#Ao1

Oct 23, 2018
3 min

Rescue from the Muck--October 23

But may all who look for You discover true joy and happiness in You; May those who cherish how You save them always say, “O Eternal One, You are great and are first in our hearts.” Meanwhile, I am empty and need so much, but I know the Lord is thinking of me. You are my help; only You can save me, my True God. Please hurry. Psalm 40:16-17 If you know anything at all about David you know that his life was filled with glory as a mighty warrior and desperation as he ran from pl

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Oct 10, 2018
2 min

What is Steadfast Love? -- October 11

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! Psalm 31:14-16 What does it mean to be steadfast? The dictionary defines it as, “resolute or dutifully firm and unwavering.” Some people see God as resolute or dutifully firm and unwavering in His wrath or judgment. These people have a very legalistic view of what

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Oct 6, 2018
2 min

Where are You Looking for Peace? October 6

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 How do you think about peace? If the day goes well with little conflict, we often think then that we are experiencing peace. Is peace really circumstantial? Do we have to have “happy” days in order to experience peace? Isaiah 26:3 provides a true view of perfect peace. It says nothing about circumstances or situations. In fact, if it did, it would probably state that pe

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Sep 26, 2018
1 min

Worst Case Scenario?--September 27

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18 What is the worst scenario you can imagine? You may have entered into this exercise before. It goes something like this… If I don’t do ________ then _________ will happen. Oh no! Habakk

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Sep 20, 2018
2 min

Good Footing--Carson Wentz (September 21)

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 During week 13 of the 2016 season, Carson Wentz wore a special pair of cleats. On one foot was painted “Ao1” and on the other foot was “Romans 5:8”. Ao1 indicated that Carson was playing for an Audience of One, his Lord Jesus, and the Romans 5:8 explained his selection of the one. Those who know Carson testify that he lives a level-headed life. It all goes back to

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Sep 17, 2018
2 min

Would You Like that Hot or Cold?-- September 17

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 When someone knocks at the door of your home, what is the response? Homes that have young kids often see the kids running to the door to answer it and a parent running after them to be certain that the child, upon answering the door, does not say or do anything embarrassing. Were you ever one of those kids? Our response

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Sep 14, 2018
2 min

What's Your Motivation?--Benjamin Watson (September 15) Game #3

Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. Colossians 3:23 Most serious athletes or performers are diligent about seeking to be their very best. This is seen as these individuals invest incredible amounts of time into practicing, growing physical stature, and making mental preparations for their next venture into the public eye. There is a sort of perfectionism that is frequently prevalent

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Sep 13, 2018
2 min

Be Strong and Immovable -- September 14

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 Be strong and immovable! That can be a very dangerous statement to make to some people. It can inspire a stubbornness that is p

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Sep 9, 2018
2 min

King of the Universe--September 10

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 How does the world measure value? More often than not, it looks for who has what. Who has the highest contract? Who has the most power, intelligence, fame, money….? Who has the most wins? Sometimes it is easy to measure our own value

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Sep 8, 2018
2 min

Seeking and Finding--Trey Burton (September 8) Game #2

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 Trey Burton grew up in a Christian home, went to a Christian school, and knew what it meant to be a Christian. He even desired to learn about God. He states, “I wanted to know who God was, but I was not seeking after Him.” It is pretty easy in life to do something, but not do it all out. Certainly, through your years playing football, you have seen that. You have probably lived that. Some

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Sep 6, 2018
2 min

A Tale of Two Shepherds--September 7

A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. John 10:10 Did you know that you live in a battle zone? This is not a reference to your weekly football competitions! There are opposing forces vying for our attention and devotion. In John’s gospel Jesus tells a tale of two shepherds. Haven’t heard of it? That’s probably because it was really more of a teaching. And there is only one good shepherd

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Aug 30, 2018
2 min

Storms of Life--(August 30)

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:40-41 Fishermen in a boat….seems like it should be natural. Under normal circumstances it would be, but this was different. They had set off across the lake with other boats around them, so a storm was not expected. It came anyway. It wasn’t just a “normal” storm. This one wa

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Aug 27, 2018
2 min

Does Anyone See Me?--(August 27)

Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 A recent study conducted on the psychology of how social media affects our brain shows that when we receive positive feedback the reward center of our brain lights up. We respond this way because we have been seen and given approval. We like to be seen. This is true even when the feedback is negative. Every child acts out at one time or another in o

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Aug 27, 2018
2 min

Guiding the Way--(August 27)

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 It’s the start of a new academic year. It is an opportunity to experience new things, solidify some old knowledge, expand or deepen your understandings, and to grow in ways you cannot even imagine at this moment. It’s called learning. But how does it happen? The truly unique thing about your experience in college is not really that it is a place to learn (although that is the outcome desire

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Aug 23, 2018
2 min

Seeking Satisfaction--Chris Marogos (August 24)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 It is easy to look at NFL players and think that they must be totally satisfied. They have money. They have fame. They have all this world has to offer. --Or so we think. Chris Maragos has had success in the league and has been a part of two Super Bowl Championship teams after going undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2010. Even though he grew up in a Christia

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Aug 23, 2018
2 min

Lasting Glory--(August 23)

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6-7 What is glory? Glory can be defined as distinction, renown or adoration. It is that for which someone or something is known. To glorify is to attribute renown to someone or something. I came across a J.J. Watt quote that speaks to this very thou

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Aug 20, 2018
2 min

Walking through Fire--(August 21)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 You have probably heard the story of Daniel’s three “fiery” friends,

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Aug 19, 2018
2 min

Who's Cheering?--(August 20)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2a It won’t be long and game day will have arrived. The stands will fill with fans who will cheer the team on, cheer you

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Aug 16, 2018
2 min

When Life Happens--Tony Dungy (August 17)

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 16:26 Tony Dungy--Super Bowl XLI winning coach with Indianapolis Colts Tony Dungy’s football path was not an easy one. He was an undrafted quarterback out of the University of Minnesota, but later shifted to cornerback and was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Years later, he became the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and despite

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Aug 13, 2018
2 min

Sufficiency in One--Nick Foles (August 13)

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Nick Foles--QB Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles Nick’s story is unique. There he was serving as a backup to Carson Wentz, a quarterback being discussed as a potential for MVP of the NFL. He almost quit football because he had lost his enjoyment of the ga

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