Tag Archives: teachings of Jesus

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Focus Above

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Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden is thought by many to be the greatest coach of any sport. Coach Wooden still holds many records that may never be broken. His teams won 10 championships, and no other coach can claim more than four. However, though Wooden is revered for his achievements as a coach, his winning record did not define his success.

You were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.

Ephesians 4:4

“I made up my mind in 1935 to live by a set of principles and I never wavered from them,” Wooden once said. “They are based on the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.” He also told his players: “Discipline yourselves so others won’t have to. Never lie, never cheat, never steal. Earn the right to be proud and confident.”

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” As you interact with others daily, ask God to show you opportunities to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal in each thought and action. Pray also that the nation’s leaders would make their personal and professional decisions based on God’s perspective and principles.

Recommended Reading: Philippians 3:12-21

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Talking About Jesus

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Our Daily Bread

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. —1 Corinthians 2:2

Former major league baseball player Tony Graffanino tells of an ongoing ministry effort in a European country. Each year his organization holds a week-long baseball camp. During this week they also offer a daily Bible study. In past years, the leader tried to find reasoned ways to convince the campers that God exists so they would place their faith in Him. After about 13 years, they had seen only 3 people decide to follow Jesus.

Then they changed their approach, says Graffanino. Instead of “trying to present facts, or winning arguments for a debate,” they simply talked about “the amazing life and teachings of Jesus.” As a result, more campers came to listen, and more chose to follow Him.

The apostle Paul said that when we tell others about the gospel of Jesus Christ, we should set “forth the truth plainly. . . . We do not preach ourselves,” he said, “but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Cor. 4:2,5 NIV). This was Paul’s standard for evangelism: “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

We should be knowledgeable about the Bible and about the reasons for our belief, and sometimes we need to explain those reasons. But the most compelling and effective story we can tell puts Christ in the center. —Dave Branon

Father God, please use me in the lives of others.

Remind me to talk about who Jesus is and His life

and teachings. And not to be dragged into debates,

but to share Jesus’ amazing life.

The risen Christ is the reason for our witness.

Bible in a year: 2 Kings 4-6; Luke 24:36-53

Insight

Today’s reading showcases a remarkable spiritual reality concerning those who are resistant to the gospel. “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ . . . should shine on them” (vv.3-4). The apostle Paul tells us that Satan, “the god of this age,” has produced a form of spiritual blindness that hinders one’s perception of the reality of Jesus Christ. Spiritual blindness can only be overcome by the light of Christ (v.6).