Sports Spectrum Daily Devotional: Monday, June 17, 2019

By Sports Spectrum Jun 17, 2019

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

“…so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” — Hebrews 9:28

Perfect

During my junior year of high school, I was a bench player on the baseball team.

Once, when we played the team from a neighboring town, we were up about 11-4 in the last inning with the bases loaded. Their fourth pitcher came in and our coach called me to pinch-hit.

This pitcher didn’t throw hard, so I swung at the first pitch and hit a grounder toward left field. Had the shortstop charged the ball, he would’ve thrown me out by five steps, but he instead cut it off (after about 17 bounces) and I beat the throw. An infield hit and an RBI — cool!

I didn’t play again that year but constantly reminded my teammates that I was batting 1.000. Near the season’s end, a rumor spread that I had bribed the coach not to play me so I’d keep my average! I had the perfect season, going 1 for 1.

Wouldn’t it be great to lead the perfect life, never a sinful act, word or thought? Obviously, it’s humanly impossible.

Jesus, however, “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21), was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), “committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22), and “in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). Also, Pilate and Herod found “no fault in Him” (Luke 23:14-15).

Thank you, Jesus, for being the perfect sacrifice for my sin, my perfect Savior.

— Stanley Tucker

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

By Sports Spectrum Jul 16, 2025

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“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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Daily Devotional: Monday, July 14 – God’s Pass, Our Point

By Sports Spectrum Jul 14, 2025

The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, and Shaquille O'Neal, May 4, 2002. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:12-13

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Growing up in Lynwood, California, my family naturally cheered for the Lakers. Kobe and Shaq were our favorite duo. They worked together leading their team to many victories and championships. Kobe drove the ball down the court to take game-winning shots, while Shaq provided protection in the key. Their partnership was phenomenal.

Similarly, God works with us as we pursue dreams He placed in our hearts. Many kids start with youth sports, but the numbers dwindle as the competition levels progress. Making it to the pros is life-changing, but playing in college is also a huge accomplishment that only 7% of high school athletes experience. Be grateful for the opportunities God presents you to showcase the gifts He’s entrusted you with.

Jeremiah Johnson was one of the most explosive running backs to witness in Oregon’s Autzen Stadium, and his career continued in the NFL and CFL. He always kept Philippians 4:12-13 (above) close because whether he was greeted by challenges or celebrations, he knew he wasn’t on this journey alone. His strength came from God.

The Lord wants to assist us as we navigate through life. We can go without Him, but it’s so much more beneficial to follow His steps. He knows exactly what we need, and His timing is better than we can ever imagine. God’s passing you His grace, love and mercy, but you have to take the shot.

— Monique Tuiasosopo, Oregon Athletics chaplain

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Daily Devotional: Friday, July 11 – God Is Rebuilding You

By Sports Spectrum Jul 11, 2025

Cooper Flagg at the NBA Draft, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

“And I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.'” — Nehemiah 2:5

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Hope was in abundance for basketball fans across the country on June 25, the night of the 2025 NBA Draft. Fans of teams near the top of the draft looked on with glee as their team’s selection walked across the stage, with a big smile on his face, to greet NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. That selection may just be the cornerstone piece to a rebuilding effort that could catapult the franchise back to the top of the league.

In fact, stockpiling draft picks plays a central role in what has been coined the “rebuilding process.” This process describes a series of steps teams undergo to set themselves up for future success. In addition to accumulating draft picks, teams also often have to trade away aging veterans, free up salary cap space, generally retool the roster, and sometimes even hire a new coaching staff.

There was an impressive rebuilding effort in the Bible as well, recounted in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. For the previous 70 years, the people of Jerusalem were forced to live as exiles in the land of Babylon, which came upon them for repeatedly rebelling against God. During that time, Jerusalem had been sacked and burned, the temple had been flattened, and many of the inhabitants were either killed or dispersed. Now in Nehemiah’s day, the people of God were back in the city that was once their pride and joy, but it lay in ruins and the people were exhausted, humbled and beset with fear that God had abandoned them.

That’s when Nehemiah (who worked in a king’s court) courageously followed God’s call to Jerusalem to kick-start a rebuilding process of his own. He oversaw the rebuilding of the city and its walls in an effort to restore hope to a broken-down people, and despite opposition from surrounding nations, those walls were eventually completed. The people had regained hope as they recognized the powerful ways God was at work in the rebuilding process. Following the completion of the walls, people were led in a time of confession and repentance for the sins that led them to exile, as well as a time of worship and covenant renewal.

God put the story of Nehemiah in the Bible for a purpose. Yes, He wanted to tell the history of how Jerusalem was repopulated, but it goes far beyond that. Nehemiah tells a story of restoration and renewal. It’s a story of God’s faithfulness to His people, even when they were very unfaithful to Him. And it’s a story that plays out in the lives of every sinner-turned-saint who is cleansed by the blood of Jesus. The Book of Nehemiah points forward to the great rebuilding process of death to eternal life in Christ.

You may believe you’re too far gone, like you’ve sinned too grievously. I’m happy to tell you that you’re wrong. God — the ultimate rebuilder of souls — can restore anyone through the blood of Jesus, the chief cornerstone. He can save you too.

— Kevin Mercer

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