Our Lives on the Altar
Athletes are quite familiar with the concept of sacrifice. Some things are given up in order to gain other things. An altar was designed and intended to be a place where believers came to meet God. Normally a sacrifice was offered for either forgiveness of sins or as a thanksgiving to God for His blessings or protection. In any case, the altar was a place where one gave a sacrifice to God—something that was costly, valuable, and meaningful to both the giver and the receiver. Noah built an altar and offered a sacrifice when he and his family were safely out of the ark (Gen 8:20). Abraham was asked to place his firstborn son, Isaac, on the altar to test his loyalty to God and see if he was worthy to be the father of a nation (Gen 22:2).
Worshipping God is costly, and a sacrifice is not a sacrifice if it is not valuable. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him, he declared, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This was a prophecy reflecting what Isaiah prophesied generations earlier, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isa. 53:7).
Even God sacrificed something costly and dear to Himself—His one and only Son. The difference was that Christ did not die on an altar but on a cross. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Today, it is not some thing we put on
the altar, but someone—ourselves.
Prayer: When you pray today, picture a cross before you with your name inscribed at the top. Will you commit your life to God’s service today?
City Venues
CLOSING CEREMONY-BC Place
M Gold Medal Ice Hockey
Whistler Venues
M Cross-Country Skiing
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
PrayBC - Olympic Prayer Guide - Day 16
Being Salt
Salt is one of the most used minerals in every culture around the world. It is used because of the impact it has on what it touches. It may be used to dry and preserve meat in areas where there is no refrigeration. It may be used to flavor food to be more palatable. It may be used to clear ice from roads or used in chemical processes. But whatever the use, it causes a change in whatever it is put on, put in, or put around!
It was no wonder Christ used salt to describe the impact He wanted His followers to have on people around them. Salt is very versatile and has many uses and many different kinds of reactions, just like God’s people. We are gifted by God’s Spirit differently to have many different uses and impact people in many different ways. But there is always a change in whatever salt is put on, or in, or around. What believers need to ask
themselves is this: “What impact is my life having on those around me? What difference do I make in people’s lives when I am with them?”
If you are not having much of an impact, it is not because you have not been equipped properly by God’s Spirit, it is because you are not functioning in the way He intended for you to function. When salt is used as it is intended, it can have tremendous benefits. But when it is used improperly, it can cause pain, damage, destruction, and deterioration. When believers are not functioning as God intended them to function in His kingdom, they also can cause great damage, pain, and destruction.
A little salt adds needed flavor, but too much salt will make the food inedible.
Prayer: Pray and ask God to show you if your life is having a positive impact on others or causing a negative impact. Then ask God to help you function in the way He created you to function in His kingdom.
City Venues
M Bronze & Gold Medal Curling
Exhibition Gala Figure Skating
M Snowboard
M Bronze Medal Hockey
Whistler Venues
M Slalom Alpine Skiing
W Cross-Country Skiing
M Bobsleigh
Salt is one of the most used minerals in every culture around the world. It is used because of the impact it has on what it touches. It may be used to dry and preserve meat in areas where there is no refrigeration. It may be used to flavor food to be more palatable. It may be used to clear ice from roads or used in chemical processes. But whatever the use, it causes a change in whatever it is put on, put in, or put around!
It was no wonder Christ used salt to describe the impact He wanted His followers to have on people around them. Salt is very versatile and has many uses and many different kinds of reactions, just like God’s people. We are gifted by God’s Spirit differently to have many different uses and impact people in many different ways. But there is always a change in whatever salt is put on, or in, or around. What believers need to ask
themselves is this: “What impact is my life having on those around me? What difference do I make in people’s lives when I am with them?”
If you are not having much of an impact, it is not because you have not been equipped properly by God’s Spirit, it is because you are not functioning in the way He intended for you to function. When salt is used as it is intended, it can have tremendous benefits. But when it is used improperly, it can cause pain, damage, destruction, and deterioration. When believers are not functioning as God intended them to function in His kingdom, they also can cause great damage, pain, and destruction.
A little salt adds needed flavor, but too much salt will make the food inedible.
Prayer: Pray and ask God to show you if your life is having a positive impact on others or causing a negative impact. Then ask God to help you function in the way He created you to function in His kingdom.
City Venues
M Bronze & Gold Medal Curling
Exhibition Gala Figure Skating
M Snowboard
M Bronze Medal Hockey
Whistler Venues
M Slalom Alpine Skiing
W Cross-Country Skiing
M Bobsleigh
Friday, February 26, 2010
PrayBC - Olympic Prayer Guide - Day 15
Our Calling
Did you know that you have been called by God? You may not have been called to be a missionary or a pastor or called to public ministry, but you are called. The Apostle Paul referred to believers as the “called-out ones of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:6) and told the believers in Rome that they are “called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7). Paul also reminds us that God has called us who love Him “according to His purpose” (Rom.8:28). And one of His purposes is that we were “into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9).
When Christ called His disciples, He had a specific purpose in mind. There would be several years of training, victories, and failures as they learned and followed Him, but there was always a goal in mind—a calling. When God called you out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (2 Peter 2:9), there was a purpose in mind and years of teaching ahead with successes and failures to experience as you followed Christ.
But make no mistake, you were called, and you were called with a goal in mind. You can pick any of the callings from the verses above. They all describe a journey where we must follow Christ in order to
reach the goal of our calling. Paul speaks to the believers in Ephesus and says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Eph. 4:1).
To what has Christ called you? Have you been walking with, following after, and seeking out your Lord Who will lead you to your goal?
Prayer: Pray today that you will be clear about what God has called you to, and then seek to “walk worthy of your calling.”
City Venues
W Bronze & Gold Medal Curling
M/W Short Track Speed Skating
W Snowboard
M Semi-final Ice Hockey
M/W Speed Skating
Whistler Venues
W Giant Slalom Alpine Skiing
M Biathlon
M Bobsleigh
Did you know that you have been called by God? You may not have been called to be a missionary or a pastor or called to public ministry, but you are called. The Apostle Paul referred to believers as the “called-out ones of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:6) and told the believers in Rome that they are “called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7). Paul also reminds us that God has called us who love Him “according to His purpose” (Rom.8:28). And one of His purposes is that we were “into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9).
When Christ called His disciples, He had a specific purpose in mind. There would be several years of training, victories, and failures as they learned and followed Him, but there was always a goal in mind—a calling. When God called you out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (2 Peter 2:9), there was a purpose in mind and years of teaching ahead with successes and failures to experience as you followed Christ.
But make no mistake, you were called, and you were called with a goal in mind. You can pick any of the callings from the verses above. They all describe a journey where we must follow Christ in order to
reach the goal of our calling. Paul speaks to the believers in Ephesus and says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Eph. 4:1).
To what has Christ called you? Have you been walking with, following after, and seeking out your Lord Who will lead you to your goal?
Prayer: Pray today that you will be clear about what God has called you to, and then seek to “walk worthy of your calling.”
City Venues
W Bronze & Gold Medal Curling
M/W Short Track Speed Skating
W Snowboard
M Semi-final Ice Hockey
M/W Speed Skating
Whistler Venues
W Giant Slalom Alpine Skiing
M Biathlon
M Bobsleigh
Thursday, February 25, 2010
PrayBC - Olympic Prayer Guide - Day 14
Reflecting on God’s Image
The athlete often is the ideal picture of health and physical fitness that most people wish they were. We all were created in the image of God. With the ability to reflect His nature, character, and can respond to His love with love. When we care for others, we are acting as God acts. When we forgive others, we reflect God’s nature. When we bring truth into a murky situation, we demonstrate God’s character.
Jesus Christ “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Col. 1:15). As believers, we have the ability to be Christlike as well. Christ said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). The writer of Romans said, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:29). There is no doubt that what God intended from the very beginning was for His people, His creation, to reflect His nature, which is also Christ’s nature. This should be the goal of every person who seeks to honor God. If we choose not to reflect the image of God, the only other option is to reflect the image of God’s greatest enemy, Satan. His image is a corruption of everything that is good; a cheap imitation that cannot hold up; a fraudulent image that sets itself up as an alternative to righteousness, holiness, goodness, and truth.
Reflecting the enemy’s image leads to death. Reflecting the image of God leads to life. This choice is always up to us. Will you stop for a moment and reflect on God’s image, His nature, His character, and also the image of His Son, Jesus Christ?
Now, place your character, your nature, and your reputation alongside of Christ’s. What do you see?
Prayer: Will you pray today and ask God’s Spirit to conform you into the image of His Son so that you can reflect His glory for everyone to see?
City Venues
M/W Curling Semifinals
W Free Program Figure Skating
M Aerials Freestyle Skiing
W Bronze & Gold Medal Ice Hockey
Whistler Venues
M Nordic Combined
W Cross Country Skiing
The athlete often is the ideal picture of health and physical fitness that most people wish they were. We all were created in the image of God. With the ability to reflect His nature, character, and can respond to His love with love. When we care for others, we are acting as God acts. When we forgive others, we reflect God’s nature. When we bring truth into a murky situation, we demonstrate God’s character.
Jesus Christ “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Col. 1:15). As believers, we have the ability to be Christlike as well. Christ said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). The writer of Romans said, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:29). There is no doubt that what God intended from the very beginning was for His people, His creation, to reflect His nature, which is also Christ’s nature. This should be the goal of every person who seeks to honor God. If we choose not to reflect the image of God, the only other option is to reflect the image of God’s greatest enemy, Satan. His image is a corruption of everything that is good; a cheap imitation that cannot hold up; a fraudulent image that sets itself up as an alternative to righteousness, holiness, goodness, and truth.
Reflecting the enemy’s image leads to death. Reflecting the image of God leads to life. This choice is always up to us. Will you stop for a moment and reflect on God’s image, His nature, His character, and also the image of His Son, Jesus Christ?
Now, place your character, your nature, and your reputation alongside of Christ’s. What do you see?
Prayer: Will you pray today and ask God’s Spirit to conform you into the image of His Son so that you can reflect His glory for everyone to see?
City Venues
M/W Curling Semifinals
W Free Program Figure Skating
M Aerials Freestyle Skiing
W Bronze & Gold Medal Ice Hockey
Whistler Venues
M Nordic Combined
W Cross Country Skiing
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
PrayBC - Olympic Prayer Guide - Day 13
One True God
Countries from around the world gather to compete to determine whose athletes are the best. In dozens of competitions, numerous countries and all the major world religions will be well represented. Athletes will compete for a medal and a rank, but Christians will be fighting for much more. Many of the athletes will never have heard about Christ from a Christian. They will have been taught inaccurate and false information regarding Christ, Christians, the Bible, and the essence of Christianity. Some athletes will give glory to Allah, others to their local gods, but the Christian will be bringing glory to the Lord of lords and the King of kings. They will embody the living Lord, the Creator and Sustainer of all.
As they stand beside athletes from around the world, Christ is demonstrating His love through them. As they compete against people who worship other gods and bow down to idols, they have the Spirit of the living God drawing people to Himself through them.
Prayer: Pray that Christians “let their light so shine before men that they will see their good works and glorify their Father in Heaven.”
City Venues
M/W Curling
M/W Short Track Speed Skating
W Aerial Freestyle Skiing
M Ice Hockey
W Speed Skating
Whistler Venues
W Giant Slalom Alpine Skiing
M Cross Country Skiing
W Bobsleigh
Countries from around the world gather to compete to determine whose athletes are the best. In dozens of competitions, numerous countries and all the major world religions will be well represented. Athletes will compete for a medal and a rank, but Christians will be fighting for much more. Many of the athletes will never have heard about Christ from a Christian. They will have been taught inaccurate and false information regarding Christ, Christians, the Bible, and the essence of Christianity. Some athletes will give glory to Allah, others to their local gods, but the Christian will be bringing glory to the Lord of lords and the King of kings. They will embody the living Lord, the Creator and Sustainer of all.
As they stand beside athletes from around the world, Christ is demonstrating His love through them. As they compete against people who worship other gods and bow down to idols, they have the Spirit of the living God drawing people to Himself through them.
Prayer: Pray that Christians “let their light so shine before men that they will see their good works and glorify their Father in Heaven.”
City Venues
M/W Curling
M/W Short Track Speed Skating
W Aerial Freestyle Skiing
M Ice Hockey
W Speed Skating
Whistler Venues
W Giant Slalom Alpine Skiing
M Cross Country Skiing
W Bobsleigh
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
PrayBC - Olympic Prayer Guide - Day 12
Never Alone
The Olympics involve some sports that call for individual effort and others that call for partners and teams working together. But even the individuals know that they did not get to where they are on their own. There were coaches, trainers, nutritionists, governments providing funding, families and friends backing them up, and more.
Whether it is the bobsled team, synchronized swim team, volleyball team, rowing team, or hockey team, each person has a specific role to play and specific skills they have developed to use for the team to function properly. Depending on one’s teammates is not always easy as there are personality conflicts, different tastes, conflicting values and opposing opinions. But to win, each person must learn to do what is best for the team and submit their will to the will of the coach and the team.
Prayer: Father, thank You for all those You have brought into my life to encourage and bless and guide me to this place. Please give me wisdom and patience and help me show respect, appreciation, and love for those You have brought to walk with me in these days.
City Venues
M/W Curling
W Figure Skating
M Freestyle Ski Cross
M/W Ice Hockey
M Speed Skating
Whistler Venues
M Nordic Combined Team LH
M Nordic Team Relay
W Biathlon
W Bobsleigh
The Olympics involve some sports that call for individual effort and others that call for partners and teams working together. But even the individuals know that they did not get to where they are on their own. There were coaches, trainers, nutritionists, governments providing funding, families and friends backing them up, and more.
Whether it is the bobsled team, synchronized swim team, volleyball team, rowing team, or hockey team, each person has a specific role to play and specific skills they have developed to use for the team to function properly. Depending on one’s teammates is not always easy as there are personality conflicts, different tastes, conflicting values and opposing opinions. But to win, each person must learn to do what is best for the team and submit their will to the will of the coach and the team.
Prayer: Father, thank You for all those You have brought into my life to encourage and bless and guide me to this place. Please give me wisdom and patience and help me show respect, appreciation, and love for those You have brought to walk with me in these days.
City Venues
M/W Curling
W Figure Skating
M Freestyle Ski Cross
M/W Ice Hockey
M Speed Skating
Whistler Venues
M Nordic Combined Team LH
M Nordic Team Relay
W Biathlon
W Bobsleigh
Monday, February 22, 2010
PrayBC - Olympic Prayer Guide - Day 11
Joy
An athlete’s reaction to victory usually falls into one of two categories. The first is dancing, waving, jumping, flag waving, and even blowing kisses to adoring fans and family the moments they have won. The other is an overwhelming sense of accomplishment that often leads to tears as all the emotions that have built up over the past four years come flooding over them. Many people think of all the sacrifices that have been made for this one moment and the tremendous cost that has been paid physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Both
can be expressions of joy—one external, the other internal.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2). Christ could see joy in the face of such imminent suffering because He knew what the end result would be. There is joy in victory. There is joy in accomplishment.
There is joy in the midst of adversity when you realize you have been faithful to your Lord and He knows it. Tears of joy have fallen down the cheeks of many believers who have felt the very presence of God’s Spirit overwhelming them with His love.
Prayer: May we grasp the truth that it is of greater worth than gold to reveal Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).
City Venues
M/W Curling
Free Dance Figure Skating
M Freestyle Aerial Skiing
M/W Ice Hockey
Whistler Venues
M Ski Jumping
M/W Cross Country Skiing - Team Sprint
An athlete’s reaction to victory usually falls into one of two categories. The first is dancing, waving, jumping, flag waving, and even blowing kisses to adoring fans and family the moments they have won. The other is an overwhelming sense of accomplishment that often leads to tears as all the emotions that have built up over the past four years come flooding over them. Many people think of all the sacrifices that have been made for this one moment and the tremendous cost that has been paid physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Both
can be expressions of joy—one external, the other internal.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2). Christ could see joy in the face of such imminent suffering because He knew what the end result would be. There is joy in victory. There is joy in accomplishment.
There is joy in the midst of adversity when you realize you have been faithful to your Lord and He knows it. Tears of joy have fallen down the cheeks of many believers who have felt the very presence of God’s Spirit overwhelming them with His love.
Prayer: May we grasp the truth that it is of greater worth than gold to reveal Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).
City Venues
M/W Curling
Free Dance Figure Skating
M Freestyle Aerial Skiing
M/W Ice Hockey
Whistler Venues
M Ski Jumping
M/W Cross Country Skiing - Team Sprint
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