Chi Alpha

The Boston Globe had a recent article about steroids in the current Olympics in China. Organizers continue to work to determine to keep The Games as clean as possible by testing, education, and discipline. The article also briefly referenced the 1988 Games in Seoul, Korea, in which sprinter Ben Johnson shocked the world two different times.

The first came in a head-to-head race with American and Olympic champion Carl Lewis. Johnson won the 100 meter race and destroyed the world record with the fastest time ever recorded – 9.79 seconds.

Johnson then shocked the world two days later when it became known that he had participated with the help of banned substances. All of a sudden, the champion runner was stripped of his gold medal (which went to Lewis), and he became the poster child and symbol of cheating in sports.

I would argue that Johnson was also a picture of an ancient principle from the Bible, the principle of sowing and reaping. To put into the language of the street today – “you do the crime, you do the time.” It is not just a bumper sticker slogan about crime and punishment. It is a statement about reality. Words, ideas, and actions have consequences. It is the basis of the way God set up the universe, the world, and His Kingdom, and how they are applied. Take a look at Leviticus 26:3-16. Two key truths are highlighted:

1. You obey God’s laws and you are rewarded. Verse 9 records God saying says to those who observe His laws, “I will look with favor and make you faithful.”

2. The opposite is also true. Verses 14 -16 say, “If you will not listen to me and carry out my commands…I will do this to you…I will bring upon you sudden terror.”

History tells us the people of Israel did not listen to God. The Old Testament records that a couple of captivities and many enemy attacks could have been avoided.

The Creator knows how we can best live life, and much of that is summarized in the Ten Commandments. Four commandments instruct people how to love and honor God, while the last six instruct people how to love others as themselves. We would do well to listen to the Creator in order to best optimize the time we have on the planet.

Ben Johnson thought he could get away with cheating at the highest level of athletic competition. What commandment are you considering breaking? What vice are you entertaining? What pain and trouble are you bringing on yourself (and even others) due to poor choices? Most people’s sin or wrongdoing is not broadcast all over the world and remembered for decades. Imagine how Ben Johnson’s parents feel about their son being labeled a cheater.

With that in mind, how will you live your life? Which do you prefer to hear: “I will look upon you with favor” or “I will bring upon you sudden terror?” Walk wisely. Obedience is all about love for God. Disobedience is all about love for yourself. Will you choose the path of obedience or disobedience? You cannot run from this question.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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I read with fascination several stories about U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps going for 8 potential gold medals in the Beijing Olympics. He has dominated the world of swimming the past few years, yet he would be the first to tell you it is not a one-man show. Trainers, coaches, dietitians, and teammates assist him. His teammates have trained along with him, yet there has a been a strategic plan in place for Olympic competition. A lot has been put in place by a lot of people to give Phelps the chance and privilege for medaling in China.

I also read about Laura Wilkinson, one of the most decorated American divers in the history of international competition. She joined the U.S. National Team in 1995, and she is the ONLY female diver to win the 10 meter platform gold at the world championship (2005), World Cup (2004), Olympic Games (2000), and Goodwill Games (1998). She is also in Beijing for one last run at Olympic glory, yet has said her reasons for competing have little to do with personal gain, but everything to do with honoring her Lord and Savior, Jesus. She credits her parents as some of the most influential people in her life. Laura said “her folks are great examples of integrity and good living examples of Christians who inspired her to be her best and use the talent the Lord gave her.”

Asafa Powell, raised in a Christian home in Jamaica, is among the favorites for Olympic gold in the 100 meters in China because he has broken the world record for the 100 meters four times. Though he trains a lot, prayer and Bible study are daily commitments. Even though many believe he is Jamaica’s most famous son, he credits his parents and many others for praying for him. Asafa is described as a soft spoken, friendly man, quick with a smile by his coach. Asafa says he has to give God thanks because God has blessed him, and his parents, church friends, coaches, and friends have all contributed to his success.

It is the same way in the work of God. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and Ephesians 4:11-16. The church is made up of all sorts of people with a variety of gifts and skills. Some are teachers of children, while others work with adults. Some work behind the scenes with administration, equipment, and budgets. Some are musicians, landscapers, and ushers. But all work together for the common good and the glory of God. The preacher/minister cannot do it alone, no matter how good he or she is. That is why God gave the church a multitude of gifted people. When they all pull together, combining their skills and abilities, the work of God gets done.

Phelps, Wilkinson, and Powell will be on television this week, hoping, aiming, striving, and competing to be honored as the best in the world in their sport. But they all recognize there are many others who contributed to them getting the chance to compete for Olympic gold. I challenge you to follow their example and the call of Scripture in 1 Peter 4:10-11 that “each person should use whatever gift they have to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms…so that in all things God may be praised.”

Live communally. What are your gifts? Skills? Interests? Give them over to God. How have others contributed to your success and current status? Be thankful and humble. Let God use you today for His glory. He has a place just for you. The Team needs you.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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I learned something about email recently at M.I.T. about a virus called KLEZ Worm. This worm is a nasty cyber intruder that reduces the effectiveness of system resources and destroys files. This worm has been around for a while and is the most reported computer virus. Once you get a KLEZ Worm on your computer, you need to use anti-virus software to remove it.

The Scriptures describe another virus that has been around a lot longer with broader and more severe impact on the lives of people – it’s called the SIN Worm. This worm can infect and affect individuals, families, communities, and even nations. Sin can contribute to a person or community avoiding, running away from, and ignoring the will and purposes of God. It is the most common (and the nastiest) virus in the world today. It attacks the heart, mind, and soul. If ignored, sin will destroy you, your friendships, your family, your career, your destiny, and ultimately your relationship with God. Sin has the potential to eradicate the life of every person on the planet.

Read Leviticus 4:13-20. The sin offering mentioned in the Old Testament was God’s anti-virus answer for the SIN Worm. The purpose of the sin offering was to provide
a) an answer, payment, and substitute for unintentional sins,
b) forgiveness of sins, and
c) cleansing from being defiled. The sin offering was a mandatory specific way for a penitent person (and community, if necessary) to be restored to a clean and whole relationship with God.

You do not need to sacrifice a bull, goat, bird, lamb, or ram for your sins to get into right friendship with God today. That is the good news of the Scriptures. Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, once for all, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:10). God has provided a way for everyone to be holy and right with God, by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus (Romans 10:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21). He is willing to exchange His righteousness for our sinfulness.

Think theologically. Jesus is God’s anti-virus solution to remove the SIN Worm. He alone is able to remove SIN from our heart-drive. To work the way it was designed, we need to install the solution and trust it. Second, it requires us to practice daily confession – 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Third, you need to live according to God’s Word in order to keep your way pure. Psalm 119:9 and 11 urges us to hide the Word of God in our heart so we would not sin against God.

Have you placed your trust in the sacrifice of Jesus for your SIN Worm? Are you living the way Psalm 119:9, 11 describes? If necessary, have you confessed your sin(s) to God today? God wants you to be holy – deal or no deal?

Love is a verb,

Mike

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Pro football teams are starting to practice for the upcoming fall season. I listened to Bill Belicheck, the head coach of the New England Patriots, describe the goal of the first few days of practice last week. He said their goals were to get a good hold of the fundamentals – conditioning, footwork, timing, teamwork. Each day they were hoping to review and build on fundamentals, and each day get better at the basics.

I’ve discovered that fundamentals are critical to every discipline and profession. They are necessary to not only get in shape, but maintain your efficiency and productivity. One workout program I practice is called the Proverbs Workout. It involves reading and meditating on one chapter of Proverbs a day for a month. The goal is consistent intake of God’s Word, which is fundamental to our spiritual health and growth. The keys are focusing on one chapter, chewing on it slowly and allowing it to take root in your life as God directs. To help you get started, here is a listing of a Scripture McNugget from each chapter:

(1:7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

(2:12) Wisdom will protect you from evil

(3:5-6) Trust God’s wisdom

(4:1) Listen to your dad

(5:3-6) Avoid sexual temptation

(6:6) Learn good work habits

(7:7-9) Learn good judgment to avoid the sins of youth

(8:13) Avoid evil behavior and perverse speech

(9:17-18) Secret sins lead to death

(10:4) Laziness leads to poverty

(11:16) Be kind if you want respect

(12:1) You are ignorant if you do not listen to instruction

(13:10) Pride leads to arguments

(14:14) Faithlessness will be rewarded

(15:3) God watches over us

(16:28) Gossip breaks up friendships

(17:10) Discerning people learn from being rebuked

(18:10) God’s name is a refuge

(19:17) Being kind to poor people honors God

(20:1) Allowing yourself to be led astray by alcohol is foolish

(21:17) Loving pleasure leads to poverty

(22:1) Having a good name is better than being rich

(23:13) The discipline of children is a good thing

(24:13) Honey is good for you

(25:16) Too much honey (gluttony) is not good for you

(26:11) Repeating sin is not good for you

(27:21) You are tested by the praise you receive

(28:24) Dishonoring your parents is wrong

(29:11) A wise person learns and practices self control

(30:5) The Word of the Lord is flawless and helpful

(31:10) A good wife is worth more than rubies

Grow devotionally. Get a journal and keep a record of valuable insights you gain from reading one chapter of Proverbs each day. One chapter of the Bible a day can help keep the weight of sin off and firm up your spiritual muscles. This sort of diet may not get you a job in pro football or add to your resume, but it will help you grow in your knowledge of God and what kind of person He expects you to become. Read Proverbs as a daily habit and start your fundamental training today.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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