Sports Spectrum Daily Devotional - Thursday, April 19, 2018

Sports Spectrum Daily Devotional – Thursday, April 19, 2018

By Sports Spectrum Apr 19, 2018

(Photo Courtesy: Michael B Stuart/Flickr)

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” — Ephesians 2:14-18

War or Peace

Many locker rooms are divided. Maybe it’s by offensive and defensive players, but many are divided because there are teammates who are annoying or downright mean. We do what we can to stay out of their way and avoid them. But is that what we are called to do?

If Christ was willing to come to earth and suffer on the cross in order to rescue sinners, then shouldn’t we reach out to those we don’t like? Our sin put us at war with God. But Christ saved us.

If we don’t reach out to them, who will? Won’t we miss the call that Christ has placed on us to reach out to others? We may not know what to say or we may not have the courage to say it, but if we depend on the Holy Spirit, we will do just fine. We were put on this earth for others.

– Tim Pitcher

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Daily Devotional: Friday, July 18 – Little Is Much

By Sports Spectrum Jul 18, 2025

Roger Federer (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15

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Longtime tennis commentator and former professional player Darren Cahill recently told a fascinating story in an interview about an encounter he had years ago with now-retired tennis legend Roger Federer. Cahill spoke about how he had the opportunity to spend a week with Federer while he was still actively playing and was stunned at the level of practice intensity Federer put in every day. Cahill noted that when most people saw Federer practicing on the courts at a tournament or before a match, it always looked like he was just going through a gentle warmup at a local club.

After seeing Federer put in these high-intensity, four- or five-hour training sessions in private with no public eyes looking on, Cahill asked why he never showed this level in public practice. Federer simply said that by the time he’d arrive at a tournament, the hard work was already done in the lead-up. All that was left was to just feel the ball and feel good about his game. His point was that the tedious, dedicated work and time that you put in on a private court or an empty stadium when nobody is watching is where the real results happen. What you see in the tournaments and important matches are just the byproduct.

Brain scientists have discovered that, in challenging moments, we don’t necessarily “rise to the occasion” as much as we fall back on our level of preparation. And the Bible only further emphasizes this when speaking about the importance of doing the small, unseen things well that later add up in the times when it counts the most.

First Peter 3:15 talks about always being “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Proverbs 6:6-8 speaks of observing the ant and how it prepares itself in harvest for the winter. Matthew 24:44 says that we must be ready for the unknown hour when Jesus comes back. Matthew 25:1-11 tells the story of the 10 virgins and how only five made the effort be sure they were prepared for the groom’s arrival. Second Timothy 2:15 (above) states that there is no shame if we have done our best to present ourselves approved to God.

When it comes to our faith and even the results we see in the workplace or on the field or court of play, the choices we’ve made and the things we’ve done when nobody except God is watching are what set us up for success or failure in the big moments. The adjustments we’re willing to make, the personal growing we do, the preparation we give attention to in the privacy of our own homes, closest relationships and time spent with God is the stuff that will equip us for the big moments when we need it the most.

We won’t be made in the visible situations when everyone is watching, but rather in the seemingly insignificant moments when what we’re doing is setting the tone for what happens tomorrow.

— Katherine Singer

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Daily Devotional: Thursday, July 17 – Championship Ring

By Sports Spectrum Jul 17, 2025

Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrate after winning the NBA championship, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT)

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Last month, champions were crowned in various sports in the United States. Two had the opportunity to share that honor on the same day: The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA championship over the Indiana Pacers in a seven-game series, and the College World Series saw its 2025 champion, LSU, celebrate its victory over Coastal Carolina in a series sweep.

Five days earlier, the Florida Panthers won their second Stanley Cup in a row by beating the Edmonton Oilers in six games. And if you’re a diehard football fan, you know the United Football League held its championship game with the D.C. Defenders outscoring the Michigan Panthers, 58-34.

All these teams will cherish and savor the victory for years to come. They will remember the struggles, the teamwork, the individual achievements, but most of all they will know the championship is theirs through their victory.

In 1 Corinthians 15:57 (above), the apostle Paul tells us about another victory we can all have by no effort of our own. In fact, this victory requires no work at all. No heavy lifting, training, running sprints, or studying a playbook is involved. Paul states we can have victory over our sin and death through Jesus Christ. None of us can atone for our sin. There is nothing we can do to eradicate our guilt, no matter how many good deeds we do, how many stars we get, or how much money we give to charities or the church.

It is only through what Christ has done for us on the cross of Calvary, by paying the penalty for sins through His death. We are guaranteed eternal life through His resurrection from the grave three days later. Victory! But it is only by faith in Jesus Christ, confessing and repenting of our sins, and trusting Him for salvation that He gives us the victory.

Don’t feel you need to play a part in achieving this victory. There’s nothing you can do — Jesus did it all. It’s like you’re a bench player who never plays even a minute all year, or you’re on the sidelines due to injury — you still get that championship ring even though there was nothing you could do.

Championships are nice, but victory over sin and death is much better. Make sure you get your ring.

— Loring Schultz

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Daily Devotional: Wednesday, July 16 – The End Of The Rope

By Sports Spectrum Jul 16, 2025

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

“Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, ‘My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.’” — Mark 5:22-23

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Trust is simple — until it’s not. It’s easy to say “I trust God” when life is smooth, but what about when you’re out of answers? When the pressure’s on and everything feels like it’s falling apart?

In Mark 5, we meet some people who reached the end of their rope — and that’s exactly where Jesus met them: a synagogue leader named Jairus, a woman who’d been suffering for 12 years, and Jairus’ grieving family. They had all heard about Jesus and knew the stories; now they needed those stories to be true. That’s what trust really is — believing someone is who they say they are and will do what they say they’ll do.

Jesus is inviting us into a different way of living: not by sight, not by noise, but by faith.

Jairus had a lot to lose. A leader in the synagogue, a respected voice in the religious community, he wasn’t supposed to come to Jesus, especially not with so many eyes watching. But his daughter — his world — was dying. And when what we love most is slipping away, reputation takes a back seat to desperation.

Athletes know this kind of moment. You’ve trained hard, the championship’s on the line, your body’s giving out. But you don’t care how you look, who’s watching, or what people will say. You lay it all out there. You give everything — because that’s what love does.

Jairus threw himself at Jesus’ feet. Not because it was proper, but because it was necessary. His trust was raw, risky, courageous, and Jesus received it. When the stakes are high — your family, your future, your identity — what do you do? Do you keep up appearances? Or do you fall at His feet?

Reflection: What is the thing you love most? Are you willing to trust Jesus with it, even if others don’t understand?

— Josh Lindblom, Pro Athletes Outreach

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Daily Devotional: Tuesday, July 15 – Trading In Your Jersey

By Sports Spectrum Jul 15, 2025

Miami Heat forward LeBron James before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dec. 15, 2010. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

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“Breaking News From ESPN: [Insert name] has been traded.”

If you are a basketball junkie like myself, you look forward to the NBA free agency/trade season. The NBA season recently ended and preparations have already begun for next season. Owners and general managers now have the opportunity to upgrade in hopes of setting up their team for the best chance at winning a championship.

It was about 15 years ago, on July 8, 2010, that a young LeBron James announced on national television, “I’ll be taking my talents to South Beach.” With that, he traded his Cleveland Cavaliers jersey for a Miami Heat one. Being a diehard Heat fan, and like all Heat fans at the time, I was jumping for joy in celebrating the decision. I could not wait to watch LeBron James, the most polarizing player in the NBA, team up with my favorite player, Dwyane Wade. Heat fans’ expectations for this team immediately shot through the roof.

However, on the other side of the equation, Cavs fans were not very pleased with LeBron’s “decision.” In fact, they were beyond upset, with crowds of fans taking to the streets of Cleveland and burning LeBron jerseys. Then, when LeBron made his much-anticipated return back to Cleveland for the first time to play against his former squad, they held up some vulgar signs.

In a similar way, when we said “yes” to Jesus and fully devoted our lives to playing for His team, we traded in our old jersey for newer, fresher threads. We were traded from “Team World” to “Team Eternal Life.” We were traded from “Team Satan” to “Team Jesus.” One of the best trades in history happened when we accepted Jesus.

When we made this life-altering decision, angels in Heaven celebrated and rejoiced, even more so than how those Heat fans celebrated when “King James” came to Miami. On the flip side, however, “Team Satan” hated your decision. Like any good opponent, he is now drawing up a game plan to take you out.

When we put that new jersey over our shoulders, it’s important to remember that we play the game differently now. We fight back with God’s strategy. The Word of God is our game plan. Satan will do what he does best, which is lie, cheat, steal, deceive, make us doubt, use pride as a weapon, etc. With Jesus, we stand against the forces of evil by daily doing what Romans 13:14 says: “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

And by doing as Colossians 3:12-17 says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

These new jerseys smell fresh, don’t they? Keep them clean. If they do get a little dirty, throw them in the washing machine of repentance, toss them in the dryer of God’s forgiveness, and then put them back on! Brand-new again.

— Coach Andrew Roberti

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