Training Camp

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

-- 1 Corinthians 9:25

There’s something strangely appealing about rooting for the underdog. So maybe that helps explain the lasting popularity of the movie Rocky and its many sequels.

If you’re one of the dozen or so people who have never seen this cinema masterpiece, Rocky is essentially the Old Testament story of David and Goliath set in run-down 1970s Philadelphia. Rocky Balboa is a washed-up, down-on-his-luck boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fight Apollo Creed — the reigning heavyweight champion of the world. The match is simply a stunt dreamed up by Creed’s public relations machine, and few give Rocky (played by Sylvester Stallone) much chance of surviving the fight’s early rounds.

No one takes the match seriously ... except for Rocky. And as he begins to prepare and reach milestone after milestone, even his skeptical girlfriend, coworker and trainer begin to believe that there might be a slim glimmer of hope.

Rather than the dramatic — but somewhat unrealistic — fight scenes, the

footage of Rocky’s unorthodox training regimen is arguably the best part of the movie. We see the blue-collar boxer working out in the local meat processing plant, strengthening his body by drinking (yuck!) a raw egg breakfast cocktail, and then building his endurance by jogging through the city’s mean streets. The sequence ends triumphantly as Rocky races up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, raises his arms in victory and surveys The City of Brotherly Love.

At first glance, good’s ability to triumph over evil is Rocky’s lesson for movie-lovers. But the less obvious New Testament message is the value of training and discipline in our lives. As Christ-followers, we need to develop and use the gifts and talents God has given us to make a positive difference in our community and the world. For example, we’re called to explain the basis of our faith to anyone who asks us. But how can we answer questions from a neighbor or coworker if we don’t regularly set aside time to read and study the Bible and know what we’re talking about? This type of spiritual training is also a great way to grow closer to God by developing our ability to listen for his voice. And in turn, it helps us discern right from wrong when faced by those modern-day scenarios that are so rarely black or white.

Rocky Balboa’s chilly, early morning jogs through Philadelphia’s grimy streets also remind us about the critical need for endurance in our spiritual journey. The road we travel as Christ-followers is anything but straight, smooth and easy. Jesus tells us, “Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.”

Rocky is much more than a classic underdog tale: it also teaches key biblical principles. It was the blue-collar boxer’s steadfast adherence to a grueling diet and training regimen that helped him become a great champion. Likewise, it takes focused training, discipline and endurance for Christ-followers to become the great faith-driven people God envisions them to be.

Living Passionately

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come

that they may have life, and have it to the full.

-- John 10:10

It’s said that if you find a job that lets you do what you love, you’ll never work another day in your life.

That’s a good observation when it comes to career planning. But it’s also true when it comes to life in general. The Bible tells us that Jesus arrived to give us life -- and to give it to us abundantly. This reveals that God doesn’t want us to live out our days by simply going through the motions.

But many of us do just that. Too often, it seems like life is just about getting up, fighting commuter traffic, spending 8 or more hours on the job, eating dinner and then going to bed.

One day fades into the next, month after month and year after year. And then the day finally comes when we look back at our lives and wonder what happened.

What’s the solution? As Christ-followers, the first thing to understand is that our time on this planet is limited. In fact, the world isn’t really our true home. We’re just passing through in this thing called life. And one day, God will call us home to his kingdom.

The mortality rate is 100%. Therefore, we must avoid living out our days with regrets about what could have been. The key is to live each day passionately. And one way to start is by living like you actually know the day and the hour of your passing. This will reveal your true priorities and spotlight the people, causes and activities that mean the most in your life. They are your passions.

But here are some disclaimers. Before pursuing any passion, be sure that it’s God-honoring. Also, what invigorates you must last into eternity. For example, Jesus’ passion was doing God’s will. Christ even went so far as to say that his words were his Father’s rather than his own. He also explained his actions by pointing out that he did only what he saw his Father doing:

“Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” Jesus asked. “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”

Discovering a life-passion is easy for some people but elusive for others. Ask God to reveal his will for you in this crucial area. And once he has, pursue it wholeheartedly in the time he’s given you. Then let that passion become contagious -- so much so that those who aren’t Christ-followers will ask what (or really Who) drives you.

Are you living a passionate life -- one that’s God-honoring and abundant? If not, don’t let could-haves become should-haves. 

Your someday is right now.

Give It a Rest

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

You’ve seen them in the bookstore, online and in the workplace. And you might even have a few at home. They’re those yellow For Dummies books that help you do everything from gardening to database management to gourmet cooking. There’s even one on Christianity.

The For Dummies books and their companion website are popular because so many folks these days don’t have the time or patience to learn and appreciate why things are the way they are. Instead, they want to know (quickly!) how it's done without the annoying details.

That’s not always a bad thing -- particularly when there's a last-minute project at the office and you don’t have a clue where to start. So let’s give them their due. The For Dummies books and their imitators can often save readers hours of time and at least a couple of sleepless nights.

But there’s a downside when we overemphasize shortcuts and quick fixes.

In 21st century America, our hectic lives can consist of random snapshots and scattered sound bytes rather than full-length, Technicolor documentaries. We literally don’t stop and smell the roses, which just happen to be some of God’s most beautiful creations. Then we miss out on life.

Wouldn’t it be nice once in a while to just interrupt our never-ending schedules to recharge our batteries and forget about the everyday grind? The Bible tells us that God agrees. And that’s why he created the Sabbath. It’s one special day each week (not necessarily Sunday) when we can worship, relax with family and friends, do good for others and generally enjoy life.

That’s one valid way to look at the Sabbath. But it has a much deeper meaning. This special day also reflects a special person (Jesus Christ), who exemplified everything the Sabbath should be. Although he had only three years to save the world, Jesus still took time out to pray, help others ... and even attend a party or two. Never in a hurry, he even called himself The Lord of the Sabbath. And he still had time to complete his must-do to-do list.

Do you ever wonder how you’ll ever get it all done? Learn from Jesus’ example and just give it a rest.

Unstoppable

Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.

-- Hebrews 12:3

It was one of the most remarkable spectacles in Olympic history.   

The year was 1992, and 65,000 cheering fans packed the stadium in Barcelona, Spain, for the Men's 400-meter race. This was Derek Redmond's second attempt for a medal. Four years earlier at the Seoul, Korea, games, an Achilles tendon injury forced him to drop out only minutes before the contest.

The race started well this time, with Derek -- the British record holder --

quickly taking the lead. But only 175 meters from the finish line, his right hamstring gave way. Derek began to hop and then slowed down before finally collapsing to the track. Medical personnel rushed to his aid to remove him on a stretcher. But with tears in his eyes, Derek refused to let his dream die.

"No," Derek told them. "I'm going to finish my race."

The injured athlete slowly rose from the track and hobbled in pain toward his goal. Jim Redmond, Derek's father, began pushing his way through the crowded stands as soon as he saw his son pull up lame.

"That's my son," the elder Redmond yelled to the bewildered security guards. "And I'm going to help him."

With 65,000 fans giving the pair a tremendous standing ovation, Jim Redmond did just that. He helped his son -- painful step by painful step -- round the track and cross the finish line.

Is it hard to relate to so much drama? In the spiritual realm, at least, it's easier than you might think. After all, Jesus never said that our faith-journeys would be smooth and pain-free. We should expect conflicts. What’s more, he told his listeners that following the crowd and taking the easy way out means guaranteed disaster.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it," Jesus explained. "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Jesus is this narrow gate. And there's no other way to victory over pain, sorrow and death except by placing our faith and walking with him.

The Christ-follower's faith-journey is full of the twists and turns of life -- some pleasant and surprising -- but others painful and sad. And at the end is the finish line of our existence here on earth. But unlike the finish line on that Olympic racetrack in Barcelona, ours is the beginning to a joyous, eternal existence with our Creator.

In this race called life, some are just completing the first lap while others are on the home stretch. Wherever you are, ask God to help you cross the finish line to victory. The reward will be far greater and last much longer than a gold-plated medal and a standing ovation.

The Show-Me State

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

-- Hebrews 11:1

Hawaii’s Aloha State nickname makes sense. The Sunshine State (Florida) is self-explanatory. But how did Missouri become the Show-Me State?

The best-known legend attributes the phrase to Missouri Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver. While a member of the U.S. House Committee on Naval Affairs, Vandiver gave a speech at a banquet in Philadelphia. That’s where he declared, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me."

The saying goes that seeing is believing. And the Bible records that many

people believed in Jesus after they witnessed his miracles and heard him speak. But we also read in the Gospel of John about a government official who apparently wasn’t from Missouri. No one had to show him to believe:

At Capernaum there was an official whose son was very ill. When he heard that Jesus had left Judea and had arrived in Galilee, he went off to see him and begged him to come down and heal his son, who was by this time at the point of death.

Jesus said to him, “I suppose you will never believe unless you see signs and wonders!”

“Sir,” returned the official, “please come down before my boy dies!”

“You can go home,” returned Jesus, “your son is alive and well.” And the man believed what Jesus had said to him and went on his way.

On the journey back his servants met him with the report, “Your son is alive and well.” So he asked them at what time he had begun to recover, and they replied: “The fever left him yesterday at one o’clock in the afternoon”. Then the father knew that this must have happened at the very moment when Jesus had said to him, “Your son is alive and well.” And he and his whole household believed in Jesus. 

Today more than 2,000 years after that incident, there’s no one alive who’s an eye-witness to Jesus’ recorded miracles. But that doesn’t mean we have to check our minds at the church door to believe he’s indeed the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Not only did Jesus fulfill dozens of Old Testament prophesies recorded centuries before his birth in a tiny village called Bethlehem (which itself fulfilled ancient prophecy to the letter), countless people also witnessed his miracles. Likewise, we read in 1 Corinthians that Jesus appeared to more than 500 people after his crucifixion and burial. And the Apostle Peter, who was one Jesus’ earliest and closest followers, also offered this reliable testimony:

When we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling just clever stories that someone invented. But we saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes. Jesus heard the voice of God, the Greatest Glory, when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice said, “This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him.” We heard that voice from heaven while we were with Jesus on the holy mountain.

Whether you’re from Missouri — or anywhere else for that matter, the mountain of evidence is plain to see. But what’s most important is that it’s evidence that demands your response.

Choosing Hope

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

-- Psalm 71:14

One of the great things about the English language is that a single word can mean so many different things. For example, we might say that we love going to church, we love our children and we’d love for our favorite football team to win the Super Bowl.

The same holds true for the word hope. We say that we hope it will rain in California. We hope we’ll make it to the office on time. And we also put our hope for eternal salvation in Jesus. But why should we hope for that? Isn’t Jesus just one of many religious figures out there?

During his brief time on earth, Jesus cured the sick, raised the dead, forgave

sins and became a living sacrifice to pay the price for all the wrongs of the world -- just as God had planned it at the foundation of the world. His resurrection from the grave -- just as Jesus had predicted it -- proved his power over death. He fulfilled prophecies written centuries before his birth. And 2,000 years later, Jesus' words continue to change lives and deliver hope.

Jesus is literally hope personified. And he’s also the only way to God. In John 14:6, Jesus proclaims that no one can come to the Father (God) except through him. And when his disciple, Philip, asked to see the Creator, Jesus reassured him that God was much closer than he suspected. In fact, very close:

  

"Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?" asked Jesus. "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'"

This claim, of course, makes billions of people uncomfortable. It’s a claim of exclusivity. And it’s also much more than a politically incorrect notion. Popular culture condemns it -- and anyone who dares to declare it -- as intolerant.

But the truth in which Christ-followers hope is anything but exclusive. After all, Jesus' death and resurrection make eternal life available for EVERYONE who puts their faith in him! Christ won’t close the door on those who seek and ask. And unlike man-made religions, the true way to God isn't about keeping certain rules, saying special prayers or eating (or not eating) particular foods. Instead, it’s about having a personal relationship with Jesus, accepting what he's already accomplished and letting him live within. Religions are about doing. But our hope in Jesus is about what’s already done.

To borrow the title of an old-time Gospel song, this news is nothing less than Blessed Assurance. We know without a doubt that Jesus has taken care of our past, present and future through his sacrifice on the cross. And in a world dominated by tragedy, sorrow and uncertainty, he's the only reason that we can choose hope.  

Exclusive Offer

When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

-- Ephesians 1:13

There’s power in the principle of exclusivity.

For example, odds are that your interest is piqued when you receive a letter or an email marked Exclusive Offer. Nightclubs, restaurants and vacation resorts build their reputations on catering to an exclusive clientele of movie stars, politicians and power brokers. Reporters seek exclusive interviews with popular celebrities. And you might feel that you’ve made it to the top if you wear a certain brand of clothing, live in a high-brow community or drive a particular automobile.

Marketers understand that our attraction to exclusivity starts early. When

you were growing up, were you one of the popular kids in school who was always picked first for the kickball team? Or were you the odd-man-out nearly every time?

Some things don’t change, whether it’s on the playground or in the office park. How many times have you been looked over for that big promotion -- or lost out to another job candidate? 

Here's some good news -- particularly for those of us who were never crowned king or queen of the high school prom. And it covers something much more important and lasting:

God -- the most powerful and loving Presence in the universe -- has chosen you and me as his heirs. Once we accept Jesus Christ’s offer of salvation, we become an adopted son or daughter of the Creator. And as God’s children, we’ll all have an amazing inheritance to enjoy for eternity. 

That's a remarkable, eternal truth. And we don’t have to wait until we die to enjoy some of these special family benefits. One of them is the privilege of knowing God within a personal relationship. Through prayer, we can come to him directly with our joys, needs and sorrows. It’s this close bond that helps us overcome the rough spots that we’re guaranteed to face throughout life.

Jesus told his disciples that God isn’t a strict, unknowable taskmaster who waits to zap us when we do wrong. He instead revealed that God is a warm, reassuring and loving Father in the best sense of the word. And to the amazement of all who heard him, Christ even referred to God as “Abba” -- a child’s word that translates into English as Daddy.

God has chosen you and me as his adopted children. And what’s even more incredible is that it’s not an exclusive offer for just a certain few. As we read in Acts 2:21, “Then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

Many will be asked, but few will accept. Jesus just wants us to respond, “Yes, Abba!”