#EMAT

Oct 22, 2018
2 min

How Do You Measure a True Friend?--October 22

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.” So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the Lord. 1 Samuel 23:16-18a John Donne, 16th century cleric and poet, once said “no man is an island.” His meaning is pretty clear: no one can exist by oneself; e

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Oct 15, 2018
2 min

God's Still Working--October 15

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:3-6 In his letter to the church at Philippi, the apostle Paul has an unshakeable and

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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 9, 2018
2 min

Strength for Today -- October 10

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13 At times, Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through him who strengthens me) can almost seem like a trivial verse because it is quoted so frequently in a multitude of situations. But, when you put it into its context, it becomes so much mor

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Oct 8, 2018
2 min

Outnumbered? -- October 9

He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:16-17 Have you ever felt out-numbered or overwhelmed? Most everyone has at one point or another. It can be very discouraging at the very least. The good

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Oct 7, 2018
2 min

Dress for Success in the Battle--October 8

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:12-13 Football is not an easy game. When you play you confront all sorts of challenges--some of which seem insurmountable. Li

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Oct 4, 2018
3 min

The Good IWU player? -- October 5

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy. Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:36-37 Jesus used to tell stories to teach His disciples what it looks like to live in His kingdom. Here is what one of them might have sounded like if Jesus had told it to you today. *Note: While you may recognize some names in this short story, know that the a

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Oct 2, 2018
2 min

Totally Exposed, Totally Empowered--October 3

Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame. Genesis 2:25 Have you ever been is a situation where you wished you could just hide? That feeling of having your shortcomings totally exposed is not a comfortable one. Being totally naked is being totally exposed. When Adam and Eve were naked before the fall, they were exposed and entirely comfortable. Why wouldn’t they be comfortable? They didn’t know the stain of sin and therefore did not know any shame

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Sep 30, 2018
2 min

What About "World Peace?" -- October 1

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 15:5-6 Perhaps you’re familiar with the movie Miss Congeniality. Perhaps not. It is, after all, a bit of a chick flick. But it does get oft quoted in our house. The story is about a threat to a beauty pageant and a butch FBI agent who goes undercover t

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Sep 25, 2018
2 min

Playbook for Success

Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 What do you need to be successful? Perhaps you haven’t given the topic a whole lot of thought. Certainly there are those around you who would have recommendations - work hard, don’t settle for less than you want, do good… The list could have endless possibilities. But what if God had something to say on the topic?

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Sep 20, 2018
2 min

Servant Greatness--September 20

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42b-45 A Wikipedia search of those who have a

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Sep 18, 2018
2 min

Perseverance -- Roger Staubach -- September 19

We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Perseverance is often viewed as a dirty word. You hear it and immediately picture hardship and struggle. It seems much easier to take shortcuts and not work quite so hard, especially if the perceived outcome seems fairly similar. You may just think, “Why can’t I do it my own way?” That is prett

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Sep 11, 2018
2 min

Giving Up!--September 12

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25 It is true that most of the men reading this devotion are probably not married. The verse is directly addressing husbands, so how does it apply to non-husbands? Certainly we could address you as men who may be husbands some day (some of you sooner than others). However, if we just did that we would be missing something important about what it means to be a godly and Bibl

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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 5, 2018
2 min

Victory!--September 6

But we thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 It is no secret that Taylor football likes to come away with victories. It is no secret t

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Sep 3, 2018
2 min

Taking a Walk with God--(September 4)

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 Sometimes it seems very difficult to know exactly what God desires from us. We think about controversial areas in life and wonder what God really thinks about them. We have relationships that are confusing to us and we want to know God’s intention for the relationship. Yes, there are occasions when we need to take

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Aug 29, 2018
2 min

True Strength--(August 29)

A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might. Proverbs 24:5 You may have noticed that on the football field it is not brute strength alone that wins games. There needs to be a game plan and skill to carry it out. As a player you refine your strength and your skills in order to play well. You listen to your coaches in order to understand the plan and achieve the goal. You would not have made it this far if you didn’t understand this. This is

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Aug 28, 2018
2 min

Temple Power--Demario Davis (August 28)

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 The temple was the most holy structure in all of Israel. It was the place where God lived and where the Israelites could be close to God’s presence. Amazing things happened in that location. It was as holy a place as there was. So how are you like God’s temple? If we see the parallels we have

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Aug 25, 2018
2 min

Breaking Through--(August 25)

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Psalm 40:1-2 Offsides and illegal procedure penalties are frequently the result of a lack of patience. But, it is really difficult to be on the mark ready to burst and to be patient for the right time. It’s just hard to be patient! It does not come naturally to most of us. Have you ever t

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Aug 22, 2018
2 min

Fearing Rightly--Coach Cattrell (August 22)

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6 You know Coach Cattrell. Do you see and experience him as a man characterized by fear? Probably not, at least not how the world thinks of fear. Fear, in its traditional context, is seen as having negative influence. However, that fear is born out of sin rather than from rightly understanding something beyond ourse

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