good is it to learn valuable information, if we don’t share it and love on others? Practicing our faith is an essential part of us growing in our daily walks.

Question: Are you practicing your faith and what your being taught as a believer in Gods kingdom?

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

^“12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ No temptation^[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted^[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,^[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

When I was in high school I highlighted this verse inside my Bible, and it is a verse that has always stuck out to me since that day I highlighted it. I think it is a very important verse to read because a lot of the times we try to stand strong on our own, and take matters into our own hands. We try to overcome something that only God can overcome. When we try to take matters into our own hands, sin begins to repeat itself over and over again. God wants to take your temptation and turn it into victory in the heights of the heavens.

You are not the only person who is tempted in the way you are. There are many other people going through the same exact thing that you are going through at this very moment. Don’t beat yourself up because you are not a lone. This scripture says that God is faithful, and He stands strong for you when you allow him to. God is always ready to stand strong for you, even in your weakest moments.

Question: Is your freewill getting in the way of God growing in you? Do you know that God is ready to take the stand for you?

Prayer: Father, I pray for strength from above. I know I am weak at times, but Lord you are my strength. When I stumble Lord help me to focus my eyes and ears upon you, so I can conquer the mistake that I just made. Father I understand that I am weak at times, but pick me up when I fall Lord. When I try to take matters into my own hands let me hand my concerns and struggles overs to you Lord. Papa God I thank you for your love and mercy on me, and accepting me even when I don’t accept myself. Lord, I love you. Bless me and use me today father. In Jesus name, Amen.