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Devotion!
READY
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
SET
We referenced one part of this scripture a few weeks ago. This week we are going to expand on our study of it. In sports, it is important to use all your gifts to be a threat to the opposing team. In basketball, there is a term for this. It is called the triple threat. When you first receive the ball, you are in a great position with three potential threats: dribble, shoot or pass. In football, they have also used the term triple threat. This is when an athlete can run, pass, or kick the ball. It was a few years ago, but George Blanda was excellent at this – look him up! This week’s Monday Night Football game will showcase two very good dual threat quarterbacks (run and pass) and even lineman can be a dual threat, by being able to both run block and pass block effectively!
As followers of Christ, our opponent, the devil, wants to defeat us and take us out of the game. He doesn’t want us to win and is working to make sure we are discouraged and overwhelmed. One way is to make us start believing that the goal in life is to just survive—just get through one more day.
However, as believers, God also teaches us a “triple threat.” It is a spiritual triple threat and it is powerful!
It is this: BE JOYFUL, PRAY CONTINUALLY, GIVE THANKS. Putting this into action brings the passage above to life!
Threat #1: Be Joyful Always
God teaches us to be joyful always, not sometimes. This means more than just being happy. Joy is at the core of our soul. It is internal, while happiness is external. Happiness can come and go, but joy is constant. The joy of Christ can fill our hearts. Don’t let anyone or anything rob you of the joy that God has placed in you. Be a threat to the devil by allowing joy to pour out of your heart and affect others for eternity.
Threat #2: Pray Continually
You might be saying to yourself, “I pray, just not all the time.” The idea is not to be praying with our eyes closed and hands folded all day long, but instead to always be connected to our Creator—to always have access to God. There can always be a prayer in our heart and on our lips. Continual prayer can change the way we live. It has been said, “Get people to pray, and they will stop sinning, because prayer creates a distaste for sinning.” When you pray the devil is on his heels!
Threat #3: Give Thanks in All Circumstances
In all three spiritual threats, God uses extreme commands. First, it was “always,” then “continually,” and, finally, it is “all.” We need to use our words to build up others, bringing praise to God and encouraging our teammates in life. When we speak, we either speak life or death. Giving thanks means speaking life in every situation: on the field or the court, in the classroom, in our homes, on the phone, and even online! God teaches us that reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. When you speak, do you bring healing? Is the devil threatened by the way you talk? Does he fear every time you open your mouth because he knows you are speaking blessing and thanksgiving?
The spiritual triple threat is simple, but powerful: BE JOYFUL, PRAY CONTINUALLY, GIVE THANKS!
Let’s Go! Put the devil on his heels this week!
Our opponent will do everything to prevent us from being a triple threat, but remember you have God, the Creator of the universe on your side and there are athletes and coaches depending on you - to be joyful, pray continually and give thanks!
GO
Are you a threat to the devil and his objectives? Why or why not?
How can the spiritual triple threat change your life? How can it change the lives of your teammates, coaches, family or friends?
Out of three spiritual threats mentioned, which one is your strongest? Which one do you need to work on?
WORKOUT
Do you know someone who models a spiritual triple threat? To improve, watch them and study them. Jesus modeled the spiritual triple threat. Read about him and take notes and incorporate some of his teachings into your own daily spiritual development.
John 15:9-14
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
PRAYER TIME
“Lord, thank You for the opportunity to be a light to others. I want to live my life through the power of the Holy Spirit and to put the devil on his heels every day. My goal is clear. My mission is set. Help me to be a threat to the enemy. I long to be joyful, to pray continually and to give thanks. Teach me, Lord Jesus, to be the triple threat. I will trust in Your work, Your way. Amen."
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
SET
We referenced one part of this scripture a few weeks ago. This week we are going to expand on our study of it. In sports, it is important to use all your gifts to be a threat to the opposing team. In basketball, there is a term for this. It is called the triple threat. When you first receive the ball, you are in a great position with three potential threats: dribble, shoot or pass. In football, they have also used the term triple threat. This is when an athlete can run, pass, or kick the ball. It was a few years ago, but George Blanda was excellent at this – look him up! This week’s Monday Night Football game will showcase two very good dual threat quarterbacks (run and pass) and even lineman can be a dual threat, by being able to both run block and pass block effectively!
As followers of Christ, our opponent, the devil, wants to defeat us and take us out of the game. He doesn’t want us to win and is working to make sure we are discouraged and overwhelmed. One way is to make us start believing that the goal in life is to just survive—just get through one more day.
However, as believers, God also teaches us a “triple threat.” It is a spiritual triple threat and it is powerful!
It is this: BE JOYFUL, PRAY CONTINUALLY, GIVE THANKS. Putting this into action brings the passage above to life!
Threat #1: Be Joyful Always
God teaches us to be joyful always, not sometimes. This means more than just being happy. Joy is at the core of our soul. It is internal, while happiness is external. Happiness can come and go, but joy is constant. The joy of Christ can fill our hearts. Don’t let anyone or anything rob you of the joy that God has placed in you. Be a threat to the devil by allowing joy to pour out of your heart and affect others for eternity.
Threat #2: Pray Continually
You might be saying to yourself, “I pray, just not all the time.” The idea is not to be praying with our eyes closed and hands folded all day long, but instead to always be connected to our Creator—to always have access to God. There can always be a prayer in our heart and on our lips. Continual prayer can change the way we live. It has been said, “Get people to pray, and they will stop sinning, because prayer creates a distaste for sinning.” When you pray the devil is on his heels!
Threat #3: Give Thanks in All Circumstances
In all three spiritual threats, God uses extreme commands. First, it was “always,” then “continually,” and, finally, it is “all.” We need to use our words to build up others, bringing praise to God and encouraging our teammates in life. When we speak, we either speak life or death. Giving thanks means speaking life in every situation: on the field or the court, in the classroom, in our homes, on the phone, and even online! God teaches us that reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. When you speak, do you bring healing? Is the devil threatened by the way you talk? Does he fear every time you open your mouth because he knows you are speaking blessing and thanksgiving?
The spiritual triple threat is simple, but powerful: BE JOYFUL, PRAY CONTINUALLY, GIVE THANKS!
Let’s Go! Put the devil on his heels this week!
Our opponent will do everything to prevent us from being a triple threat, but remember you have God, the Creator of the universe on your side and there are athletes and coaches depending on you - to be joyful, pray continually and give thanks!
GO
Are you a threat to the devil and his objectives? Why or why not?
How can the spiritual triple threat change your life? How can it change the lives of your teammates, coaches, family or friends?
Out of three spiritual threats mentioned, which one is your strongest? Which one do you need to work on?
WORKOUT
Do you know someone who models a spiritual triple threat? To improve, watch them and study them. Jesus modeled the spiritual triple threat. Read about him and take notes and incorporate some of his teachings into your own daily spiritual development.
John 15:9-14
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
PRAYER TIME
“Lord, thank You for the opportunity to be a light to others. I want to live my life through the power of the Holy Spirit and to put the devil on his heels every day. My goal is clear. My mission is set. Help me to be a threat to the enemy. I long to be joyful, to pray continually and to give thanks. Teach me, Lord Jesus, to be the triple threat. I will trust in Your work, Your way. Amen."
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