From the publishers of OUR DAILY BREAD

Transcription

1 From the publishers of OUR DAILY BREAD

2 beating temptation Addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, or gambling has plagued the life of many sports people. Sometimes we wonder why talented footballers could so easily get snared, jeopardizing their career and family. Experts believe their stronger compulsive and obsessive personality traits, which they need to help them succeed, make footballers more inclined to addiction than most other people. The glamour and attention their star status attracts, as well as their youthfulness, contribute to the problem. Add in lots of money and free time, and you have a situation ripe for the picking. Are you caught in a crippling addiction? If you are, then you are not alone. Everyone struggles with temptations, including the apostle Paul whose writings form part of the New Testament of the Bible. He wrote, I don t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don t do it. Instead, I do what I hate (Romans 7:15). The real problem according to him is internal, not external: It is sin living in me (verse 17). We need to stop blaming When we blame others, we give up the hope of real transformation. external factors and deal with our sinful nature that exposes us to temptations. But who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? (verse 24). The solution is in Jesus Christ our Lord! (verse 25). Jesus came to give us victory over sin. Have you experienced it? <

3 to the goal4 I don t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can t. I want to do what is good, but I don t. I don t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (Romans 7:15-25) < world cup trivia 1. Why is the Netherlands jersey orange but the country s flag is red, blue, and white?

4 a stunning victory No one gave the Americans, the rank outsiders of the tournament, a chance. How could a team consisting mostly of part-timers possibly beat England, the king of football? While the latter boasted world-class players, the former could only put together a ragtag team comprised of postmen, dishwashers, schoolteachers, and a hearse driver. But in the summer of 1950, the first World Cup after the Second World War, the Americans sprang one of the biggest upsets in football history, stunning the English with a 1-nil victory. It was dubbed The Miracle on Grass. A far more stunning victory happened some 2,000 years ago that turned the human race s battle against death on its head. Until then, death had remained unbeaten in every encounter. When Jesus took on death, nobody expected any difference, but the improbable happened in that defining match, deeply affecting all of humanity. Single-handedly He took on the might of secular and religious human authorities, the manipulating spiritual powers behind them, and even death itself. Although everyone, friend or foe, wrote Him off, He turned apparent defeat into victory that irreversibly broke the back of sin and death and subjugated all authorities in heaven and on earth (1 Corinthians 15:24-25). His ignominious death became the very symbol of love, grace, forgiveness, life, and hope. He did all this for you and me. < Victory is sweetest after everyone has written you off.

5 to the goal4but in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when He comes back. After that the end will come, when He will turn the kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until He humbles all His enemies beneath His feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:20-26) < world cup trivia 32. Which country hosted the FIFA World Cup twice but never got to the finals? 33. Which team appeared only twice in the World Cup but finished third in the 2002 competition?

6 making it personal There are many lessons we can take from the World Cup. What did you learn? Perhaps you glimpsed something that struck a chord with you, stirring a hunger for true glory, honor, and permanence that this world cannot satisfy. As you ponder over the stories in this booklet and watch the battle on the pitch, perhaps you sense your own reflected fears and aspirations and want to do something about your life. We invite you to seriously consider what the Bible says about God s perfect game plan for you. Nations and individuals have to pay dearly for the world s recognition, but gaining God s approval costs even more. The barrier of sin that separates us from Him must first be overcome. Unfortunately we are so oblivious to the enormity of our shame and guilt that we cannot even begin to grieve over the darkness of our soul. This appalling ignorance renders us incapable of breaking through. We desperately need God s help. If you are feeling that way right now, it is God working in you. Don t delay but accept God s perfect plan of bringing you to Himself in Jesus Christ. We invite you to use the following prayer: Dear God, I know that I have not lived my life trusting in You, and I am deeply sorry for that. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my rebellion. With Your help I will now put my faith in You and trust in Jesus as my Rescuer. Please help me to stop living by my own ways, and instead let You take control of my life. If these words express your heart s desire, you have entered into a personal relationship with God! We encourage you to start attending a church and let them know of your decision. < 62

7 Soccer is my ministry; it is the way I can tell the world about Jesus. The Perfect Game Plan will help you to know Jesus in a better way. Kaká (Soccer player; UEFA Champions league winner with A.C. Milan; World Cup winner with the Brazilian soccer team; won the Ballon d Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2007) Psalm 37:5 speaks about commitment and satisfaction and, through the reading of this book, people will be aware of God s acts in many situations and lives. Lúcio (Soccer player; UEFA Champions league and Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich; World Cup winner with the Brazilian soccer team) There is nothing more important than to live each day with God, and to place every moment of our lives in His hands. This book will help you, and your family, to meet the Lord Jesus. Zé Roberto (Soccer player; UEFA Champions league and Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich; World Cup winner with the Brazilian soccer team) The Perfect Game Plan is a complete book which will help you day by day with the Lord Jesus. We can easily learn God s ways. Sylvinho (Soccer player; UEFA Champions league and La Liga winner with FC Barcelona; World Cup winner with the Brazilian soccer team) We have had the opportunity to read other devotional books, but this one is very special because it touches not only the professional athletes but all who love sports. It is a book which brings us closer to God. Jorginho (Ex-soccer player; UEFA Champions league winner with Bayern Munich; World Cup winner with the Brazilian soccer team and later, a member of its coaching staff) UD976F Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.