God desires for us to radiate His character in our lives, to allow the presence of Christ to flow from
our hearts. Colossians 1:27 says:
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
our hearts. Colossians 1:27 says:
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
(The "them" here is the saints, those who belong to Christ.)
28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Christ in us - what an amazing concept! God sent His Son, Jesus, so that we might accept Him and allow His resurrection power to raise us up to new life. And, He has filled us with His Holy Spirit and we can have the assurance of His indwelling presence each day. His presence will cleanse us and produce in our lives Godly character. He will lead us according to His truth and grant us wisdom as we depend on Him.
God is calling us to a surrendered life, and Jesus paints a powerful picture in John chapter 15:
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Maybe you caught Bryce Johnson's recent interview with the Panthers' Jerricho Cotchery on Unpackin' It, which is heard Saturdays at 11:00am on Faith Radio. The Christian Post published a transcript of the interview. Bryce asked Cotchery: "...What has God been personally teaching you throughout this season? What's something that's been on your heart throughout the year?"
Cotchery responded:
"I thank God every day for where I'm at ... for blessing me with these abilities," he said. "I'm thankful for Him because He blessed me with this. I feel like I'm anointed to do this. That's why I play the game, also for my family."
So, it's good to know that behind the scenes, even in a spectacle like the Super Bowl, you have people of faith who are dedicated to exalting Christ in their lives - on and off the football field.
Just a couple of notes in reflecting on the Big Game:
Character counts. And, a proven way to developing strong character is to have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. His principles produce His fruit, and a person can have peace and order in his or her life through trusting in Christ daily. The expression of the presence of Christ can provide a compelling narrative for these guys who have been given such a powerful platform.
And, we can depend on the Lord to give us the wisdom to make good decisions. Luther Elliss made bad one, he was a victim of the Superman Syndrome. And, we can all fall into that - thinking that we know more than the One who made us. God knows who we are, what we are made of, and will lead us into the places where He desires for us to go in Him. He will position our lives, but we have to be willing to do according to His will.
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God is calling us to a surrendered life, and Jesus paints a powerful picture in John chapter 15:
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Maybe you caught Bryce Johnson's recent interview with the Panthers' Jerricho Cotchery on Unpackin' It, which is heard Saturdays at 11:00am on Faith Radio. The Christian Post published a transcript of the interview. Bryce asked Cotchery: "...What has God been personally teaching you throughout this season? What's something that's been on your heart throughout the year?"
Cotchery responded:
That as a Christian everything is always about grace. Not only when you are first saved, but throughout the entirety of your life — your growth as a man, as a husband, as a father, and even as a football player. It's all about grace.
Being undeserving is an understatement, but I am truly thankful for it and appreciate every moment. I thank God for everything that He is doing.In a piece on the Baptist Press website, Brandon Marshall of the Broncos is described as seeking to prioritize his life by faith, family and football.
And, then you have Denver Broncos chaplain Luther Elliss, who offers some insight on pro football players and traps they might fall into. Because he fell into them himself.
In a USA Today story, you can read this:
He didn't blow his $12 million in earnings as a pro football player on the high life of drugs and drink; he just made bad business decisions.
Elliss, who also serves as a transition coach for the NFL and speaks at the league's rookie symposiums, brings firsthand knowledge into the job of convincing players they'll one day lose their Midas touch.
"Everything they touch turns to gold. And usually they're pretty creative, hard workers, so they've been able to overcome things, any obstacle that comes to mind," Elliss said. "And even for myself, we had guys come over and talk to us about finances and gave us the statistics, it was like over 60 percent of the guys end up broke, divorced, homeless, without a job after you leave the game within three years. And I'm like, 'No, that's not me.'"
Elliss calls it the Superman Syndrome, which serves athletes well, but not in life away from the game.Elliss had been involved in a Christian church plant in Salt Lake City and said about his opportunity with Denver: "I've always had a heart for ministry...And I just thought if I could go back to the NFL, I would want to go back to minister, to love on these guys, and I can also share my experience and help them shape their future."
So, it's good to know that behind the scenes, even in a spectacle like the Super Bowl, you have people of faith who are dedicated to exalting Christ in their lives - on and off the football field.
Just a couple of notes in reflecting on the Big Game:
Character counts. And, a proven way to developing strong character is to have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. His principles produce His fruit, and a person can have peace and order in his or her life through trusting in Christ daily. The expression of the presence of Christ can provide a compelling narrative for these guys who have been given such a powerful platform.
And, we can depend on the Lord to give us the wisdom to make good decisions. Luther Elliss made bad one, he was a victim of the Superman Syndrome. And, we can all fall into that - thinking that we know more than the One who made us. God knows who we are, what we are made of, and will lead us into the places where He desires for us to go in Him. He will position our lives, but we have to be willing to do according to His will.
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