You only need to be still.

You only need to be still. 

Pre Game 

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Exodus 14:14

Warm Up

The Israelites just left Egypt, following the promise that God gave them that He would deliver them from Egypt.  They have left Egypt when Pharaoh changed his heart and pursues them.  The Israelites panicked and Moses replies to them:  "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Likewise, can you think of a situation in sport when you also panicked?  Was it on match point or when you realized that your opponents is making a comeback?  In sports and life we as believers follow God and rely on His promises.  Sometimes it may feel like chaos and that we will be attacked from every side like the Israelites did.  But the amazing promise the Israelites had was that the Lord was with them and that He will fight for them.  Their only response was to be still.  

Why?  Because the Lord is with us.  Psalm 23:4 also says:  "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,  for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."    

     

Game Time

Are you in a situation where you feel overwhelmed?

How have you responded to it?

Have you been able to simply be still before the Lord?

What are the names?

What are the names?

Pre Game 

“Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord."

Exodus 28:29-30

Warm Up

When Aaron entered the Holy place the Lord asked him to "bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord."  

The Lord desired Aaron to think of the sons of Israel when he had to make decisions and be the mediator between God and Israel.  He did not want him to make decisions based on his own desires but what God desired for His people and not only for an individual.  So the question for us today..what are the names the Lord has placed on our breastpiece of decision?  Who does the Lord desire you to think about or remember when you make decisions?  Your loved ones, family, friends, those in the ministry?  What are their names?    

     

Game Time

Who are the people's names the Lord desires you to remember before you make big decisions?   

Do you make decisions that is best for you or them?  

What are the names on your breastpiece?

Letting Go

Letting Go

Pre Game 

“Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.” 

Exodus 11:10 NIV

Warm Up

In sports and life you can measure how much someone or something has control and influence in your life by how easy or hard it is to let it go. If we think about it...the most valuable people and things to us are the hardest to let go. The least valuable things are easy to let go. Pharaoh struggled to let the Israelites go, even though God had told him clearly to do so. The Israelites were extremely valuable to him and the country's economy.  But the Lord clearly told him to let them go.

So what about you and me? Is there anything in sports and life that we hold on to very tight that we deem as important? Is there anything or anyone in our lives that the Lord has told us clearly to let go of?

Jesus told His disciples in Luke 14:33:  "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." Are you and I willing to let everything go that The Lord asks of us? He asked His disciples to give up their money, house, friends, family, things, and anything else besides God.

     

Game Time

Are we willing to let go when The Lord asks us?