19 Aug, 2008
Do You Have a Hero?
Even Michael Phelps had a hero growing up.
Record-breaking American swimmer Michael Phelps has told the BBC he has been left "speechless" by the reaction to his eight gold medals in Beijing.
He broke Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals at one Games to become the most successful Olympian of all time.
"I spoke to the President who said the country was behind me, and said 'give your mum a hug and tell her the President said to'," said Phelps, 23.
"It's unreal having this feedback, you never realise it could happen."Phelps's success has been announced at baseball games and even rock concerts and shown on big screens.
"Having Bruce Springsteen come out at a concert and say I'd just won my seventh gold medal and then sing 'Born in the USA' - it's incredible, you never realise it could happen - you're speechless."
When he was growing up, one of Phelps's heroes was basketball legend Michael Jordan, and he said he hoped he could follow in his footsteps.
"Growing up, I always remember the 'I want to be like Mike' ads with Jordan," he said.
"He's one of the people I've always wanted to meet. I've never met him.
"What he did in the sport of basketball is what I am trying to do in the sport of swimming. He completely changed the sport of basketball."
story courtesy of bbc.com
Hebrews 11:1
By Faith
11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:32-40
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the quality of a Godly Hero?
Hebrews 11 has often been called the Bible's "Hall Of Fame". The names listed have one quality in common - FAITH IN GOD! These heroes were not super in their own right, but only because they trusted the supernatual God to lead them and empower them!
Basically they were ordinary people doing extraordinary acts because their faith pointed to the Almighty God! Our world today is looking for superheroes. It needs to see ordinary people letting God do something extraordinary through them.
IF SOMEONE DID AN INVENTORY OF YOUR LIFE, WOULD YOUR FAITH GET A "GOLD MEDAL"? WHY OR WHY NOT?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
It starts with faith. Within ourselves, we don't have what it takes. We must ask God to give us the faith we need to be able to believe Him for Who He is and what He wants to do in our lives and through our lives. You don't have to be an Olympic hero! Just let God do His thing in you. And you can apply God's Story by:
- Reading Hebrews 11:1-31 for more stories of God's "heroes".
- Praying every day for God to help you live by faith.
- Looking for a weekly opportunity to be a "hero" in someone's life by helping them in some way that seems very ordinary to you. Your faith in God may seem quite extraordinary to them!
Spend a couple of minutes in prayer.... Thank God for the stories of faith He has provided in His Word. Ask Him to use these examples to show you how to live by faith. Thank Him and praise Him for the extraordinary ways He has worked in your life. Let Him know that you're willing to honor Him by serving Him even in the "ordinary" details of life.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
This whole 3Story way of living will become more and more natural for you as you consistently make yourself available to our extraordinary God. He will lead you into opportunities to build relationships with people who need to know Jesus. Focus on knowing Jesus and you'll get to know Their Story.
- When the story of Michael Phelps winning eight gold medals comes up, share with your friends how he had a hero growing up. If the timing is right share one of your heros from God's Story.
- Let others know they don't have to be an Olympic hero to be used by God as a hero.
- November 2008 [13]
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- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
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