FCA Rise Devotional For CompetitorsSample

Rise Up Together

READY:

“…fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.” – Philippians 2:2

SET:

Fall is a great season for many reasons: football, cooler weather, holidays, and soup! Soup? I love soup! When I order soup from a restaurant, I don’t approach the counter and ask for the ingredients. “I’d like a bowl of butter, onion, flour, broccoli, salt…” I ask for the soup by its name.

Soup is incredible because it takes many ingredients blended perfectly to get an irreplaceable taste. Not too much of one ingredient, nor too little of another. Each ingredient matters.

Your team is like soup. Your teammates are like multiple ingredients, blended together on a field of competition. Too much of one person and too little of another may hurt the team. You need the right contribution, the right effort, and the right blend of individual skills to create an awesome team.

When I coach or watch a sporting event, I expect to see my team play not as individuals. I want to see them succeed together. That brings joy and celebration! Just as a coach is overjoyed to see a team work in unity, Paul shared that his joy was complete when those who share in faith work together. Each of us should be striving to share God’s love and focus on one goal!

You may wait until the fall for cool weather to enjoy soup, but you don’t have to wait to enjoy the incredible taste of unity! Make the effort today to act on the truth that you and your teammates’ roles (ingredients) matter.

GO:

1. Do you understand you and your teammate’s role on your team?
2. What are you doing to empower your teammates?
3. What are you doing to encourage your teammates?

WORKOUT:

• Colossians 3:14
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
• Acts 2:42-47

OVERTIME:

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me and my teammates with value and purpose. Give me focus and strength to work together with others. May my efforts to work in unity bring glory to Your name! Amen.