He Broke the Record

2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The crowd cheered.

Our grandson, Aiden, a senior on the varsity basketball team, broke his own record. A few weeks previous, he set the record for the most three-point shots in a game at his school. He made eight three-point shots (baskets made beyond the arc.) Impressive. Then a few games later, he hit nine three-point shots and smashed his own record.

How did this young man do it? Practice, self-control, and knowledge of the game played a big part. He stayed after practice and challenged himself to make as many baskets in a row as he could. His perseverance paid off. Even in his excitement to break his record, his ability to be a good teammate shined throughout the game. After the game, his team gathered around him, hugged him, and congratulated him. They showed him how much they valued him.

Peter writes to make every effort to pursue faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection, and love. Those are all qualities I strive toward in everything I do. They all help me live a productive life for God. Sometimes it takes more work than others. Self-control is a tricky one for me, especially with sweets, but I continue to try. Jesus set the perfect example as He ministered to everyone who would listen. God asks me to grow in knowledge of Him every day. And I’m so thankful He gave us the Bible to read and study. I strive to be a better person, as I live my life as a believer and follower of Christ.

Seek ways to grow.

Before the Time Runs Out

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

The clock ticks down to thirty seconds. The team needs to score three points to win. Do the players give up? No. The coach uses the clock—down to the last seconds of the game to encourage the players to make a pass, a basket, a win.

Basketball game

We're in basketball season in our family. Three grandchildren play and our son coaches. We watch college teams on TV and in person. Intensity of the games can be exciting. We've witnessed fantastic plays and some that just stink. In basketball, players need to finish what they start. When a player shoots the ball they need to follow through. When the other team shoots, a player needs to rebound. When the point person sets a play in motion, the team can execute a pick or screen. The team pushes through until the final buzzer rings. That's what they signed up for, to finish the game.

As a believer in Jesus, I want to follow through. I need to finish strong. Sometimes I want to give up and take the lazy route. But, Jesus didn't call me to be a slouch. He wants me to be a team player and one who finishes the tasks he sets before me. Maybe it's my age, but I've finally figured out that I just need to plow ahead with what God puts on my heart and not worry. God wants me to continue to serve him and step up before my time runs out.

My aim is to finish the tasks God sets before me; to continue to give glory to God and share the news of his grace.

Worn and Well Read

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

At halftime of our granddaughter's basketball game, a couple of boys took the floor. They practiced their shots and dribbles with a well-worn basketball. The orange color had dulled to a brown and the black grooves smoothed out. As they shot we could tell they spent hours with the ball, not just from the condition of the ball, but by the way they handled themselves on the floor.

After Billy Graham passed away, I read some articles about him. In one, the writer talked about how Billy always left his Bible open. Frequently throughout the day, he'd look at his Bible to see what God had to say. I love that picture. A wise man of God continually consulting the book of truth. Like the basketball the boys wore down, Billy wore through the pages of the scripture. Obviously, he not only read the Bible but lived it.

We are so blessed to have God's word to guide us. Think about how much more difficult life, as a believer, would be if we didn't have a reference of truth to read and study. I may not understand every word, but I know the ones I do understand are God's. I want to be a follower who not only wears out my Bible but lives by the beautiful truth of God.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. -Psalm 119:105