BANK SHOT (From ARCHIVE 05/23/2011)

I’m back—and wow, it has been a long time since I’ve been on here, hasn’t it?!? Well, this is titled Bank Shot—in basketball terminology, a shot where the ball is first bounced (or banked) off the backboard at such an angle that it then drops into the basket. This can both be one of the easiest shots, and one of the hardest shots. If you aim accurately, the ball will go into the basket 9 times out of 10—but it’s all about accuracy!

Our spiritual lives work in the same manner—-we need to target our lives on prayer. If we don’t, and we try to do things on our own, it’s hit or miss (usually a miss!). Why do we stray away from prayer when we are told in Scripture that this helps solidify our relationship with God? Because we are all human, and sometimes we just want to take the easy way out. For basketball players, that’s an easy shot if you practice over and over, and over again.

This spoke to me in my devotionals just recently:
Colossians 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

I challenge all of us to reflect on Colossians 4:2. Thankfulness and watchfulness are such profound concepts that they are worth considering for a whole week—really for a whole lifetime. “Being watchful” means being attentive, even perceptive—it doesn’t mean worrying. Name 4 things for which you need to be thankful. Name 3 things you should watch. If you did these 7 things, how would your life be different?

The mystery of Christ is meant to transform our reality. Some people don’t want that, and thus chaos in our lives will ensue at times. Our arsenal against this is thankfulness, watchfulness, prayer, and grace. We’re not meant to accept Jesus, and then live like everyone else; we’re meant to live differently. We’re meant to remember those who suffer. We’re meant to be the godly seasoning in the lives of everyone around us.

God wants you to be a new creation, and He wants to create good things for you. May you be like Jesus. Make Him central in your life, and watch everything around you transform. (Bible Study Mag.)

Grace and Peace
Peter

P.S. I’m so disappointed with my Lakers team—welp, maybe next year.