The SBC Blog

Birds of Pray

Did you watch the Super Bowl this past Sunday? To be perfectly frank, I didn't. I really enjoy football but the actions of some of the N.F.L. players have kind of soured me in regard to the National Football League. I personally don't think it's appropriate to kneel while our National Anthem is being played. I realize our nation isn't perfect and people are free to protest but I think there are better ways of demonstrating a person's convictions.

However, I was pleased to find out that many of the players for the Philadelphia Eagles are devoted Christians. They have Bible Study twice a week and every Saturday night before a game they gather to pray. You know our National emblem the bald eagle is a bird of prey, their primary diet is fish. The World Champion Philadelphia Eagles are also known as Birds of Pray. Several of their key players are devoted to Jesus Christ and these players believe in the power of prayer.

I saw online that one of the Eagle's player was baptized in a special service that was conducted at the pool of the motel where the Eagles were staying. These guys mean business for Jesus. They are involved in their communities ministering to people and spreading the good news about Jesus Christ. May their tribe increase and may we be just as devoted. Seize every opportunity you can to minister in Jesus' name, spread the gospel of Christ and live a life saturated in Prayer.

I'm proud of these Philadelphia Eagle football players and I'm pleased they are so devoted to Christ. I'm happy they won the Super Bowl but most importantly I'm glad those Philadelphia Eagles are birds of pray!

Yours in Christ,
Brother MIke

Resolutions

Philippians 3:12-14

 ¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

January is over and many folks have already broken and left their resolutions for 2018. The New Year is always exciting for many because it is an opportunity to start fresh and new. It is discouraging though to realize that we can't even "keep up the new" for the entire first month. Paul has a good lesson for us to reflect on as we "press forward" in 2018.

1. Realize that you are not perfect- Paul says he is not perfect, but he does not use that as an excuse to be satisfied with his current state.  He is not perfect, but he presses on.  Many times people look for excuses to quit.  God will give us the strength to continue and endure our race in life.  We are a fallen people and mistakes will occur.  When we mess up we need to fess up.  God promises to forgive us as we seek Him and confess our sins.  Don't hold on to your past failures.  Learn from the past and let it go.

2. Keep things simple-Paul says, "this one thing I do". Many Christians are burned out because they try to do too much.  Do you feel overextended?  Evaluate your activities and make sure that you are putting your time and effort into those activities that Jesus desires for you.  You cannot be all things for all people.  God has a plan for you.  Seek to follow God first!  We miss out on the "God things" for our life when we are too busy chasing the "good things".

3. Move forward in Christ and for Christ- Paul was living to be like Christ and to someday be with Christ. He lived his life with intent and purpose. The purpose was to glorify Jesus in all he did. That is a goal we should adopt! Paul says- I press on, I reach forward, I press toward the goal!

Spend time with Jesus so you can run the race He has for you. Don't allow your past failures to keep you on the sideline. Press on to know Christ better and to make Him known.

God Bless,
Pastor Charles Mills