Prayer should be our devotion. This means that we set aside time in our day to pray.
God always wants us to pray, but he also wants us to pray at specific times.
How does the athlete become great at their sport? They are devoted to it.
One of my favorite basketball plays to watch is also the most dangerous - a charging foul.
By definition, “A charge is an offensive foul. When a charge is called, it means that an offensive player has made significant contact with a defender that has an established position.”
Basketball players are tall and strong players.
This play is much more like football than basketball.
To take a charging foul, you have to keep your feet planted and allow the person with the ball to run into you.
This is typically done by players who are dedicated. In life, we must stand for God.
The enemy wants to knock you down - we must stand firm in what we believe in.
Remember when we resist the devil, “he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6) (CSB).
God not only cares about what we say,
The Lord cares about how we say it.
As much as I love salt, I couldn’t eat a plate full of it. So there is a balance with everything.
Our words should carry practical and helpful information. Our words are the meal and our tone is the salt.
Of course, we can see this in relationships with one another, but I think of it when it comes to preaching.
There are some who believe that we must teach harshly to get the message across.
Some look at popular teachers and talk about how they tickle the ears.
While I’m not here to debate their doctrines or beliefs, I think the way that they speak is great.
Honestly, I think more reformed and non-charismatic teachers could learn from the most popular preachers today.
Sometimes a meal (sermon) is not judged based on the words, it is judged on presentation (tone and style).
We may get the taste correct, but we may miss the presentation and delivery.
May our preaching be strong in the Bible and have salt to our teaching. That is the perfect balance.
God has a voice for all of us.
Right after the apostle Paul talks about our words being seasoned with salt, he goes on to talk about an example, Tychicus.
He says, “I have sent him (Tychicus) to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts.” (Colossians 4:8) (CSB).
His goal was to encourage their hearts.
What a great ministry that is actually the goal of our church to encourage the believer.
May our speech be full of God’s anointing and God’s Word, seasoned with salt and sweet to the people around us.
When we talk to the Lord, may we pray with high respect and honor.
Just as an athlete is devoted to their skill, we are called to be devoted to prayer.
Let’s be persistent and make every day count!
May we make time to pray and seek the Lord.
