GLORY Articles

Counteract the Loneliness Culture

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:30:01 GMT

Article by Sarah Freymuth, FCA Content and Storytelling Manager

In Jesus, we are never alone. He also gives us others to help along the way.

We long for community, for someone who sees us, knows us and sticks with us. That’s how we were created. And in a world that can quickly cancel from a word spoken or action taken, it’s hard to find community that keeps us held secure.

Loneliness is hard. We can feel left out in the locker room when teammates huddle together don’t include us in the conversation or invite us to dinner after practice. We long to celebrate as a team, but oftentimes, teams can feel divided. And when we see people posting about gatherings without us on social media, we can feel a sharp stab of being left out or forgotten.

The truth, though, is that we are never alone or forgotten.

“’The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.’” -Deuteronomy 31:8

You are never alone. God shows Himself to you through His Holy Spirit, who is with you and within you. Jesus also intercedes for you (Hebrews 7:24-25), always thinks of you, always watches over you and always seeks your good for His glory.

God also shows himself in the lives of the people around us. People can sharpen us, comfort us and give us perspectives outside of what we see that show us another part of God’s heart.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” -Acts 2:42

If you want to curl up and stay at home thinking I’m not good enough, no one wants to spend time with me, or I am alone, turn your thoughts toward these truths and counteract that feeling with the fact of God’s Word:

In God, I am of great value (Matthew 10:31).

I am dearly loved (1 John 4:9).

I am chosen (1 Peter 2:9).

God is close. He promises His presence, even when we feel alone. When it feels like no one has our backs, God always does.

“’And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” -Matthew 28:20

We know we aren’t alone with God. But what does it look like to combat the loneliness of going countercultural in a world where statistics, scheduled posts and seemingly spotless photos compete for our attention and to bring us down and look inward?

We switch our narrative and perspective to outward facing. We hope someone will reach out to us – but we can always take the first step and reach out, too. Invite a teammate to hang out after school or meet on a Saturday morning. Send a text to someone asking if they would pray for you. Join a small group or extracurricular club, or get into church and surround yourself with people who love the Lord and lean on His joy for strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

It’s important to cheer one another on through all stages of life, and it is good for us to fight for connection. We must run uphill, so to speak, and work against the urge to isolate. In a world where everything is at our fingertips and we find quick fixes on our phones, genuine community takes shape when we sit across from another person, look in their eyes, hear their stories and encourage one another in the goodness and truth of God.

“But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all you do.” -Psalm 73:28

Pray that God would bring people around you who can come alongside you in your sadness in your struggle to feel comfortable sharing your burdens and belly laughs; both are necessary. It is good when we are in the company of others who can lift us up, sit with us and spur us on into the life God has invited us into through His great plans and care.

Fellowship fuels us. Let’s go the distance together.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

Question – Where do you need to see God in your life right now? How can you ask Him to provide for you in this season?

Challenge – Bring your loneliness to God and speak His truth over your heart. Then, reach out to one person you think would be good to connect with and get together.

*If you read this article and aren’t in a relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR , which explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.

We want you to join us as we go through the Glory journey this year! Discover Chasing Glory, Received Glory, Reflecting Glory and Lasting Glory in your heart and purpose by diving into God’s Word and joining us through monthly content and challenges. Visit

and start today!

Seek God's Kingdom

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:30:06 GMT

Article by Daryl Sung, FCA Singapore Leader

To finish strong in the race of faith, we must be 24/7 Kingdom runners.

We all desire to echo Paul’s words:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” -2 Timothy 4:7

But what does this look like in our daily lives? Finishing well means aligning with God’s will, seeking His Kingdom first and stepping into the assignments He’s given us according to our unique gifts and callings.

As Jesus said, “’But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you’” (Matthew 6:33). A 24/7 Kingdom-seeker embraces this truth, fighting against self-interest and embracing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), while seeking to reconcile all to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) as part of living a godly life.

What’s your Kingdom assignment?

GOD'S PURPOSES, WAYS AND THOUGHTS ARE ALWAYS HIGHER

God’s plans are always higher than ours.

“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.’
This is the Lord’s declaration.
‘For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” - Isaiah 55:8-9

As athletes and coaches, we face intense training, competition and pressure to perform. We have to deal with authorities, parents, stakeholders, fans, families and all sorts of relationships. But in the midst of it all, God is constantly drawing us to see life through His lens. You must intentionally remind yourself that there is something more to life than other’s expectations or external pressures.

Why did He give you your gifts? Why did He place you on your current team or in your college? Why do you coach? What’s His purpose for you in this season?

As you reflect, God begins to reveal His Kingdom purposes. Whether you're training or competing, God is weaving His plan.

“Many plans are in a person’s heart,
but the Lord’s decree will prevail.” -Proverbs 19:21

What is your purpose in life?

IT IS ABOUT THE POSTURE OF OUR HEARTS

Jesus said the Kingdom of God is in us (Luke 17:21), which means our hearts, attitudes and beliefs matter to God. Running this spiritual race requires us to align our hearts with His Word daily.

We often seek God’s will for our lives. But Scripture teaches that God’s will is closely tied to the posture of our heart. He calls us to be joyful, prayerful and thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and to act justly, love kindness and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). Paul echoed Jesus’ teaching by describing God’s Kingdom as “righteousness, peace, and joy” (Romans 14:17).

What is the posture of your heart today?

ARE YOU READY TO BE A 24/7 KINGDOM RUNNER?

In the recent Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set a new world record in the 400m hurdles. Yet, her success wasn’t just about winning medals. She openly shared that her faith in Jesus drives her to be the best vessel for God’s glory. For Sydney, it’s not only about performance but also about her identity in Christ and how she conducts her daily life, living out her calling.

Are you ready to reset your perspective on God’s Kingdom assignments? To renew your identity and purpose in Christ? To refuel with prayer and Scripture? Let’s be ready to run with all we have for God’s Kingdom!

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

Question – What gifts or opportunities has God placed in your life, and how can you use them for His kingdom? How is your heart postured toward seeking God’s will daily?

Challenge – Set aside time to seek God’s direction for your current season in life. Ask Him to reveal His Kingdom assignments for you, and commit to taking one step in faith.

and start today!

What Are You Looking At?

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:30:02 GMT

Article by Jessi Giles, FCA South Dakota Representative

Where you fix your gaze and heart makes a difference.

Following every basketball season, I would make a highlight video of all my best plays. That video made me look really good. Of course, I didn’t include any missed shots or turnovers. It was a five-minute video of me doing all the right things and nothing wrong. I knew my mistakes in each game, but the people watching that video didn’t. They only saw what I wanted them to see.

Social media is just like this. People only post what they want others to see. It’s everybody’s highlight reels, their best selfie, the best part of their family vacation, the best part of their relationship. Just like I didn’t want to include the turnovers and missed shots in my highlight video, people don’t want to include the parts of their lives that are less than perfect.

The problem is that we compare everybody’s highlight reels to our mistakes. We compare other people’s filtered lives to our unfiltered lives. We see the best versions of somebody’s relationship, house and family, and compare it to the worst version of ours.

It’s the perfect tactic from the enemy because comparison has always been the thief of joy. When we compare ourselves to others, it’s a lose-lose situation. We either feel inferior or superior. We are either full of pride or full of condemnation. We get so focused on what we have or don’t have that we forget to focus on Christ.

Social media steals our attention from God. It distracts us from who God is. It distracts us from what God says about us. And it distracts us from how God calls us to live.

Jesus’ disciple Peter didn’t have social media, but he struggled with this exact thing.

During one of Jesus’ most important conversations with him, Peter got distracted by what God was doing in someone else’s life.

Jesus had just finished telling Peter how loved Peter is and how great of a role he will play in growing God’s Kingdom. Peter was face to face with the resurrected Jesus, having the conversation of a lifetime — until he saw someone else.

“So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, ‘Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’

‘If I want him to remain until I come,’ Jesus answered, ‘what is that to you? As for you, follow me.’” -John 21:20-22

As soon as Peter saw John coming, he completely forgot what Jesus said. He couldn’t help but ask, “What about him?”

Every time Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he lost sight of who God says he is. Sometimes, Peter saw people and circumstances more than his Savior, but Jesus kept reminding him of his identity and built his confidence.

The same thing happens to us all the time. We scroll on social media and get so worried about what God is doing in everybody else’s life that we miss what God wants to do in ours. We worry more about our followers than following Jesus.

When Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he did remarkable things. Because he had full confidence in Jesus, he also had confidence in himself and the mission Jesus gave him.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus and His great love, compassion and grace, we stand on a solid foundation and are reminded of His constant presence, rather than our ever-changing situations.

“Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12:1b-2

We must keep our eyes on Jesus. We must remember that we are called to follow Him first. Only when we do that will we fully see God’s promises and perfect plan for us and our lives.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

Question – Where have you been fixing your eyes: on Jesus, or social media? How can you shift your perspective and be reminded of Jesus today?

Challenge – Take a break from social media for a week. Use that time to get outside, call a friend, or read your Bible. See how your perspective and heart are after that time.

and start today!

Having a Kingdom-First Mindset

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:30:05 GMT

Article by Melissa Motes, FCA Northeast TX Ambassador

Build your foundation on the truth of God and seek His Kingdom above all.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

What we seek first reveals what we value most .

Let that sink in.

As coaches and players, what are we truly chasing? Are we looking at a scoreboard or a list of stats to tell us who we are and what we're worth? Our true value and identity come from Christ alone.

A Kingdom-first mindset shifts our focus from temporary achievements to eternal truths. It anchors our priorities, actions, and way of living in alignment with God’s plan and purpose.

SEEKING FIRST GOD'S KINGDOM

We all know that mindset impacts performance—think positively, and you play positively; think negatively, and … you know the results. But a Kingdom-first mindset goes much deeper than just positive thinking.

A Kingdom-first mindset can transform how we approach our sport, moving us beyond self-centered goals (the kingdom of man) to God-centered living (the Kingdom of God).

Our focus shifts from the scoreboard and physical training to advancing God’s Kingdom and fulfilling our unique role within it.

God’s Kingdom becomes our firm foundation and platform. When we build our lives on this foundation, we find stability and renewed purpose, no matter our challenges.

“’Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock.’” – Matthew 7:24-25

REARRANGING PRIORITIES

A Kingdom mindset calls us to prioritize God's will over our own, both on and off the court. Aligning our lives with God’s priorities means that everything we do points not to the kingdom of self, but instead to His Kingdom.

When our perspective shifts, so do our goals, relationships , and daily focus. Our main goal is no longer to play sports just for the sake of playing them, but to let God use our platform of sports to lead other people to Christ.

What does it look like to be a Kingdom-first coach or player? Maybe it’s setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to pray daily and spend time alone with God. Perhaps you are called to lead a team Bible study or serve in your church or youth group. Maybe it's simply being a light to those around you.

The final goal is to advance His Kingdom and show Christ to a hurting world, no matter where you are or what you do.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR YOUR NEEDS IN GREATER WAYS

When we embrace this Kingdom-first mindset, God promises to give us everything we need. We acknowledge that He alone is God, and we are not.

“… and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33b

Now, before you start your wish list, read that again. God will provide us with everything we need. This doesn't always mean material abundance, but can include peace, joy, renewed purpose and open doors of opportunity that align with His will. God has more for us than we can even dream up!

If you see God’s Kingdom as your way of life and shift your priorities to match, He promises to take care of your needs in ways that will surprise you and are beyond what you could imagine. His power is limitless, and His ways are far beyond ours.

“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21

Let us choose to build our lives on the solid foundation of God’s Kingdom and use the gifts He’s given us to glorify Him in all that we do.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

Question – How can you build your foundation on the promises and character of God? How might this help you build a Kingdom-minded mentality?

Challenge – Think of a challenge in your life that you’ve been struggling with. Bring it to God and believe in His power to move and work in it. Pray for Him to show up for you and strengthen your belief.

and start today!

Building a Legacy

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:30:16 GMT

Article by Sarah Roberts, FCA Atlanta Pro and Elite Director

You were created on purpose for a purpose.

It is a great feeling after high school tryouts when you see your name posted because you were chosen to be on the varsity team. Or when you get the call for the offer you had been wanting from the school you longed to attend. Or you get the call from the Board saying they would like to hire you as their head coach. We all have the deep desire to be seen, heard and valued, and we feel that validation when we are chosen for something or by someone.

We find even better news when we understand we serve a God who chose us from the beginning when He decided to create us in His image.

“So God created man
in his own image;
he created him in the image of God;
he created them male and female.” -Genesis 1:27

He created us to love us.

He created us to have a relationship with us.

He chose to bring us into existence.

We are CHOSEN.

And if we were chosen by God, we were created by God to live in His love and do great things for Him.

We see different people through the Bible who were chosen to complete certain tasks, and even though they were chosen by God, they still had to choose to say “yes” to God. For instance:

- Mary was chosen to carry and give birth to Jesus the Messiah.

- Moses was chosen to lead God’s people, the Israelites, out of Egypt and slavery.

- Joshua was chosen to lead those same people into the Promised Land.

- Paul was chosen to bring the Good News of Jesus to the Jews and the Gentiles.

These individuals would be considered the Big League players, the starters, the names we talk about the most. And then we have Bezalel .

“Moses then said to the Israelites, “Look, the Lord has appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He has filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every kind of craft.” -Exodus 35:30-31

And what was Bezalel chosen to build?

The new Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. The Tabernacle was the one place God’s people went to worship God, and the Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God. This was the most important job at the time, yet today, very few people know his name. But because “Bezalel made everything just as the Lord commanded….” (Exodus 38:22), God’s name is remembered, not his own.

When God chooses us to build something great with Him using the platform of sports:

1) Our gifts and talents are given to us not to build a pedestal for us but a platform for Him.

We live in a time where we think, “How can I get my name in the paper? How can I get my name out there for NIL deals? How can I boost my social media presence so people notice me?”

Instead, what if we used the game to share His light, not just get the spotlight? What if we used the game to share His greatness instead of ours?

2) Like Bezalel, our work may come through our hands, but it doesn’t come from our hands.

Our gift to play or coach may go through our hands, but it doesn’t come from our hands. Our gifts and talents work through us but do not come from us. Everything we have been given has been given to us by God.

And because of this,

1) We don’t get the glory—God does.

God gets the glory. Not because He needs it, but because we can’t handle it.

I have been a part of some amazing teams, and you know what makes them great? There’s not one superstar. It’s a team of superstars. At any game, someone different always steps up. Yet nobody takes the glory; they give the glory. We know every blessing that doesn’t turn into praise will turn into pride.

I can’t help but believe that with the Spirit of God, you have been given great wisdom, ability and expertise (Exodus 31:3) in different ways, and we have a chance to build something great with the Lord. We serve a God who chose to come to earth, die on the cross and rise from the dead so that we could be reconciled with God.

Will we choose to follow Him and build a faith-filled legacy?

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

Question – How can you use the talents God has given you to give Him glory?

Challenge – What do you want your legacy to be? Take a few moments to think on how God has gifted you and where He has put you on your team and make small steps to impact the people around you for a lasting, eternal legacy in Christ.

and start today!

Glory That Lasts

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:30:02 GMT

Article by Sarah Freymuth, FCA Content and Storytelling Manager

We endure spiritual training for the chance to reflect the glory of God in our lives.

You spend hours training your body and mind to be in peak condition, so you can be and play your best. In our spiritual life, we endure training that strengthens our spiritual muscles – our mind, body and spirit – to live in light of the Gospel and share in the Kingdom that is coming. When we participate in Bible reading, community and prayer, we are being prepared and sharpened in our inner being and character to be fueled by hope. These require consistent attention and leaning on God to guide us.

How do we train ourselves for Kingdom living through these methods?

BIBLE READING

Meditate, or focus on, who God is and who He says He is in His Word. Staying connected to God through Scripture and memorizing His Word equips us to rely on His truth and guidance in life’s challenges.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet
and a light on my path.” -Psalm 119:105

COMMUNITY

Being with others is important. Surrounding ourselves with other believers who are living and working out their faith is something God designed for us. If we are scared, discouraged or hurting, we have friends who will come alongside us, encourage us and call us forward in hope through God’s promises and character.

“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” -Hebrews 10:24-25

PRAYER

Prayer points us closer to the heart of God. By being still with the Lord and listening for Him, we can learn what His voice sounds like. And when we learn His voice, we learn what He cares for, and how He whispers to us and wants to share things with us. And He wants to hear what is on our hearts too, because He cares and longs for relationship.

“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.” -Colossians 4:2

We are being sharpened to look more like Jesus. It’s character building, preparing us for a glory that lasts when we look like Jesus and offer praise and glory to God through how we live, what we think and say and how we compete. Though training is hard, it’s worth it in the long run as we are strengthened and perseverance is proven out in Him.

“Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” –2 Corinthians 4:16-17

The lasting glory Jesus came to give will get us through our challenges; He has already won and made a way for us to have victory. Keep going; God has abundant life for you right now, and eternal life in Heaven with Him later. It’s a win-win, and we get to reflect His glory to a world looking for what truly lasts.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

Question – Which would you like to grow in: Bible reading, community or prayer?

Challenge – Take the practice you chose above and take one step today to grow in that area. Pick a Scripture to memorize, invite someone to study the Bible together or spend a few minutes praying and listening for God.

and start today!

What is Discipleship?

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:30:03 GMT

Article by Mark Jones, FCA Central Maine Representative

Coming alongside someone who will help you grow in your faith.

As a rookie, Charles Barkley asked his teammate Moses Malone why he was not playing more. Malone’s response was honest, but he committed to working out with Barkley to help get him into shape.

When the season ended, Barkley was one of the top rookies in the game. He went on to be a perennial NBA All-Star and one of the top 50 players of all time.

When that conversation happened in 1984, Malone had already been league MVP three times, led the league in rebounding five times, was All-NBA First Team three times and won a championship.

The man who was (Malone) came alongside the man who was not yet (Barkley). In a physical way, Malone discipled Barkley.

Discipleship is a word uttered in churches. Scripture speaks to it: Jesus had disciples; John the Baptist had disciples; even FCA has its own discipleship model called E3 (Engage. Equip. Empower). Discipleship is incredibly important.

WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP?

2 Timothy 2:2 says, “What you have heard from me (Apostle Paul) in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Discipleship is when someone with knowledge and experience comes alongside someone who needs that knowledge and experience to grow.

Discipleship is important because Jesus had disciples (which simply means learners) and modeled that verse. He found 12 guys whom He called to follow and be like Him. Jesus called them away from what their lives would have been. For over three years, they went to most places Jesus went, saw what He did and were even sent out to do it for themselves (Matthew 10).

When Jesus ascended after His resurrection, He left the job of spreading the Gospel to those men, who were to be known as apostles, which means ‘set apart’ or ‘sent forth’ (Acts 1:8; Mark 3:13-14).

Above, we read that Moses Malone came alongside Charles Barkley and taught him how to work hard to play better. Charles grew as a player because someone taught and showed him.

So, it is important that we disciple others and be discipled by another. Where do we begin?

There are four things that each the disciple-maker and the “learner” need:

PRAYER – Everything we do should be bathed in prayer before we start. Nehemiah, cup bearer to the king and longing for his homeland’s restoration upon hearing that Jerusalem’s wall was in shambles, prayed for four months before his chance came to ask the King permission to fix it. (Nehemiah 2:1-6).

Prayer, for both the disciple and disciple-maker, helps align your heart with God. It can help keep you both in the Spirit so that the following points can become more powerful in this journey and can make the path straighter.

Passion to Seek Christ – We want to do discipleship to seek Christ more directly and be as much like Jesus as possible. We should never disciple or be discipled begrudgingly or out of duty. There should be joy in seeking Him.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Matthew 6:33

We seek Christ because it is our foremost priority, and this kind of undertaking needs to mirror this priority.

A Plan – This would begin with the disciple and a discussion. As a disciple, what do you want or think you need out of this relationship? Where does the Spirit want it to go? That is the disciple’s part of the plan. For the disciple-maker, it takes a prayer-filled strategy to go in that Spirit-led direction. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.” His Word tells us to plan, but He will guide from there.

Humility/Honesty – To be a disciple, you must admit that you are not where you should be spiritually. That is an honest yet bold attitude, one we must be willing to learn. Disciple-maker, sometimes our prayers seem flat. Sometimes our passion is lacking. Sometimes our plans fall apart. Sometimes we just drop the ball and fail. For either of you, it is okay to discuss these things.

Feeling flat or failing can be great teachers. But remember the previous verses. Nehemiah sought God long before his opportunity arose. Seeking Christ provides our needs. The Lord determines our steps.

Discipleship only fails if we stay in our failure or try it without Jesus.

You still have things to learn and people to guide. Pray now for the eyes to see someone you can approach and disciple. Also, pray now for someone you can approach to help disciple you.

On this side of Heaven, we will not know it all. Only God does. But when we come together as teachers and learners, we can get closer to knowing Him, and that alone is worth the effort.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “ We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18

Question – Who do you know whom you might ask to help walk through your daily Christian life with? Who could benefit from your knowledge and walk with the Lord?

Challenge – Ask someone you trust to walk through discipleship with you, or find someone to be accountability partners with. Sharpen and grow together.

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR , which explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.

and start today!

When People Look at You, Who Do They See?

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 13:30:32 GMT

Article by Lisa Batt, FCA Oklahoma Panhandle Director

Stay close to Jesus so you begin to look and act more like Him.

When people look at you, who do they see?

On the court, the field or in the classroom, what do people see when they look at you? Do they see an athlete, a student, a coach, a teacher or a friend? Do they see someone who is angry, frustrated, kind, short-tempered or patient? Do others see Jesus and His attributes in you, or do they see someone who is first something else and second a Christ follower?

How do we make the shift from serving ourselves and seeking our own benefit to submitting to God’s will and authority in our lives, and giving Him space to transform our ways of thinking and acting?

The apostle Paul states in his letter to the church at Corinth that when Jesus becomes our Lord and Savior, the old is put away and we become a new creation:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” -2 Corinthians 5:17

In becoming a new person, we begin a process called sanctification to grow not only closer to Christ, but also to look more like Him and reflect His attributes to the world.

It is a process over time that develops us slowly and steadily. The more we grow in our relationship with Christ, the more we reflect light in a dark world.

“For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” -2 Corinthians 4:6

In life’s craziness, when others look at us, do they see us reflecting God’s glory by our words, actions and attitude (Galatians 5:22-23)? Let’s hope so, but we can also make sure.

As we grow in Christ and allow Him to transform us and our attitudes and actions, we begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit that gives evidence to God’s presence in our lives.

Instead of frustration, they see patience.

Instead of sadness, they see joy.

Instead of worry, they see peace.

Instead of hate, they see kindness.

Instead of meanness, they see goodness.

Instead of cheating, they see faithfulness.

Instead of harshness, they see gentleness.

Instead of undisciplined, they see self-control.

Paul went so far as to say that people should imitate him because he walked so close to God that he could confidently say he could be followed (1 Corinthians 4:16).

We, too, should spend so much time with Jesus through prayer, being in His Word and being with other believers that we naturally look more like Him each day.

The more we spend time with Jesus, looking at His live through Scripture, praying and talking with Him, and learning more about His heart, our lives begin to change to reflect His heart also. And the more time we spend with Him and let His love transform us, the more we want to look like Him and share him with our teammates, our coaches, our classmates and family.

Others should first see Jesus in us and then see an athlete, coach, teacher, spouse or parent. God at the forefront, and from there, everything else follows. His glory should radiate from us so that in all we do, His glory is seen and others are drawn to His light.

***

Live It Out:

Question – When others look at you what do you think they see? What do you want them to see? How can you begin to look more like Jesus?

Challenge – Ask someone you trust to tell you what they see when they look at you. Ask them what traits of Jesus they see in you and what traits you could work on. Begin spending daily time in Bible study and prayer so that you may start to reflect more of Jesus and His glory to others.

and start today!

Living an Authentic Life

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:30:00 GMT

Article By Alysia B., FCA International Leader

Learning how to serve God in the work before you.

I was 18, my life was in transition and I had lost my confidence. I had just finished high school and was not playing any sport after playing years of volleyball, fast ball, track and badminton. Everything was changing in my life, including a move following serious family issues. I had withdrawn from my university program and was working as a server in a fast-paced restaurant. However, I was distracted and felt disoriented. I couldn’t keep my focus, and I knew that I wasn’t performing well and would likely soon be let go. Everything felt like I was free-falling and I didn’t know where I would land.

One thing I did know was that in my newly fresh faith, going to God’s Word was the only thing that could bring me direction and comfort. I read a verse in my devotions that leapt off the page right into my heart:

“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.” -Colossians 3:23

It felt like fire in my heart, and I immediately felt my whole perspective shift. I could work from my heart, with all I had, for God; that was truly all that mattered.

My attitude and confidence completely shifted. I was having fun and enjoyed my work. My co-workers and boss asked me what had happened to me, and I could answer them honestly, “I prayed!”

Since then, Colossians 3:23 had remained one of my life verses. Whether I was playing a sport (which I happily got back to again eventually!), or working or leading a team, if I start to feel disoriented or lose confidence, I remind myself of whom I am focused on pleasing. I reorient my heart and do what I am doing enthusiastically for God, which brings out my very best.

This heart motivation impacts every area of life: playing, coaching, relationships, family, community. The Amplified Bible expands on this life principle:

“Whatever you do (whatever your task may be), work from the soul (that is, put in your very best effort), as (something done) for the Lord and not for men.” - Colossians 3:23

When we put in our very best effort to please God and live for Him, our lives reorient to what truly matters. We can be confident in our status as God’s son or daughter and live out of that identity confidently, trusting God has good plans set aside for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

When you focus on serving God, you bring your best to Him and everyone in your life. Focus on Him and let your light shine!

***

Live It Out:

Question – Are you approaching your days giving everything for the glory of God? If not, how can you adjust to serve Him in your heart and life?

Challenge – Memorize Colossians 3:23 and start repeating it to yourself in the morning before you get caught up in the demands of the day.

and start today!

The Freedom in Putting God First

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:30:16 GMT

Article By Sarah Freymuth, FCA Content and Storytelling Manager

Can prioritizing God actually change the way you live and compete?

Think about a coach you had who was fun, connective and positive. What did you enjoy about him or her? How did it help you in your practices and games? When we have a coach who sees us as people and not just a jersey, who understands there’s more to the game than the pressure to succeed, it gives us grace to have fun while we play. There is freedom and lightness in us knowing we won’t have mistakes held over us and that we don’t have to think too hard about how our coach will react to something we do.

There is even greater freedom in living out our lives in Christ, knowing God sees us with love and never holds anything against us. He is for you (Romans 8:31), He has good plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11) and is always making a way for you in every circumstance (Isaiah 43:19).

We can feel crunched for time to get everything done: studies, work, friendships, sports, family, and already crammed schedules. Sometimes, we feel even more pressure to pack in our Bible reading, church and prayer time. But when we flip our focus to seeking God first, He frees us up to have time for all we need. The most important thing is to stay close to the Lord, love Him, and love others.

^“ When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test him: ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?’

He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.’” -Matthew 22:34-40

There is no pressure when we place everything in the Lord. He doesn’t expect us to behave a certain way or have a certain amount of successes or wins before we can make Him proud. When He looks at us, He sees the work of Jesus on the cross.

“Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.” -Ephesians 1:3-6

We don’t have to perform a certain way. Knowing who we are in Christ and living out of God’s unconditional and unchangeable love gives us peace that transcends all pressure we put on ourselves to keep up or perform. God’s love frees us, and when we know how loved we are as His son or daughter, we can play or coach from the overflow of how He made us.

Where the Lord is, there is freedom. And He is in all things as we live our lives.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” -2 Corinthians 3:17

The more time we spend with God, the more our heart and desires begin to shape like His. We seek goodness and mercy, look out for others in need and want to encourage one another and build each other up in His love. We begin to prioritize our time and align our priorities to put Him and His Kingdom first. You can breathe a deep sigh of relief. Everything else falls into place when we place our first fruits with Him.

***

Live It Out:

Question – How can you find greater freedom in putting God first in your life?

Challenge – Make a point to love God with all your heart, soul and mind today and share about His goodness with someone.

and start today!

Creating Time for God

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:20:56 GMT

Article By Haley Barnes, FCA North Colorado Representative

In a busy world, being intentional in our time with God is best.

I remember being a collegiate athlete and not understanding the fullness of rest. Rest only came when I felt under the weather or was injured. Meanwhile, spending time with God was mostly a spontaneous act. I would participate in a Bible study once a week and counted that toward my faith hours.

That’s how I lived until I met my spiritual mentor, who showed me how to create time for God. A significant portion of that lesson was that I had to choose to make room for God. My schedule doesn’t come first; God does. That lesson changed everything for me.

Coaches’ and athletes’ schedules are jam-packed. You have routines filled with practice, planning, competitions, travel and lifting sessions. Additionally, you deal with extracurricular team participation activities and dinners, school and studying and personal things. All that to say, coaches and athletes are terribly busy.

Jesus was also remarkably busy. He was on the move, walking miles and miles to the next town. People stopped and interrupted Jesus all the time. He taught in and out of villages and sat with many for meals. He healed people and moved through tumultuous crowds. His days were filled with teaching His apostles and rebuking those who doubted Him.

Despite His wildly busy schedule, Jesus would find a solitary place and pray early in the morning (Mark 1:35). He was notorious for withdrawing from the crowd and His people to spend time with His Father. People would look for Jesus beyond the crowd and find Him in prayer, spending time with God (Luke 4:42).

Jesus prioritized His time with God, ensuring He was rooted in His Father’s love and filled by His strength and power for each day.

“’But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.’” -Matthew 6:33

God also calls to spend time with Him. We must make room and space in our schedule because it will always be worth it. Maybe it’s a few extra minutes before the day begins, or an intentional lunch away from everybody else to seek Him. We may have to exchange one small task in exchange for time with our God. But it is worth it. Jesus says unless we remain in Him, we are unable to live our best life for His Kingdom.

“’I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.’” -John 15:1-4

Amidst the busy schedules, Jesus found time to be with the Father, and so should we. If we can prioritize our athletic training, how much more can we prioritize time with our God? He is the One who gave us our abilities in the first place. The more we place our priorities on Him first, the more He will align our days to fill with His Spirit so we can know Him more and produce fruit for His Kingdom and the benefit of those around us.

Create time for God today. Your soul will be glad.

***

Live It Out:

Question – What will it take to prioritize spending time with God? What can you remove to create more room for Him?

Challenge – Memorize Matthew 6:33 and use it to remind yourself of how good it is to stay fixed on God.

and start today!

Is God Seen Through Your Life?

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:30:20 GMT

Article By Amber Johns, FCA New York State Director

We can bring God glory through our thoughts, words, actions, successes and failures.

Isn’t it amazing that God uses us to show others His glory? He can use our life, our words, our bodies, our thoughts and even our successes and failures to be seen in our lives. He can be seen in how we treat others and react to how others treat us. There’s no greater reward on earth than for someone to recognize Jesus because of how we have lived our lives.

IS GOD SEEN THROUGH OUR WORDS?

Words matter.

“So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire.” -James 3:5-6a

The tongue can bring destruction, but it can also bring God glory. how we use our words can powerfully impact those around us. We can be encouraging to others and refrain from gossip. We can be a positive leader on and off the field, track or court. We can bear witness to our testimony in Christ by our words.

IS GOD SEEN THROUGH OUR BODY?

As athletes, we know we must take care of our bodies to perform at our best. Our bodies are a gift from God, and we can be a testimony of God’s goodness through how we treat our bodies. Romans, 12:1 says,

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.”

Our body matters. How we live matters. Our bodies exist to make Christ visible, and how we treat them allows others to see His glory and mercy.

IS GOD SEEN IN OUR THOUGHTS?

Our thoughts can lead us to dreaming big or derailing our lives. Philippians 4:8 tells us:

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.”

Our thoughts often lead to actions. God wants us to dwell and think on true, good and noble things, and if our thoughts glorify Him, so will our actions.

IS GOD SEEN IN OUR SUCCESSES AND FAILURES?

Do we give God praise when we succeed? Do we give God glory when we fail? In both circumstances, God can be seen in our lives by how we react to success and failure. God is sovereign over our lives, and because we know and trust who He is in us, we can tell of His goodness in the victories and losses.

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

IS GOD SEEN IN HOW WE TREAT OTHERS?

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” -John 13:35

God will be seen in how we treat our friends, families, teammates, coaches and opponents. When competition is high or feelings are hurt, it can be difficult to treat others how Jesus would want us to treat them. In those moments, we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and words. Our treatment of others allows those who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus to experience Him through us.

There will be no greater reward for us than to know we have used our life to make Him known, and then one day stand before Him and be told, “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

***

Live It Out:

Question – How are you glorifying God with your words, actions, body, thoughts, successes and failures?

Challenge – Choose one of those topics and ask God how you can glorify Him in deeper ways.

and start today!

Positioning to Be Present

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:30:14 GMT

Article By Laura Matera, FCA EVP of Action Sports

We can stand on level ground when we ground ourselves in the current moment.

There is a well-known phrase: “Be where your feet are”. This metaphor connecting our mind and soul to the physical presence of where we are at a moment in time. In a society that places value on performance, the competitive edge of perfecting the multitasking game stretches us well beyond where our feet land in the present.

We can languish in the past and evaluate how we could have done everything more effectively. We can also find ourselves pushing forward to all that needs tending beyond the moment so we can stay ahead of our relentless daily tasks and come out winning. Both positions involve expending great mental, emotional and physical energies to a past and future over which we have no control. Who we need to be at that present moment is compromised, because God designed us holistically to be at our best where body, mind and soul are fully engaged in the present.

We spend hours watching footage of past games and prepping for future ones, but life happens in the here and now. How can we seek to be more in tune with God throughout the day and see those around us as a chance to share His love? The present is where God meets us, speaks to us and shows us how He wants us to live and who He wants us to care for. Let’s shift perspective to staying close to Jesus in the present.

WHY YOUR POSITION MATTERS

Throughout His life on earth, Jesus positioned Himself in a uniquely countercultural way to lead and serve where He stood in that moment. What changes can we make to follow His lead in our lives? The word “position” means to take one's stand or to station yourself. Our position in Christ is one of a steadfast, determined faith. That faith grants us the fuel for that much-desired edge in the promises of God in His Word.

2 Chronicles 20:17 says: “You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. He is with you.” Positioning defines a direction and speaks directly to being present. This presence is one of focus and engagement in the here and now. We need to resist the temptation or the need to be distracted or mentally absent. We must understand that our true identity overflows from our time spent with Him and not what we can accomplish in a single moment.

“My foot stands on level ground;
I will bless the Lord in the assemblies.” -Psalm 26:12

Standing on level ground symbolizes stability and righteousness. It highlights the importance of being firmly established in God's design for our lives. The places and spaces God has designed for us are to be designated for His glory. Let’s practice being present, and stand on the level ground of His glory and righteousness today.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14

Question – Are you where your feet are today? Is your mind and heart positioned to chase your glory or to understand your true identity and purpose in Christ?

Challenge – Choose a few moments throughout the day to look down at where your physical feet are. Look up and invite God to grant you the ability to focus fully. Look out and take notice of who is in your presence and give them your full attention.

and start today!

Your New Life

Fri, 30 May 2025 13:30:00 GMT

Article By Mark Jones, FCA Central Maine Representative

Foundational building blocks to establish moving forward in Christ.

I discovered basketball at age 10. I remember watching it on TV and seeing my older siblings play and wanting to emulate them. Then I joined a team and realized how much I had to learn to play with those better than me.

When we come to faith in God through Jesus Christ, it can look like that. We’re excited about a new life and journey, but also nervous because we think, “I have no idea what I am doing.”

We have a great starting point in Romans 5:8-11:

“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.”

Here are some points from this passage that can give us a good foundation as we begin our new life in Christ:

SALVATION THROUGH DEATH

The word ‘saved’ in verse 9 means to be ‘made safe.’ When we repent and follow Christ, we are made safe by Christ’s work on the cross.

Isaiah 53:5 speaks of the coming Messiah (Jesus) who would be pierced, crushed, punished, and wounded for us.

We were standing in the sights of God’s holy wrath to be punished for sin. But by turning away from our sinful lives to pursue Christ, we are spared that wrath because Jesus took the punishment on the cross.

NEW LIFE THROUGH RESURRECTION

Following Christ is following a Savior who is not dead. Matthew, Mark and Luke all use the phrase ‘He has risen’ when speaking of Jesus’ empty grave. John 20 records Mary Magdalene encountering the risen Lord. In 1 Peter 1:3, the apostle Peter said we have a “living hope” because our Savior is alive.

Through His resurrection, we are alive as well! We can live differently while on earth thanks to His Spirit within us, and when we physically die, we will spend eternity living with Him.

RESTORED RELATIONSHIP

Romans 5:10 gives us a wonderful glimpse into the heart of our God. Reread the verse slowly:

“For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.”

Hear the love in that verse! We were enemies of God until Christ saved us with His life. Because of this, we are reconciled to God.

God is love and holiness. Since the Fall in Genesis 3, sin has separated us from God. But His forgiveness through Christ and our growth in Him brings us closer to how God originally intended things.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Romans 5:11 says, “And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.”

Why would we boast in God? Because of the “living hope” mentioned in 1 Peter 1:3.

Through confident expectation, hope is mentioned regarding Christ’s work on the cross. Jesus died and was raised from the dead as He said He would. So, if He said He will be back again and that in Him we are safe from God’s wrath, we can be confident He will bring that to fruition.

So what does this mean for us, and why did He do this?

We are here to glorify Him. Being the one true God means He alone is worthy of praise. He sent Christ to die for us so we can worship Him as He deserves and have fellowship with Him.

That the God of the universe would do all of this should bring us joy, peace, and hope, and prove that He alone deserves glory.

Sports will one day end. The glory of the Lord will last for all time. Live your life for His glory.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14

Question – Are you chasing after something that isn't part of God's plan for you?

Challenge – Find a Bible verse on God's glory and ask yourself what you can do to give Him glory in your day today.

and start today!

Return to Your First Love

Thu, 15 May 2025 13:30:00 GMT

Article By Mindy Hopman, FCA Florida Regional Director of Ministry Advancement

Remember the grace-filled love of God and let it move in your heart today.

A memory forever chiseled in my heart is that of my grandparents' two chairs—always side by side, facing the same direction. Whether on their cabin porch or beside the trail up the mountain, there were two homemade stumps, two large rocks to rest upon, or a bench that fit just the two. They were married for 72 years.

Before I married, I set a heart goal to be a couple who communicated well as we grew closer to Christ and each other. I wanted to enjoy spending time together while passing down the legacy of faith to our children. Though I did not grow up in a Christian home, I wanted to win at home.

Each of us is in one of two places:

Your Christian parents modeled what a Christian marriage looks like and prayed for you to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
As a first-generation believer, you spend time in the Word and with other believers, learning how to be a disciple so you may disciple your children and pass on the legacy of faith.

THE DANCE OF FAITH

To understand the secret to a great marriage, we must first understand the marriage between Christ and the church. The Bible begins and ends with a marriage, and in between is the great dance of faith between two partners.

But let’s be honest: In a broken world full of chaos, crowds, noise and hurry, faith can be a tangled mess; and so can our lives, even as Christians. In our world of athletics, we can get consumed with competing for records, statistics, status and championships.

Pursuing athletic success often causes us to live long nights into the weekends. As a coach, there is a tension between the love for your children, the student-athletes God has entrusted you to help raise and the difficult emails, texts and conversations that naturally come with the calling. These conversations can make us question how long we can last before we crash in the lane God has placed us in.

GAMEBOOK FOR LIFE

Over the years, I have learned that to “win at home,” I need to be in the Word daily to seek God’s wisdom, direction and discernment, which is the opposite of what the world dictates. The Word is my gamebook and the source of my strategy for life, steeped in love and grace.

Love and grace are found on the cross, where, out of God’s sacrificial love, the blood of Jesus redeems us. The cross allows us to sit in oneness and unity through the good times and hard times. As believers on Team Jesus, we are cheering on our people, waiting together, expecting a win in this game we call life, and sharing the beautiful legacy of faith with everyone around us.

But what happens when we stray from the cross? Just as a relationship between two people who do not spend time together fades, so does our relationship with Jesus.

“But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.” –Revelation 2:4

We ask ourselves this question daily: Are we chasing our glory or His? Wins, achieved goals and broken records all come from utilizing the gifts God has given us in the opportunities He has placed before us.

However, the chaos, crowds, noise and hurry often make us forget this. How do we remember and return to our first love?

REMEMBER, REPENT AND RETURN

If you have lost your first love, now is the time to repent, or return, to Him. Even if you don’t feel like it, open the Word, turn on the praise music and through prayer, open up the conversation s with Him again. As a parent longs to hear from his or her children, God wants to hear from you. He wants to spend time with you. If you have never started a relationship with Jesus, now is the time to join the team.

WE WANT TO BE READY!

Why? Because, at the end of time, the bride (the body of Christ) will be reunited with the groom (Jesus) and our lifetime is a time of preparation. We want to be ready!

Remembering we are on the same team cheering on the body of Christ as we prepare for eternity brings peace, reconciliation, unity and joy in every relationship you have.

"Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory,

because the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has prepared herself.” –Revelation 19:7

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14

Question – Am I chasing my glory or His?

Challenge – As Christians, we are on the same team, growing in Christ and growing together. Do I have unity with my spouse or teammates? If not, what do I need to do to reconcile?

and start today!

Want to Boast? Boast in Jesus.

sfreymuth@fca.org (Sarah Freymuth) — Thu, 01 May 2025 13:30:00 GMT

Article By Sarah Freymuth, FCA Content and Storytelling Manager

Jesus has already done the work to save you.

When we see a phenomenal athlete compete or complete an incredible feat of athleticism, sometimes we see that athlete fist pump their chest, point to themself, or yell out about how great they are. They boast in themself and their abilities.

However, we who have a living hope in our God, boast a little differently. We boast in the One who gave us breath, climbed a hill to Calvary and hung on a cross to crush death and deliver us into eternal life.

It’s not about us and what we can do, but who Jesus is and what He can accomplish on our behalf.

We couldn’t do anything to save our selves from sin, so Jesus came to earth to take on sin and save us. By His death and resurrection, we are right standing with God, and He welcomes us into His family because He sees the blood of Christ.

“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8

When we most needed a come-through play, Jesus was the player God put in at crunch time. His life on earth revealed God the Father. Through His death on the cross to take on our sin and reconcile us to God, and His resurrection, you can believe and receive what He did and be with Him forever. We boast in Jesus and how He has already done the work to save.

“He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” -2 Corinthians 5:21

After living a sinless life and preaching the Good News on earth, Jesus allowed Himself to be sacrificed on the cross for the sins of the world.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”–John 3:16

Because of that sacrifice, you can be saved from the eternal death that the entire world deserves. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). All it takes to receive this gift is to call on the name of Jesus, believe He died for your sins, receive His forgiveness, turn away from your sins and commit yourself to trusting God and obeying His Word.

Receiving God’s glory means confessing that Jesus is your Savior and Lord and believing that His sacrifice on the cross is what allows you to be forgiven of your sins.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” -Romans 5:1-2

Jesus has done enough for you. It’s time to receive His love and recognize how much He has done. We can simply believe and receive. THAT is something to boast about. The world may boast of achievements that won’t last. But we boast in Jesus.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14

Question – Have you accepted the gift of salvation Jesus came to give you? Will you accept Him today?

Challenge – Talk to God about the gift Jesus gave through His death and resurrection.

and start today!

Play to Win

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:00:05 GMT

Article By Janet Villa, FCA Leader in the Philippines

When the demands of the world clash with our faith, what do we do?

A collegiate basketball league in the Philippines allowed its participating teams to recruit two players from other countries, or “imports,” on the condition that a team could field only one import on the court at any time. In one game, a college coach—let’s call him Coach Albert—forgot this rule and played both his imports in the second quarter. After only 30 seconds of play, Coach Albert realized his mistake and immediately recalled one of his imports.

He won the game. None of the spectators, players, table officials, referees or opponents noticed his error. If he kept quiet, his team could move in the standings. After all, his violation lasted for only 30 seconds in the second quarter—a lapse that had no bearing on his victory.

But if Coach Albert reported his violation to the league, he would forfeit his win.

What to do?

The pressure on coaches and athletes to win is immense. Oftentimes, a coach’s job, an athlete’s scholarship or the approval of a parent is contingent on our win. The excessive focus on winning at all costs has created a broken and distorted sports culture that compromises ethical play.

When the demands of the world clash with our faith, what do we do?

REMEMBER FOR WHOM WE COACH OR PLAY

We have been redeemed by grace to glorify our Father.

We please Him, not the world. God bought us for a high price, so we honor Him with our play with the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:20). Because we are deeply loved by the Maker of heaven and earth, coaching and playing becomes our form of worship.

Our God of excellence asks us to work hard and play well.

Our God of order asks us to follow the rules of the game.

Our God of justice asks us to play fair.

REMEMBER WHOSE AND WHO WE ARE

We are His—the beloved of the Most High. What joy there is in having been designed as His image bearers in sports! We become competitors who reveal God’s love to a world inclined to self-focus and self-preservation.

When we compete with integrity, we mirror the righteousness of our Creator.

When we honor our coaches, spectators and officials, we reflect His goodness.

When we respect and grant grace to those we play with or against, we demonstrate God’s relational heart.

We can compete exceptionally because in Christ we have first experienced God’s grace, forgiveness and love.

REMEMBER WHAT THE REAL WIN IS

How we compete reflects what we value most.

Competing to please others is vain as we focus on ourselves instead of on Christ, which is ultimately useless in the face of eternity.

Competing for our personal glory is also vanity—from the Latin root vanitas, meaning “empty.” What will it profit us if we win a game but suffer the loss of our soul?

As ambassadors for Christ, we place a higher premium on obeying God than merely being successful at our sport.

“Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” –Proverbs 21:3

In Christ, we have been given the wisdom to know what glorifies God, the power of the Holy Spirit to do what is right and the joy of living out our faith.

As stewards of our sport, the real win is to “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Remember Coach Albert?

He decided to report his mistake to the league.

He decided to forfeit the game.

He decided to play to win.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14

Question – For whom do you play? In what ways do you make your sport about you instead of about Christ?

Challenge – Memorize Colossians 3:23-24, and then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you how you could compete well and wholeheartedly for the Lord.

and start today!

God's Great Game Plan

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:30:00 GMT

Article By Sarah Bostic, FCA Representative in Southcentral Georgia

Learning to listen to our Coach’s voice.

During even the biggest games, a coach’s voice can cut through the noise and chaos of a packed gym and the players will recognize it. It is remarkable to watch athletes in sports like gymnastics, softball or wheelchair basketball instantly comprehend and respond to the words coach’s commands from the sidelines.

The more you get to know the coach (the more time you spend listening to the coach), the easier it is to recognize their voice.

God has been calling out to us since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. They chose to disobey God and eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, immediately having their eyes open to things God never intended them to see or experience. Instead of calling out for God, they did their best to cover up their sin and hid among the trees (Genesis 3:7-8).

“So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” -Genesis 3:9

Adam spoke up, explaining why he ate the fruit. He said things he had never said before and felt things he had never felt toward God, whom he knew face to face. After Eve explained her reasoning for eating the fruit, God told them the consequences of their sin. But He didn’t give up on them.

“The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.” -Genesis 3:21

They had earlier tried to cover themselves with fig leaves to hide their sin, but this time, God made coverings for them. The first sacrifice for sin was in the garden, just as the last sacrifice would be in another garden 2,000 years later. Between these two gardens, God continued calling out to His creation through prophets, teachers, creation itself, His Spirit and, eventually, His Son.

“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.” -Hebrews 1:1-2

God’s game plan was for us to be with Him and enjoy everything He had stored up for us through His love. But we chose to take our own paths and do things our own way, opening ourselves up to things that God never intended for us to experience. And yet He continues to pursue us, to want us, to choose us. He loves us so much that He’d continually call out to us in crowded places.

In fact, our God sent His own Son into the game with us.

This is the Gospel. We’re all flailing in life and sin, in line for death and the grave, and God became a man to lead us to exactly what our hearts long for and need—His warm presence. God enters the game with us. He is Immanuel, God with us, calling out to us on the sideline (Father and Coach), calling out next to us (the Son and Teammate) and speaking within us (the Spirit). All of this is because He still believes in His game plan and that is the play He is running.

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14

God includes us in his great game plan to save the world. He includes us first by saving us, then by sending us out to bring others in. He is the Great Coach, the Great Teammate and precisely what your heart is longs for today.

Maybe you feel like your mistake on the court can’t be erased from God’s mind. Perhaps you feel like you’ve lost the game, and He doesn’t want anything to do with you. Believe me when I say this: He loves you. He changes us as we stay close to Him and trust Him to be God. We can come to Him just as we are and learn His voice.

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14

Question – Are you listening to the Coach? Have you looked up from your mistakes to see Him as a Teammate next to you? Are you abiding by the playbook? How much better would your “game” be if you trusted and obeyed God instead of insisting on your way?

Challenge – What is God leading you to change in your life so you can focus more on His plan and not yours? Ask Him about it and look for chances to trust Him today.

and start today!

Created for a Purpose

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:00:03 GMT

Article By Shanta Crichlow, FCA Director of Field Operations

You already have purpose because you were created by God.

One’s purpose might be the most sought-after and coveted answer of our lifetime. Standout athletes and famous professionals are described as being “born for” what they do. Many young adults express angst over wanting to know their purpose. There’s even a popular quote credited to American author Mark Twain, touted by self-help and inspirational speakers that says: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

The world paints a picture of purpose as attainable from the world. We scour life seeking purpose through that one accomplishment or career that comes naturally to us, at which we are better than everyone else and might make us a lot of money.

But God paints a different divine picture. The purpose of life goes beyond one’s career or some special project. There is no singular thing that gives a person’s life meaning outside of God. It is woven into the fabric of our being.

The Lord declares in Isaiah 43:7 that we who bear His name are created for His glory:

“Everyone who bears my name
and is created for my glory.
I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God to give God glory through living your life. Therefore, your entire life and existence already have meaning. You were created and exist because God wanted you to.

How do we, then, find purpose in God? It’s not something we find; it’s revealed as we obey God’s call on our life. God called, saved and redeemed you:

“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.” –1 John 4:9

WHEN GOD'S PURPOSE IS REVEALED IN YOU

Purpose is within you. God formed you with talents, strengths, interests, desires and even weaknesses and dislikes. All these work together for the variety of assignments to which God will lead you.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” –Ephesians 2:10

God’s gift is not confined to your occupation, organization or status; it is in you and goes with you wherever you go.

Purpose is revealed when we recognize, celebrate and appreciate the gifts God has given us and use them for His service.

“If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.” –Romans 12:6-8

Use what God has given you for His glory and apply that mindset to everything you do.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31

We don’t need to find or discover purpose—God has already given it to us. We do not need to chase the glory that comes with purpose, because it’s not ours to have. Glory, honor and power belong to God because He created all things (Revelation 4:11).

We have one common purpose to bring God glory, so let’s do with excellence whatever the Lord puts in our hands. In doing so, “We are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV

***

Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Question – How can you apply a mindset of giving God glory in everything you do?

Challenge – Use some of the talents God has given you to encourage a teammate or coach and share God’s love with them.

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.

and start today!

How Has God Gifted You in This Season?

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 14:00:05 GMT

Article By Darlene Johnson, FCA Board of Trustees

God takes us through seasons to grow us and bring us closer to Him.

What kind of season are you currently in?

God will take you through different seasons of life and equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in each one.*

The Oxford Dictionary defines “season” as four divisions of the year: spring, summer, autumn and winter. A particular weather pattern marks each season.

According to Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV), “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Your circumstances are providential and have purpose, whether orchestrated by God or allowed by Him. God is intentional in your life.

Let me repeat: God has a plan for your life when you surrender to His authority to be used by Him for His glory and your good.

Pause and consider the following:

• Are you in a “spring” season of new beginnings or hope and opportunities?

• Or a “summer” season where everything you do is full of growth or filled with distractions?

• Or maybe you are in an “autumn” season where you feel your life slowing down and becoming more inward-focused to nurture yourself.

• Perhaps you are in a “winter” season where opportunities appear dormant or non-existent, or you may be experiencing heartbreak, loneliness, illness or sadness.

Take some time to assess where you are and ask yourself what season you identify with the most right now. Then consider what God may be teaching you in this season. As you consider your gifts, talents and passions, also consider God’s purpose for your life.

EMBRACING YOUR GOD-GIVEN IDENTITY

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creature that crawl on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” –Genesis 1:26-28

God intended His crowning jewel, you, to rule and reign over His creation. As a people created in His image to reflect His glory, you were created distinctly different from the rest of creation and given the functional ability to reason, love, solve problems, etc., all with purpose in mind.

Imago Dei is the Latin phrase meaning “the image of God.” God has created you with the capacity and ability to be in relationship with others while being in relationship with Him, in a way that reflects His character for His purposes. How you use this gift reflects who you follow.

WHAT IS GOD TEACHING YOU RIGHT NOW?

I remember being in difficult seasons of life that taught me perseverance and patience. I remember seasons of great joy and plenty and learning how to generously give my time, treasures and talent. I remember “winter” seasons of change and sickness. God taught me to rest and trust Him for friendships and healing. In each season, my faith was strengthened and my purpose made clear.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.” You can find solace in your current season because Jesus is walking with you through it and purposely refining and blessing you as you trust Him.

When you think about your purpose in this season of life, do your thoughts go to personal bests and the pressure of performance, or the pressures of winning seasons, or how much NIL money can you get, or “Do I need to recruit this player or that player?” Or will you remember Genesis 1:26-28 and reflect on Imago Dei and the fact that you were created in the image of God to glorify God with His purposes in mind for your life to help you and not harm you?

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you in this season? What can you learn that will make you stronger in your faith and more pliable in God’s hand to grow you more and more in Jesus’ image? How is God equipping you in this season of life right where you are; whether an athlete, a coach, a volunteer or a supporter of the ministry of FCA?

Remember that God loves you, has a divine purpose for your life and is using this season of life for your good!

*Richard Blackaby, The Seasons of God: How the Shifting Patterns of Your Life Reveal His Purposes for You

***

Live It Out:

Question – What season are you currently in? How might God want to meet you in this season?

Challenge – See how God is equipping you in this season and ask Him to help you live this season for His glory.

and start today!

What Does It Mean to Give God the Glory in My Sport?

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 14:00:17 GMT

Article By Sarah Freymuth, FCA Communications Manager

Knowing Whose we are changes the way we play.

It’s all over the place: the push to move yourself up the ladder of influence, success and fame. From self-indulgent Instagram posts to pushing a teammate out of the way to end up on top, we can be tempted to try and amass as much glory for ourselves in our sport as possible.

But, even if you reach the heights of success, isn’t something off? Does it feel like something is missing? Could it be that we were never meant to hold the weight of glory? Perhaps, that glory belongs to Someone else.

“’… everyone who bears my name
and is created for my glory.
I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.’” –Isaiah 43:7

Look at who you are. How you have been made in God’s image, fashioned with His hands, your heart beating to His. Every piece of our self has been stitched by a caring God, whose glory far outlasts any worldly praise we could want for ourselves.

“For it was you who created my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will praise you
because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.
Your works are wondrous,
and I know this very well.
My bones were not hidden from you
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in your book and planned
before a single one of them began.” –Psalm 139:13-16

The way you play basketball effortlessly—that’s a gift given by God. Your ability to lead a team well? Another talent tailored by God. He’s intimately acquainted with every part of us, and if we lean into this wonderful knowledge that we are created in God’s image, because He deemed it good, our focus begins to shift off self and onto the glorious One who is God.

If we recognize that we are made in God’s image and that He has given us our abilities, how do we use that knowledge to guide us in our sport?

STOP AND LISTEN TO HIS VOICE

Take time during the day to listen for God. Talk to Him, pause, get still and listen to what He is saying. Read the Bible, meditate on a verse and see how you can incorporate it into your day. Maybe that’s giving a word of encouragement to a struggling teammate or staying late at practice to help clean up. Live out what you’ve learned from God.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I plead my case to you and watch expectantly.” –Psalm 5:3

SEEK AFTER HIS HEART

Read about Jesus’ life in the gospels. How did He interact with the people around Him? What kinds of people did He meet with, pray for and teach? Learn Jesus’ rhythms and see how He would have you take care of your teammates.

“My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” –John 10:27

SHIFT FROM SELF TO OTHERS

Serving others brings us joy. God created us to rely on one another. Think about how you can make someone’s day better, instead of just bettering your own. When we live out of the love of God, we want to share that same love with others.

“Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” –Matthew 25:45

God created you with care and wants you to use the talents He has placed in you to pursue His glory. When you do well in a game, give Him praise. When you don’t do well, give Him praise. Remember Whose you are and lean into that identity. Lead a life on and off the field that leads people to the God who is worthy of all praise.

***

Live It Out:

Question – How have you been playing for personal glory? How does knowing God made you with care shift the way you compete?

Challenge – Commit to praise God and give Him glory no matter how the outcome of your next game.

and start today!

Who Am I?

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:00:01 GMT

Article By Mindy Hopman, FCA Regional Director of Ministry Advancement (Florida)

The Creator of the universe thought specifically of you when He created you.

The world tells us we need to be successful, and success only comes from tangible items. So we run, race and compete to be the best, the smartest, the fastest and, sometimes, even the funniest. But it leaves us exhausted trying to keep up.

But there’s good news: the Word of God tells us that when Jesus died on the cross, sin was nailed to it, and we don’t have to live empty in a world full of comparison and competition from brokenness anymore.

The miraculous story of creation can be found in the first two chapters of Genesis, but God wanted more than to admire the beauty of His workmanship. Something was missing. On the sixth day, God created man and woman so He could enjoy fellowship with someone like Him. And He didn’t hold back in His design.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” –Ephesians 2:10

The Creator of the universe thought specifically of you when He created you. You are His masterpiece. Yes, you have a love for your sport. You may even be skilled in it. Your passion for the game isn’t a random incident that came upon you when you started playing; it came from intentional creation. Before all things began, God already was, and He had you in mind.

You are who God meant you to be. His perfect love was behind every part of your unique design.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.’” –Genesis 1:26a

HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT ME ARE INFINITE

In a time when physical appearance is such a dominant part of culture, it's incredible to know that God created every person born (including you) in His image because of His great love for humankind.

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.” –Hebrews 11:3

While I cannot understand the depth of His infinite thoughts about me, I know He has a plan and that plan does not tire Him. He does not grow weak or weary. God initiates all things divine. He merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born (Isaiah 40:28; Psalm 33:6). He wove you in your mother’s womb. He gave you the perfect body size, nose, eyes and hair color. Doesn’t it feel good to know we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image (Psalm 139:13-14)?

“So God created man in his own image.” –Genesis 1:27a

I AM A NEW CREATION

When you turn to Jesus and make Him the Lord and Savior of your life, God creates you anew.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” –2 Corinthians 5:17

You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.”― Oswald Chambers

In the places where you feel less than, may you trust Him and let the power of His Holy Spirit move into your heart and make you complete. The power of His Spirit fills the void of comparison the world creates.

Holy contentment and perfect peace come from knowing God created us to be the ideal people to carry out His plan for His purpose right where He strategically places us.

SO, WHO AM I?

I am God’s Masterpiece.
I am created anew in Christ Jesus.
I am prepared and equipped to do the work He planned for me long ago.
I am gifted by the power of the Holy Spirit and when I use my gift for His good and His glory, it brings Him great pleasure.

The great Olympic runner Eric Liddell said, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” You are who God meant you to be. His perfect love was behind every part of your unique design. When you walk confidently in your calling in Christ, may you feel His pleasure.

The Creator of all things created is worthy "... to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased" (Revelation 4:11, NLT) .

***

Live It Out:

Question – How do you currently see yourself? How does God see you?

Challenge – Remember who you are in God through Christ: a son or daughter wonderfully made. Share who you are in Him with the world today.

and start today!

What Matters Most?

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 20:14:59 GMT

Article By Mark Long, FCA Endurance (Virginia)

The solution to find balance and peace is found in God’s Word.

Professional athletes and coaches face monumental decisions as they enter their arena of sport. Their choices and decisions can set the trajectory of their careers and their lives. Some set their sights on maximum financial gain, some on ensuring they are on the best winning team, while others may seek more noble pursuits. It all centers on what the coach or athlete considers the highest priority and what they value the most.

The same is true for our lives. What we value as most important determines how we spend our time and resources. It frames our world, guides our decisions and governs our choices. It forces us to prioritize the many, so we can accomplish the few that make the greatest impact in achieving our goals.

As a simple example, consider your morning thought process. At the start of your day, where does your mind go? Most likely, on all the things that need to be done that day, being mindful of which ones are most important. Prioritization allows us to assess what matters most and giving those things the right amount of our attention and time.

Athletes juggle academics, training and competing, along with many other outside activities, responsibilities and life choices. Coaches have families to serve, a career that can often be consuming, pressure to win and both internal and external expectations to meet. Balancing these variables can leave us overwhelmed, overworked and overloaded.

The solution to find balance and peace is found in God’s Word. Using the Bible as our guide provides the foundation for setting priorities. It teaches us to put God first in every area of our lives, value relationships over material possessions, and strive for spiritual growth above worldly success.

The account of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 is an excellent example of focusing on what matters most and placing priority of the important over the urgent. Martha was activity driven, busy with important things, but Mary was relationally driven, sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him. Jesus says, “Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part” (v.41-42) . Jesus proclaims the priority, the “one thing”.

Jesus also addresses what matters most when asked what the greatest commandment was. His response, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). Our highest priority and continual mindset is to love God and love others.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

So how do we set our priorities and our agenda on what’s most important to God in our life and daily routine? Here are a few examples from God’s Word:

SEEK

Seek God first in every decision and pursuit.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” –Colossians 3:2

SPEND

Spend time in God’s presence daily. Pray, give thanks, read the Bible and worship. Ask God to help you discern what your priorities should be.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

SURROUND

Surround yourself with other Christ followers – church, small group bible study, fellowship, and discipleship.

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” –Hebrews 10:25

SERVE

Serve God by using your gift and talents.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” –1 Peter 4:10

SHARE

Share the Good News with others.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’“ –Mark 16:15

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” –Matthew 28:19

So, what matters most to you today? What will you prioritize?

***

Live It Out

Theme Verse – Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Question – How are you currently spending your time, energy and resources?

Challenge – Review the 5 action verbs above and assess your strengths and weaknesses, then develop a prioritization action plan for advancement.

and start today!

What Are You Chasing?

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 19:54:56 GMT

Article By FCA

We were never meant to hold our own glory; it’s meant for Someone else.

We’re trying to do everything on our own to ensure that we are getting the recognition we think we deserve.

We’re doing everything to point back to ourselves. More playing time, more stats, more crowds cheering us on. But it falls flat. The praise doesn’t bring the peace we thought it would.

But what if there’s more than this chasing after awards that fade, records that get broken, and a name that gets buried in the annals as time goes on? What if there’s a deeper purpose for the talents we have?

What’s missing? The truth is that we were never made to hold our own glory. There is a God who made us, in His image, for His glory.

When you win a game, achieve an athletic goal, shine in a performance, or break a record, your natural response as a competitor is to want the credit and whatever reward is attached to that success. Another way you might describe it is “glory,” which can come in the form of recognition, renown, prestige, fame, or honor. There’s nothing inherently wrong in desiring good outcomes from your hard work. But if that’s your number one goal as a competitor, it will never be as fulfilling as you hope it might be. You’ll always be tempted to chase your own glory if you don’t understand your true identity and purpose.

Receiving glory in the form of honor, praise, admiration, or rewards will naturally happen throughout your athletic career. But it’s when you find yourself chasing glory that it becomes a problem. It puts you out of balance with God’s plan, which is to give Him all the glory for what He has done for you and through you.

Like Adam and Eve in the garden and the people of Babylon, you too can find yourself chasing glory in the form of popularity, awards, records, scholarships, or even Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, and professional contracts. It's That sinful nature that tries to compel you towards pride, selfishness, struggles with identity and self-worth, idolatry, and attempting to claim God’s glory for yourself. But God didn’t create you to handle the weight of His glory. Instead, He created you to give Him The glory and have peace knowing that Jesus is perfectly sufficient for every aspect of your life.

The first step towards true peace and fulfillment is acknowledging that you are chasing after something that God never intended for you. As you step away from the sin of pride and move closer to Him, it’s important to remember: Chasing My Glory is a vain pursuit. It won’t fulfill you and it won’t bring you closer to God. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.

“For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” –Romans 1:20-22

As you better understand the nature of God’s glory, you will start to move from chasing your glory to reflecting His glory. And His glory is what matters.

***

Live It Out

Question – Are you chasing after something that isn't part of God's plan for you?

Challenge – Find a Bible verse on God's glory and ask yourself what you can do to give Him glory in your day today.