June 19-Back and Forth

Scripture Lesson: Titus 2:11-14

On this date in 2008, in his first Minor League appearance Staten Island Yankee ambidextrous hurler Pat Venditte, Jr facing the Brooklyn Cyclones pitches a scoreless 9th inning that includes striking out a frustrated Ralph Henriquez to end the game. The unhappy switch hitter, after delaying the game to adjust his shin guard each time he changes batters’ box to gain an advantage over the pitcher throwing with both hands, is told by the umpiring crew he must first select the batters’ box he is intending to use and after that the pitcher would be allowed to declare which arm he would be able to pitch. There is a great you tube video of this event.

Paul is warning Titus and us today not to go back and forth in our faith. The world’s way is to live for ourselves and what we want. Paul wants us all to live Godly lives that are self-controlled and upright. Too many times we go back and forth between what God wants for our lives and what Satan wants us to do. Satan can really make sin look good, but it is still the same…sin that draws us away from God and His purpose for our lives. Just say No to Satan and Yes to God.

1. How do we win the daily battle between what Satan wants and what God wants?
2. What teaches us to say no to Satan?
3. As people of Christ, what should we be eager to do?

God has given His best for each of us, we should give our best for Him! Today and every day may we all say NO to Satan and YES to God.

June 18-A Pretty Good Day

Scripture Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

On this date in 1961 Red Sox catcher Jim Pagliaroni had a pretty good day. With the Red Sox trailing the Senators by seven runs going into the bottom of the ninth, Pagliaroni hit a walk off grand slam to win the first game of a double header 13-12. In addition to catching all 22 innings of the doubleheader, Pagliaroni hits another walk off home run this time in the bottom of the 13th to give the Red Sox a doubleheader sweep.

Paul describes for us in our Scripture lesson today what a pretty good day looks like for a Christian. Paul is praying that God will count the Thessalonians worthy of His calling and that God may fulfill every good purpose of them and every act prompted by their faith. A good day for us as God’s children is to live lives worthy of Him and to fulfill our purpose and to serve others by every act of faith. All of this should happen to have the name of Jesus glorified by our actions.

1. What does it take to have a pretty good day for the Lord?
2. How do we live worthy of His calling?
3. How can our service bring honor and glory to Him?

Pagliaroni had a pretty long but a pretty good day for the Red Sox. Let’s do all we can today and every day to have a pretty good day for the Lord.

June 17-No Doubt

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 21:21-22

On this date in 1942 Boston Braves right fielder Paul Waner, standing on first base jesters to the official scorer Jerry Moore of the Boston Globe, not to credit him with a base hit on a ball in the hole that was knocked down by the Reds shortstop Eddie Joust. Waner did not want his historic 3,000th hit to be on a questionable roller. Waner got his 3,000th on a clean single in the next game.

In today’s Scripture lesson, Jesus is telling us to have faith with no doubt. Belief has to be a part of our daily lives, with no doubt in what God and His Son can accomplish. One of the saddest passages of Scripture occurred when Jesus went back to His home town of Nazareth. The people did not believe in Him, why He was just the carpenter’s son. Jesus could not do any miracles there because of their doubt and unbelief. We have no record of Jesus ever returning to His home town again. We will not have our prayers answered if we do not believe and doubt!

1. Describe a time you doubted God.
2. Describe a time you had faith in God.
3. What was the difference in the outcome?

Paul Waner wanted no doubt on his 3,000th hit. Jesus wants no doubt in our daily walk with Him. Faith can move a mountain and make a difference in our daily lives!

June 16-Brevity

Scripture Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

On this date in 1993, in his first Major League at bat Marlins catcher Mitch Lyden hits a home run off Jose Bautista in the team’s 6-4 loss to the Cubs. The second inning homer will be the only home run in his brief career. Lyden will play in only 6 games with 10 at bats and 3 hits.

Paul addresses a problem that had arisen with the Thessalonians. They expected the return of Jesus at any time soon. Some of them had quit their jobs in anticipation of His return. Paul tells the people that no one knows when Jesus will return, but it will be like a thief in the night. Paul reminds them and us today that we must live every day as if Jesus was returning in the next moment. We must live lives of faith because we don’t know how long we have on this earth and how much time we have until Jesus returns. We must live in the light as His children encouraging and building up others. We don’t know the time we have so we must make the most of every moment.

1. If we knew Jesus was coming back in an hour, what would we do?
2. Should we not do just that right now? Why or Why not?
3. How can we encourage and build up our teammates and coaches?

Lyden’s career was indeed very brief. I am sure he will always remember that one and only home run. May we all make memories of serving God by encouraging and building up others!

June 15-Trades

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 27:1-5

On this date in 1964 one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history occurred when the Cubs traded outfielder Lou Brock to the Cardinals for pitcher Ernie Brogilo. Brock went on to have a Hall of Fame career with 3,023 hits and holding the career stolen base record until it was broken by Rickie Henderson. While Brogilo went 7-19 in 2 ½ seasons with the Cubs before injuries ended his career.

Our Scripture lesson today is one of the most lopsided trades in Biblical history. Judas traded Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas betrayed Jesus to the Jewish leaders and when Jesus was condemned to die, he tried to return the money. Judas was so distraught he threw the money into the temple and went out and hung himself.

1. Why was the Judas trade the most lopsided in biblical history?
2. What do you think Judas was feeling when he returned the money?
3. Why do you think Judas betrayed Jesus?

The trade of Brock did not turn out good at all for the Cubs. Judas trading Jesus for 30 pieces of silver ended up with Judas’ suicide. We must be careful to realize nothing should be more important to us than Jesus.

June 14-Streak

Scripture Lesson: John 12:26

On this date in 1919 batting a lowly .198 in 25 games since being acquired last month from the Pacific Coast League Seattle Rainiers, Joe Wilhoit gets a first inning single to begin the longest hitting streak in professional baseball history. The Wichita Jobbers outfielder hits safely in 69 straight games collecting 153 hits in 297 at bats for an amazing average of .515 during the streak.

John shows us today the kind of streak each of us as believers should be striving for each and every day. If we want to serve Christ, then we must be willing to follow Him. Can you imagine what a difference we could make in this world if we went through our days serving Christ and following Him? No greater honor could we receive than being honored by God for serving His Son and following Him. The best way I know to serve Christ is to serve our fellow man. That is the example Christ left for each of us.

1. Why is it important to serve Christ by serving others?
2. How do we follow Christ daily?
3. Where will be with Christ? How does that make you feel?

Let’s begin our faith streak today by serving Christ and following Him.

June 13-Dying

Scripture Lesson: John 11:25-26

On this date in 1948 on the 25th anniversary of Yankee Stadium the Yankees hold Babe Ruth Day. Ruth’s number 3 is retired that day by the team. Ruth who had been stricken with throat cancer is barely able to speak to the crowd. Ruth dies only a little over 2 months from his day at Yankee Stadium on August 16th.

Jesus has gone to Bethany to comfort Mary and Martha on the death of their brother Lazarus. Later in this chapter we find out that Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. These familiar words of Jesus found in our Scripture lesson today tells us that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. If we believe in Him we will never die. We will only pass on to heaven as our earthly life ends. As a believer we need never fear death because death is not the end for us it is just the beginning, the beginning of our eternal life in heaven. What a reassurance for all who believe, Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

1. Why can we face death without fear as a believer?
2. What does it mean to you that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
3. Thank God today for our eternal home as a Christian.

When the time comes,we can face death with the reassurance of God’s provision and presence with us.

June 12-Awards

Scripture Lesson: Ephesians 3:20-21

On this date in 1939 The Baseball Hall of Fame is dedicated in Cooperstown, New York. On hand to receive their plaques as the first inductees are Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Nap Lajoie, George Sisler, Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker, Cy Young, and Connie Mack.

Today’s Scripture lesson reminds us that we should award all praise and glory to God. Paul reminds us that God deserves praise and glory because He is able to do immeasurably more that we ask or could even imagine. We also should give to God praise and glory because it is His power that is at work within us.

1. When is the last time you awarded God praise and glory?
2. What are some reasons God is worthy of our praise?
3. Describe a time God did more for you than you asked.

God deserves our praise and glory. Today and every day let us all award our praise and glory to Him.

June 11-Over Anxious

Scripture Lesson: Luke 12:22-26

On this date in 1981 attempting to break Stan Musial’s National League record for hits, Pete Rose hits a wicked infield grounder which the official scorer rules as an error rather than give the first baseman the historic hit. Amidst the loud booing at Veterans Stadium fireworks began to go off when an over anxious stadium engineer ignites the planned celebration prematurely thinking he had heard Phils President Bill Giles say” go” into the walkie-talkie when he had really said “no”.

In today’s Scripture lesson Jesus is reminding us not to be anxious or to worry. If God takes care of the ravens and we are more important to God than birds, it goes to reason that God will take care of us. Being anxious about anything will not add a single hour to our lives, so why worry and be anxious. We should have faith in God to know that He will take care of us and our needs. Walking in faith daily with Him will help us to trust Him more for our needs each day.

1. What is something you worry about from time to time?
2. Does worry ever help?
3. How can we live our lives worry free to show God we believe in Him?

Sometimes it is hard not to be anxious or to worry. Worry never helps us in our problems, it only hurts us. Let’s trust God and believe in Him to meet our needs.

June 10-Who Are Our Leaders?

Scripture Lesson: Hebrews 13:7-8

On this date in 1921 Yankee slugger Babe Ruth hits his 120th career home run off Indians pitcher Jim Bagby to become baseball’s career home run leader. Ruth will hold this record until 1974 when Hank Aaron hits number 715.

The writer of Hebrews wants us to remember our leaders today. We are to remember those who have taught us the word of God and lived a Christ like example before us. Not only are we to remember them, we are called to imitate their living of the Christian life. Verse 8 should be a constant reminder that Jesus never changes. He is always the same loving Savior who wants us to live like Him and live for Him.

1. Who are some of those men and women of faith we need to remember today?
2. Who has helped us grow the most in our faith?
3. What does it mean to yu that Jesus is always the same?

Both Ruth and Aaron were great home run leaders and made a lasting impression on the game of baseball. Take the opportunity today to thank those who have been leaders in the faith, that have made an impression on you.