DEVOTIONALS

Spiritual Essential: Endurance Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) In April of 2005, I took on the challenge of an Ironman triathlon. Almost 2,000 athletes bobbed up and down in the frigid waters of Tempe Town Lake waiting for the gun to fire. Less than five minutes into my 2.4 mile swim I caught a vicious left hook from a fellow swimmer knocking my goggles off. I sat up, recomposed myse

Spiritual Essential: Endurance Reading: James 1:12-18 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) Athletes love trophies. Maybe it’s a medal from a race, a championship ring, a plaque on the wall, or a spot on the podium. Trophies represent accomplishment. They tell a story of sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance. Nobody receiv

Spiritual Essential: Sacrifice Reading: Mark 10:28-31 “No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age… and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29–30) Every athlete trains with a target in mind. It might be a competition, a time goal, a PR, or simply becoming stronger and more capable. Whatever it is, that target gives meaning to the work

Spiritual Essential: Discipline Reading: John 8:31-36 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Freedom isn’t the first thing most people think of when they hear the word discipline . In fact, it sounds almost contradictory. Discipline sounds like rules, structure, sweat, and sacrifice. Freedom sounds like rest, ease, flexibility, and space. But anyone who’s trained for more than a few weeks knows the truth — discipline leads to freedom

Spiritual Training Cycle: Foundation (wk. 9/13) Reading: James 1:19-25 Silence the Noise Out There! In the opening scene of the...

Spiritual Skill: Self-Control (wk. 13/13) Reading: Galatians 5:13-25 Freedom sounds like the ultimate goal — the ability to do what...