Jesus
Do you know Jesus?
Jesus died a terrible sacrificial
death on the cross, to pay the penalty for our sins. Just like the
Passover lamb would be sacrificed, He takes away sin for all who believe.
Isaiah 53:5-6 says, But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our
sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we
could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have
left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of
us all. The problem with sin is that it separates us from God and
ultimately leads to death. We are given the option to choose life or
death. When we choose God, and His ways we experience life. The
bible describes it as abundant life (in this life and for eternity). When
we choose sin, we are accepting the consequences for our sin which the bible
describes as death. God loves us SO much that He left His throne in
heaven and gave up His glory AND died a humiliating death on the cross so that
we could have life. He only requires faith/belief in His Son. God
doesn’t discriminate. Everyone who believes upon His Son will be
accepted. It doesn’t matter what the sin a person has committed, when
that person believes on the sacrifice of Jesus, he/she is adopted into God’s
family.
Once we have believed, it is
important to develop and grow. He promises to give us His Spirit to guide
us and direct us according to His desire for us. When we read His word
and listen to His instructions for our lives He transforms our minds, wills and
emotions to change certain behaviors and patterns that were enslaving us.
He wants to bless us in so many ways.
Some things that help us to grow
are similar for athletes and believers:
1.
Equipment/Tools – clothing, bikes, swim fins, kick boards ~ the blood of Jesus, the bible, armor Rom. 3:25, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:22, Jeremiah 23:29, Eph.5:26, 1 John 2:5,
Jeremiah 15:16, Ephesians 6:11-20
2.
Fuel/Nutrition – protein, water, power bars… ~ the
bible, the Holy Spirit, prayer… Jeremiah
15:16, Col
2:19, 1 Cor. 3:2, 1 Cor. 10:3, Heb 5:12-14
3.
Training and Practice – practice, drills, workout routines ~ tests
and trials, discipleship, deliverance, follow His commands and/or teachings… 1
Cor. 9:25, 1Tim. 4:7-8, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, Titus 2:3-5 , Hebrews 5:14,
Hebrews 12:11
4.
Attitude and Motivation – humility and good sportsmanship, playing like
winners, endurance, encouraging words, paying attention to the time and focus
on the outcome and reward, playing for more than self ~ the mind of Christ, humility, authority over
the enemy, encouraging and edifying words and prayers, paying attention to the
time and focus on goals(the prize/crown)…, loving the body of Christ 1 Cor. 9:24,25, 1 Thess.
2:19, 20. & Dan 12:3, James 1:12, Rev. 2:8-11, 2 Tim. 4:8, 1 Pet. 5:1-4,
Rev. 4:10,11
5.
Preparation for future events – scouting report, experience playing the
opponents ~ prophecy, the word of God, experience in the
battles 2 Samuel 22:29, Psalm 18:32,37, 1 John 2:20, 27, Zechariah 4:6, Isaiah
54:17
6.
Respect for and Understanding of the Rules – wait for the starting signal,
listen to the officials, follow the designated course, read the rule book or
race outline of the rules, keep a clear mind without allowing obstacles to interfere
~ wait on the Lord, listen to His Spirit, follow the straight and narrow path,
read His word, prayer and deliverance … Psalm 27:14, Psalm 33:20, 2 Tim 2:15,
Matthew 7:14, Matthew 10:1, Mark 6: 7,13, Luke 9:1, Mark 16:15-18
7.
Good Teammates –positions (quarterback, guard, forward, center, puller, drafter)
roles (captain, substitute, cheer leader, rookie) or events of strength
(butterfly, free, back stroke, relay or breast stroke) ~ positions (pastor, teacher,
deacon, youth minister…) roles (encourager, exhorter, discerner, prophesier,
evangelizer, interpreter, heirs…) or events of strength (prayer, bible study,
teaching, deliverance…) Eph 4:11, Rom 12:5-8, 1 Cor. 12:4-14
Jesus says:
Revelation 3:20 (New King James Version)
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone
hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and
he with Me.
So why don't you open the door and
invite Jesus into your life today! It will be the best decision you've ever
made.
Please contact us at info@Jerseyrapids.org or Andrew@Jerseyrapids.org for more information or if you would like
to talk with someone about Jesus.
Thanks for reading & Be
blessed