Huddle360: April 2011

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Fw: 4-30-11 Coming to the Rescue

Team:

Here Coach Rick Warren Reminds us of how God has saved us. So many times we get saved from Hell but God also wants to save us from Hell on Earth.

Sometimes we forget that we can still call on the name of the Lord to be saved from our issues, circumstances.

Remember that saying:

"No Peace No God vs. Know Peace Know God!"

Jesus said,

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." John 14:1

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

We need to Call on God for Everything not just some things and we will Know True Peace and be Saved from whatever we are going through right now.

Here Pastor Warren reminds us to call on God.

PLEASE READ PASTOR RICK WARREN'S MESSAGE BELOW

Have a Great Weekend,

Rick

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Saturday, April 30, 2011 Coming to the Rescue by Rick Warren

"Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13 (LB)

Jesus doesn't say he's a good way, or a nice way, or even the best way. He says,

"I'm it."

Are you at a place in your life where you need to be rescued? Are you ready to call out for help? It doesn't take a special phone or a bat-signal. All you have to do is ask and Jesus will rescue you.

You can ask him to rescue you in any area of your life – a relationship, a financial situation, a health issue, anything. But you have to ask.

In Psalm 91, God says, "When you call on me, I will answer; I will be with you in your trouble and I will rescue you" (v. 15 NLT).

That's not just talk, because God doesn't lie. It would be contrary to his character because he is total truth.

Notice that God says you have to do your part and then he'll do his part. You call, he answers. That's it. Just call on the name of the Lord. And the name of the Lord is Jesus.

It's very important to understand that in any rescue operation, the rescuer gets to determine means and method of the rescue.

You don't get to determine how you are saved. It's not up to you; it's up to your Savior. And Jesus says, "I am the way…. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 NIV).

Jesus doesn't say he's a good way, or a nice way, or even the best way. He says, "I'm it." If there was a plan B, God
wouldn't have sent plan A to earth to die for you.

So if you're going to be saved and have all your sins forgiven, there's only one way it will happen, and there's only one person you can call on … Jesus.

From Saddleback Resources – Get ready for your Decade of Destiny – Life Management Curriculum includes Making the most of what God gives me; Managing my troubles; Managing my time; Managing my talents; Managing my treasure; Managing my team.

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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Fw: Perfect Timing

Team:

Today's Coach is Adrian Rogers. Today Coach Rogers talks about the Value of Waiting.

"Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagle (Fly Higher).
They will run and not get tired (Run Faster), They will walk and not become weary ( Great Endurance)." Isaiah 40:31

It is good to Wait. In Football you get 6-9 months to Wait till next Season. In those 6-9 months of Waiting we have the opportunity to get Stronger and Faster in the Off Season.

By Waiting the Team and the Coaches get the opportunity to "Gain new Strength."

"When your confidence goes up, your competence goes up."
Zig Ziglar ⁠ ⁠

The same is true when we are Waiting on God. We get Stronger in preparation for our New Season.

Maybe we decide to get up early and Read the Playbook-Bible before School and Work.

Maybe in the Offseason we decide to Wait on the Lord by getting more involved in Service and Lifting other People Up.

Waiting is not sitting doing nothing though. Waiting is Actively Participating in a Purpose or a Goal. Waiting is Occupying.

Waiting is Going about our Business and Achieving our Goals with God's Purpose and Plan in mind.

Nehemiah was on the move while Waiting for God. Nehemiah was the Leader who led the Nation in Rebuilding the walls of the city.

Just remember, when we Wait we get Stronger, Fly Higher, Run Faster, and Run with Endurance. Isaiah 40:31

We get "Prepared to be Prepared."

Then in God's timing we get in the Game and Make the Impact Plays.

Our new Season is coming to Fly Higher, Get Stronger, Get Faster and Run with Endurance.

It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, 'What are we busy about?' Henry David Thoreau

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Be Prepared to be Prepared!

Just Go Win the Day!

Make it Count!

Rick
Phil 4:13
http://huddle360.blogspot.com

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When Delays Are a Blessing

"And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you." Isaiah 30:18

Many times the Lord will deliberately delay that He may be gracious to us. When Lazarus fell sick, his family sent for Jesus. Instead of coming immediately, Jesus waited (see John 11:1-46). He held back until Lazarus was dead.

And if you read John 11:15, you'll see that He said, "I'm glad," because He had something greater in mind.

God waited four thousand years to send the Lord Jesus Christ after He made that promise. But Galatians 4:4 says He came in the fullness of time.

Never late, never ahead of time, never in a hurry.

Are you in a waiting game...praying days, weeks, months, even years, for something…and God hasn't answered?

Be still and know that in the fullness of time your request will be answered.

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com.
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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Fw: Quick Fix

Team:

Today's Coach is Pastor is Bob Coy.

Many times in life we want a Quick Fix. We want "Something for Nothing." We want to buy our Happiness or our Goals. Here Pastor Bob shows Simon had three things he needed to deal with. Acts 8

First, Simon was Envious and wanted something someone else had.

Second, Simon wanted to buy a New Found Power that God was giving to the Disciples to give to New Believers.

Third, Simon didn't want to put in the Hard Work to be Successful.

TV and Madison Avenue make a lot of money off of Quick Fixes with no Work. The TV and the Media can be bought but God cannot be bought.

God has given all of us a Special Talent or Gift Unique to each one of us. Talent cannot be bought. It is "God Given" and then we must Work on it to Perfect it.

"Many an opportunity is lost because a man is out looking for four-leaf clovers." ~Author Unknown

Larry Bird Said, "I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end." ~Larry Bird Boston Celtics

The Bible tells us to run the Race with Endurance and there will be a Prize.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:14

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."- 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)

We cannot Purchase God's Gifts and get something for nothing. Our job is to Receive the Talent that God gave us and Multiply it for God's use and the overall good of the Team.

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Be Prepared to be Prepared!

Just Go! Win the Day!

Make it Count!

Rick
Phil 4:13
http://huddle360.blogspot.com

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Newsletters April 23
Simon
There was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great… Acts 8:9 (NKJV)

Several different men named Simon appear in scripture, and we're introduced to one of them in Acts Chapter 8. He lived in the region of Samaria and practiced sorcery there. The Bible says he was able to perform spiritual manifestations that left a wake of awestruck people.

Then one day a disciple named Philip came to town, and the Holy Spirit gave him the ability to cast out demons and perform miraculous healings. Suddenly, Simon wasn't such a big deal anymore. So he went to check out what Philip was all about, and the Bible says he became a believer.

As word about what was happening in Samaria got out, Peter and John journeyed from Jerusalem to see for themselves. They laid hands on the believers in Samaria and prayed for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And as Simon witnessed this, he was so impressed with the spiritual power he saw that he offered to pay Peter and John for the same ability. Watch Peter's response:

"Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Acts 8:20-21 (NKJV)

Although Simon had shown a superficial profession of following Jesus, something was radically wrong inside of him. His interest in the things of God was really very self-serving. He was interested and excited only as long as it offered some spiritual spectacle that he could coat-tail on. Peter sensed this and called him out.

Unlike Simon, we need to be into Jesus just for who He is and not for how we can use Him. Our decision to follow Christ can't be attached to a self-serving motive or agenda. He and He alone must be enough for us.

Think About It… What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?
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Friday, April 22, 2011

Fw: Insight for Today

Team:

Today's Coach is Pastor Chuck Swindoll. Today Coach Chuck shows us that we can have Hope because Jesus Won.

Now we can have the same Hope to Live Forever. To Conquer all our Fears and Win in Life.

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Nelson Mandela

Jesus never failed but He went through it so we could Rise with Him.

"God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God's approval through him." 2 Cor 5:21

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Be Prepared and Just Go!!

Rick
Phil 4:13
http://huddle360.blogspot.com

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April 22, 2011
Our Ultimate Hooray, Part Oneby Charles R. Swindoll
Read Revelation 21:4; 22:3, 5

What gives a widow courage as she stands beside a fresh grave?

What is the ultimate hope of the disabled, the amputee, the abused, the burn victim?

How can the parents of children who have brain damage or physical handicaps keep from living their entire lives totally and completely depressed?

Why would anyone who is blind or deaf or paralyzed be encouraged when he or she thinks of the life beyond?

How can we see past the martyrdom of some helpless hostage or devoted missionary?

Where do the thoughts of a young couple go when they finally recover from the grief of losing their baby?

When a family receives the tragic news that a little daughter was found dead or their dad was killed in a plane crash or a son overdosed on drugs, what single truth becomes their whole focus?

What is the final answer to pain, mourning, senility, insanity, terminal diseases, sudden calamities, and fatal accidents?

The answer to each of these questions is the same: the hope of bodily resurrection.

We draw strength from this single truth almost every day of our lives---more than we realize. It becomes the mental glue that holds our otherwise shattered thoughts together.

Impossible though it may be for us to understand the details of how God is going to pull it off, we hang our hopes on fragile, threadlike thoughts that say, "Someday, He will make it right" and "Thank God, all this will change" and "When we're with Him, we shall be like Him."

More than a few times a year I look into red, swollen eyes and remind the despairing and the grieving that "there's a land that is fairer than day"1 when, as John promised in the Revelation,

"He will wipe away every tear . . . there will no longer be any death . . . any mourning, or crying, or pain." . . . There will no longer be any curse . . . any night . . . because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. (21:4; 22:3, 5)

Hooray for such wondrous hope!

1. Sanford F. Bennett and Joseph P. Webster, "Sweet By and By."
Copyright © 2007, 2011 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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Monday, April 18, 2011

Fw: 'Team me' - Obedience

Team:

Today our Coach is Pastor Mike MacIntosh. He is the Pastor and Coach of Team Horizon CF in San Diego.

Before we get to Mike's message here are some thoughts.

When we are in a game it is important to Obey the Coach. Whether it is a Football Game or the Game of Life we need to be willing and humble enough to follow the Game Plan and Honor our Superiors: God,Parents, Coaches, Teachers, Employers ect...

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."
Exodus 20:12

Why is this so important?

Football is a great example. When you have 11 teammates all doing their job the way the Defensive/Offensive Coordinator designed the plays you have a Great chance to be Successful.

"There is no me in Team"

When I played at Edison High School
We had a Tee Shirt we wore under our shoulder pads that said:

"Team me" Team First

The De La Salle High School Football Team won 151 straight games over 12 years because they were Disciplined, Obedient and Honored their Coaches and their Teammates.

"Team me"

Samuel told King Saul, "it is better to listen and obey God then to sacrifice."
1 Samuel 15:22

King Saul thought he could just do whatever he wanted as long as he showed up to the game. Unfortunately Saul wore a Tee Shirt that said: "Me team."

Samuel tried to encourage Saul to Listen and Trust the Coach (God).

In the End Saul didn't listen and lost his job, his life and his Family.

When we follow the Coaches Game Plan and think of the Team First we will have more Success whether it is in Sports, School, Business or our Spiritual Life.

Try to always ask yourself,

"What are My Coach's Goals?"

"How can I help Support My Coach's Goals and help my Teammates?"

This is Humble, Obedient, Honorable Leadership. John Maxwell calls it "360 Leadership."

When we do this with God, Parents, Teachers and Coaches we will have Success for Life.

Team: "Together Everyone Achieves More"
Bart Star QB Green Bay Packers

Team me!

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Be Prepared and Just Go!!

Rick
Phil 4:13

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Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
Mark 1:12

The Holy Spirit sent Jesus out into the wilderness where He would be tempted in all areas of His life. The Book of Matthew gives us a fuller account of Jesus' temptation, and there we see that the devil was pounding Jesus. Do you ever feel that way? That the enemy is just pounding you? The pain hurts. But the good thing is this: the pain points us to Jesus Christ.

Stop and think about that; you don't really grow up until you've felt pain in your life. Our society tells us to hide the pain, to mask it. They tell us that using drugs or alcohol or having affairs will dull the pain, making us feel good. But all it does is drive us to an even greater, excruciating and senseless agony in our lives and in our marriages.

Maybe you have been thrust or driven into a situation. The natural human reaction in the flesh is to run away. But to be mature, many times we have to face the music and stay where we are. One of the great sins of our nation is the divorce rate. You can get a divorce for any reason you want these days; sort of like trading in an older car for a newer one. Well, a marriage isn't like a car! And we forget the vows we take are serious things. The devil wants to ruin your marriage. He will tempt you in every way to break up your family. There are times when God puts you into situations that don't always make you feel comfortable. Maybe it's with people who rub you the wrong way, or maybe it's a job that causes you stress. But God wants you to be in these situations to strengthen your faith and to rely on Him more.

The pain of obedience and patience will be rewarded to you. Pain reminds us that we are alive; people that are in the grave feel no pain. When things get hard and painful for you, just realize that God is using that to remind you that you are alive and that you are dependent on Him to get you through. Look to Jesus for your answers to life's pains, not the bottle or the pills. Look to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life to keep you from the enemy's lies. Go to the Father in prayer, asking Him for the supernatural strength to endure. Only then in your pain will you find true happiness and joy.

Read Through the Bible in 1 Year
Today:
Joshua 13:1-14:15
Luke 11:1-28
Psalm 44:20-26
Proverbs 14:3

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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Fw: Daily Inspiration - Daily Quotes

Team:1
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April 11, 2011

Never let the fear of striking out get in your way. - Babe Ruth (baseball player)

Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. - John Wooden (basketball coach)

Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming. - John Wooden

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. - Vince Lombardi

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Fw: Judah's New Season

Team:1

Today's Coach is Chuck Swindoll. Coach Swindoll talks about Repentance and Transformation and a New Season. He shows how QB Judah Transformed his game and led His Team to Victory. Gen 44

Early in Judah's career he was
Bitter with Anger, Resentment and Envy because his dad was abusive and showed favoritism to his step brother Joseph. This led to some very unwise decisions on Judah's part.

Did Judah ask for this type of treatment?
No. It wasn't fair. But that's when the Enemy comes in and Creates reasons to be Bitter and Angry. Some of the results of Bitterness and Anger were:

-The Shechem Massacre with his Brothers - Gen 34

-Committed Adultery with Tamar - Gen 38

-Sold His brother as a Slave. Gen 39

These decisions affected a lot of people
Which resulted in loss of Income and Job Opportunities for his family. His Family's Reputation was Tarnished because of these decisions.

"Bitterness hurts us not the person we are bitter toward."

The Bible says, "don't let a Root of Bitterness take hold in your life." Hebrews

God says, "Vengence is mine saith the Lord." God wants to take care of it and make things right.

Leviticus 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

Bitterness and Resentment will destroy us. It leads us to bad decisions. It is hard but we need to let God Take care of it.

Luckily God Transformed Judah's Game as he came Full Circle and offered himself to be imprisoned instead of his brother. Judah became a Great Leader in the end.
Now here is the Exciting Reward for Forgiveness:

From Judah's Offspring would come the Greatest Leader in the Universe: The Messiah Jesus Christ.

Joseph Saved his Family and the World. Judah Saved the future Generations through Jesus Christ. In the end it can always work out if we Repent and allow God to Change the Direction of our Lives from Bitterness to Forgiveness. Romans 8:28

One Final Thought:

Everyone thought it was Joseph who Forgave. The Underlying Story is that Judah needed to Forgive his Dad. When he did the family was Freed.

What an incredible lesson to those who have issues with their parents.

Our Attitude is our choice. We can be Bitter and Angry or we can be people full of Faith and Gratitude.

God turned Anger, Resentment and Bitterness into Love, Peace and Forgiveness.

Now check out what Coach Swindoll says.

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Just Go!

Rick
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April 2, 2011
Final Exam, Part Two by Charles R. Swindoll
Read Genesis 44:17--34
This was Joseph's second part of the final exam. First came the vertical test. Had his brothers gotten to the place where they read the hand of God into their daily life? Yes. They had demonstrated this in their attitude.

Next came the horizontal test. Which would they choose, themselves or Benjamin? Had there been any change in their hearts over the years?

So Joseph said, "I would never punish all of you for one man's crime. The cup has been found in your youngest brother's possession, so he is the one I will punish.

He will forfeit his freedom and become my slave. The rest of you, go in peace. You can return to your father."

Following this pronouncement comes a shocking speech:

"Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me---for fear that I see the evil that would overtake my father?" (Genesis 44:33--34).

Do you realize who is saying this? Again, it is Judah. These "unexcelled" words were coming from the same man who, twenty years earlier along with his brothers, proposed without remorse,
"Here comes that dreamer, Joseph. Let's kill him and say that a ferocious animal devoured him."

Shortly after that cold-blooded proposal, he rationalized, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Let's sell him to the slave traders instead."

Yet here he is now, pleading for his youngest brother. Added to that, he is pleading on behalf of his aging father.

A few years earlier, Judah could not have cared less what his father thought, since his father had always shown favoritism to Rachel's sons. In fact, the violence and cruelty Judah and his brothers perpetrated against Joseph was an indirect act of cruelty committed against their father.

Now, of all things, this same man is exhibiting a sacrificial attitude. "Take me instead. But send Benjamin back home. I cannot bear to imagine such grief that would overtake my father."

No, it's not the same man; Judah has changed.

No doubt about it. All his brothers were becoming transformed men, and Joseph recognized this. Repentance had done its work.

Excerpted from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Fw: Quality Time with God

Team:

Today's message comes from FCA High School Teacher / Head Coach Michael Hill out of Kansas.

Coach Hill talks about how important it is to spend Quality Time with God.

Time for Meditation:

"But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on his Law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does Prospers." Psalm 1:2-3
Walk with God:

"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Genesis 5:24

"By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God." Hebrews 11:5

Meet with God

"The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent." Exodus 33:11

After Moses and Joshua met in the Tabernacle, Joshua would Stay and Worship God after Moses left.

The Playbook tells us to:

Meditate, Walk and Meet with God daily and We Win!!!

"Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights." --

John Wooden Coach UCLA Basketball

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Rick

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Fast Food Beliefs Thursday, April 7th, 2011

READY: "Wait for the LORD; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the LORD." -Psalm 27:14

SET: Every time I hear about a coach who has been fired after a year or two at a school, it breaks my heart. I once told an athletic director that it would take four years to turn a program around to contend for a league championship. That was not what he wanted to hear, so I did not get the job. In our society we want everything right now. Actually, we wanted it yesterday. A great example is in the fact that we actually drive through places to get our food. At most fast food places they don't even hold the cup to fill your drink anymore; they put it on a belt, it goes under a fountain, they push a button, and the drink comes out. I suppose it's faster. I'm not sure it's better, but it's faster.

Sports are no different. It's almost rare to watch one morning of SportsCenter without hearing about performance-enhancing substances or some other method an athlete or a coach has tried in order to get to the top faster. But, that is not what sports were meant to be.

A few years ago I read Coach John Heisman's book on football. You might know Coach Heisman by the little award named after him. In his book, Coach Heisman never once uses the word "win."
He talks about character and building young men into quality men. Isn't that what sports should be about?

When we compare sports to our walk with God, the same is true. There are no short cuts. We can't take a shot or a pill and grow closer to God faster. We have to put in the time and the effort. It doesn't happen overnight, and there are tests and trials, but, in the end, those hard times are what make the good times that much sweeter. They also build our faith and make us stronger.
Today, I challenge you to invest more time and effort into your relationship with Jesus. After all, that's the most important relationship you have. If you're married, think about what your marriage would look like if you were always looking for short cuts. What would your friendships look like if you never invested any time in them? Athletically, what would your skill level be if you never practiced? Our relationship with Jesus is the same way. We have to grow it like any other relationship or pursuit, and that takes time. Be willing to dig in with Him and watch Him transform your life day by day. GO: 1. Are you impatient with your athletic development? With your relationships? 2. What about your relationship with Christ? Are you impatient in how that is developing? 3. What happens when we get impatient in relationships? 4. What would be so bad about slowing down and letting things unfold in God's time? 5. How can you begin to live each day with more patience and perseverance in your relationship with Christ? WORKOUT: Psalm 30:5 Romans 8:28 2 Timothy 4:7 OVERTIME: "Father grant us the strength to run the race you have set in front of us no matter how long or how difficult it may be." ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Michael Hill is a former FCA staff member and head coach. He lives and teaches in Haysville, Kan. In his career, Michael has been blessed to coach college and high school football and spend years as a high school cross country coach. He and his wife, Andrea, have seven children: Jaycee, Avery, Chad, Tori, Amanda, Landen and Parker.
Now it's your Turn. Write your own FCA Devotional. . . Go to www.fca.org and click the "Submit your own FCA devo! " link on the right side.
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Monday, April 11, 2011

Fw: God is in Control

Team:

This time of year can be very stressful for many students. Here are some great verses from God's PlayBook to help us through the week and the rest of the school year.

Morro Bay Pastor and Track Coach Randy Ponder always say's, "Whenever you are in a fix go to Phil 4:6."

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your Hearts and your Minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Jeremiah 31:25 "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

The Coach is Prepared and has a Great Game Plan for us. You are today's Quarterback and the play is being signaled to you by the Offensive Coordinator.

"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

Have a Great Week,

Rick

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Fw: Impact Play: “Fast Food Beliefs”

Team:

Today's message comes from FCA High School Teacher / Head Coach Michael Hill out of Kansas.

Coach Hill talks about how important it is to spend Quality Time with God.

Time for Meditation:

"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Genesis 5:24

The Playbook tells us to Meditate and Walk with God daily and We Win!!!

"Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights." --

John Wooden Coach UCLA Basketball

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Rick

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Fast Food Beliefs Thursday, April 7th, 2011

READY: "Wait for the LORD; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the LORD." -Psalm 27:14

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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Fw: Chosen Before Time Began

Team:

Today Coach Rogers talks about how we were Recruited.

This time of year many HS Football Players go to Nike Combines hoping to get Recruited by a Pac 10 D-1 School.

They measure your Height and Weight. They test you in the 40 yd dash, Vertical Jump, Shuttle and Bench Press.

They also watch the players in 7v7 scrimmages.

Out of 700 people maybe 10 get chosen.

Here Coach Rogers shows that God Recruited You and Chose you to be on His team. What an Awesome Coach (GOD) we have.

God sees Incredible Potential in you and wants to give you a Full Ride Now!

Remember:

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Rick

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Chosen Before Time Began BIBLE MEDITATION "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." Ephesians 1:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT Did you know that God chose you before He laid the foundations of the earth?

You talk about "old time religion"! Well, friend, you can't get much older than that! Before there were any trees, mountains, birds, and bees, God chose you to be one of His children.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, "God certainly must have chosen me before I came into this world because He never would have chosen me afterward." That means you and I cannot take credit for our salvation.

First John 4:19 says, "We love Him, because He first loved us." Somebody asked a little boy, "Have you found the Lord?" And the little boy said, "I didn't know He was lost."

How miraculous that God has chosen us. When left alone to ourselves, we would never have chosen Him.

ACTION POINT Though election is a divine mystery, it can bring great assurance to a believer's heart. Allow God's Word to teach you further what it means to be chosen.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Fw: Impact Play: “Age and Other Limits��

Team:

Here is a Great Message by Chaparral High School Catcher Derek Quinn. FCA follows Derek's Message.

Thanks Derek

Luke 11: 9-10
"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking. and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Prayer will be your answer to anything in life. Be persistent and let God be aware of the desires of your heart. You are praying to God ALMIGHTY, don't disregard his awesome power!
Ask and you will receive!
God Bless
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Language "May they speak life with each word they utter, bringing healing as they talk. May their language be Yours, Lord?"
based on the verse -- Ephesians 4:29

Age and Other Limits Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 READY: "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" -Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

SET: Last night, at the age of 68, University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun became the oldest basketball coach to ever win an NCAA men's basketball championship.

In his team's 53-41 win over the Butler Bulldogs, Calhoun earned his third title in his 39-year coaching career. Calhoun's milestone reminded me this morning about a man in Scripture whose age also made history.

His name was Abraham, and, at the age of 100, he and his wife, Sarah, who was only 10 years younger, gave birth to their son, Isaac. While Abraham and Sarah had known for many years that God promised them a child, they couldn't see how that would happen in their old ages.

Clearly, God is not human. He fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Sarah and gave them a son, who would be a pivotal man in history and lineage even though he had been born to parents who were beyond "childbearing years" (Genesis 18:11).

Abraham and Sarah had to wait for the promise, and they had to have great faith, but in the end, they were blessed as the hand of God moved and He proved Himself both faithful and powerful.

Sometimes in life we get stuck on human limitations and start to doubt God's power. We think that because something isn't "humanly possible," it's just not going to happen. We think that, because we can't figure it out in our own minds, that there's no way it could ever happen—even if we believe it is something God has promised us.

Is that you? Have you stopped believing in God's greatness? Today is a great day to start believing again. No matter what doubts you have or what seemingly insurmountable limitations you are facing, you can choose to believe that God is more powerful.

Maybe like Coach Calhoun, age is creeping up on you and the world is telling you that you're past your prime. That's not what God's Word says about you, but it's up to you whether or not you believe the world or the Truth.

Or, maybe it's the opposite case, and you feel like you're too young and inexperienced to take on a difficult or "impossible" challenge. If so, go back and read what God did in the lives of young men like David, Joseph and King Josiah.

Youth and stature were non-issues for God in their cases, and He did amazing things through each of them.

The point is that, with God, nothing is impossible. No, a 68-year-old coach winning a national title isn't all that far-fetched, but a 100-year-old man and 90-year-old woman giving birth to a strapping baby boy is. A young, inexperienced kid taking down a massive warrior giant with a sling and a stone is.

And the same God who orchestrated the lives of those patriarchs of faith is the same one who has promised you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

It's time to quit believing the world when it comes to what is possible and what isn't. We serve a God who isn't bound by human limitations, and, if He is in our situation, then nothing can stand in the way.

Whatever you do today, refuse to buy into the world's opinion of possible, and instead believe in the all-powerful, almighty God and trust Him to overcome the odds.

GO:

1. Have you ever faced a situation that, by human standards, was impossible? Are you facing one now?

2. Do you believe that with God all things are possible? Why or why not?

3. What limits your view of God's power?

4. How can you gain a bigger perspective of who God truly is?

5. How would your life be changed if you really believed God was all-powerful? WORKOUT: Genesis 21:1-7 Ephesians 6:10 1 Peter 1:21

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jill Ewert is the editor of FCA's Sharing the Victory magazine and the host of STV's online video series. Visit www.sharingthevictory.com. Now it's your Turn. Write your own FCA Devotional. . . Go to www.fca.org and click the "Submit your own FCA devo! " link on the right side.
For more information about FCA please visit FCA.org. SUBSCRIPTION INFO If you received this message from a friend and you would like to subscribe to the Daily Impact Play click here. Cancel Your Subscription | Change Your Email Address | View our Privacy Policy PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to this message; it will be discarded. All correspondence should be directed to fca@fca.org so that we can address your needs. To receive additional FCA E-Newsletters, or to unsubscribe, use FCA's E-Newsletter Subscription Management Service at http://www.fca.org/subscriptions Fellowship of Christian Athletes World Headquarters 8701 Leeds Road Kansas City, MO 64129 (816) 921-0909 fca@fca.org http://www.fca.org

Fw: Judah's New Season

Team:

Today's Coach is Chuck Swindoll. Coach Swindoll talks about Repentance and Transformation and a New Season. He shows how QB Judah Transformed his game and led His Team to Victory. Gen 44

Did Judah ask for this type of treatment?
No. It wasn't fair. But that's when the Enemy comes in and Creates reasons to be Bitter and Angry. Some of the results of Bitterness and Anger were:

-The Shechem Massacre with his Brothers - Gen 34

-Committed Adultery with Tamar - Gen 38

-Sold His brother as a Slave. Gen 39

These decisions affected a lot of people
Which resulted in loss of Income and Job Opportunities for his family. His Family's Reputation was Tarnished because of these decisions.

"Bitterness hurts us not the person we are bitter toward."

The Bible says, "don't let a Root of Bitterness take hold in your life." Hebrews

God says, "Vengence is mine saith the Lord." God wants to take care of it and make things right.

Leviticus 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

Bitterness and Resentment will destroy us. It leads us to bad decisions. It is hard but we need to let God Take care of it.

From Judah's Offspring would come the Greatest Leader in the Universe: The Messiah Jesus Christ.

One Final Thought:

Everyone thought it was Joseph who Forgave. The Underlying Story is that Judah needed to Forgive his Dad. When he did the family was Freed.

What an incredible lesson to those who have issues with their parents.

Our Attitude is our choice. We can be Bitter and Angry or we can be people full of Faith and Gratitude.

God turned Anger, Resentment and Bitterness into Love, Peace and Forgiveness.

Now check out what Coach Swindoll says.

Just Go!

Rick
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Next came the horizontal test. Which would they choose, themselves or Benjamin? Had there been any change in their hearts over the years?

So Joseph said, "I would never punish all of you for one man's crime. The cup has been found in your youngest brother's possession, so he is the one I will punish.

He will forfeit his freedom and become my slave. The rest of you, go in peace. You can return to your father."

Following this pronouncement comes a shocking speech:

Shortly after that cold-blooded proposal, he rationalized, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Let's sell him to the slave traders instead."

Yet here he is now, pleading for his youngest brother. Added to that, he is pleading on behalf of his aging father.

Now, of all things, this same man is exhibiting a sacrificial attitude. "Take me instead. But send Benjamin back home. I cannot bear to imagine such grief that would overtake my father."

No, it's not the same man; Judah has changed.

Reminder about your invitation from Rick Ponder

This is a reminder that on March 23, Rick Ponder sent you an invitation to become part of his or her professional network at LinkedIn.

Follow this link to accept Rick Ponder's invitation.

https://www.linkedin.com/e/lmume1-gm4hmk8w-59/doi/2558082293/fUAeE9AE/gir_459841374_1/EML-inv_17_rem/

Signing up is free and takes less than a minute.

On March 23, Rick Ponder wrote:

> To: [rpponder.huddle@blogger.com]
> From: Rick Ponder [rpponder@aol.com]
> Subject: Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

> I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
>
> - Rick

The only way to get access to Rick Ponder's professional network on LinkedIn is through the following link:

https://www.linkedin.com/e/lmume1-gm4hmk8w-59/doi/2558082293/fUAeE9AE/gir_459841374_1/EML-inv_17_rem/

You can remove yourself from Rick Ponder's network at any time.

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