January 12th, 2024
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
My dad was a HUGE sports fan, and he got us signed up for every sport we could try as a kid. He wanted us to find one that we could connect to and hopefully do throughout our elementary, Jr High, and High School years. We played baseball, soccer, and basketball. None of them really stuck, and it wasn’t until my freshman year of High School that I discovered football. In the spring of my eighth-grade year, the varsity football coach came to our school to encourage any boys who were interested in football to come to a meeting and get information about summer training, tryouts, and two-a-day practices. I’d never really wanted to play football, but I decided to try out.
I fell in love with it. We had early morning weightlifting and training all summer, and I started to gain some muscle. Tryouts were later in the summer, and I was on the team as a defensive back and wide receiver. When two-a-days started, I never realized how much I liked the physicality of football, hitting and getting hit. I still remember my first big hit in practice and the cheering of my teammates as the play happened. As the season went on, my playing time went up, and I really started to get excited about being on the field and getting in on the action. Then the last game of the season came.
I can’t remember if it was the last play of the game or one of the last plays, but that play essentially ended my football career. I was playing defensive back, and I had shut down my receiver the entire game. He didn’t have a catch and hadn’t been able to block me the whole game. It was easily my best game of the year. Then it happened. The ball was snapped, and as I was going to jam the receiver to keep him from getting a clean break, he rolled into my legs and both of my knees hyperextended. My football career then came to a painful halt.
When I rode home with my dad that night, I was in tears. My heart was broken, and I wasn’t sure what was next. Thankfully, my father spent that evening encouraging me not to lose heart. He prayed over me. He took the time to make sure I didn’t go down the road to depression. His encouragement kept me from losing it. That night, I learned what a good father does when his child is hurting.
God’s Word does that. As we’ve already seen, God’s word guides, convicts, and connects us. Fortunately, though, it also encourages us. When we are at our lowest, God’s Word is there to pull us out of the mire.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
When we’re anxious, we can turn to the Bible to give us peace.
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7
When the money is tight, and we aren’t sure how we’ll get by, God’s Word gives us hope.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Matthew 6:31–34
When we experience great loss, we can turn to the Bible to find relief from our mourning.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38–39
When we’re struggling to find the strength to continue, we can find the encouragement to keep going.
…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
When we aren’t sure about our future, God is.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
No matter how difficult the situation or how bleak the future looks, God’s Word is there to encourage you to move forward without fear or anxiousness. We have a good Father who wants the best for us, and He wants us to know that He loves us and has our back. Regardless of our circumstances, He needs to be the one we lean on in times of hurt and trouble. Thankfully, His Word is there to give us the encouragement we need.
I fell in love with it. We had early morning weightlifting and training all summer, and I started to gain some muscle. Tryouts were later in the summer, and I was on the team as a defensive back and wide receiver. When two-a-days started, I never realized how much I liked the physicality of football, hitting and getting hit. I still remember my first big hit in practice and the cheering of my teammates as the play happened. As the season went on, my playing time went up, and I really started to get excited about being on the field and getting in on the action. Then the last game of the season came.
I can’t remember if it was the last play of the game or one of the last plays, but that play essentially ended my football career. I was playing defensive back, and I had shut down my receiver the entire game. He didn’t have a catch and hadn’t been able to block me the whole game. It was easily my best game of the year. Then it happened. The ball was snapped, and as I was going to jam the receiver to keep him from getting a clean break, he rolled into my legs and both of my knees hyperextended. My football career then came to a painful halt.
When I rode home with my dad that night, I was in tears. My heart was broken, and I wasn’t sure what was next. Thankfully, my father spent that evening encouraging me not to lose heart. He prayed over me. He took the time to make sure I didn’t go down the road to depression. His encouragement kept me from losing it. That night, I learned what a good father does when his child is hurting.
God’s Word does that. As we’ve already seen, God’s word guides, convicts, and connects us. Fortunately, though, it also encourages us. When we are at our lowest, God’s Word is there to pull us out of the mire.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
When we’re anxious, we can turn to the Bible to give us peace.
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7
When the money is tight, and we aren’t sure how we’ll get by, God’s Word gives us hope.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Matthew 6:31–34
When we experience great loss, we can turn to the Bible to find relief from our mourning.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38–39
When we’re struggling to find the strength to continue, we can find the encouragement to keep going.
…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
When we aren’t sure about our future, God is.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
No matter how difficult the situation or how bleak the future looks, God’s Word is there to encourage you to move forward without fear or anxiousness. We have a good Father who wants the best for us, and He wants us to know that He loves us and has our back. Regardless of our circumstances, He needs to be the one we lean on in times of hurt and trouble. Thankfully, His Word is there to give us the encouragement we need.
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2024
January
What Is Prayer?AdorationConfessionThanksgivingSupplicationScripture Is The Word Of GodGod’s Word Guides UsGod’s Word Convicts UsGod’s Word Connects UsGod’s Word Encourages UsWhat Is Worship?Worship In Our WorkWorship In Our FamilySunday WorshipWorship Even When You Don't Want ToWhat is Fasting All About?Giving God Our Meal TimesEmptied of Ourselves and Filled with ChristFasting Develops FocusFood Is OverratedGod Is NOT In The FireJesus Sneaks OffWe Make Our Own Noise
February
We All Need SpaceGod Is Not Santa ClausWith Great Blessing Comes Great ResponsibilityCan Stewardship Be Scary?Filling the Need When We See ItIt's All His AnywayTime Is NOT On My SideWe Need Each OtherDevoted To The WordBreaking Bread TogetherGroup Conversations With GodFour Hands Are Better Than TwoLet’s Keep It SimpleOnly Take What You NeedSlow DownThe Great PurgeA Simple MessageGod’s Word Is A WeaponDo You Have A Game Plan?What You Remember Most Matters MostStart With the Basics
March
April
Sin Is RealDistraction Leads to Cover-UpWandering In DisobediencePride Comes Before the FallI Do What I HateThe Beauty of RedemptionRedemption Has A PriceWe Need To Claim Our PrizeYou Gotta Have FaithEven When You Look Like a Fool….God Will ProvideTrust the ProcessI Forgive YouGrace Is Free, But It Isn't CheapI Was Wrong, You Were RightThe Mob
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