The Fourth Man

If you follow American college football then you most likely have heard of the Twelfth Man, the belief that the fans in the stands can have the impact of a twelfth player on the field. Call it home field advantage if you like, but the energy produced by a roaring stadium of fans is impactful. Both teams line up with eleven players on the field, but that twelfth man, although not visible on the field, has the potential to affect the outcome of the game. 

 

In the Contemporary Christian song entitled Trust in God, the band Elevation Worship alludes to a similar” twelfth man" scenario from the Bible, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, He's been my fourth man in the fire time after time". Much like the influence of the twelfth man in the stands the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were impacted by the fourth man in the fire!

 

In the Old Testament Book of Daniel, you'll find the story of these three followers of God who were tossed into a fiery furnace for paying reverence to God over King Nebuchadnezzar. When the King looked inside the furnace he saw not three, but four men in the fire. When the men were retrieved from the fire not even the hair on their head was singed and the king himself started praising God. Talk about a fan in the stands!

 

As you walk through the fiery trials of your life, keep in mind that you are not walking alone! It doesn't matter what it is God is always present right there with you. Does that mean we will never feel pain and suddenly all of our worries will disappear? No, that is not the promise, God's promise is that He will be with us, just as any father would be with his son or daughter. We serve a limitless God that is with us through whatever life drops in our lap. Mightier than any twelfth man, God is with us and He won't let us go it alone! "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isiah 41:10. Trust God, walk with Him and you will never walk alone. 

 

Coach Carter

Heavy Load

 

I don't know what it is about making multiple trips back and forth to the car to unload groceries, but I kinda take pride in being able to strategically position as many plastic shopping bags on my arms, around my neck, in my mouth, and at least one or two dangling from my pinky fingertips to get it all done in one trip. Well, I might be exaggerating a tad bit, but seriously am I the only person out there that wants to get all the groceries in the house in one load?

 

I don't want to digress too far here, even though it is relative to our FTM Thought today, but it isn't what we are trying to carry, but more about the weight of what we are trying to carry that I'm most interested in today. With the grocery bag scenario, one bag in each hand doesn't really weigh us down, yet when we try to carry all the bags at one time there is a certain degree of strain that exists. The further you have to carry the load the more strain there is. I can recollect a time or two when I carried a 50 lb. bag of dog food, a gallon of milk, and several bags of grocery items which definitely qualified as a "heavy load". When I reached the kitchen counter and finally laid all the items down the sudden relief was felt throughout my body. 

 

Maybe you've experienced a similar instance where you were carrying something heavy for an extended distance. Maybe it was groceries, maybe it was tools, or maybe it was a couch or chair, whatever it was you were carrying, my guess is that when you laid down the weight you were carrying your body and mind suddenly felt relief. The strain of carrying a heavy load is only magnified when you are carrying it all by yourself. When someone willingly lends us a hand the weight of the load instantly gets lighter and the strain or stress we experience dissipates as well. 

 

In life we all have a load that we carry. Family matters, work issues, health concerns, financial strains, you name yours, we all carry a load. At times that load may begin to feel overwhelming and the strain can feel like it is more than we can bear. We need someone to lend us a hand and lift the burden off of our back. Jesus offers us that helping hand when our life's load is too heavy. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus is telling us that we don't have to keep trying to carry our burdens on our own. Whatever you are dealing with He wants us to bring it to Him and allow God to carry our heavy load. Jesus didn't say our burdens would disappear, yet He does say we will find rest and peace as we learn to trust Him with all our cares and the ups and downs of life. 

 

Maybe you aren't in the middle of a "Heavy Load" experience in your life right now. Could it be that today's Flat Tire Thought is meant to spur you to be God's hands and feet in the life of someone else? At times we need someone to lighten our load, maybe today somebody needs you to help them carry their load. I encourage you today to look for opportunities to be God's hands and feet!

Coach Carter

Grace & Mercy

Throughout scripture and in just about any sermon being delivered we hear about God's grace and God's mercy. To many people, those two words might actually sound interchangeable, but in all actuality, there is a distinct difference in these two incredible gifts from our Heavenly Father. First, let's define the two words in their Biblical sense, and then from there we can determine how God wants us to live out His grace and His mercy in our own lives. 

 

As I was reading a devotional earlier this week, I came across a pretty simple definition of grace and mercy. The author put it like this, grace is receiving something that we do not deserve. God forgives us our sins and offers us eternal life in Heaven. I know in my own life I really don't deserve a gift such as that. In my daily life I know I falter and many times fail to live out a life that is fully committed to God. No one is perfect and we all fall short, and that is where the grace of God enters the equation. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. I Corinthians 15:10." God's gift of grace gives us confidence that His forgiveness is not a product of what we can do, but more a gift God gives us even though we don't deserve it. 

 

And then there is mercy. God's gift of mercy in contrast to grace is that God gives us mercy or forgiveness, even though what we truly deserve is punishment or condemnation for the life we lived and the choices we have made that are contrary to God's will for our lives. I reference the life of Paul regularly, but if you look at his life before this conversion from Saul to Paul, he definitely didn't look like a candidate to serve as the conduit for the expansion of the early Christian church. And more so than that, who would have imagined that God would choose Paul to write an extensive portion of the New Testament? Paul persecuted Christians, he was paid for fleshing out Christians, having them arrested, and in many cases put to death. From his own writing in Romans 6:23 Paul proclaims, "For the wages of sin is death;" basically pointing out that our sins destroy us and condemn us, but then in the same verse Paul goes on to say, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Meaning we deserve death, but God is merciful and He offers us eternal life when we sincerely seek out God's forgiveness. In other words, mercy is not receiving what we deserve and instead receiving what God freely offers us through the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.

 

Just to summarize, grace then is receiving a gift from God that we do not deserve, and mercy is NOT receiving something from God that we actually do deserve. So, if God gives us mercy and grace then would it not sound reasonable that we need to demonstrate those same Godly principles in our daily walk of life? If God is going to forgive us and call us His children, then should we not be more eager to forgive those that really don't deserve our forgiveness? When you get cut off on the highway, does it make you happy to see that same car pulled over and the highway patrolman writing the driver a ticket? Is that what mercy looks like? Let's make the situation a little tougher, what happens when a family member betrays your trust? Do we give them grace and forgive them for the wrong, or do we hold a grudge and disown them from the family? Grace says we forgive, not because the family member deserves it, but because God forgave us when we didn't deserve it and now we should live our lives in that same manner. God's mercy is available to each of us, not because we deserve it, but because God is full of grace and He wants us to receive his offer of life eternal! Will you accept his offer today?

Coach Carter

 

Lean In

Think about it for a minute, what do you typically do when someone wants to whisper or speak to you in a quiet voice? For me the answer is I lean in. I'm not sure if that is a basic instinct or what, but as I reflect on my observations over the years, what I recollect is that people just lean in to get closer to the speaker when they want to hear what is being said, especially if it is being said in a quiet voice. 

The Old Testament prophet Elijah had one of those leaning in experiences with God back in 1Kings 19:11-13. Elijah was in a desperate situation and was basically hiding out from Jezebel's soldiers on Mt. Horeb. He was needing to hear from God, and here's how God delivered His message. Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. God could have gotten Elijah's attention and delivered any message He wanted to through the storm, wind, fire, or quake, but instead God wanted Elijah to lean in and get really close to Him so, he whispered in a small, still voice. 

I believe that is what God wants us to do in our relationship with Him. When we face life's storms, when we feel shaken as if we are enduring an ongoing earthquake, God wants us to lean in and listen to what He wants us to know and understand. But how do we lean in to an invisible God you ask? We get in our own Mt. Horeb spot. A quiet place where we get alone with God and listen for that small still voice. We lean in to the Word of God and read His Holy Bible, and we most importantly hear from God when we develop a true relationship with Him. We lean in and by doing that we hear from Him in the midst of our storms, trials, and afflictions.  

James 4:8 tells us to "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...". As we begin to lean in to hear what God is saying to us, He draws closer to us. Leaning in to God is where we stop relying on our own understanding, finding strength through trusting, and an inner peace fortified in our faith. The storms may rage, and the night may be dark, but when we have the promises of God near our heart, mind, body, and soul, we lean in and He is there. Lean in!

Coach Carter

Good Morning!

Have you ever given a moment's thought to the simple little phrase "Good morning"? I imagine, if you are like me those two words come out of your mouth numerous times each day, more than likely without a thought being given to what we mean in our brief encounter in passing. Are we wishing them a "good day"? Are we informing them that at that moment our morning has gone well? Or could it possibly just be two words that have no meaning at all behind them and we are just being cordial? I certainly hope it isn't the latter case! 

I was reading through some scriptures today when I happened upon this verse from Psalm 143, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." Psalm 143:8. May each morning remind us of God's unfailing love, now doesn't that just resonate of what would symbolize a "Good Morning"? As the sun rises in the east each morning, we should be quick to proclaim that it is a "good morning"! 

As the sun displaces the darkness of night, our hope and prayers should be for God to illuminate the paths that we should take and the words we share. So, of course each morning is a good morning, especially when we have that personal relationship with the God of All Creation! Just as the sun rises, I too rise each morning. I give thanks for that ability to rise out of bed and from there it is a plethora of giving thanks for all God has done for me, all He has given me, and I thank Him in advance for what He is planning to do through me each day. The sun rising is a constant reminder that each morning is a "good morning". 

So, as you start out your day today, keep in mind what you are saying when you bid someone you pass a "Good morning". The Son has risen and the morning sunrise is a constant reminder of His unfailing love. The goodness of His daily promise to be with us always (Joshua 1:9) gives us the authority to proclaim that today is indeed a Good Morning!

Coach Carter

 

Vending Machine Faith

What comes to mind when you encounter a road sign that reads, "Rest Area Ahead"? For some a restroom break is envisioned, for others a chance to pick up some travel site brochures about the area, and for most the snack area for refreshments pops forefront and center.  Coffee for the weary driver, soft drinks, chips, and a candy bar for the kids, and a wide assortment of other sweet and salty items for pretty much everyone young and old alike. We scan the glass encased options and settle on our choice. From there it's a matter of dropping in the correct financial obligation which in turn sets the machine into motion and instantly our snack drops down to the retrieval area. Presto, we get exactly what we want. That system works well for snacks and drinks, but for some folks, the vending machine mentality is how they anticipate their prayers and supplications should work with God. 

 

With vending machines, we have a need, (hunger or thirst) and the vending machine can give us what we need to quench our thirst or curb our appetite. When we pray to God we have a need and we come to God to express our needs, concerns, and our pleas for His divine intervention. Along the way, we may thank Him, yet too often our prayers may appear to be similar to our encounters with a vending machine. 

 

In the face of adversity or affliction, we turn to God for a solution to the adverse conditions we face, and in the midst of our afflictions we come to God with a prayer for healing from the illness or condition we or someone we love is facing. Not only is that our approach in our prayers to God, but after we go to God with our intercessions and supplications we want to step back and watch God put the machine into motion so we can retrieve our answered prayers much like the candy bar dropping down into the receiving area of the vending machine. Life would be far less complex if that were how things worked, but I would suggest that if life were that simple, we would not grow in our relationship and dependence on God to see us through life's ups and downs, ins and outs, and all of the valleys and peaks that we encounter throughout the journey created for us to travel. 

 

The Apostle Paul provides us with a better picture of how we should approach God with our prayers in Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Paul endured so many hardships and constant persecutions that it would have been easy for him to have walked up to God's vending machine and prayed for immediate relief from the afflictions he faced. Yet above the scripture from Galatians tells us that Paul realized he was no longer living his life for his own benefit, but instead Paul identified that he was living his life centered around trusting God and His plan. Living that life out to the fullest regardless of what he may have wanted in his flesh became Paul’s strength and focus. 

 

Jesus faced a vending machine decision when he was facing the imminent reality that His life here on earth was about to come to an end. Jesus prayed to His father and asked God “... if you are willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.” Luke 22:42 When we develop our relationship with God we begin to realize that our prayers may not be in alignment with God's plans for our life. The hardships we face may be the stepping stones towards the victories that God has prepared if we are faithful, trust, and believe. What we perceive to be the best outcome in a situation may be a good answer for us, but for God's plan it may not even crack the surface of what will be accomplished if we are faithful and stand strong in trusting God's way. 

 

Center your prayers not on what "you" want, but place your wants, needs, prayers, intercessions, and supplications in God's hands and submit to the call He has on your life and the purpose you will fulfill through His plans for your life. I am thankful that life is not a vending machine! I have grown through my adversity, I have learned to endure through my afflictions, and I continue to see more of God's purpose for this life He has given me to live through the trials and tribulations of this world. That is my prayer for you today. Instead of us asking God for the prayers we pray to be answered the way we want them to be answered, may we pray for God's hand to be on our lives and may we live out God's purpose for this life we are living. "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." II Corinthians 12:9-10. 

Coach Carter

  

The Car Wash

When I was growing up it was common to see someone out in their driveway, sponge in one hand, water hose in the other accompanied by a bucket of frothing soapy suds cleaning their car. Especially on Saturdays, I suspect water meters pinged loudly as everyone got their automobiles clean and shined. For myself, if I really put the effort into cleaning my car properly, I was probably looking at a couple of hours at least. Add a wax job and you were looking at the biggest part of a Saturday afternoon. 

 Fast forward to today and the automatic car wash has revolutionized the experience of cleaning our car, SUV, or truck. Automatic car washes in themselves aren't a new phenomenon, yet more recently, car washes have basically become the new driveway car wash experience where everything you need to clean your vehicle, inside and out, is provided right down to the spray bottle and cleaning cloths. No more water hoses getting kinked up under the back tire, Yeah! 

 This offer of a "full service" package appears to be a game changer, but that's only if you take advantage of the resources that are available. I'll admit, I've turned in my sudsy bucket and sponges for an "unlimited" washes package, which has made keeping the car shiny much easier. Drive up, place the car in neutral, and keep your hands off the steering wheel. Minutes later your car is washed, waxed, dried, and shined. The problem is that's only half of the job that needs to be done. As you drop your transmission back in gear you next encounter the area created to vacuum and polish the inside of your automobile. Pull in to a slot, grab a couple of cleaning rags and go to work drying off those renegade water spots, clear off smudge marks on the interior windows, shine up the dash area, and then vacuum out all the crooks and crevices, all of which typically equals more time and a much higher level of effort to provide a true deep cleaning. To be completely transparent, many times I check the clock and make the hasty decision to bypass cleaning the interior. In my mind, the outside of my car is what the majority of people see, so if I don't clean the inside up, and it isn't too dirty anyway, then it won't really matter. Most people will see the shiny exterior and for all practical purposes they will perceive my car is clean. That line of thinking helps me justify driving on by the vacuums and cleaning tools, yet the fact of the matter is that just because the exterior of my car looks clean, it doesn't necessarily mean my car is clean. Could it be that we treat our relationship with God the same way that I just described in my car cleaning experience? 

 Living out a life of faith is a much deeper commitment than an exterior wash and wax. We can live a life that on the surface appears to be clean and shiny without showing what is really going on inside. Our hurts, pains, and even our own selfish desires can control what is going on inside, and the whole time we keep people far enough away so that all they see is our buffed exterior life. That may work in how others perceive us, but God knows our inner workings. He knows our thoughts, intentions, and plans, and God knows whether our plans are set to benefit us personally, or if our plans are designed to serve God and expand His Kingdom. To live out a life of service to God we have to be willing to clean out the areas of our life that people may not see on the surface. Just like our car cleaning analogy, we have to be willing to get down into the crooks and crevices of our heart, mind, and soul, vacuuming out the bad and replacing it with the love of God. 

 If you are struggling with what it looks like to clean out the interior of your life I believe this scripture may help, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:8-9. You can't clear out your heart and mind on your own. The past can weigh you down, your current situation can cause you to feel unworthy or unforgivable, but that is the world talking to you. You have value and you have a path to forgiveness that was forged over 2,000 years ago. Christ is your soul's automatic car wash, and regardless of where you are in life, God gave us His one and only Son to provide each of us with a walk with Him that is both shiny on the outside and most importantly on the inside of our soul. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Coach Carter