The Prize (A Fantasy Football Devotional by Kim Curry)

1 Corinthians 9:25-27  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Football is a game, a competitive sport. In order to be prepared to compete you must train: physical strength training, nutritional training, endurance training, and study of your opponent. It requires repetition of these disciplines as the results have their effect slowly.

Once the season starts and the games begin, those who have proven themselves, take the field. They face equally prepared opponents who also want to win. Head to head, hit after hit, try and try again. They invested much to succeed on a play by play basis.  Even injuries are part of the experience.

It amazes me how much pain a player will endure during the game in order to stay in the game. Little thought seems to be given to long term effects of the repeated pounding.

I guess the prize is worth all the rest.

We can see a parallel in serving the Lord. Do you prepare and train in order to be able to endure the hits of life. Physical discipline, nutritional discipline, endurance / stamina, even study?  Are you willing to take a hit, endure some discomfort or pain in your service to the Lord? And when you face the trials of life do you stand against the schemes of the evil one.  Even when it requires a trip to the blue tent sometimes?

Is the prize worth it to you?

“Father, give us the faith to trust you, to stand (even if we have to lean on someone). Show us the opportunities around us to share your message of salvation to others who are injured by life. May we have the attitude that the prize is worth the cost. Open our eyes that we may see. “

Kim Curry is the Manager of the Puro 956 Chili Dogs. Formerly known as the RGV Chili Dogs, Kim was so moved by Ep. 1 of the FBCW Fantasy Football Podcast. The Chili Dogs are now 1-1 after dousing chili all over Pastor Ray’s Bears in week 1 and following it up with a LackLuster Loss to Micah Parker’s, L Bozos.

Jesus Heals, pt. 2 (Mark 5:35-43)

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus. He was the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Jesus heard what they were saying. He told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.”

37 He let only Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, follow him. 38 They came to the home of the synagogue leader. There Jesus saw a lot of confusion. People were crying and sobbing loudly. 39 He went inside. Then he said to them, “Why all this confusion and sobbing? The child is not dead. She is only sleeping.” 40 But they laughed at him.

He made them all go outside. He took only the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him. And he went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand. Then he said to her, “Talitha koum!” This means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” 42 The girl was 12 years old. Right away she stood up and began to walk around. They were totally amazed at this. 43 Jesus gave strict orders not to let anyone know what had happened. And he told them to give her something to eat.

For the Adults:

This is the conclusion of the “Markan Sandwich.” The Jairus narrative is the bread and the bleeding woman of faith is the meat, or peanut butter and jelly, or cheese, or whatever your favorite sandwich middle is! Mark uses the sandwich as a literary device to show the grand healing power of Jesus…and of course we know the exciting conclusion: Jesus is the Messiah can raise the dead! Even as people laugh at him for telling them what is really going on, Jesus strolls in and commands her to get up!

“Talitha koum!” - Remember that when Mark writes his gospel, he is writing to a non-Jewish audience (much like us today). He puts in Aramaic phrases like this and then translates them for his Gentile (non-Jewish) audience. Try saying “Talitha Koum!” to your teenage daughter tomorrow morning…no guarantees it’ll work.

The Messianic Secret - at the end of this, Jesus gives strict orders not to tell anyone about this, but why? Throughout Mark, Jesus hides what we all know - that he is the Messiah - until it is time for him to fulfill God’s plan as savior of the world.

Jesus is the Messiah - Even as many in the world laugh at the idea that Jesus is in charge of every situation, we know the truth - Jesus is the Son of God who lived a perfect life, died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, rose again on the third day, and is one day coming back to heal the whole world! One day he will say, “get up” and all those who believe in Jesus will “get up” and spend all eternity with him. Until them, let’s live into Jesus’ great healing story by studying His word, worshiping together, fellowshipping (online for now, and serving one another. See you Sunday at our online worship service.

For the kids:

Enter:

Find a place where your family can sit comfortably together. You can ask questions like these!:

•       How was your day?

•       What did you enjoy about today? Was there anything you didn’t enjoy about today?

Hear:

Read the Bible Passage. For younger children, a picture Bible may be used. (Beginner's Bible - p. 347-350)

Pause:

This might be hard at first, but take a few seconds, or maybe a minute to sit with the scripture in silence. With little ones, it may be a ten count, but we can sit still and let God’s word work!

Wonder:

What was interesting about this story?

How do you think Jairus felt when his daughter died and Jesus hadn't made it to see her?

How do you feel when people laugh at you for something you believe?

How think Jesus felt when people laughed at him?

Why do you think Mark wrote this story down?

How does this story connect with our lives?

Bless:

Affirm what was discussed about the story.

Reaffirm God’s power in the world (from the story) and those parts where we long to see God’s power.

Pray together (you may ask kids what they are thankful for or things they want to pray for/confess before the prayer:

Praise God, Give thanks, Pray for others, confess sins, Praise God!

Example: Thank you God that you are the great healer. We know you are more powerful than the coronavirus because you can even raise those who have died. Forgive us when we do things that make you sad. Help us to remember your great healing story! Amen!

Wrap-up with this video and subscribe below if you want daily updates via e mail.

Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

Jesus Calms the Storm (NIRV)

35 When evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” 36 They left the crowd behind. And they took him along in a boat, just as he was. There were also other boats with him. 37 A wild storm came up. Waves crashed over the boat. It was about to sink. 38 Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up. They said, “Teacher! Don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up and ordered the wind to stop. He said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down. And it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Don’t you have any faith at all yet?”

41 They were terrified. They asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

For the Parents:

This is one of my favorite stories. The disciples had seen Jesus heal people; they had seen Jesus drive out unclean spirits; they had heard Jesus’ amazing teaching! Yet, they were still afraid. Does that sound like anyone we know? Might as well be me!

“Don’t you care [Jesus]?” It’s not just the disciples who felt that way. Even with all we know about God and what we have experienced in our lives, we might be there right now. Don’t you care that I’m losing my job? Don’t you care that I’m losing my 401K? Don’t you care that home schooling is costing me my sanity? Don’t you care that _________! Jesus is telling us even now, “Why are you so afraid? Don’t you have any faith at all yet?” The God who commands the wind and the waves was in charge before this pandemic, and will be in command long after! Still, there are times when we need to cry out to God. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Parker explores the language of prayer in tough times given to us in the Psalms…See you on our YouTube Channel this Sunday!

May be less like the faith deprived disciples and more like sleeping Jesus during this crazy COVID storm.

For the Children: (Use this only as a guide. The important thing here is to read the Bible and spend time together. Whatever works for your family will be ok!)

Enter:

Find a place where your family can sit comfortably together. You can ask questions like these (don’t feel the need to ask all of them!):

•       Where did you see God’s power today?

•       Where do you wish you could see God’s power today?

Hear:

Read the Bible Passage. For younger children, a picture Bible may be used. 

Pause:

This might be hard at first, but take a few seconds, or maybe a minute to sit with the scripture in silence. With little ones, it may be a ten count, but we can sit still and let God’s word work!

Wonder:

Have you ever been in a storm while in a small boat?

How would you feel if you were the disciples?

Why is this story in the Bible?

When would be a good time to remember this story?

Bless:

Affirm what was discussed about the story.

Reaffirm God’s power in the world (from the story) and those parts where we long to see God’s power.

Pray together (you may ask kids what they are thankful for or things they want to pray for/confess before the prayer:

Praise God, Give thanks, Pray for others, confess sins, Praise God!

Example: Thank you God that you control the wind and the waves. We praise you because you are in control even now. We ask you to bless those struggling with health and other things during this pandemic. Forgive us when we have been mean, or rude to one another. Help us to honor you in all we do! Amen!

Wrap-up with this video and subscribe below if you want daily updates via e mail.

Coronavirus Family Bible Reading Guide - Through Easter!

If you are like me, you find it hard in your normal lives to stop, take a minute, and read your Bible together as a family…and I’m a pastor! Christians, and our Jewish predecessors, have prioritized storytelling as a part of training up our children in the way they should go. If something good can come out of this virus interrupting our lives, may it be that we find time to get in the rhythm of God’s grace through daily scripture reading, meditation, and weekly online worship…what do you have to lose!

Each week I’ll try to upload a video or two that cover some of our readings to help you out, but frankly, you spending time with your family reading God’s great story is the best medicine in this crazy time!  I know reading the Bible can be intimidating. I grew up in church and went to Seminary and there are still things I don’t understand, but this passage in Isaiah 55:9-11 gives me hope:

9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God’s word will not return empty! There is something powerful about the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 says that it the word of God is the Sword of the Spirit, and Hebrews 4:12 says, 

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.

God’s word is powerful. Fortunately, it’s not about “understanding” everything. If we just take the time to read it with our families, it can transform us! I will do my best to provide a daily blog post on the passage you can read with your families. The format and questions will be based on Elizabeth Caldwell’s method in her book, I Wonder. Here is a 5-part template for 10-15 minutes of your family Bible time: Enter, Hear, Pause, Wonder, Bless…

Enter:

Find a place where your family can sit comfortably together. You can ask questions like these (don’t feel the need to ask all of them!):

•       What made you happy today?

•       What made you sad?

•       Where did you see God’s love today?

•       Where did you give or received God’s love today?

•       For what are you most grateful?

•       For what are you least grateful?

Hear:

Read the Bible Passage. For younger children, a picture Bible may be used. 

Pause:

This might be hard at first, but take a few seconds, or maybe a minute to sit with the scripture in silence. With little ones, it may be a ten count, but we can sit still and let God’s word work!

Wonder:

Let your kids explore the story by asking some questions:

What was interesting to you?

Who were the main characters and what happens to them?

Why is this story in the Bible?

How can we connect with this story? OR When would be a good time to remember this story?

For older kids: 

How is this story different from the time and place in which we live?

Is there anything confusing about the story? (Feel free to comment with your questions below or contact a pastor if you don’t know all the answers! This is an opportunity for all of us to learn together) 

Bless:

Affirm what was discussed about the story.

Revisit the things the kids brought up during the “Enter” time.

Pray together:

Praise God, Give thanks, Pray for others, confess sins, Praise God!

READING PLAN

Below is our reading plan through Easter. The first reading coincides with our FBCW Treehouse Club At Home Edition YouTube video. Feel free to use it to get you started!