February 23-Be Salt

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 5:13

Today is the birthday of John “T-Bone” Shelby former player with the Orioles, Dodgers, and Pirates. Shelby after his playing career has become a well-respected coach for the Orioles, Dodgers, Pirates, and Brewers. Shelby’s testimony is found in the FCA Baseball New Testament and our Scripture lesson is one of his favorite verses. Shelby said,” Salt preserves and it aids in healing. If you are supposed to be a Christian and you can’t represent yourself as salt, then you are useless. I want to be useful for God.”

Salt’s two main purposes in the days of Jesus were to preserve and to add flavor. What a great definition for a Christian today, we are to flavor the world with Jesus and his ways, as well as preserving others for Him by living our lives for Him. Salt that lost its ability to preserve and flavor was simply thrown out. How sad is it when we lose our living example and we are not useful to Christ. Jesus needs us to be salt to the world, helping to draw others to Him.

1. How can we flavor the world for Christ?
2. How salty are we in our faith right now?
3. Are we useful to God? Why or why not?

Today let’s get salty for the Kingdom, living like Jesus and for Jesus!

February 22-Manager

Scripture Lesson: Exodus 17:8-15

Today in 1934 George Lee Anderson is born in Bridgewater, South Dakota. He will be given the nickname Sparky, play 152 games for the Phillies in 1959 and never play in another major league game. However Sparky Anderson would go on to win 2,194 games and capture World Series championships in both the National and American Leagues as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. Sparky was always quick to give the credit to his coaches and players.

In this early battle of the Hebrew people, Joshua is in charge of the army (first time we are introduced to Joshua in Scripture) and Moses as the leader is going to hold of the staff of God during the battle. As Moses got tired the staff would lower, when that happened the Israelites would begin to lose the battle. Finally Aaron and Hur held up Moses hands and the Israelites won the battle. It took everyone working together to bring about the victory. Just like in baseball, it takes not only the manager, but the playes and coaches working together in order for the team to win. Sparky and Moses could not do it alone, but like the good managers they were the enlisted the help of others.

1. Christianity is best lived with others. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
2. Who is on your team to help you grow in your faith?
3. Who do you need to ask to help you manage the Christian life?

God meant for faith to be lived out in community, find that community and get involved with others living for Him.

February 21-Rules

Scripture Lesson: 1 John 1:8-9

Rollie Fingers retires on this date in 1986. The Reds manager Pete Rose had offered Fingers a contract after his release by the Milwaukee Brewers. In defiance of the Reds policy to forbid facial hair, Fingers retired rather than shave off his trademark handlebar moustache. The future Hall of Fame reliever ended his career with 341 saves.

Today’s Scripture are very familiar words found in 1 John. Sometimes in life we fool ourselves into believing that we have not broken any of God’s rules or sinned. We want to neglect our short comings. The truth is we have all broken the rules and sinned. The good news is that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. When we mess up and we will, God is waiting on our confession to forgive us. When God forgives a sin it is as if that sin never existed. God not only forgives when we confess our sins, He forgets!

1. Why is it easier to see other’s sins than our own sins?
2. Are there any sins we need to clean out and confess today?
3. Thank God for forgiving and forgetting.

Isn’t it time to quit fooling ourselves and clean out any unconfessed sin in our lives?

February 20-Reliable

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 26:36-46

Today is the birthday of former New York Yankee, Tommy Hendrich whose nickname is “Old Reliable”. Hendrich led the AL in triples twice and runs scored once. He is best known for his numerous feats in the World Series. He was the hitting star in the 1947 World Series and hit the very first walk off homer in World Series history in game 1 of the 1949 Series. Hendrich’s Yankee teammates could always rely on “Old Reliable”.

Today’s verses take us back to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before Jesus’ death. Jesus knew what lied ahead of Him and was overwhelmed with sorrow. He took Peter, James and John with Him into the Garden and asked them to pray for Him. As Jesus was wrestling with the upcoming events, the disciples who he had pleaded with to pray for Him…slept. Jesus went back three times to them only to find them not praying, but sleeping. The night that Jesus needed his closest friends the most, they let Him down. They could have been known as “Old Unreliable”.

1. Have we been unreliable for the Master?
2. What does it take to be reliable for Him?
3. Do we need to ask for His forgiveness?

On this earth we are the hands and feet of Jesus, we are called to love like Him and live like Him each day. That is being reliable for the Master.

February 19-Serve

Scripture Lesson: Joshua 22:5

Ted Williams flying a combat mission over Korea is hit by enemy fire on this date in 1953. Williams safely crash lands his Panther jet. Baseball historians often wonder what Williams’ statistics would have been if he had not lost 5 years of his prime baseball years to military service first in World War 2 and then in the Korean War.

As today’s Scripture lesson unfolds Joshua is addressing the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Their land in the Promised Land was on the east side of the Jordan River. These lands were conquered first, but the tribes were asked to continue to support the military effort on the west side of the Jordan. The time had now come for them to claim their lands. Joshua is giving them some final instructions before they set out. He reminds them to obey God’s commandments, to walk in His ways, to love God, hold fast to Him, and serve Him with all their heart and soul. What wise words for us today. Can you imagine the difference we could make for God today if we lived these words and served Him with all our hearts and souls.

1. How do we serve God this way?
2. What do we need to do today to serve Him with all we have?
3. Ask God to show you how He wants you to serve Him today.

God deserves our best, just how often does He receive our best when we serve Him?

February 18-Parents

Scripture Lesson: Exodus 20:12

Eddie Matthews, Hall of Fame third baseman of the Braves, dies in 2001. Matthews ended his seventeen year career with 512 HRs and 1,453 RBIs. Matthews gave a great deal of credit to his parents for developing his Hall of Fame baseball skills. “My mother used to pitch to me and my dad would shag balls. If I hit one up the middle to close to my mother, I would have extra chores to do. My mother was instrumental in making me a pull hitter.”

David Letterman has a top ten list each night on his talk show, our Scripture lesson today comes from God’s top ten list…The Ten Commandments. Number five tells us to “honor our fathers and mothers”. Honoring our parents is a command from God, it also is the only commandment with a promise, that is we do so we will live long lives. Growing up we often take for granted all our parents did for us and the sacrifices they made to provide for our daily living. It is amazing just how smart my father got when I graduated from college. Today and every day let’s renew our obedience to each of God’s top ten as we honor our parents!

1. How can we honor our parents?
2. Reflect on all your parents have done for you and why they did?
3. If your parents are living, thank them today for all they did for you out of their love for you.

Don’t let this day go by without simply thanking God for your parents and honoring them with the way you live today!

February 17-Sacrifice

Scripture Lesson: Hebrews 9:26-28

On this date in 1943, Joe Dimaggio trades in his salary of $43,500 a year playing for the New York Yankees, for the $50 a month salary of an enlisted man in the US Army. Dimaggio , in his customary quiet style, does not inform the Yankees of his decision before hand and will not return to the Yankee line up until the start of the 1946 season. Joe Dimaggio felt it was his duty to serve his country and he was willing to make a huge financial sacrifice to do just that.

Today’s Scripture lesson tells of the one in all of history who made the biggest sacrifice of all, Jesus Christ. Jesus gave up the joy of heaven to come to this world for only one purpose that was to die for our sins and mistakes. Jesus freely gave up heaven to come to die once and for all to pay the price for a sinful humanity. Jesus is coming back and when he does this time it is not to die but to bring those who believe in Him to salvation in heaven! What an awesome passage that reminds of us of the sacrifice of Jesus and also He is coming again! Praise be to God!

1. Since Jesus sacrificed so much for us, what do we need to sacrifice for Him?
2. What would you do today if you knew Jesus was coming again this afternoon?
3. Thank Jesus right now for the sacrifice He made for us and ask Him what he desires from us right now!

Jesus loves us so much, what a blessing and what a sacrifice he gave to each of us!

February 16-Old Age

Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 46:4

On this date in 1952 after 40 years as a player and a coach, Hall of Famer Honus Wagner retires from the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 77. Wagner’s number 33 he wore as a coach is the first number that the Pirates would retire. Today there is a statue of Wagner at the front entrance of the Pirates’ stadium, PNC Park.

The promise that is found in our Scripture lesson today can give us hope for our advancing years. God will be there for us when we get old and have gray hairs. God will sustain us and carry us. God will watch over us and be there for us. As my hair is turning grayer by the day, it is great to know that no matter how old we get, God will always be there for us! God loves us so much and he wants us to know that the love He has for us only deepens through the years. Today, let’s make sure our love for Him deepens every day by working on our relationship with Him!

1. How will God be there for us as we grow older?
2. Is our relationship with God growing each day? Why or why not?
3. Describe how God sustains us?

The One who created us will always be there for us no matter our age! Thank Him today for loving us that much!

February 15-Nicknames

Scripture Lesson: John 1:40-42

Today is the birthday of former Dodger and Cub, Ron Cey. Cey was a part of the longest tenured infield in baseball history. The Los Angeles Dodgers set a major league record for an entire infield playing together. From 1984-1992 the Dodgers infield consisted of Steve Garvey at first, Davy Lopes at second, Bill Russell at short, and Ron Cey at third. Cey is also known for his nickname, ”The Penguin”. Cey walked and ran like a penguin.

Andrew had just encountered Jesus for the first in our Scripture lesson today. He went immediately to find his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. Jesus looks at Simon and gives him a nickname, Cephas or Peter. The nickname means Rock. So Jesus nicknamed Simon, Rock and on that rock Jesus later said He would build His Church. Faith like a rock, I like that nickname for a Christian. Don’t lose sight of the fact that when Andrew saw Jesus he had to tell his brother. There may be someone we need to tell the good news of Jesus Christ!

1. What would your faith nickname be based on how your walk with Jesus is going?
2. Why was Simon changed to Rock?
3. Ask God today for someone to cross your path that needs to hear about Jesus.

Today let us all do our best to live the example of Jesus, Andrew, and Rock as we walk through life today!

February 14-Love

Scripture Lesson: Jude 20-21

On Valentines’ Day 1976 the Atlanta Braves sent a Valentines’ Day card to their season ticket holders and to the media. They had finished the 1975 season in last place 40 ½ games behind the first place Cincinnati Reds. The card read “Rose is a Red, Morgan’s one too. They finished first like we want to. But last year’s behind us we are happy to say. Now we are tied for first, Happy Valentines’ Day.” The Braves finished last again in 1976 32 ½ games behind, you guessed it, the Cincinnati Reds.

The Bible is full of references to love as well as our passage today found in Jude. Jude instructs us to build ourselves up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit and remain in God’s love. I like the concept of remaining in God’s love. Remember the feeling you used to get when you climbed up in your parents’ lap. It was a feeling of not only love but security. I can remember my Mom reading Bible stories to me, sitting in her lap. It was such a great feeling because I knew how much my Mom loved me. The same thing holds true here, remaining in God’s love is like crawling up in His lap. He loves us much more than we could ever imagine, what a great love to remain in!

1. Describe God’s love for you.
2. Is that a place you would like to remain?
3. How do we share that kind of love with others?

Take a few minutes to thank God for loving us as a loving Heavenly Father. May we share that kind of love not only this day of love, but every day to a world that needs this love so much!