God is our Daddy and Coach

Recently, I was faced with a decision that reminded me of God. You see, my daughter is a good 2nd grade basketball player. The season is ending and she has been invited to play on a 3rd and 4th grade girls All-Star team that will go and play tournaments. As I weighed the decision of letting her play on the team, I had to decide what would be in her best interest. You see she is one of the better girls (I may be biased) in the 2nd grade co-ed league, and I know she can compete well with the 3rd grade girls. But I don't want her to be discouraged when facing the 4th grade All-Star teams from other places. After thinking about it, I am going to let her play on this team, and in fact I have been asked to coach it. My point is that there is a fine line between what helps us grow and what could hinder our growth.

God does the same thing with us every single day. He knows what you and I can and cannot handle, though sometimes we think he overestimates our ability don't we? Yet, He always helps us through.

If you are going through a tough time today, think of yourself as a 2nd grade All-Star being invited to play with the 4th graders. Only realize this...God is your coach. He knows what we can handle even more than you and I do. "And be sure of this: I (JESUS) am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20b). Go get 'em!

How many miracles have we missed?

The more I study God's Word, the more I realize that I don't know much. Our instructor in my Hermeneutics Class discussed Luke 16:19-31. I have heard this preached on in many evangelistic settings but never to teach discipleship.

As the story goes, a rich man is in Hell and calls out for help from Abraham in Heaven. This rich man tells Abraham to send Lazarus, who was dead, back to warn this man's brothers to repent. He says that if his brothers see someone come back from the dead they would repent.

It sounds logical doesn't it? But Abraham says in v.31, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."

What is this saying? They miss the miracle because they don't know God's Word. You see Moses and the prohets were long dead by the time of this story. the "Moses and the prophets" being referred to here is the scripture, specifically the Old Testament. The Bible is telling us that if we don't "hear Moses and the prophets" we will not understand the miracle (one coming back from the dead).

So, how can we "hear Moses and the prophets" if we don't spend time in God's Word? We can't.

How many miracles have we missed seeing because we haven't spent time in God's Word?

Challenge for this week. Spend time in God's Word and see if He doesn't show you His miracles happening around you. Feel free to respond back.