"So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead." 1 Chronicles 21:14

 

NFL training camp is starting for many of you who are readers. Let's talk about the way to start the new season off right.

 

King David was a man who had a powerful and highly capable army. His army was noted around the world for their vast victories and military might. David's army began as a weak and small group of able bodied men who gathered in a cave. Years later they had become a large marching machine who was good . . . very good.

 

They were so good and had become so vast, that King David decided he was going to count to see how many soldiers he actually had. This was absolutely impermissible as God had warned the Israelites to never count their soldiers as it would cause them to become conceited and self-reliant.

 

Though David was warned not to count his soldiers, he decided to count them anyways. This prideful action on the part of David caused God to bring a plague upon the land which resulted in 70,000 men of Israel falling dead in the streets!

 

Throughout history, God has always set up circumstances where man has to rely upon Him for victory. Why? So that God receives praise and credit as opposed to man. For instance, Gideon was allowed to only fight with 300 men when he faced an opposing army of 100,000. Gideon won! Joshua was told to have his army march around enemy occupied Jericho seven times without lifting a sword. On the seventh lap, the walls came down and Joshua's army won! The stories go on and on!

 

As you and your team enter into a new season (if you're not in the NFL this still applies to whatever you are involved with this fall), don't look at your might or how good your team might be; instead look only to God and let Him bring you victory as you look toward Him with a dependent heart. Victories in life will come your way. Praise from others will follow. But you are different than others! God is your God and He wants you to deflect praise toward Him. Stay humble and always remember where real victory originates.

 

I wish you well as you begin a new year! I am praying for you and I am here for you if you ever need anything. God bless!

 

Today's Prayer
"Lord, as I embark on a new beginning, help me to remember that You are the total source of all of my strength and victory. Help me to reflect who you are in everything that I do this year. Please forgive me when I make mistakes and sin against you and please deliver me from evil. I dedicate myself and my team to you. In Jesus' name. Amen."

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how God desires for us to be examples. The deaths of Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Steve McNair all in the last few weeks only prove this point all the more.

 

Each celebrity filled influenced our lives in different ways. Think about it - many girls wanted to be a Charlie Angel and most guys wished they could date one of them! Many of us watched Ed McMahon nightly say, "Here's Johnny!" Many of us had the King of Pops' cassette or compact disc playing in our cars and almost all of us at least attempted to "moonwalk" at some rhythmic time in life. Furthermore, many of us loved watching the competitive fervor of McNair who played with great toughness and determination. Each person left an undeniable fingerprint on the lives of many. They each were incredible at their jobs and they each entertained us with great pleasure. I bet few of us have not said "Here's Johnny, " or held a pistol in the air like Farah, or mimicked a throw like McNair, or "busted a move" like Jackson. I am thankful for the fun they gave us.

 

Beyond the glitz, they each were human. They each had a soul. They each had a voice. And they each had an uncanny platform of influence.  They each did good things for others and they each did destructive things toward self. This particular devotion is not to build or bash any of the above celebrities. Instead, I want to simply use their deaths to challenge us in our own lives. So let me ask a few poignant questions:

 

The last question is tough isn't it? Guess what - you are the only one who can do anything about how the above questions can or will be answered.

 

After washing the disciples feet, Jesus said, "I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15). Paul said, "Join in following my example . . . you have us as a pattern [to follow]" (Philippians 3:17).

 

Are you fully following their example in life and deed? Can you boldly tell others that they can follow YOUR example?

 

I pray that we each can boldly say "Yes!"

 

Today's Prayer
"Father forgive my failings as a leader and influencer. Forgive me for blown opportunity. Now Lord, help me to serve as a living example for others to follow. Help me to make a significant and lasting impression on every person that I encounter whether that be in person or by some other means. May my life be pleasing to you I pray. In Jesus' name. Amen."