Preach What You Practice, Redux .....

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15

Coming home meant, among other things, gretting back to work in support of Upward Basketball and Cheerleading in the Tall City. Upward is "an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for K5 through sixth-grade boys and girls that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child." But one doesn't need to have a child in that age group - or even have a child - to get involved as an adult volunteer.

My material for today's devotionals was provided by Astrid, the head of a Christian ministry in the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, that brings young people to Christ through sports and English-language-instruction. Here is what I prepared from her contributions .....

"Sawatdee ..... Greetings from the people of Thailand. I recently return from Thailand as part of a mission team that met with, and worked with a number of Christian ministries in that country. One was an athletics ministry that is bringing young people to Christ through sporting events such as this one we are attending today. They provided me with devotional material that they wanted to share with their brothers and sisters in Midland, Texas, in the United States of America."

"They wanted me to remind you that there is a referee. In basketball, there is a referee and, like it or not, he or she is the official, the arbitrator and the judge of the game. In the game of life, there is one true God. Like it or not, He is the creator, the judge, and the arbitrator of each of our lives."

"What does the Bible tell us about God and his role in creation, and the beginning? In the Old Testament, in the Book of Genesis, we are told, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (New International Version) And in the New Testament, in the Book of John, we are told, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.”

"They also wanted me to remind you that there is a plan. In basketball, the coach wants the team to succeed and has a game plan for that, where each player has a role, a purpose, in helping his or her team succeed. In the game of life, God has created each of us with a purpose, because of his great love for us. God has a game plan for all our lives."

"What does the Bible tell us about God’s Plan? In the Old Testament, in the Book of Jeremiah, we are told, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (New International Version) And in the New Testament, in the Book of John, we are told, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

"I'd like to extend an invitation to you ..... if you are looking for a church home, perhaps you have found it, here, at First Presbyterian, where we proclaim the good news of Christ's resurrection and share the forgiveness and new life found in Him. Each of us is a minister called to respond to suffering and to celebrate the joy of others. Our witness is to one another, our neighbors and the world - whether it's in Midland or in Thailand. We find strength through the study of the Word of God, through fellowship, worship, prayer, stewardship and service."

"In closing, won’t you join me in prayer ....."