Giving

“It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20: 35 

Acts 20: 35 is one of the “Be Attitudes” as known in the Bible.  It’s unusual—the giver more blessed than the receiver.  Paul, who wrote the book of Acts, shares the “Be Attitudes” and illustrates giving secures more real happiness than receiving.  However, this attitude goes against our natural intuitions and instincts.

So, why more blessed than to receive?  When we have the capacity to meet a need—to bless others, we are obeying God and His call to serve others.  In turn, when we obey God and bless others, God in turn provides and blesses those who bless.  It’s not a one-way street.  God will bless those who bless others—Genesis 12: 3:  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

How do we bless others?  Pray, text a Bible verse of meaning, spend time with others and listen, help with chores, write a personal note, share a meal, provide a meal, share an encouraging story, invite to a Bible Study.  We have endless opportunities to bless others.  Most are small and not very costly; a few are large and can be costly.  No matter the size or the cost, the heart of the giver to meet the need of someone else is the most important.

Today, bless someone, serve someone, give to someone.  If we are traveling, open the door or help someone with their bags.  In our hotel room and locker room, leave it as clean or cleaner than we found it.  These acts seem small, but will be a great blessing to someone else.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

Listening

Why is listening so hard? Most people just want to be heard but not engage in listening first. Listening well is a skill, almost a lost skill, that is critical for building positive relationships and communicating effectively. Today, people focus on what they have to say, or better yet post on social media, and are more eager to prove a point or sway others to agree with them. But in contrast, people who listen well seek to understand and then respond.

What is the importance of listening well?  Let’s look at 5 reasons:

1.    Listening Well Makes Others Feel Valued.  When people feel heard, they feel appreciated and cared for. 

2.    Listening Well Brings out the Best in Others.  Listening promotes creativity, insight, and participation among people.

3.    Listening Well Resolves Conflicts.  Listening focuses on the goal of understanding, rather than being understood.

4.    Listening Well Builds Your Credibility.  Proverbs 14:8. Fools deceive themselves. Proverbs 1:5. Wise leaders listen to gain understanding.

5.    Listening Well Makes You More Like Jesus.  Even when surrounded by crowds with pressing needs, Jesus took time to be fully present. He asked great questions and made people feel valued. As the ultimate servant-leader, Jesus modeled exceptional listening skills. 

Let this be our goal: Seek to understand others rather than seeking to be understood. Be a good listener. James 1:19 provides great instruction on how to meet this goal:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19 

Credit:

https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/why-listening-is-the-most-critical-leadership-skill.html

Knowing God

 This week's devotion was prepared by Rick Loumiet--Replay Official, Big 12.......

It’s not how much do you know God, but it’s more how much does God know YOU !

Believe it or not, God knows you better than you think. It’s amazing that the God of the universe, the God who created all things and sustains everything, actually knows us quite intimately. King David had, to some degree, an understanding of this and in Psalm 8 writes; When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Is it possible that the very God who, in Genesis, created everything, including man, has enough time for us. I’m guessing keeping the universe operational takes a lot of energy.  Does God have enough bandwidth for me and you, individually, to really know and care for us? The answer is obviously YES !

King David goes on to write in Psalm 139:

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

 

Think about how much God actually knows you. I love the verse that says before the words even form on my tongue, God knows it. He knows what you’ll say and when you’ll say it. We think we’re pretty slick and may be able to fool others around us but we’ll never fool God. My prayer is for each of us to take some time and consider our relationship with the living, Almighty God. Consider how much He knows you and if you feel like you really don’t know Him, or even if you feel you do, make it your goal to get to know Him more. How do we do that? Easy…start by reading the Bible, even just one verse at a time.

Jeremiah 29:13 ; You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Think Then Speak

The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. Proverbs 13:3

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. Matthew 15:18

Controlling the tongue, a phrase uses for the ability to control what we say, is difficult. More problems are created with our mouths than with our actions. What is the possible root of our reckless words?  Two things: (1) We speak before we think (Proverbs 13:3),  (2) Our thoughts are a reflection of a spiteful heart (Matthew 15:18).  

Why does God want us to keep our tongues in check? When we are quick to speak, we often do not honor Him with our speech. God prefers us not to say anything than to speak too quickly. In the Bible, a great illustration of keeping silent is when Christ was wrongly accused of blasphemy and brought before Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Although God could have sent a thousand Angels to defend Jesus, Jesus never opened His mouth to defend Himself against the false accusations. Jesus thought before he spoke; and in this example, He did not speak knowing anything He said would not be helpful or useful.

The simple answer to controlling our tongue is this: THINK before you speak. The acrostic below is a good guide:

T  - is it True?

H  - is it Helpful?

I   - is it Inspiring?

N - is it Necessary?

K  - is it Kind?

Honestly, thinking before we speak is hard to do because our human nature wants to be heard. But, even in the most challenging situations, with God’s Spirit living in us, we can learn to be diligent in thinking before we speak. Though the Bible states the tongue will never be tamed, it obviously helps to guard our thoughts!

Evaluate the state of your tongue by asking yourself these questions:

1.      Is your tongue out of control?

2.      When was the last time your tongue got you in trouble?

3.      Today, what can you do to start THINKing before you speak? 

 

Source: www.fcaresources.com

Decide Right or Wrong

 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25

Who decides right and wrong?  In today’s world, that decision is often based on an individual or group.  What is the danger of relying on ourselves for right and wrong?  The human heart cannot be relied upon to either assess or adhere to a sound code of morality. In Jeremiah 17: 9, the Bible clearly tells us that despite every good intention, our hearts are inherently wicked—"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?” History has shown us over-and-over again human nature cannot be relied on to consistently make right decisions.  So, what or who do we rely on to guide us in our decision making--Jesus.

Carpenters and builders use a plumb line to measure the accuracy of a structure.  A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to ensure a structure is centered. God's plumb line helps us maintain our plumb line of decision making.  When we use the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions, we most often stay centered in our lives.  But, when we rely on our own understanding, the plumb line starts wavering.

Judges 21: 25 explains there was no king to determine justice and morality at that particular time.  Even today, the plumb line of following Jesus’ way is often rejected.  We need to rely on His Word and Holy Spirit to keep accurate—Philippians 4: 7:  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Officials are guided by a plumb line as well.  Our training, rules study, past experiences, evaluations give us a center point-a plumb line.  Just as we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily decisions outside of officiating, use that same power to guide our officiating decisions.  Then, right or wrong, we have confidence in the decisions we have made-whatever the result.

Sometimes it takes a wrong turn to get you to the right place.

Friend or Foe

This week's devotion was prepared by Rick Loumiet--Replay Official, Big 12.......

We’ve all experienced this…...we go to a gathering with our wife/girlfriend and step away to go get a couple of drinks. When looking back, you see a man who you do not know talking with your wife/girlfriend.  Quickly, but not too conspicuously, you make your way back to join the conversation. The conversation isn’t the main concern because you are sizing this guy up, trying to determine if the other person is a friend or foe! It’s human nature and we all do it. Consciously or not, all of us evaluate people we meet in order to determine if they are potential friends or foes.  We learn early in life that not everyone can be trusted and most are not concerned about our best interest.

In the Old Testament, shortly before the siege of Jericho, Joshua attempted to size up a potentially powerful friend or deadly enemy. Having been made the new leader of Israel after the death of Moses, Joshua now had tremendous responsibility of leading a newly formed nation. As he and this new nation were encamped just outside of Jericho, Joshua meets a Man standing before him, sword drawn (Joshua 5:13).  Joshua does what any of us would have done and asks this figure a question regarding whether He is on Israel’s side, or not---the man does not choose any of Joshua’s offered options. Instead, He declares that He is the commander of the army of the Lord. Not to get overly technical but this passage depicts a Christophany — a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. In this face-to-face meeting, the Lord does not say that He is on Joshua’s side, although it could be implied based on other verses in Joshua. Instead, He declares Himself to Joshua as if to say, “I am the Captain of the heavenly host, are you on my side?”

As with Joshua, all of us must decide with which army we will align ourselves.  This is not who is on our side, but more of whose side will we be on?  Later in Joshua when he is near his own death, Joshua speaks to the nation where he declares “... if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Chose the right side!

This weeks devotion was prepared by Mike VanderVelde, Big XII Referee.....

Officials have a very distinct privilege and opportunity to be in a position of influence.  As you become successful in your craft, at whatever level, you begin to become recognized and often admired by other people within your group, your association, etc. 

How do we or how can we as officials provide hope for our crew, other officials, families, etc. considering we are dealing with so many things outside of our control (sickness, political division, etc)? How do we push through this long season while maintaining the drive and hope of a strong performance week in and week out?

There are times where I become deflated when I look at the world around me. I sense God being pushed out of every aspect of society and replaced with man’s own form of spirituality. When I focus on what I see around me, I lose hope. But then, I often remind myself to stop looking around, and start looking up. How? The easiest way is to concentrate on the truths that come from scripture. I could choose to be one of those without hope...“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”(Isaiah 40:31).

I can become deflated by hopelessness, but “when I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is mankind that You are mindful of them,  human beings that You care for them? (Psalm 8: 3-4). I am such a small piece of this puzzle, almost insignificant, but yet God of this universe is mindful of me! I believe that when God spoke to Jeremiah saying; “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5a), he speaks the same to all of us. He knew us and he formed us. We were “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). In this I take great hope. I have true hope in my Savior!

I pray that each of you find a new sense of HOPE as we continue working week in and week out.

Isaiah 40:31

Psalm 8: 3-4

Jeremiah 1:5a

Psalm 139:14

Lessons Learned

Why is it important to remember the past?  Remembering the past helps us to repeat the things we have done right and avoid repeating previous mistakes. But since lessons learned involve both positive and negative past situations, it is important to know when doing so is beneficial versus detrimental. This wisdom is critical to our ability to move forward.

In the Bible, Genesis 19 contains the story of God’s destruction of the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their past and on-going sins. The Lord instructed a God-abiding Lot and his family to flee Sodom and not to look back.  As Lot’s family was fleeing the cities being destroyed, Lot’s wife acted against wisdom and “looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19: 26).  Using this example from the Bible, we learn sometimes we need to move forward without spending the time to look back.  Sure, we need to understand the “why” behind our pursuit of moving forward, but not get distracted by past mistakes.

However, God has instructed us at other times to reference the past to determine better how to handle the future. In Deuteronomy 6: 12, Moses warns the people of Israel not to forget…”be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Unfortunately, the Israelites had forgotten what God had done for them in the past. They were fighting and arguing with each other about current struggles and had become restless forgetting what God had provided them in the past.  At times, looking back helps us learn from wrong-doings and how to better proceed. 

So—how do we know when to look back or just to keep our eyes forward? Discernment is the key! As officials, we must discern when to move forward without looking back; or, when we need to look back to have a clearer direction on how to move forward.  Again, use discernment.

As officials, we can neither dwell on the positive or the negative. Instead, learn from our past, move forward, and don’t let the past hinder our future.

Whatever “it” is, learn from it.  Then get over it.  Robert J. O’Neill

Attributes—How do they define us?

Previous devotions have encouraged us to leave a good impression and to develop good character.  Good impressions are left by smiling, being on time, and listening.  Our character is developed by controlling our thoughts, guarding our hearts and minds, and keeping good company.  Character was defined as “the whole you—thoughts, intentions, and actions.”  In other words, our attributes define our character. 

Attributes are defined as a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something.  Just as character can be good or bad, attributes can be good or bad. Why?...because our attributes help define our character.  So, how do we develop positive attributes?  In an article by Todd Wagner, former pastor at Watermark Church, he describes 5 attributes of a Godly man (article link: www.watermark.org):

1.       Step Up:  Lead, initiate, be a person of action.  Reject apathy and passivity. (Ezekiel 22:30--I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.)

2.       Speak Out:  Be courageous! Silence in the midst of sin is a sin.  There is a time to listen and a time to speak. (Proverbs 27: 5-6:  Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.)

3.       Stand Strong:  Don’t give in when you are challenged, attacked, or criticized.

4.       Stay Humble: Be vigilant against pride.  Don’t think less of yourself, think of yourself less. (Philippians 2: 3-4:  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.)

5.       Serve People and the King:  Live to honor and serve others for a greater reward.

A few years ago, our football officiating crew worked together to identify what we feel are important traits (attributes) of a “Super Ref.” The following attributes are the ones we identified:

Common sense                             Decisive                                              Good crewmate

Athletic                                        Integrity                                               No ego

Great judgment                           Well balanced                                      Team player

Durable                                       Calm                                                   Good leader  

Great communicator                  Presence                                              Rules knowledge

Great physical appearance       Open to criticism/improvement           Do the right thing under pressure

Combining the 5 attributes of a Godly man together with the attributes of a Super Ref, which ones would define you?  Which one(s) do you need to work on to not only make you a better official, but a person with high character? What steps will you take this week to work on them? Who will hold you accountable?

“You create a strong, unshakable internal core by understanding and pursuing the attributes that you want to inherit.”

Character

 This week's devotion was prepared by Rick Loumiet--Replay Official, Big 12.......

As I began clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, I noticed several large mature trees uprooted and blown over while next to them there were other similar trees that stood tall.  The difference I observed was the strength of the root system which being well rooted, allowed the tree to withstand hurricane force winds.  As I looked at this, I realized what a great analogy about a man’s character.  A man with a strong character, a strong root system, will be able to withstand the sometimes hurricane force winds that come his way.

So what is character ?

Character is defined as strength of moral fiber. It was once said as the excellence of gold is its purity, so the excellence of man is his character. A person’s character is the sum of his disposition (a person’s inherent qualities), thoughts, intentions and actions. In other words, character is the whole “you” and takes every part of the attributes listed above.  For example, can have good intentions but they must be followed by good actions.  

We’ve all heard the old saying “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching”. Many have laid claim to this quote but the most famous was Coach John Wooden.

We need turn no further than the Bible to find many men and women who were people of amazing character.  Here’s just a couple:  

- Daniel was taken into captivity by Babylon after it besieged Jerusalem. Daniel was selected to be placed into the King’s service and received the best of training and food but the food did not meet Daniel’s strict religious dietary requirements.  He could have easily eaten anything he wanted when no one was around but, being a strong man of character, he made what were not popular choices, but the correct choices in his diet.   He stood on a strong root system.

- David was the great warrior king of Israel. While he didn’t always make the right choice ,he always recognized his errors, repented and worked to live a life after God. His inherent qualities and actions were ones always seeking after God and God’s direction. The Bible describes David as a man “after God’s own heart”. What a great description of a man’s character.

So how do we develop character;

1. Controlling our thoughts. Philippians 4:8; Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think on these things.

2. Guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23; Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Open your heart and mind like a safe keeping only precious and valuable things in there.

Finally, (3.) Keep good company. 1 Cor 15:33; Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals”.

Let me close with a great quote from Margaret Thatcher:

Watch your thoughts for they become words,

Watch your words for they become actions,

Watch your actions for they become habits,

Watch your habits for they become your character,

Watch your character for it becomes your destiny.