The Champions Spirit
Volume 69, Issue 11
March 21, 2010
In This Issue
Heart and Soul
While we don’t know his name, we do know a few things about him. We know he was a young man. We know that he served as the armor-bearer of the king’s son, Jonathan. We know that he didn’t have a sword nor spear of his own for in all Israel only Jonathan and King Saul had them. (1 Sam. 13:22) We also know that he was both loyal and courageous.
The Philistines greatly outnumbered the Israelites and the Israelites, in fear, were hiding among the rocks, pits, and in the cisterns. (1 Sam. 13:6) There was nothing new about that as we remember from the book of Judges!
In the face of such an enemy, Jonathan said to this brave young man, “Come and let us cross over the Philistines’ garrison...” (1 Sam. 14:1). And, if that wasn’t enough, the king’s son added, “perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few” (1 Sam. 14:6).
Notice the words of this young armor-bearer: “Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire” (1 Sam. 14:7). The E.S.V. translates it like this: “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you, heart and soul.”
Here is a young man completely dedicated. At the risk of his own life he climbed the sharp crag using both hands and feet. At the risk of an early death he and Jonathan made themselves known to the enemy. Along with Jonathan, he would, through the Lord’s help, win a victory over 20 enemy soldiers! This was the beginning of a great victory for the Lord’s people.
Would Jonathan have taken the risk without this nameless young man? Of course, we don’t know the answer. But the fact is, it is much easier to take a risk, to fight a brave fight, when there is someone who stands there with you...”Heart and Soul.” Who stands with you “heart and soul?” No one, you say? Oh yes, there is...or at least there can be if you will let Him! Follow Jesus and He will be with you! The Lord will never leave you or forsake you in a battle. (Heb. 13:5) He will never run before the enemy.
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
Welcome to today’s services of the Lord’s church in Champions. We pray that the things done and said will enable us all to worship and adore our Creator. If you are visiting today, please complete one of the information cards found in the pew by the song books. Please come again soon!
We want to continue to honor the requests of the Freeman family and Cassandra Gaunt for special prayers in their behalf. We are blessed to be able to have such a privilege for each other!
All of us who traveled to Slovakia are glad we took the trip, but happy to be home. While in Slovakia we were blessed to meet with the Christians in two cities and conduct a seminar in a third. Please keep the Christians in Slovakia in your daily prayers.
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Mickey Bell as well as the Jersey Village congregation in the death of their minister after a valiant struggle against cancer. Services are pending at this writing.
Don’t forget that Men’s Day is next weekend! Sign up today!
Thanks to those who preached for me in my absence and to Jeremy and Allen for preaching this morning. (This allowed me to be able to both unpack and unwind.)
Look at the Book: 2 Samuel.
Parting Thought: Our talents increase as we use them and disappear when we don’t!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Jeremy's Junction
Last Sunday morning, I challenged you to be the 67th book of the Bible to the people in your sphere of influence. I’d like to share an inspirational story about a man who truly lives this out, written recently by a woman named Nicole Strauss who works for P.F. Chang’s in San Antonio. Let this also be a reminder to all of us about the amazing power of prayer, and an encouragement to pray with those in need in our church families and our communities.
For those of you who are familiar with basketball, you certainly know the name David Robinson. He is an American NBA basketball player, who played center for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire NBA career. He won the MVP trophy in 1995, and in 1996 he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame along with Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan, and C. Vivian Stringer on September 11, 2009.
Robinson is a native San Antonian, and though retired still resides here. Having been in the restaurant industry for the last few years I have had the good fortune of meeting David Robinson, Malik Rose, and a few other Spurs players. A few weeks ago, Mr. Robinson came into P.F. Chang's to dine with his family. He was kind, courteous, and very patient with all of the fans who asked him for autographs. I was impressed, even with people bugging him during his meal, he held a happy face and patient demeanor with all of the people he spoke with. Today Mr. Robinson visited P.F. Chang's again. And again, he was ever-so patient with the fans. He signed autographs, and snapped pictures. Right as he was about to leave, a young woman approached him and told him the story of how her brother was killed by a drunk driver just a few days ago, and the wake was today. She explained that her brother was a huge Spurs and David Robinson fan, and having never had the opportunity to meet him, she asked for an autograph on her brother's funeral program. Of course Mr. Robinson was very sympathetic, and you could tell, the woman was exceptionally emotional and it took a lot of courage to approach him to request his autograph. He signed the paper, and what he did next blew me away....
He asked her if he could pray with her. With tears in her eyes she said, "Yes, please." He wrapped his giant basketball player hands around hers...and together they bowed their heads. Blocking out all of the people, noise, and traffic around him, he prayed a long and heartfelt prayer aloud, asking God for strength for her and her family in their time of loss, and for the protection of her brother. I could see in concentration that he was speaking directly to God, and that he meant every word.
Though this whole encounter only took just a few minutes, it was truly amazing. When he walked out the door I stood in awe; I was truly inspired by this man. Though he is a famously accomplished athlete, he offered a sense of peace and calm to a woman who had just suffered a devastating loss. I'm sure that moment will live in her heart forever.
My heart was warmed by one simple human interaction, and it made me think of the amazing power that one hug, touch, kind word, or prayer can provide. With so much concentration on money, cars, name-brands, and possessions, I am overjoyed to know that there are kind-hearted, moral, professional athletes, such as Mr. Robinson who can be positive role-models for our youth. David Robinson is a true inspiration.
I love stories like this about people who, although they have been blessed with so much in their lives, still devote their hearts to Christ’s message and His people.
—Jeremy Geurin
John’s Jogs
BIBLE BASICS #7
Moses returned to Egypt with the message from God, “LET MY PEOPLE GO!” Each time they confronted Pharaoh, he hardened his heart and refused. Thus God sent 10 plagues on the Egyptians, a plague of blood, frogs, gnats, flies, on livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and firstborn.
Before the tenth plague, the Israelites were to sacrifice a lamb and paint the blood over their door frame. When death came to the firstborn of every Egyptian family it passed over the Israelites because of the blood on the door frame, hence the Jewish Passover Feast. This finally struck the Pharaoh’s heart and he ordered the Israelites to leave Egypt. They headed toward the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by way of the Red Sea, to enter the promised land and to become a great nation.
As they neared the Red Sea, Pharaoh changed his mind and came after them with military force. God led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When they came to the Red Sea God stood between them and the Egyptian army as the pillar of fire. God then opened the Red Sea so they could cross on dry ground. The Egyptians attempted to follow, but the waters returned covering them.
They were on their way to the “promised land.” But it was not long until they started complaining about food, water and life itself. God provided them with manna and quail and even water from a rock. Finally they reached Mount Sinai where God called Moses to come up on the mountain where He cut out the “Ten Commandments” on two stone slabs. When the Israelites saw that Moses was so long in coming down off the mountain, they did not remain faithful, and they persuaded Aaron to make them a gold calf as their god. When Moses came down and saw what was happening he threw down the tablets of the commandments and broke them. This law was the basis to guide the Israelites in their new nation in the promised land. (It was never given to anyone else).
Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus and Deuteronomy all deal with the wanderings of the Israelites until all the men who were of fighting age when they left Egypt all died. Because of their constant rebellion and rejection of God, He rejected them from entering the promised land. Even Moses himself made one tragic error concerning bringing water from a rock and God allowed him to go up on a mountain and look over into the promised land, but could not enter it. Only Joshua and Caleb of those who left Egypt were allowed to cross the Jordan. Moses turned the reigns of leadership over to Joshua and died there on the mountain, where God buried him, no one knows where.
Next: Conquest and forming the nation.
—John Qualls