I awakend this morning with the word 'FERVENT' on my mind. Of course James 5:16 came to mind: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much".

I did a quick word search for 'fervent'. John Abraham Godson, of the Australian Prayer Network defines fervant this way:

The prayer that God answers is a fervent prayer. When something is fervent, it is hot and earnest. It is desperate. It is not the type of cold routine prayer that is noticed everyday in the church. It is not a prayer that is rehearsed and that has dignity. There is something about this prayer that is heart rending. Fervency is like when you are making a request that will determine your life or your death. Fervency is the heat that propels prayer. Fervency is like the fuel that makes prayer to burn.

Many of our prayers are not answered because they are cold and lukewarm. They are professional and do not come from the depths of the heart. They are simply the lips saying words that do not move God. God is moved by a heart that is aflame. God is moved by passion and fervency.

God is not moved by long Pharisaical prayers. God is not moved by "gentle man" prayers. They are superficial and at best poetic. God is moved by an all consuming plea for intervention. God is moved by cries that come from deep within the heart. Yes God is moved by his children who cry to him day and night.

After reading Godson's perspective, I am convinced there could be more 'fervancy' in my communication with God. How about you?

Obedience and Faithfulness

Today's Oswald Chambers Devotional was good... http://utmost.org/god%e2%80%99s-purpose-or-mine/

He stated that although we may have a 'lofty' goal in mind for ourselves, achieving that goal might not be God's purpose for us. God's will is for us to be obedient, period. The Process, 'striving for the prize', is God's will for us... It was surprising to me to learn that our 'success' is not necessarily God's will.

Our 'obedience' is God's will.

We must be 'faithful', not successful. So don't feel like a failure if you did not come in first place. Don't feel like a failure if your plans fail.

This hits very closely to home with me because as a young man I always used to equate my win-loss record in tennis with my self-worth.

Oswald's devotional this morning is definitely worthy of at least a two day discussion. More tomorrow.

Father God,

Thank You for another day of life. Thank you for my sweet, precious son Elijah as we celebrate his fifth birthday today. Wow, what a joy and blessing it has been to have him for a son.

You are an awesome God. I am so unworthy of your kindness, generosity, mercy, and goodness. Lord You are doing a work in me and are far from being finished. Lord, by Your grace, with your enabling, I will be obedient today. I will be faithful.

Lord you keep pushing me out of my comfort zone. PRAISE YOU, JESUS for stretching me and making me into much more than I ever thought I would be. And I know you are not even close to being finished with me yet.

Thank you for the saints who have gone before us and lived lives of note. That great cloud of witnesses prove that all things do work for good for those who are called to Your purpose.

I Love You Lord. I thank you for calling me. I thank You and Praise YOU for my sweet wife who motivates me to press on. Lord I pray blessings on this house.

Father God I love you. And in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Prayer Today..

Father God...

Thank You Lord for another day to impact this world for You. I cover my precious family in prayer this morning. I especially pray a blessing over my wife for a productive and effective day. Lord Jesus I ask for blessings on my tennis camp ministry this week.

I pray for the Holy Spirit to empower me and that I present a compelling and effective witness for you, my King. Lord today is all about You and Your Glory.

Father God there are so many prayer needs out there. I stand in the gap for America today Lord. I lift up our armed forces to you, Father. I lift up our leaders. I pray for Godly influence in their lives.

Lord I pray for President Obama and his family. I pray that you will turn his heart to heaven. I pray for his wife and children. Lord if they are persuaded for the Kingdom then perhaps they will have some influence on their daddy. Father God i am believing that You are in control of it all and You have a Divine, Master- Plan...

Lord I humble myself to You and Your will for my life, whatever that may be. I am ready Lord... Send Me to be used by You.

I love You, Jesus. In Your Sweet, Precious name I pray, Amen...

Reflections Anup Khosla

Today I am mourning the loss of a friend and neighbor. Anup Khosla passed away of a heart attack yesterday. I was not even aware that he had a heart condition. By all outward appearances he looked relatively fit. He was just playing at the Columbia Lakes Tennis Center recently with his son a few weeks ago. I am not nearly as fit as he was!

Anup was a Christian. Praise the Lord! He leaves behind a wife, son, and daughter. Please keep the Khosla family in your prayers.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord losing a friend and a member of our little community hits so close to home. Please Bless Anup's family with healing and comfort. Father God show me how I can impact Anup's family in this time of pain and sorrow. Help me to be your hands and feet in this situation. Lord You are Sovereign. I love You...

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen

Researching Scriptures that are Relevant to Tennis Coaching

I am a professional tennis coach, and I am also a Christian. I currently coach about 75 students year round at multiple locations. I have worked with some of these students and their families for years. In fact, in some cases I am coaching second generations within the same family!

Over the years I have felt a stronger and stronger call to share my faith in Jesus Christ within the scope and framework of my coaching and networking.

I have just recently begun working on developing a camp curriculum that presents the sport of tennis but also shares the Good News of Jesus Christ. I am praying for God to reveal scriptures to me that would be relevant to sports and coaching.

My wife suggested this verse to me yesterday:

...For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

I love that verse. It's like a 'theme verse' for a Chrstian coach. Today my prayer is to share Jesus with everyone that the Lord brings across my path. To God be the Glory...!

I am going to spend a good deal of time on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes website. I love the 'Competitor's Creed'. That will be 'standard curriculum' in my camp and lessons program for sure...!

Please be in prayer with me that the Lord will help me to develope a unique, God-honoring tennis program.

You Brother in Christ,

Coach Sam

Humility -James 4:6

Today's Charles Spurgeon Lesson was a good one. The following thoughts are taken from 'Faith's Check Book'...

He giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)

Humble hearts seek grace, and therefore they get it. Humble hearts yield to the sweet influences of grace, and so it is bestowed on them more and more largely. Humble hearts lie in the valleys where streams of grace are flowing, and hence they drink of them, Humble hearts are grateful for grace and give the Lord the glory of it, and hence it is consistent with His honor to give it to them. Come, dear reader, take a lowly place. Be little in thine own esteem, that the Lord may make much of thee. -CH Spurgeon

Just read that passage above a few times and let it soak in.

Now I ask, what is the OPPOSITE of 'Humility'...?

The opposite of humility is 'Pride'. Pride is ugly. Proverbs 16:5 NIV says: The Lord detests the proud of heart; be sure of this: They will NOT go unpunished.

Now think of all the people you know that you would consider 'humble'. -Are You one of them...?

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray to be more humble. I pray for GRACE. Father God have mercy on me, a sinner. Please Lord, I pray for mercy on America. Lord give Your very small remnant another day to influence the lives of those around them.

Lord I pray that You order my steps today and every day as I sense a time is coming when our lives and life styles as we know them will no longer exist. Father God I lift up the young people who will carry on after I am gone. I especially lift up my precious sons Connor and Elijah.

Help me to especially influence their way of thinking so that You may forever be lifted up in their hearts and minds. I love You, Lord. And I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen and Amen.

How do you see your Job?

Wow... It's hard to believe how long its been since I've posted here.... Well, I'm really looking to be an 'activist' from here on out so stay tuned for more insightful commentary in the days to come... sc

.............................

A friend of mine who has walked with the Lord more years than I have posted on his facebook status that he considers his job a 'Ministry First', and a paycheck second...!

That is such a great perspective. I was wondering how many readers today feel the same way. This post will definitely stir some comments. Or at the very least convict some hearts...!

Today let's stand in the Gap for America. Pray for the congressmen who will be voting on healthcare soon...! Wow, what if congressmen considered their job a 'ministry'... (some do, actually... AND we need to vote more like them in during the next election...)

Your Brother in Christ... ~ coach sam

Thanksgiving 2009

Wow... I am Thankful for so many things... First and Foremost: I am thankful for my Lord and Savior who is in complete control of my life and this world...! Praise the Lord...!

Romans 11:36

"To whom be glory for ever. Amen" —Romans 11:36.

This should be the single desire of the Christian. As a Christian, you are "of God, and through God," then live "to God." Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to HIM. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. -Charles Spurgeon


Coach Sam's Self Inventory: How much of my day is spent in pursuit of Excellence to the Lord...? -OUCH...! -Lots of room for improvement, here...

I especially love when Spurgeon says: ...Let this ambition fire your soul,... make GOD your ONLY object!

AMEN

New Thought for the Day Series: God's Tender Mercy

I'm going to keep things short and sweet for awhile...

Today's thought for the day is something my wife Monica told me last night...

'God's tender mercies are renewed EVERY DAY...!' -Let's start today with a clean slate.

I say, AMEN...!

Here's a good article I came across when I did a web search for God's Tender Mercies...


http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/2009/05/praise-god-for-his-tender-mercies.html

The Miracle Business

November 9, 2009

Is God still in the miracle business..?

Think about some miracles that have been recorded in the bible. The parting of the Red Sea, the saving of humanity and animal life on Noah’s Arc are two of my favorites from the Old Testament. The New Testament is full of signs and wonders from Jesus, Himself.

Why do you suppose the bible records these ‘wonders’…?

If you believe that the bible is the inspired word of God then you know for a fact that these events DID INDEED OCCUR. Now, the question I’d like to pose today is this:

Do you think God is STILL in the miracle business today? If so, then please cite some examples or praise reports…

My perspective is that I believe that God most definitely is still in the miracle business. The thing is that people are so accustomed to these miracles that they totally disregard that a ‘higher power’ is at work here.

Look at the AMAZING variety of plant and animal life on this planet. Is that not a miracle…? Look at the diversity of mankind and everyone with unique features, personalities, fingerprints, etc… Are those not miracles…? What about the fact that our planet is the only planet to sustain life as we know it. We’ve got this whole eco-system thing going here where pretty much every bit of life needs every other bit of life to survive, and it does. How can so many people refuse to believe in a Creator or the miracle of creation…?

Consider the complexities of the human body itself. All our organs ‘just evolved’…? Yeah, Right…! Every living organism is a walking miracle if you ask me.

But the bible speaks of, and I believe in supernatural signs and wonders, too. I’m speaking of miracle healings, and angelic visits, and other incidents that defy human logic. How about the countless miraculous life transformations that occur whenever a person really and truly accepts Jesus Christ as his or her personal savior…?

I have one of those kinds of lives. Maybe you do, too. When was the last time you gave your ‘conversion’ story...? When was the last time you simply turned a conversation to one of spiritual matters….? Who has the best shot at winning our family, friends, and neighbors to Christ? WE DO.

Friends, a life touched and changed forever by Christ is an awesome miracle and that story is worthy to be shouted from a mountain top, DAILY…!

Oh Yes, God has NEVER gotten out of the Miracle Business… It’s all perspective.

What do you think….? I’ve got more thoughts but I’m out of room today. I sure hope this topic stirs some discussion… Please be in prayer about how God wants YOU to affect those within your sphere of influence for Jesus.

Your Brother in Christ, Coach Sam

Where was God Yesterday?

November 6, 2009

Prayer Request: Lifting Up the Victims, Family, and Friends of the Fort Hood Tragedy

The death toll stands at 13 and the wounded number 30. Let’s lift up the families of those who had their lives taken from them yesterday. Oh the grief they must have at this time must be horrific. Pray for swift and complete healing for those who have been injured. Pray also that the facts become known and those who were behind this tragedy are brought to justice quickly.

This incident brings up the age old question: How could God allow such a thing to happen…? First off, and I do not want to sound callous, but it is a fact that we live in a fallen, broken world. There is sin all around us. Sin has been present in the world since Adam and Eve.

I have often considered this question following a tragedy: How DOES God work? I believe that God works in so many ways that we can not even come close to imagining or identifying all of them. I’ll list and discuss a few of them and then leave the topic open for others to expound on in the discussion forum.

I believe that God is present and He works through His people. Those of us who label ourselves ‘Christians’ are supposed to be the hands and feet of Christ. We are called to ‘action’ in response to times like these. And that ‘action’ could take many forms.

I do not personally know any of those who were killed or injured yesterday. But have I ever faced the death of a loved one? Yes. Has God given me a heart of compassion for those who are hurting and suffering? Yes. And I believe that God was there amidst the shooting. He was protecting people. The death toll probably could have been worse.

I also believe one of God's reasons to allow things like this to happen are to draw people close to HIM. Yesterday’s event at Fort Hood sure put my day in perspective in a hurry. Up to that point, I was having a mediocre to ‘bad’ day. Then I received a text message from a friend asking for prayer for the victims. I immediately considered my day wasn’t going so bad, at all. My life was not at peril, and no one was shooting at me, or trying to do me harm. Did anyone else consider that?

We Americans are so blessed to be living in the peace and comfort and freedom that we are accustomed to. I think that is taken for granted far too often.

This discussion is far from over. I’d love to hear the perspectives of other prayer warriors about where was / is God in all this?. But let me close with this: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GROUP IS CLEAR: TODAY, WE ARE CALLED TO PRAY…!

Your brother in Christ, Coach Sam

Discipleship Lifestyles

November 4, 2009

Still Examining the Life of a Disciple

I am in no way trying to get legalistic, here. But what does being ‘fully surrendered, and living for Jesus’ look like…? God should be leading you in this area.

Here are a few questions for self examination:

• When you awaken, is God the FIRST thing on your mind in the morning, and do you immediately have a morning prayer moment before you even get out of bed…?

• What’s your evening routine before going to bed? Do you read scripture before dosing off to sleep?

• Do you ever pray with your spouse or a friend…?

• When someone asks you to pray for them or a situation do you stop what you are doing and pray for their need right then and there…?

• Do you visibly pray in public at a restaurant in front of people you don’t even know?

• What do you pray about? Is it a real meaningful conversation with the Lord, or just a laundry list of ‘to-do’ things for the Lord…?

• What does ‘Pray Without Ceasing’ mean and look like…?

Friends, I am in no way condemning anyone. San Chadwell is not without areas in need of improvement, I assure you. My perspective is that a life that has been fully surrendered to Jesus Christ should look vastly different from the lives of rest of the world. And that difference will be made apparent in the actions of the lifestyle of the believer.

Now, if you have to force yourself do the things I mentioned above then you are living in the flesh, trying to do stuff under your own power. These actions are not to be done out of ‘obligation’. These activities should flow from our hearts because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If these actions aren’t a part of your normal lifestyle, don’t panic. But I do suggest that you pray for God to work on your heart and make you more in-tune with the things that please him.

We CAN and SHOULD do everything we do for the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31). We are called to make disciples of all men. (Matt 28:19). But to make disciples of others we have to BE a disciple, first. Being a disciple means getting in touch with God as a lifestyle.

I could go on more this morning but I try to keep my messages about the same length each day for ‘easy digestion’. Once I get to 500 words I try to wrap it up. I'm a little over quota today.

I hope everyone has a great day today. It is my wish that God richly bless you in your walk with him today!

Your Brother in Christ,

Coach Sam

Timothy: The Making of a Disciple

These are my notes from Pastor Greg Smith’s sermon on discipleship a few weeks ago… Pastor Greg is the Lead Pastor at First Baptist Church, Brazoria Texas.

Pastor Greg uses the term: ‘The Right Stuff’ in his description of ‘Timothy’ in the book of Acts.

Paul was about to embark on a missionary journey and decided to take Timothy along with him. Why…? Paul chose Timothy because he had the right combination of intrinsic variables to be useful to Paul’s mission.

What were those variables? What was or is the ‘Right Stuff’…?

First of all, Timothy was already a ‘Disciple’. He was a follower of the Teachings of Jesus. He was a follower because his mother and grandmother were Believers. Pastor Greg stressed the importance of having Godly parents. Hmmm… I think in my own life how I did not have Godly parents. I guess that is why I am what I consider ‘a late bloomer’ spiritually…!

Pastor Greg said a Disciple is called to do 2 things: Carry a Cross, and Carry a Yolk…!

To Carry a Cross means to sacrifice your life for the Lord. –Timothy was willing to leave his family, home, all he had to journey with Paul. He did not know if or when he would return. –That’s sacrifice…!

To Carry a Yolk means to be in service to something or someone. A ‘Yolk’ means work. –Timothy became totally committed to ‘discipleship’ as his life’s work.

Acts 16:22 speaks of Timothy’s reputation. The fact that he was well spoken of in two different churches is a testament to Timothy’s ‘Faithfulness’ to live for God. Timothy was always faithful to the cause. Faithfulness is a key ingredient to being a Disciple.

Faithfulness goes along with obedience. God can not use someone who is not faithful and obedient.

Finally, Pastor Greg brings up the topic of ‘submission’. Timothy was perfectly willing to submit his life to Jesus and do what ever it took to follow HIM. God had control of His life.

Pastor Greg explained how an F-16 Fighter Jet is completely submissive to the Pilot’s will. So we must be to God’s will. The Lord Jesus says that we have to be completely submitted to his will to soar.

Pastor Greg closed by asking if WE were submitted to God’s will…? Do WE have the RIGHT STUFF…? Do our Lives REFLECT what we PROFESS…? These are good thought provoking questions…

I welcome any discussion on these notes… Part two is coming tomorrow…

Back to Blogging...

I've been away from Blogging for awhile... Most of my posts have been on face book the past few months, but I feel that it is important to keep this blog forum going as well.

I must report that God has been and is continuing to 'do a work' in me. I spent a good portion of the morning this morning doing a spiritual inventory and pretty much trying to get 'right' with God.

I really haven't spent a lot of 'quiet time' with the Lord lately and it sure felt good to get back in the routine.

God is leading me into Discipleship like never before. I can't explain it more than that. My prayer today is that I live the day 100% for Jesus all day today until I turn down the covers tonight and go to sleep...!

More soon...