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December 29th, 2020

12/29/2020

 
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ABIDE…our amazing word for 2020 for the difficult year ahead!   This God-inspired word seemed rather encouraging, but for the times that were to come it became a necessity.  Living it out has been both challenging and comforting.  We say “good-bye” to this unusual year with a quick review of our focus each month on this prophetic word:
 
JANUARY  Our ABIDE verse-of-the-year gave us a peek into our source for the unknown year ahead…Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NRSV
              WANT 20-20 VISION IN THE YEAR 2020? ABIDE IN CHRIST!
 
FEBRUARY  Our ABIDE focus closed with this “sneak peek into the future...”  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:17 NIV
                 ABIDING IN CHRIST PREPARES US FOR THE FUTURE!
 
MARCH - To ABIDE calls for us to serve God on His terms not on ours…I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will guide you with my eye.  Psalm 32:8                                                                                                                                             GOD WILL GUIDE AS WE ABIDE!

APRIL - Our Lord does some of His most powerful and life-changing work in our times of waiting.  WAITING WELL results in Christ’s presence…"Abide in me and I will abide in you." John 15:5 NRSV                                                                                                               WAIT WELL...ABIDE IN JESUS!

MAY – When stuck… ABIDE!  Remember: Jesus was stuck on the cross and our salvation is the fruit of it.  “apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NRSV                     MAKE YOUR STUCKNESS COUNT... ABIDE IN CHRIST!

JUNE – The ‘if’” ushers us into an ABIDING relationship with Christ...If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14                                                          GOD RESPONDS WHEN WE ABIDE IN THE “IF”.

JULY – Christ’s word abiding in us allows us to ask. “if my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:5 NRSV
                                   ABIDE AND ASK ... in that order!
 
AUGUST – Total abiding happens as we find our perfect placement, constantly abide in prayer, and enjoy Christ’s presence and let Him love you! Once again we must believe what Jesus said…"for apart from me you can do nothing."        John 15:5 NRSV               
                           STRIVE+PURSUE+ENJOY= TOTAL ABIDING
                         
SEPTEMBER - Watch for Him, walk with Him, wait for Him. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.   Ephesians 3:20                                                                       ABIDE - GOD IS AT WORK!
                                                                    

​OCTOBER – CONTINUE to ABIDE in Christ once again remembering His words,  “apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5 NRSV                                                                        ABIDING IN CHRIST IS OUR PEACE!
 
NOVEMBER - To ABIDE with meekness requires total dependence on Christ through all of life’s circumstances.  Then the best outcome is possible…He is Lord of all or He is not Lord at all!  God blesses those who are humble (meek), for they will inherit the whole earth.  Matthew 5:5 NLT                                                                             BE MEEK - BEAR FRUIT - BE BLESSED!

DECEMBER – Continue to ABIDE in the vine of Christ all day, every day, and enjoy sweet fruit.  “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” John 15:5 NRSV                                                                                                                                       SIMPLY ABIDE IN CHRIST!

  
©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

THE "AWE" OF IT ALL

12/23/2020

 
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The stands fill with shouts as THE AWE OF IT ALL ignites the crowd…the team has just pulled ahead on the scoreboard!  As invigorating and captivating as those moments of wonder are, when troublesome times in a game come fear can take over both for the players and for the stands with a little less wonder and a little more fear.

​THE AWE OF IT ALL happens each day of our lives.  It comes when both fear and wonder take over simultaneously.  Some things seem to be going great while others are challenging and we are awestruck by this dichotomy.

In the good and in the not-so- good circumstances, God’s Word encourages us to be filled with reverent and awe-filled worship before our Him.

The kingdom of God cannot be shaken so let us be thankful, and worship Him acceptably with reverence and awe! From Hebrews 12:28 NIV

Let us enter into these holy days of celebrating our Savior’s birth with reverence and awe…in fear and wonder!  Then, with hearts of joy, we will shout “hallelujah” as we bow at the manger knowing His kingdom cannot be shaken.

“Shout Hallelujah…adore Him…He has never let you down, never looked the other way…He has been right there, listening.”  Psalm 139:13-16  The Message

                   TURN “THE AWE OF IT ALL”  INTO A HALLELUJAH!

©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING

12/16/2020

 
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As a new coach takes over a team, the very first words spoken are to assure the players that they are each important – already chosen for this team and for this time.  For the players, a yet unknown future lies ahead with the nagging question, “How will this all work out?”  The coach carefully lays out the practice plan affirming the players.  The players, in turn, respond putting their trust in what they have been told…they BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING...and the coach continues to assure them that they are in this together.
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In Luke chapter 1 a similar process takes place…

Verse 28:  The angel went to Mary with these reassuring words, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Being greeted by an unexpected Angel of the Lord and told she was ‘highly favored’ must have been awesome as well as frightening for her.

Verse 29:  Mary was greatly troubled at (the Angel’s) words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  Mary was now beyond wonder...she was “troubled” about what this meant.

Verse 31:  The Angel explained to Mary what was about to happen, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”                                                Mary took this in but was left with a nagging question.

Verse: 34:  Mary then asks, “How can this be?”              Mary can’t begin to comprehend how this can happen since she is a virgin.

Verse 35:  The Angel reveals the plan to Mary,  “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you…the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.”                                              Mary’s question was answered…she BELIEVED WITHOUT SEEING.

Verse 38:  Mary’s humble response was, “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.”                God’s perfect plan for our salvation begins to unfold. Verse 45:

The Angel affirmed Mary’s total trust with this blessing, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”                                               
God blesses those who BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING!

CHALLENGE: Is there a plan that has been put in your heart by our Heavenly Father? If so, you may have troubling questions about it.  Ask Him the nagging question, “How can this be?”  God will speak comfort and assurance to you about His plan and provide the information you need to…BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING.

PRAYER: I believe without seeing, I am yours and I am ready to serve.  Let it be to me just as you have made known.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

NOTE:  FOR AN INSPIRING STORY AND MUSIC GO TO YOUTUBE.COM AND ENTER CHRISTOPHER DUFFLY-OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART.


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©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

ABIDE - ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!

12/2/2020

 
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Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5 NRSV
 
Our word for 2020 has been ABIDE.  It certainly gave us an early glimpse into what we would need in order to face the challenges of this year.  We can most likely all agree that 2020 has certainly been a year of having to “abide” many things that have been at the least uncomfortable and at the most catastrophic. In February of this astonishing year here on earth, the Sportmom E-votional closed with a passage that included this sneak peek and verse…

A sneak peek into the future...
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:2 NIV

It certainly was preparing us for abiding the many unusual happenings that would astound us. It also reminded us of what we are to do during these challenging times….set our thoughts on Christ and only abide in Him.

ALL DAY- EVERY DAY we need to be constant and consistent in abiding in Christ more than ever before.

I will close out this year of E-votionals with these words from an old hymn song:  “Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine.  Constantly abiding - rapture divine.  He never leaves me lonely, whispers oh so kind, “I will never leave you.” Jesus is mine.”


                                 THE FRUIT WILL COME AS WE ABIDE IN CHRIST!
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©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966
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    About the Author... 
    JANET BROWN

    As a veteran coach's wife, Janet invites you to join her in "Changing the world for Christ...one athlete at a time".Through the language of sports and life experiences, Janet uniquely exposes the character of God and His desire for "sportmoms" to WIN BIG in life. Her behind-the-bench view invites us into a world of triumphant wins and tragic personal loss.


    LIFE EXPERIENCE

    From being a mother of 2 to a spiritual mom to many, the road of life for Janet includes these hallmarks:

    - Gave her "heart to Jesus"     at 6 years old
    .
    - Studied Education/          Psychology at a Christian  College

    - Enjoyed earning her wings  and flying as a Flight    Attendant

    - Is the wife of Coach Dave Brown since 1967.

    - Involved in ministry to women for 30+ years including: Retreat Facilitator and speaker, Bible Study leader, National Women's Ministry Leader

    - Held an executive position in the corporate world for 35 years.

    - Developed and taught Pre-married and Marriage classes with her husband for 12 years. 

    Currently is a writer, grandmother to 4 and a coach's wife.


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