John 17:20-21
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”
There was a time when athletes from a locality would compete with individuals or teams from other areas. Non-participants would gather to cheer their team and from time-to-time belittle the opponents.
That was in the “good old days” when things were more innocent. Such is not the case in the world of modern athletic endeavors. In our day “Our Team” may be composed of members from hundreds or thousands of miles away. “Our Team” has become a business venture and huge prices are paid for members of “Our Team” who act as if they are prima-donnas.
I have a hard time dealing with professional athletic teams, but universities have fallen into the quagmire of drawing players from far and wide by offering incentives that are too good to turn down. They may never have lived in our area, but they are “Our Team”. (Stop the ranting and raving, Cecil!)
One of my greatest delights is reading responses from around the globe. I was amazed when the first responses from out of state came in back in September 2000, then from out of the country a few days later. Now there is virtually no country on earth that has not been touched with this ministry.
Please! Please! Let me emphasize that you are not on my team, but that together we are members of God’s team. Not only that, God calls us to get into the game and contend for the faith.
When Jesus gave His Life for us, He purchased us by His precious blood. We receive the instructions about being effective members of the team in God’s Word. It is sad that many Christians spend very little time studying the Word.
Modern day professional players are paid huge salaries. The more they are paid the more they want. As members of God’s team we may never receive a large salary. In fact we may even experience suffering and death. But we will receive our greatest reward when we hear the Lord say to us: “Well done—God and faithful servant!”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil