THE GAME
WINNING 3
A 100 Day Christian Devotional
on the Subject of Basketball
__________
Dave “Travelin” Davlin
The Game Winning 3
Copyright © 2010 by Dave “Travelin” Davlin
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means without written
permission from the author.
Printed in USA by 48HrBooks (www.48HrBooks.com)
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to the memory of Leona Elizabeth
Montgomery, my grandmother. Her love and care for me as a
child went far beyond the call of duty. She was a pillar in her
community and a role-model of love, honesty, self-sacrifice and
strength. The influence she had on my life is immeasurable. The
world, especially my world, was a better place because of her
existence. She was one of God’s special people.
It is also dedicated to Mary Frances Montgomery Robinson.
Her story is on Day 71.
Lastly, it is dedicated to my wife, Traci, whose love and
support has inspired me to reach for greater heights and to
discover things about myself that, until I met her, were locked
away in a vault of self-doubt and fear. Her unique spirit has been
an inspiration to me in ways that I cannot express. She truly
completes me and I am blessed with the privilege of being loved
by her.
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Introduction
When I was eight years old, I gave my life to Christ. It was
the greatest decision I would ever make and would change who I
would become for eternity. When I was ten years old, I met a
man by the name of Tom Hiser. He moved to the small Texas
town where I was living and became the pastor of First Baptist
Church. It just happened that he had played basketball in high
school and was still a fan of the game. We hit it off immediately.
He would join us in pick-up basketball games on the court which
also served as the church parking lot. He would take us to
summer camp and we would play there as well. Being without a
father, he was instrumental in my life as a role-model and
example of what a godly man should be.
One of the greatest things he ever taught me was the
importance of reading the Bible and having a daily quiet time
alone with God. He shared with me about the Book of Proverbs
and how there were thirty-one books, one for each day of the
month. He said that if I would read the proverb for the day of the
month, it would give me the wisdom I needed for the challenges
I would face in life. He was right. I began as a young boy to read
the Book of Proverbs and I would read them for years to come.
To this day, I find wisdom and answers for life’s challenges from
this great book. Starting the habit of a daily quiet time is one of
the greatest decisions I ever made and is one I still practice to
this day. It is life-changing and totally necessary for continuous
Christian growth.
It is also the reason I wrote THE GAME-WINNING 3
Devotional. It is my hope and prayer that this book will help you
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establish your own daily quiet time for the next 100 days. Upon
completing this book, I hope you will find other ways to
continue the habit of a daily quiet time with God. There are
many great devotionals from which to choose and the best book
of all is the Bible itself.
I also wrote the book in hopes that parents would use it as a
way to spend time with their children and read the book together.
My grandmother read to me every night as a little boy and the
impact those special times had on me were enormous. As a
parent, you will only have a limited number of opportunities to
create special moments with your children. My hope is that the
contents of this book will be a catalyst in helping you create
those moments.
The book is called THE GAME-WINNING 3. It contains
three parts for each day … a daily verse, an application with a
story about basketball and a daily prayer. I believe these three
elements … the Word of God, the application of that Word and
prayer, practiced consistently over time, will lead you to a
victorious Christian life like the one I and thousands of others
have experienced.
May God richly bless you as you read the following
pages. May all your game-winning three attempts find the
bottom of the net.
Dave “Travelin” Davlin
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DAY ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND
WONDERFULLY MADE; YOUR WORKS ARE WONDERFUL.‖ PSALM 139:14
(NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In the realm of sports, records are set and records are broken. Some
feats of strength or speed seem impossible to surpass until someone comes along and does it.
But some records do not require speed or strength as much as they require skill,
determination and creativity. Sometimes, breaking a record is what we make of it.
In 1990, I had a dream to do something that no one in the world had ever done. I wanted to
set a Guinness World Record by spinning 12 basketballs on my body at the same time. To
help me accomplish this feat, I built a device out of plumbing pipe, glue, tape and fountain
pens. By themselves, these items were worth very little in terms of monetary value or
even usefulness. And to anyone other than myself, the device I created from them would
seem worthless. After all, the materials used to create it were inexpensive and somewhat
boring. But to me, this device was priceless because it allowed me to fulfill a dream of
setting a world record. That same year, my dream came true as I spun 12 basketballs on
my body at the same time for 7.97 seconds and got my picture placed in the Guinness Book
of World Records. Who would have ever thought that something used to break a world
record could be created from something so simple?
Sometimes, we look at ourselves as worth very little. Sometimes in life, we are even told
that we are no good. The good news is that when God sees us, he doesn‘t see us like
everyone else does. He sees us as his special creation. He created each of us as unique
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individuals and gave us unique abilities. To him, we are one of a kind ... fearfully and
wonderfully made.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, I thank you that you made me unique and special. Help
me to discover my special talents and abilities and to use them to glorify you in my life.
Help me also to appreciate the uniqueness of others. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY TWO
(This is the only day that was not written about basketball. The story is so good I thought
I had to include it.)
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―LET US NOT BECOME WEARY IN DOING GOOD, FOR
AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST, IF WE DO NOT GIVE
UP.‖ GALATIANS 6:9 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In life, some things come easy to us and when they do, it seems that
we often do not appreciate them as much. But when we accomplish something that required us
to struggle and reach inside ourselves for qualities we previously didn‘t know were there,
we find that the lessons learned and the joy experienced is at its greatest. So often, we
learn that the glory is in the struggle.
In 1974, something very unique was happening in the world of baseball. Hank Aaron, better
known as ―The Hammer‖, was closing in on the all-time home run record set by Babe Ruth
of 714 career home runs. When Hank was at 710, just five away from the record, things
got really tense and it seemed like everyone was talking about all those home runs. After
all, it was a record that had been in the books for many years and had been set by a
baseball legend. Although the baseball world was in a frenzy of excitement, the one thing
that no one seemed to talk about was this: Hank Aaron had struck out 1262 times during
the course of his career. That was almost twice as many times as he had hit a home run and
that did not include all the ground outs and fly outs of his career. He had experienced the
feeling of failure many more times than he had experienced the feeling of success. Yet,
Hank did not let those failures stop him. Every time he stepped to the plate, he had one
thing in mind … breaking the Babe‘s record. On April 8, 1974, Hank hit number 715 and
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became the all-time homerun leader in major league history. His drive and persistence had
won him a place in the record books of professional baseball.
Sometimes, when faced with a difficult task, we want to quit. We can learn a valuable
lesson from Hank Aaron about overcoming failure and never giving up. It isn‘t always the
person with the most talent or ability that succeeds. Sometimes it is the person with the
most determination and persistence.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, sometimes I fail and I feel like giving up. Help me to
remember that failure is a part of life and that the important thing is to get back up and
try again. Thank you that you never give up on me. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW
CREATION; THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW HAS COME!‖ 2 CORINTHIANS
5:17 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In sports, like in life, people are given labels. ―You‘re too short‖,
―you‘re too young‖, ―you‘re too old‖, ―you‘re too slow‖, ―you‘re not smart enough‖ and
―you‘re not big enough‖ are just some of the things one might hear. So often, we let the
labels we are given determine who we are and who we become. But sometimes, we see a
person rise above the label and do something that no one ever expected them to do. When
that happens, it is a wonderful thing to watch.
In the fourth grade, I played basketball in a league called Little Dribblers in the town of
Fairfield, Texas. On my team that year was my best friend, Paul Allen. Paul was
unusually small for a fourth grader. In fact, Paul only weighed 40 pounds. He was so small
that his parents had even put him back a year in school to give him a chance to catch up.
Being so small, Paul found it difficult to excel in sports, especially basketball. But he was
there at every game giving his usual 110% effort. He usually played only the first
quarter of each game, mainly because of the league rule that every player must play one
quarter or the team would be disqualified and lose the game by forfeit. Our team kind of
figured if we put Paul in the first quarter, it would leave us three quarters to actually
try and win the game. However, on one occasion, Paul was chosen to play more than his
usual one quarter; not because of the rules, but because the coach chose him to play. When
the coach looked down and called Paul‘s name, two things happened; the rest of our team
began to worry and complain and Paul, all 40 pounds of him, leaped from his spot on the
bench like a man on a mission. As he checked into the game, we could all tell something was
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different. In all the other games, Paul had not scored a single point or, for that matter,
even attempted a shot. But this game would be different. In this game, Paul led the team in
scoring with 13 points and due to his great performance our team won the game and advanced
to play for the championship of the entire league. We were so excited, that we even carried
Paul off the floor on our shoulders. It was the least we could do for the hero of the game.
After all, he only weighed forty pounds.
Sometimes in life, we all feel like failures. And because of sin, the Bible says we are all
failures and that we are separated from a perfect God. But the moment we accept Christ as
our personal savior, we become new creations. The blood of Jesus cleanses us and makes us
brand new. In God‘s eyes, not only do we become winners, we become stars.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, I thank you that you don‘t look at me through all of
my past failures. I thank you that in Christ, I can be a new creation. Thank you for being
the God of second chances. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME
STRENGTH.‖ PHILIPPIANS 4:13 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: There is an old adage that simply says, ―Everything is impossible until
someone goes and does it.‖ That is true for athletes, inventors and people from just about
every walk of life. But isn‘t it amazing what can happen when preparation meets
opportunity? The outcome can be simply… unbelievable.
On March 2, 1962, the weather was cold and slushy — a stay-at-home winter Friday
night. Neither the Philadelphia Warriors nor the New York Knicks were especially
thrilled with a bus ride to Hershey, Pennsylvania for a meaningless NBA game. The season
was almost over, and the outcome would have no effect on the standings. However, this
night‘s game would have a huge effect on the history books of professional basketball. Yes,
on this night, history would be written as Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors
would do something that had seemed impossible… until now. In a 169-147 win over the New
York Knicks, Wilt would become the first person in NBA history to score 100 points in a
single game. It was an amazing thing for the players, coaches and spectators to witness. It
was so amazing that in the fourth quarter, fans from both teams would begin to chant, ―Give
it to Wilt, Give it to Wilt!‖ They would all be witnesses to history in the making and the
seemingly impossible becoming reality.
Sometimes in life, we are faced with situations that seem impossible. The Bible promises us
that God will never give us more than we can handle. It also promises us that nothing is
impossible for those who put their trust in Jesus. Maybe, like Wilt, we have our own
cheering squad encouraging us as the angels proclaim, ―You can do it, You can do it!‖
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3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you and the angels are my biggest
fans. Help me to remember that your plans for me are a joyful, exciting and meaningful life.
Help me to always give my best as you gave your best when you gave us Jesus. In His name
I pray, Amen.
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DAY FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―BUT WE ALSO REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERINGS,
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SUFFERING PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE;
PERSEVERANCE, CHARACTER AND CHARACTER, HOPE.‖ ROMANS 5:3-4
(NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Unfortunately, for all of us, life is filled with its ups and downs. If
you‘re breathing, chances are you are going to experience some type of disappointment in
your lifetime. Not if, but when, disappointment comes along, it brings with it the choice of
giving up or rising up. For those who choose the latter, the lesson learned can be a lifechanging experience … which was the case for a young boy from North Carolina.
Michael Jordan is considered by most people to be the greatest basketball player in the
history of the game. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships. He was voted
the Most Valuable Player in the NBA several times and even won a gold medal at the
Olympics as a member of the USA Olympic basketball team. His name is synonymous with
greatness and success in the sport of basketball. Ironically, what a lot of people do not
know is that Michael, as a sophomore at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina,
did not make the varsity basketball team. Greatly disappointed, Michael could have easily
given up and walked away from the sport of basketball. But instead, he spent the entire
next summer working on his game, improving his skills and making himself a better player.
The next season he made the varsity team and the rest is history.
Sometimes in life, we are faced with disappointments. Things don‘t always go our way.
During times like these, we are forced to make a decision. We can let it get us down and we
can even give up and stop trying. Or, we can ―Be Like Mike‖ and work through our
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disappointments. We can refuse to quit and we can continue trying in spite of our hurt and
frustration. Having this type of attitude will increase our character and make us stronger
for other challenges we will face in the future.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, I know sometimes in life we all get disappointed. We
don‘t always win or finish first. Help me when I do win to be a good winner. Help me when I
don‘t win to show good sportsmanship. In Jesus‘ Name, Amen.
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DAY SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―I NOW REALIZE HOW TRUE IT IS THAT GOD DOES
NOT SHOW FAVORITISM BUT ACCEPTS MEN FROM EVERY NATION WHO
FEAR HIM AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.‖ ACTS 10:34-35 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Throughout the course of American history, many things have been
done in our country in the attempt to abolish racism. Most of these acts have taken place in
the realm of politics or religion. But the world of sports has also been a catalyst for
change in this area. Furthermore, the sport of college basketball was a force in helping to
lead the way.
In 1965, Don Haskins, who was just another tough-talking, hard-driving high school
basketball coach was hired as the head basketball coach of Texas Western College. To
create the best chance for victory, he believed he should recruit the best raw talent he
could – no matter what their race, background or life story might be. He recruited players
in a color-blind fashion heading into the cities of Detroit and New York where basketball
was still a hotly contested, up tempo street game. In 1966, his strategy paid off as his
team carried a record of 27 wins and only 1 loss. In the NCAA championship game against
the powerhouse, tradition-rich University of Kentucky Wildcats, Haskins did something that
had never been done in NCAA championship history … he started the game with five
African-American players on the floor. His historical decision paid off as his team won the
game and their story became the inspiration for the movie, ―Glory Road‖.
Unfortunately in our society, we are sometimes asked to judge people by the color of their
skin, the neighborhood in which they live or even the kind of clothes they wear. One of the
great things about God is that he looks at a person‘s heart. God only sees two types of
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people – those who know and serve him and those who don‘t. John 3:16 tells us, ―that God
so loved the world that he gave his son, that whoever believes in him would not perish but
have eternal life.‖ That means everyone - no matter what their race, background or life
story might be.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that we are all created in your image. Help
us to respect one another‘s differences and to love people of all colors and backgrounds.
Thank you that you do not show favoritism but love us all the same. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―REACHING INTO HIS BAG AND TAKING OUT A STONE,
DAVID SLUNG IT AND STRUCK GOLIATH ON THE FOREHEAD … AND HE
FELL FACEDOWN ON THE GROUND.‖ 1 SAMUEL 17:49 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In basketball, like in other sports, we have been conditioned to form a
first impression based on size. We see a 300 pound guy and we think he would make a great
football lineman. We see a seven foot guy and we immediately think he must be a good
basketball player. We see the huge size of a school and immediately think they would
dominate a school less populated. But ironically, history has given us many examples where
size was not the determining factor of success. One such example took place in Indiana.
In 1954, Milan was a quiet rural town in the southeastern part of Indiana, with a high
school population of 161 total students, 75 being boys. However, it became the scene of one
of the greatest basketball stories in history. During the 1954 season, the Milan Indians,
with a sharpshooter named Bobby Plump, dominated much larger schools on their way to a
28-2 record and a trip to the Indiana state finals. In the finals, they shocked everyone
when they squeaked past powerhouse Muncie Central for the Indiana state crown on Plump‘s
last-second shot. It was considered one of the greatest high school basketball games ever
played and was the inspiration for one of sport‘s most inspirational movies, ―Hoosiers‖.
Sometimes, things are measured by their size. Many people think bigger is always better.
But with God, things are measured differently. The Bible tells us that our success comes
not by our own power and might, but by the spirit and blessing of God. In the times when we
feel helpless and small, we should remember that God is with us … the same God that
created everything … and no person, problem or circumstance is bigger than God.
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3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that nothing is too big for you or too small.
Help me to remember to come to you with my small challenges and my big ones also. Thank
you for always having time for me. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHT
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT; I HAVE FINISHED
THE RACE; I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.‖ 2 TIMOTHY 4:7 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In basketball, the stats are an interesting part of the game and can
often paint a picture of how a player contributed to the overall success of the team. But
stats, for the most part, only give us a picture of quantity, 15 rebounds, 25 points, 10
assists, and so on. Sometimes, the greatest contribution doesn‘t come in the ―how many‖ as
much as it does in the ―when‖ and the greatest inspiration can come in simply ―not giving up‖.
Of all the thrilling baskets scored in NBA history, there have been few more fabled than
the two Willis Reed hit in the first few minutes of Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals.
Although they counted for only four points on the scoreboard, they were worth a million
buckets of inspiration to the New York Knicks. Prior to Game 7, on May 8, 1970, at
7:30 p.m., Reed, the captain and main force of a multitalented New York Knicks team, was
apparently sidelined with an injury that threatened his team's chances to win the NBA
Championship. Fifteen minutes later he had become a legend, and the Knicks were on the
way to their first NBA title. In the first four games of the Finals against the formidable
Los Angeles Lakers, Reed had scored 37, 29, 38 and 23 points, respectively, while
averaging 15 rebounds. In the fourth quarter of Game 5 he sustained a deep thigh injury.
The Knicks managed to survive that encounter but were demolished by the Lakers in Game
6. The series was tied at three games apiece entering the decisive contest at Madison
Square Garden. New York's Bill Bradley recalled Game 7 in an article in The New York
Times: "We left the locker room for the warm-ups not knowing if Willis was going to come
out or not." At 7:34 p.m. Reed limped onto the court. The crowd went wild, and his
teammates' confidence returned with a vengeance. Reed somehow managed to out jump Wilt
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Chamberlain on the opening tip, then scored the game's first basket on a shot from the top
of the key. He then scored the second New York basket from 20 feet out. He did not
score again, but he didn't have to; he had already inspired the Knicks to seize the day. New
York led by as many as 29 points in the first half and eventually won the contest, 113-99.
Sometimes in sports or school there may be times when we want to quit. The team we play
against may be more talented or the questions on the test may be too difficult. During these
times, it is important to remember the goal and prize that we are working for … pleasing
the one who loves us more than anyone. That person is God! Let‘s commit ourselves to
always finish the race of life by being obedient to God and his Word and to do our very best
in the tasks that He gives us.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you gave your best when you gave us
Jesus. Help us to remember his example about following through on the tasks you give us
even when things get difficult. Help us to persevere. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―So the last will be first, and the first will be last.‖ Matthew
20:16 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In April of 2006, a young man by the name of Jason McElwain
attended Greece Athenia High School in Rochester, New York. He was commonly referred
to by his classmates as ―J-Mac‖. ―J-Mac‖ was part of the special education program and
suffered from a condition known as autism. Although many who suffer from this disease
become very internal and withdrawn, ―J-Mac‖ was very expressive, especially when it came
to the boys‘ varsity basketball team of which he had acquired the position of team manager.
After toting water and picking up sweaty towels for four years, the coach decided to let
Jason suit up for the final game of the 2006 season. He wanted him to experience the
feeling of wearing the team jersey but really had no intention of allowing ―J-Mac‖ to enter
the game. However, with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the coach looked
down and called Jason‘s number. ―J-Mac‖ entered the game to the thundering applause of
the audience. Everyone, including the coach, was hoping he would score just one basket
before the final buzzer sounded. But, Jason had other plans. His first shot, from the right
corner, was an airball. His second shot, from the left side of the lane, bounced off the rim.
But then, something miraculous happened. ―J-Mac‖ hit his next six shots, all from outside
the three-point arc, with the last shot being at the final buzzer. He finished the game with
20 points and tied a school record with six three-pointers in a single game, and he did it all
in just four minutes of playing time. The entire student body rushed the floor and hoisted
Jason high into the air. The least likely player on the floor had become the game‘s hero.
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In our society today, we are told that we should strive to always be first. We always seem
to give glory and honor to the fastest, strongest and the best-looking. But God looks at
things differently. Many times, he uses not our strengths, but our weaknesses to accomplish
his greatest purposes.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, the Bible tells us that your strength is perfected in
our weakness. Help us to remember that even when we are weak you are still strong and
that we can always lean on you. Thank you for always being faithful. In Jesus‘ name,
Amen.
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DAY TEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In 1950, Arnold ―Red‖ Auerbach was hired to be the coach of the
Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association, better known as the NBA. The
prior season, the Celtics record was a mere 22 wins and 46 losses. This Boston franchise
needed someone to get them back on the winning track. ―Red‖ Auerbach was that man. In
fact, in his career as coach of the Boston Celtics, ―Red‖ would lead them to 938 wins and 9
NBA Championships. He would be tagged a ―pioneer‖ of modern basketball, teaching team
play and tough defense and be remembered as the man who introduced the ―fast break‖ as a
potent offensive weapon to the game. In 1980, he would be named ―the greatest coach in
NBA history‖.
―Red‖ Auerbach will be remembered for a lot of things, but one thing will always stand out
above the rest. You see, when ―Red‖ thought victory was a sure thing, he would always
take out a cigar and light it up. In his years in Boston, this became a ―symbol of victory‖ to
the Celtic fans. They knew that when they saw Red‘s cigar, the victory had been won.
The Bible tells us that there is rejoicing in Heaven when someone comes to Christ. I don‘t
think that God and the angels light up cigars, but maybe candles or torches. We really
don‘t know what the celebration looks like, but we do know that a party takes place. One
day, for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we will join in on the
celebration … and the flame will never burn out!
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Have the angels had the privilege of celebrating your decision to accept Jesus as your Lord
and Savior? If not, pray today‘s prayer from your heart.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and cannot save myself.
Today, I ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior and to forgive me of my sins. From this point
on, help me to live for you. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY ELEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded;
and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.‖ Luke 12:48
(NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In life, all of us have been given certain gifts and talents. Some
people are gifted with musical ability and some are gifted with the ability to excel in sports.
Some people have a knack for writing and some can draw pictures or cartoons. It‘s a given,
we all have gifts. Having the gift is one thing. Discovering and making the most of the gift
is something totally different. For one man in particular, making the most of his gift was a
way of life. You might even say … it was his goal.
Ted St. Martin is not your average basketball player. He stands at only 5 feet 7 inches
tall. He never played in the NBA, he never played college basketball and he wasn‘t even
the star of his high school basketball team. But what he did do was learn to shoot free
throws better than anyone else in the entire world. He once made 258 free throws in 10
minutes. He once made 850 free throws in a one hour period. He once sank 14,466 free
throws in a twenty-four hour period. But most of all, Ted is known for making the most
free throws…5,221… without a miss. This incredible feat earned him a spot in the Guinness
Book of World records. When asked once about his amazing shooting ability, Ted St. Martin
replied, ―I am sure people wonder why this talent found its way to me. I suppose it might
have gone better to someone who played in the NBA, but God gave it to me, and I‘m making
the most of it.‖
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All of us have been given special talents and abilities. Today‘s verse reminds us that if we
have been given great talent we are expected to do great things with it. What are some
talents and abilities that God has given you? Are you doing great things with them to
glorify God? If not, why not?
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: ―God, thank you for the talents and abilities you have given me.
Help me each day to recognize how blessed I am. Help me to do great things with what I
have been given. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.‖
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DAY TWELVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set
eternity in the hearts of men.‖ Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: ―It‘s a good thing it‘s Friday night,‖ CBS Sports broadcaster Brent
Musberger told the audience on national television. ―You kids don‘t have to go to school
tomorrow. Ask your dad to get you another Coca-Cola.‖
What he was speaking about was what more than one newspaper declared, The Greatest
Game Ever Played. It was game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals … the Boston Celtics versus
the Phoenix Suns. It looked like Boston would win the game in regulation but a missed free
throw by Celtic forward John Havlicek sent the game into overtime tied at 95. However,
with 5 seconds to go in the overtime period, that same Havlicek took the ball the length of
the court and let go a running, leaning 15 foot shot that went in as time expired and the
Boston fans erupted. It seemed the Celtics had pulled out the victory. However, referee
Richie Powers signaled that there was still time on the game clock … one second to be
exact. Some of the Celtic players had already made their way to the locker room. It was
already somewhere around midnight and Celtic guard Jo Jo White had even removed the tape
from his ankles. However, after the pandemonium subsided, all of the players from both
teams returned to their respective benches for what seemed to be a mere formality. After
all, what difference could one second make? As it would turn out that one second would
make a big difference. Phoenix drew up a play and joined the Celtics on the floor. As the
referee handed the ball to Curtis Perry of the Suns team, he began to look for teammate
Paul Westphal, which was the plan the Suns had drawn up on the sideline. However,
anticipating this plan, the Celtic team had Paul Westphal heavily covered. With their first
option denied, Perry inbounded the ball to Suns‘ forward Gar Heard who was at the top of
the key. The 6‘6‖ forward turned and fired a high-arching shot over the outstretched arm
of Celtic forward Don Nelson. The ball swished its way through the bottom of the net
sending the game into a third overtime. The Celtic fans were devastated by the results of
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the ―shot Heard round the world‖. At this point, the fans and players both wondered if this
game would ever come to an end. Finally, in the third overtime period, the Celtics outlasted
the Suns for a 128-126 victory. The game that had started over four hours earlier and
seemed to last for an eternity was finally over.
In life, everything has a beginning and an end. However, the God who created everything
had no beginning and his kingdom will have no end. The Bible tells us that we were created
by God for eternity. We will all spend eternity somewhere. Where we spend it depends on
our relationship with God‘s son, Jesus Christ.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: ―God, thank you that you created me for eternity. Thank you
also for giving me the privilege to spend eternity with you by simply putting my trust in
Jesus. Help me to share that with others. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
DAY THIRTEEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures:‖ I Corinthians 15:4 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: Anthony ‖Spud‖ Webb, by all accounts, was too small to play
basketball. At only 5 feet 6 inches tall, he should have never started on his high school
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basketball team. However, not only did he start, he averaged 26 points per game his senior
year. He should have never played college basketball, yet, he was a star at North
Carolina State University. He should have never played in the NBA, yet, he played for
twelve seasons averaging almost 10 points and 4 assists per game. But more than anything
else, at 5‘6‖, ―Spud‖ Webb should have never been in an NBA All-Star Weekend Slam
Dunk Contest. Moreover, he should not have won it … but he did.
It was All-Star Weekend of the 1986 NBA season and Anthony ―Spud‖ Webb was entered
into the Slam Dunk Contest. Hardly anyone, including his own teammates, knew much about
this first year player. No one knew that he possessed a 42 inch vertical leap. No one
knew that he had been dunking a basketball since he was in high school. And no one could
have imagined what was about to take place. With dunks including the ―elevator two handed
double pump dunk‖, the ―off the backboard one-handed jam‖, the ―360-degree helicopter‖,
the ―180-degree reverse double-pump slam‖ and finally, the ―180-degree reverse twohanded strawberry jam from a lob pass off the floor‖, 5‘6‖ Anthony ―Spud‖ Webb defeated
6‘8‖ Dominique Wilkins to take home the NBA Slam Dunk title. Anthony ―Spud‖ Webb had
accomplished the seemingly impossible. He had risen high above the rim and those who
witnessed it would never be the same.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross and that once dead, his body
was laid in a tomb. It goes on to tell us that after three days, something took place that
would seem impossible … Jesus rose from the dead. Many people who lived during that time
witnessed what happened and they were never the same. Many people who have lived since
that time simply believed what happened and they too were never the same.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: ―Dear God, thank you that Jesus came back from the dead.
Thank you that by believing in him, I can be forgiven of my sins and know that I have
eternal life with you. Thank you that I will never be the same. In Jesus‘ name I pray,
Amen.‖
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DAY FOURTEEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.‖ Psalm
119:105 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: John Wooden is considered the greatest college basketball coach of all
time. Some things can be debated, but Coach Wooden‘s accomplishments speak for
themselves. Of the last 12 seasons he coached at UCLA, 10 of them resulted in national
championships with seven in a row from 1967-1973. He had a record winning streak of 88
games, 98 homes games and 38 straight NCAA tournament games. Moreover, he also led
the Bruins to four perfect 30-0 seasons. The ―Wizard of Westwood‖, as he was commonly
called, was part of the inaugural class of inductees of the NCAA Hall of Fame and was
also the first person ever to be enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a
player and a coach. When it comes to basketball, John Robert Wooden is a legend.
However, more important than his accomplishments was his code. It was Coach Wooden‘s
Seven Point Creed given to him by his father upon graduation from grammar school. He
always tried his best to live by it and also pass it along to his players. The creed went
like this:
* Be true to yourself.
* Make each day a masterpiece.
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* Help others.
* Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
* Make friendship a fine art.
* Build a shelter against a rainy day.
* Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every
day.
Coach Wooden‘s Creed was his way of sharing truth and wisdom to those he loved and cared
about. He knew that others could enjoy a richer, fuller life by following the seven
principles outlined in the creed. God has also given us his creed. It is called the Bible. It is
a book outlining who God is and what his character is like. It is also a book that instructs
us on how to live a richer, fuller life by obeying and loving God.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for your word to us … The Bible. It not
only shows us who you are, but also who we are. Help us to cherish it and obey it in honor
of you. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY FIFTEEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: And he said to them, ―Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of
Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.‖ Mark 16:6 (NKJ)
2. APPLICATION: ―March Madness‖ is the term used to describe the NCAA Basketball
tournament held each year following the regular season collegiate schedule. The 64 best
teams in Division 1 college basketball begin a journey to determine a national champion. Fans
from all across the United States celebrate this time of year with an unmatched
enthusiasm. However, ―March Madness‖ is a fairly new term and a fairly new phenomenon.
Until the early 1980‘s, the NCAA Tournament wasn‘t recognized as the most exciting
event in sports, which it arguably is now. In fact, for the longest time, the National
Championship game shared the television stage with the Academy Awards. But everything
changed in 1983…and it changed with a single play.
The 1983 NCAA National Finals game was your typical David versus Goliath scenario that
pitted the University of Houston Cougars against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.
Houston, carrying a 25 game winning streak, was comprised of a group of high fliers who
were dubbed the name, Phi Slamma Jamma. The Cougars were big, athletic and could sky
like no team before them. They appeared to be unbeatable.
The Wolfpack carried 10 losses on the season and had barely made it to the Final Four,
having to win one game in double overtime. They seemed to be no match for the Houston
powerhouse.
The first half of the game would prove to be a low-scoring affair as NC State would
deliberately keep the pace of the game to a mere crawl. The score at halftime would stand
33-25 in North Carolina State‘s favor. But the Cougars were energized to start the
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second half and took off on a run to take a 42-35 lead. However, as the pace of the game
began to slow again, NC State pulled within 4 points at 52-48. Two long jumpers by State
guard Derek Wittenburg would tie the game at 52-52 with two minutes to play. With
Houston guard Alvin Franklin missing a free throw, North Carolina State would rebound the
miss and hold the ball until the game‘s final seconds. With only seconds to play, Houston‘s
Clyde Drexler slapped away an NC State pass. In a scramble, the Wolfpack‘s Derek
Wittenburg grabbed the ball but could only get off a desperation shot from 30 feet as the
clock wound down. The shot was short of the rim, however, State forward Lorenzo Charles
caught the ball in mid-air and slammed it through the rim with one second on the clock. The
Cinderella Wolfpack had won and the fans, both present and watching by television, went
wild. ―March Madness‖ had been born and college basketball would never be the same again.
Sometimes, one event can change the course of history. Over two thousand years ago, Jesus
Christ was crucified and laid in a borrowed tomb. But, three days later, he rose from the
dead and changed the course of history forever. He had broken the chains of sin and death
and opened up the gates of Heaven to those who would believe. It wasn‘t ―March Madness‖,
it was something much greater … ‖Eternal Existence‖.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that, even though events happen everyday
that change the course of history, one thing will never change … your love for me. Help
me to share that love with others everyday. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
DAY SIXTEEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.‖1 Samuel 16:7 (NAS)
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2. APPLICATION: Scottie Pippen is an NBA legend. During the course of his career, he
was named to the NBA All-Defensive team eight times and was All-NBA First Team three
times. He was a seven-time NBA All Star and was the NBA All Star Game Most
Valuable Player in 1994. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History
and was also a member of the Olympic gold medal winning USA Men‘s National Basketball
Teams from 1992 and 1996. These achievements illustrate where Scottie Pippen arrived.
Where he began is a different story.
Scottie Pippen was born in 1965 in the small town of Hamburg, Arkansas. It was a rural
community and the possibility of anyone getting noticed for anything, much less basketball,
was slim. Therefore, Scottie Pippen was forced to start his college basketball career as a
walk-on at the small NAIA school of the University of Central Arkansas. Even more, he
depended on his job for being the team manager and his summer job as a welder to fund his
education. It was not the usual glamorous college career of a future NBA Hall of Famer.
But things began to change, both in Scottie‘s height and his ability as a player. He had
entered school at a mere 6 feet 1 inches tall. However, in four years, he grew to 6‘7‖ and
eventually to 6‘8‖. His skills improved as well and following his senior year of college,
Scottie was selected as the fifth overall pick of the 1987 NBA draft and the rest, as
they say, is history. How ironic that a young boy from rural Arkansas who worked as team
manager could rise to become a gold medalist and one of the top 50 players in NBA history.
There is a story in the Bible that is very similar to the story of Scottie Pippen. It is the
story of David whom God chose to be King of Israel and it can be found in the book of 1
Samuel, Chapter 16. Take time to read how God chose a lowly shepherd boy to become king
over his chosen people. In this story you will be able to see more clearly the character of
God.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you don‘t look at the outward
appearance of a person but you look at a person‘s heart. Help me to look at people in the
same way. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTEEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand
against the devil's schemes.‖ Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: On December 9, 1977, the Houston Rockets were engaged in a heated
battle with the Los Angeles Lakers. During the course of the game, a brawl broke out at
center court involving Rockets center Kevin Kunnert and Lakers forward Kermit
Washington. Seeing the incident, Houston Rockets captain, Rudy Tomjanovich rushed to
center court to help break up the fight and separate the parties involved. This move on
behalf of Rudy T would prove to be one that would change his life forever, and one that
would almost end his life.
As Rudy T approached the scuffle merely to play the part of peacemaker, he was
surprisingly met with a right hand by Kermit Washington. The punch, which took
Tomjanovich by surprise, fractured his face about one-third of an inch away from his skull
and left him unconscious in a pool of blood in the middle of the arena. The blow was so
severe that Rudy T came close to death that afternoon in Los Angeles. Following numerous
surgeries, Rudy T finally returned to the NBA but was never the player he once was
before the incident. It was one of the darkest days in NBA history.
Today‘s verse tells us to be ready at all times for the schemes of the devil. Satan is a
real being and his desire is to deceive, discourage, discredit and destroy us. It is important
for us to be faithful in prayer and reading God‘s word in order to be ready and equipped to
defend ourselves against his surprise attacks.
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3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have given us your word and your Spirit to help
us fight the spiritual battles we face in this life. Help us to be equipped to defend ourselves
by remaining faithful in prayer and Bible study. Thank you that through you we can be
victorious. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTEEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is
pure and right.‖ Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: On Day Seventeen, we learned about the Kermit Washington/Rudy
Tomjanovich incident of 1977. The story focused on the tragedy that changed the life of
Rudy Tomjanovich and placed a bruise on the game of professional basketball. Images of the
horrific punch can still be seen on internet sites and they are just as disturbing today as
they were over 30 years ago. But another person‘s life was drastically changed that day
as well … the life of Kermit Washington.
Following the tragic incident, Kermit Washington was fined $25,000 and was suspended from
play for 60 days. Later, he was traded to the Boston Celtics. This would be the first of
three teams he would play for in a mere 5 year period. Everywhere he went, the story of
―the punch‖ would follow him. It seemed that Kermit Washington was haunted by a ―moment
in time‖. He experienced death threats and hatred at every turn. He suffered with
depression and eventually retired from the NBA in 1982. His conduct in that ―moment of
time‖ would prove to define him for the next 30 years of his life.
Our verse for the day tells us how we will be judged by our actions … even as children.
Everything we say or do will in some way affect our lives for eternity and define who we
are for the present and the future. It has been said that actions speak louder than words.
For the Christian, this it especially true.
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3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, help me to realize how much the things I say and do
really matter. Help me to be careful to think about my words and actions and how much
they reflect who I am. Guide me to make good decisions. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY NINETEEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.‖ 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In Days Seventeen and Eighteen, we learned about the Rudy
T/Kermit Washington incident of 1977. The incident was tragic and was followed by
horrific consequences for both parties involved. But the story doesn‘t end there. In fact,
you might say that it has a happy ending.
Kermit Washington found the courage to apologize to Rudy Tomjanovich for the punch that
nearly ended Rudy‘s life. Rudy responded with these words; ―I found that the best way, and
probably the only way I could move on is that I had to forgive Kermit Washington.‖ He also
stated, ―He made a mistake. Everybody deserves another chance.‖ It seemed that Rudy T
had become at peace with what had happened. Kermit Washington also searched for that
same peace and seemed to find it in serving others. He founded Project Contact Africa, an
organization that supplies food and medicine to the impoverished people of Africa. His efforts
have benefited thousands of people, especially children. How ironic that a man who had
caused so much pain had now found a way to bring so much hope.
Forgiveness is a powerful thing, both for the giver and the receiver. The words ―I am
sorry‖ are not magic words but they are powerful words when spoken with sincerity.
Forgiveness is the very thing that Jesus gave his life for. Forgiveness is what puts
imperfect people back in a relationship with a perfect God.
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3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for forgiveness. It is free to me but it cost
Jesus his very life. Thank you that through his sacrifice on the cross, I can be forgiven.
Thank you for being the God of second chances. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them.‖ Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: The modern-day game of professional basketball is a billion dollar
industry. Advertisers spend millions of dollars each year in order to be associated with the
National Basketball Association. Fans pay top dollar for tickets and shell out their hardearned money to buy apparel bearing their favorite team‘s logo. Games are televised worldwide and eighteen year-olds can become instant millionaires right out of high school by
becoming a top NBA draft pick. But it wasn‘t always like that. In fact, if it weren‘t for
the produce industry, basketball may have never existed.
It all began in 1891 at the YMCA of Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. James Naismith had
been given the unenviable job of teaching a rowdy class of young men confined to indoor
games by the harsh New England winter. He had been ordered to create an indoor game
that would provide an athletic distraction for these young men and he had been ordered to
create it in two weeks. The criteria he was given for the game was simple. The game could
not take up too much room, could not be too rough and had be to fair for all players. After
much thought, Dr. Naismith finally came up with an idea. He would create a game using a
long court, one ball and two goals raised ten feet off the floor at each end of the court.
For the ball he would use an old soccer ball and for the goals he would use, believe it or
not … two peach baskets nailed to the wall. How amazing that an activity created to occupy
young men in a physical education class would 100 years later become arguably the most
popular sport in the entire world.
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Even more amazing is how God took one man, Adam, and one woman, Eve, and used them to
create the human race which has a current population of almost 7 billion people. That
number grows at the rate of one person per second. Dr. James Naismith could create a
sport of world-wide fame, but only God could create a population and know them all by name.
Is there anything too big for Him?
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that in the midst of billions of people, you
still know me by name. Thank you that through Christ, you have made it possible to know
you personally. In His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.‖
Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Every player that has ever worn an NBA uniform has also dreamed of
wearing an NBA Championship ring. The gold and diamonds and the NBA logo tell everyone
who sees the ring that its bearer is a champion and has risen to the top of professional
basketball. However, in one case in particular, what the ring doesn‘t tell of is the journey
that one player took in order to earn the ring.
Avery Johnson was the starting point guard of the 1999 San Antonio Spurs championship
team. But reaching that pinnacle didn‘t come easy. Upon graduating from college at a mere
5 feet 11 inches tall in 1988, Avery was passed on by every NBA team. After spending
the summer playing with the Palm Beach Stingrays of the United States Basketball
League, Avery was finally signed by the Seattle Supersonics. Before his 16 year NBA
career would end, Avery would play for 5 different teams. He would be cut seven times and
traded three more. He would be signed and released from the Spurs three different times
and the Mavericks two different times. He would finally earn his championship ring in 1999,
have his number 6 retired with the Spurs in 2007 and be inducted into the San Antonio
Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. You see, Avery Johnson was a success, not because of the
size of his talent, but because of the size of his heart.
All of us have been given certain talents and abilities and these talents and abilities can only
take us so far. What ultimately determines our success is our ability to keep trying even
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when things don‘t go the way we want. Our ultimate talent is learning from our past
mistakes and continuing on in spite of our fears and failures.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the talents, abilities and opportunities
you have given me. Help me to always do my best with these gifts and, when things don‘t go
my way, to always continue to try. Help me to have the heart of Christ. In His name I
pray, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-TWO
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for
every event under heaven.‖ Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: Reggie Miller played for 18 seasons in the NBA, all of them with
the Indiana Pacers, and racked up quite a number of accomplishments. He holds the NBA
record for career three-pointers made, 2,560. He once scored 33 points in the second half
of a college basketball game. He once scored 25 points in the fourth quarter of a pro game
at Madison Square Garden. But, ironically, Reggie Miller‘s most memorable accomplishment
took place in less than 9 seconds.
On May 7, 1995, Reggie Miller scored eight points in 8.9 seconds in Game 1 of the
Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks. With 16.4 seconds remaining in
the game and the Pacers trailing by six points, Miller made a three-point shot, stole the
inbounds pass, dribbled back to the three-point arc and made another three-pointer to tie the
game. On the next possession, Knicks guard John Starks was fouled but missed both free
throws. Reggie Miller rebounded the second miss and was fouled with 7.5 seconds left on
the clock. He made both free throws and the Pacers held on for the win. Reggie had
scored eight points in 8.9 seconds and performed a feat that will be talked about for
decades to come.
It is amazing what can happen it a short moment in time. Life can begin and life can end in a
flash. That is why it is so important to enjoy every moment we have. Take time today to
say ―thank you‖ or ―I love you‖ or simply ―hello‖. Time is a gift and that‘s why it is called
―The present‖.
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3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the gift of time. Help me to treasure it
and use it wisely. Help me to never take it for granted. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.‖ James 1:5 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Larry Bird is a basketball legend. His accomplishments, both at the
collegiate and professional level, even earned him the nickname, ―Larry Legend‖. But Larry
Bird was also legendary for something else … ―trash-talking‖. He had the ability to get
into the heads of some of the game‘s greatest players and create doubt and confusion.
Ironically, this same Larry Bird came close to making a career out of not merely talking
trash … but picking it up.
Larry Bird played his high school basketball in the small town of French Lick, Indiana.
After a brilliant high school career which included Larry breaking his school‘s all-time
scoring record, he was offered a scholarship to the University of Indiana. Being the ―Hick
from French Lick‖, Larry found the size of the campus and the number of students at IU to
be overwhelming. He was also treated poorly by one of the upperclassmen on the basketball
team and decided to drop out of Indiana University during his freshmen year. He returned to
French Lick and got a job with the Street Department where one of his duties included …
picking up trash. He worked that job for just a year before enrolling at Indiana State
University and the rest is basketball history. His decision to return to school and to
basketball changed his life and the face of basketball forever.
Isn‘t it amazing how one decision, good or bad, can determine the course of a person‘s life?
That is why it is so important to pray and ask God for wisdom for each decision we make.
The Bible tells us that God is willing and able to guide us.
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3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the ability to make choices. I pray you
will give me wisdom and insight to make good choices throughout my life. Not only do my
choices affect me and those around me, they reflect my relationship with you. Help me to
choose wisely. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Many will seek the favor of a generous man, and every man is a
friend to him who gives gifts.‖ Proverbs 19:6 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: David Robinson earned almost every award one could imagine in the
sport of basketball. He is a two-time NBA Champion. He won the NBA Most Valuable
Player Award, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, the NBA Rookie of the
Year Award and was a 10-time NBA All-Star. He even won 3 Gold medals during three
separate Olympic Games. David Robinson, no doubt, was an NBA superstar who will long be
remembered for all of his outstanding accomplishments. But he will also be remembered for
something possibly even more important … his charity work and contributions to his
community.
In 1991, David Robinson visited with fifth graders at Gates Elementary School in San
Antonio, Texas challenging them to finish school and go to college. He offered a $2,000
scholarship to every student who did those two things. In 1998, David went above and
beyond the promise that he made seven years earlier. To each of the students that
completed his challenge, he awarded an $8,000 scholarship. His integrity and generosity
touched the lives of students desiring to excel and further their education.
All of us have the ability to influence others and bless the life of someone else. We all
have been given time, talent and financial resources. It is our responsibility to show our
appreciation to God for blessing us by giving back to others in our community.
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3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for all the gifts and talents you have given
me. Help me each day to show my appreciation by serving others. Help me to be a blessing.
In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend
who sticks closer than a brother.‖ Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: LeBron James is an NBA superstar. There have been and there will
be numerous stories written about him and his unbelievable accomplishments in the sport of
basketball. However, in the midst of all the media frenzy concerning his stardom, one story
has a chance of getting lost. Maybe the best story of all … the story of friends sticking
together.
LeBron began playing basketball at a young age in the town of Akron, Ohio. While part of
a traveling team, he developed a great friendship with four other young black kids and the
five became inseparable. The young team was already gaining notoriety within the community
and people often discussed where the five might attend high school when the time came.
Most thought the crew would attend Buchtel High, a predominantly black school with a rich
basketball tradition. The only problem was, Little Dru Joyce, one of Lebron James‘
teammates and closest friends, did not want to go to Buchtel. He didn‘t feel as though he
would receive the proper respect or playing time he deserved from the coaching staff
there. So, to the surprise of many, LeBron and his friends decided to attend St. VincentSt. Mary High School. St. Vincent-St. Mary was a predominantly white, private Catholic
high school that would guarantee Little Dru a spot on the varsity. This decision did not go
well with members of the black community that now considered the boys to be ―traitors‖ for,
in their mind‘s, ―selling out to the white establishment‖.
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Nevertheless, the boys stayed true to each other and decided to stick together. Their
decision proved to be fruitful as the team would enjoy numerous championships in the coming
years.
It has often been said that if you can find one or two good friends throughout your lifetime,
your life has been a success. So often, when things are going well, we find many people who
want to befriend us. But the real test of friendship occurs when things do not go well. The
people that stick with you during those times are the ―true friends‖.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the friends in my life. Help me to be a
real friend to them, especially when they need me most. Thank you for the great example
of friendship you gave us in Jesus, the one who would lay down his life for his friends. In
His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were
born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.‖ Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In professional basketball, there are a number of things we will
always remember. Game-winning shots, amazing slam dunks, unbelievable come-backs, jawdropping moves and history-making championships. But one thing may even be more memorable
… one thing that can define players for generations … one thing that can separate them
from the players both before and after them. That one thing would be … a nickname.
Professional basketball has seen its share of nicknames. Some were funny and some were
harsh, but all of them have a story behind them and reflect some part of the personality of
the player to which they were given. Here is a list of just some of these nicknames:
―The Microwave‖ (Vinnie Johnson); Earvin ―Magic‖ Johnson;―His Airness‖ (Michael
Jordan); Walt ―Clyde‖ Frazier; ―Chocolate Thunder‖ (Daryl Dawkins); ―The Hick from
French Lick‖ (Larry Bird); ―The Chosen One‖ (LeBron James); Cedric ―Cornbread‖
Maxwell; Clyde ―The Glide‖ Drexler; ―Flash‖ (Dwyane Wade); ―Dr. J‖ (Julius Irving);
―Downtown‖ Freddie Brown; ―Earl the Pearl‖ Monroe; George ―The Iceman‖ Gervin; Kenny
―The Jet‖ Smith; ―The Mailman‖ (Karl Malone); ―Mr. Big Shot‖ (Chauncey Billups);
―Pistol Pete‖ Maravich; ―The Round Mound of Rebound‖ (Charles Barkley); Allen ―The
Answer‖ Iverson; Hakeem ―The Dream― Olajuwan and Anthony ―Spud‖ Webb.
Each nickname described some characteristic of the player to which it belonged and gave the
player a reputation to uphold.
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In the Bible, many people were given names to reflect their personality. Peter means ―the
Rock‖. David means ―beloved of God‖. Jesus means ―God is salvation‖. Do you know the
meaning of your name? Do you know that the Bible says God knew you and your name before
you were ever born? Take some time to find out what your name means. Ask your parents,
look it up in a book of names or even search for it on the internet. You might be surprised
how close your personality is reflected in your name.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you know me by name. Thank you also
that through Christ, I can be called by the name of ―Christian‖. Help me to live in a
manner that reflects my name and my relationship with you. In Jesus, the name above all
names, I pray, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Jesus replied: ‗Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And
the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself‘.‖ Matthew 26:37-39 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: George Mikan played professional basketball from 1946 to 1956. He
began his career playing for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball
League but was more renowned for his years spent with the Minneapolis Lakers, later to
become the Los Angeles Lakers, of the National Basketball Association. Most basketball
enthusiasts recognize George as being the first ―Big Man‖ of professional basketball. He
was 6 feet 10 inches tall and dominated the game winning seven championships, an All-Star
MVP trophy, three scoring titles, as well as being a member of the first four All-NBA
teams. Yes, most people know him for his size and dominant play. But, he had more than size
and talent … he had the ability to change the rules of the game.
George Mikan was so dominant that the NBA had to change its rules of play in order to
reduce his influence on the game. The lane inside the free throw line was originally only 6
feet wide. The NBA developed the ―Mikan Rule‖ which increased the lane width to 12
feet. During the 1950-51 NBA season, Mikan participated in one of the most notorious
games ever played. When the Fort Wayne Pistons played against his Lakers, the Pistons
took a 19–18 lead. Afraid that Mikan would mount a comeback if he got the ball, the
Pistons passed the ball around without any attempt to score a basket. With no shot clock
invented yet to force them into offense, the score stayed 19–18 to make it the lowestscoring NBA game of all time. This game was an important factor in the development of the
shot clock, which was introduced four years later. In addition, Mikan had an uncanny ability
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to swat an opponent‘s shot out of the air before it ever reached the hoop. The term for
this activity became known as ―goal-tending‖ and, because of George Mikan‘s dominant use of
this ability, it was later outlawed by the NCAA and the NBA. George Mikan‘s
accomplishments will long be remembered. But his influence on the modern-day game of
basketball will never be forgotten.
Sometimes, when we think about rules, we think about someone trying to take away our fun.
But in most cases, rules are established for our benefit and for our protection. When we
think about the rules of the Bible, we often think about the Ten Commandments. However,
Jesus tells us of the greatest commandment in our verse for today. This is a rule we should
all strive to live by.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, sometimes it is so easy to think only of ourselves. We
all struggle with giving a backseat to others including you. Help us to love you and others
the way that Christ loved us … sacrificially. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-EIGHT
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some
to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.‖ Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In almost every professional sport, there is a discrepancy in the size
and shape of players. In football, linemen can weigh in excess of 300 pounds while running
backs and defensive backs can sometimes barely crack the 180 pound mark. In baseball,
some infielders and outfielders are small and lightning quick while many pitchers and first
basemen are big and powerful. But in 1987, in professional basketball, the discrepancy was
most notable for two players … and they just happened to be on the same team.
The 1987 roster for the NBA‘s Washington Bullets included a player by the name of
Manute Bol. Manute was from Sudan, a country in northeastern Africa and was the son of a
Dinka tribal chief, who gave him the name ―Manute‖, which means ―special blessing‖. Manute
was 7 feet 7 inches tall and weighed only 225 pounds. Due to his height and long, lanky
arms, Manute was a defensive presence blocking opponent‘s shots at an unprecedented rate.
In a single half of one game, he blocked 11 shots tying an NBA record. Ironically, in that
same year, the Bullets selected Tyrone ―Muggsy‖ Bogues in the twelfth round of the
NBA draft. In direct contrast to Manute Bol, Muggsy Bogues stood only 5 feet 3 inches
tall, making him the shortest player in NBA history and 2 feet 4 inches shorter than his
giant teammate. Obviously, ―Muggsy‖ was not known for his shot-blocking ability but rather
established himself as an exceptional passer, a great ball-stealer and as one of the fastest
players in the league. How ironic that the tallest player and the shortest player would end
up on the same team and be effective with the skills and talents they possessed. The two
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made such an unusual pair that they were featured on the cover of three different magazines
that year.
Isn‘t it amazing that God has made all of us different and unique? As Christians, God has
equipped each of us with special gifts. It is our responsibility to use the gifts we have been
given to honor God and share his love with others. We can only be a second-rate someone
else, but we can always be a first-rate us.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have made each of us unique and special. Help us
to recognize our gifts and abilities and to strive to develop and use them in honor of you. In
Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY TWENTY-NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to
strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.‖ 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In professional basketball, many changes have developed over the
years. The development of the shot clock, the three point line, the three second rule and
the technical foul rule are just a few examples. Most of these changes were not due to
inspiration but rather due to a need to make the game better, more enjoyable to watch and
to create a greater sense of fairness for those who participated. One change which took
place in the equipment used by the NBA took everyone by surprise. You might even say it
was a game-shattering experience.
In November of 1979, the Philadelphia 76ers were in a heated contest with the Kansas
City Kings. The 76ers had recently drafted a power forward directly out of high school
by the name of Darryl Dawkins. He had been given the nickname, ―Chocolate Thunder‖, due
to his amazing ability to dunk the basketball with tremendous authority and power. On one
particular play during the game, 76ers guard Mo Cheeks had the ball at the wing position.
Looking towards the lane, Cheeks spotted ―Chocolate Thunder‖ cutting towards the basket.
Instinctively, he passed the ball to Dawkins who took one dribble and went up for another
one of his thunderous dunks. But suddenly, something happened that had never happened in
the history of professional basketball. As Darryl Dawkins came down with a massive twohanded slam, the entire backboard shattered into tiny pieces, sending Kings‘ center Bill
Robinzine ducking for cover. Dawkins, famous for naming his dunks, called this one "The
Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, RumpRoasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham-Bam, Glass-Breaker-I-Am-Jam." Three weeks later,
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Dawkins repeated with another glass-breaking dunk causing the league to rule that breaking
a backboard was an offense and would result in a fine and possible suspension. Later, to
prevent this from happening again, the invention of the ―breakaway rim‖ was developed and is
now used by college and professional basketball teams world-wide.
Sometimes in our lives, things can happen that catch us off-guard. Sickness, loss of a job or
home and even death can shatter our lives into a thousand pieces. It can happen to anyone at
anytime and can leave us standing in a pile of what used to be. It‘s during these times we
need a team of people around us to help us pick up the pieces. It is even more important to
have a great coach to inspire us and give us direction. God promises to be that coach if we
will only trust in Him. We can‘t always know what the future holds but we can always
know that God holds the future.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that your eyes are always on me. Help me
to remember to cling to you in good times and bad. Thank you for being a faithful God. In
Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have
been established by God.‖ Romans 13:1 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Chris Jackson was born on March 9, 1969 in Gulfport, Mississippi.
From high school to college to the NBA, Chris Jackson excelled as a basketball player.
Standing at a mere 5 feet 11 inches tall, his cat-like quickness and deadly shooting
accuracy made him a feared opponent and his silky smooth jump shot will well be remembered
by many. But what most people will remember about Chris Jackson is not what made him
stand out, but rather, what made him sit down.
In 1990, Chris Jackson was drafted by the Denver Nuggets of the NBA and, in 1991,
changed his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf upon his conversion to Islam. He also began to
create controversy when he began to refuse to stand for ―The Star-Spangled Banner‖
before games. He believed that the American flag was a ―symbol of oppression‖ and that the
United States had a long ―history of tyranny‖. The NBA threatened fines and suspension if
Abdul-Rauf continued this rebellion. Initially, Abdul-Rauf seemed immovable on his decision.
"If I have to, I'll give up basketball," he said. Immediately, he was reprimanded by fellow
Muslims. "The Muslim teaching is to obey and respect," said Houston Rockets star Hakeem
Olajuwon. "To be a good Muslim is to be a good citizen." Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told AbdulRauf to reconsider his stance. Mohammed Jodeh, head of political affairs for the Colorado
Muslim Society, declared that Abdul-Rauf's position contradicted Islamic teaching. Many
basketball fans across the country, including the city of Denver, Colorado, home of the
Denver Nuggets, were outraged by Abdul-Rauf‘s refusal to show respect for the American
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flag. It was their argument that anyone enjoying the freedom and opportunity provided by a
country to make millions of dollars playing basketball should show respect to that country
and to the symbols which represented it.
There are many differences between the Christian faith and the Islamic faith. However, one
thing that both religions agree upon is having respect for one‘s country and being a good
citizen of that country. There may be times when governmental decisions contradict the
teaching of God‘s Word and we have to make a tough decision to obey God instead of men.
But for the most part, we are to be model citizens letting our actions and our respect for
our country be a positive testimony of our true allegiance to Christ.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your word instructs us to be good citizens. One part of
being a good citizen is to have respect for those in authority and to pray for them. We pray
for our leaders that they would be people of character and would come to you for wisdom.
Help them as they lead us. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY-ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for
his friends.‖ John 15:13 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: During the 1999 NBA Playoffs, Sean Elliott of the San Antonio
Spurs hit a shot that was called ―The Memorial Day Miracle‖. As he tip-toed above the
out of bounds line, he let go of a 21 foot shot that found its way into the basket giving the
Spurs a one point lead with nine seconds to play. The Spurs held on the last nine seconds to
defeat the Portland Trailblazers and Sean Elliott became the hero of the game. Later that
year though, the real hero of the Elliott family emerged, and it wasn‘t Sean … it was his
brother.
Shortly after winning the 1999 NBA Championship, Sean Elliott announced to the public
that he had been playing despite having a kidney disease called Focal Segmental
Glomerulosclerosis. He went on to say that in order to save his life, he would need a kidney
transplant. The easy part would be the operation. The hard part would be finding a donor.
In true hero fashion, Sean‘s older brother, Noel, stepped up and agreed to donate one of his
kidneys in order to save his brother. On August 16, 1999, doctors replaced Sean Elliott‘s
failing kidney with a healthy kidney, compliments of his brother, Noel. On March 13,
2000, Sean Elliott became the first player ever to return to the NBA after having a
kidney transplant. Most of the world will never know the name, Noel Elliott. But for Sean
Elliott, that name represents life and a second chance at professional basketball. That name
represents the true meaning of a Most Valuable Player.
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In society today, heroes come cheap. If a guy can dunk a basketball, or hit a 350 yard
drive, or throw a 98 mile per hour fastball, or catch a touchdown pass they often receive a
hero‘s welcome. But if we look close enough we may find that true heroes are all around us
… the guy who takes care of his family, the mom who cares for her children, the teacher
who prepares us for life or the pastor who shares God‘s Word so faithfully each week. If
we look really close, we might find a hero living in the same house as we do.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for putting heroes in my life. Help me to
recognize them and to never take them for granted. Help me to recognize the value of
knowing and being loved by them. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY-TWO
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.‖ 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Charles Barkley played professional basketball in the NBA for 16
years. His intense play and his ―larger than life‖ personality made him a fan favorite both
on and off the court. He was given the memorable nicknames of ―Sir Charles‖ and ―The
Round Mound of Rebound‖. His accomplishments were numerous and his comments to the media
were unpredictable. Yet, of all the things Charles said or did, he really only regretted
one. It involved an incident that happened in New Jersey and it was nothing to ―sneeze at‖
or, for that matter, ―spit at‖.
In March 1991, during an overtime game in New Jersey, a courtside heckler had been
yelling racial epithets throughout the game at Barkley. Upset by the heckler's remarks,
Barkley turned to spit at him, but, as he later described, did not "get enough foam", missed
and mistakenly spat on a young girl. Rod Thorn, the then-NBA's President of Operations,
suspended Barkley without pay and fined him $10,000 for spitting and using abusive language
at the fan. It became a national story and Barkley was vilified for it. Barkley, however,
eventually developed a friendship with the girl and her family. He apologized and, among
other things, provided tickets to future games. Upon retirement, Barkley was later quoted
as stating, "I was fairly controversial, I guess, but I regret only one thing—the spitting
incident. But you know what? It taught me a valuable lesson. It taught me that I was
getting way too intense during the game. It let me know I wanted to win way too bad. I had
to calm down. I wanted to win at all costs. Instead of playing the game the right way and
respecting the game, I only thought about winning."
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It takes a person of character to admit a wrong-doing and to apologize for a mistake. Some
people find it hard to forgive but, for the most part, if we are sincere in our apology and
we do our best to make things right, people tend to forgive and forget. Forgiving others is
part of being Christ-like and as Christians, we are commanded to do it.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you are a forgiving God. Help us to
forgive each other as Christ forgave us. Thank you for being our example. In Jesus‘ name
I pray, Amen.
Special note: While passing through Leeds, Alabama, Charles Barkley‘s hometown, I spoke
with a local that claimed to know Charles. He also claimed that following the incident and
upon Charles‘ return to Leeds for a visit, his grandmother chased him around her house with
a switch yelling, ―Boy, you know better than that.‖
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DAY THIRTY-THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In basketball, there are many things that make a game exciting. A
well-timed pass leading to a basket, a cross-over dribble paralyzing the defender or even a
last-second shot to win the game all are reasons we watch and cheer. But one thing that
seems to raise the noise level at any arena is when someone executes a successful slam dunk.
The excitement generated by this one act is unsurpassed. For the longest time, the slam
dunk was something that was reserved for a game involving only the male gender. That all
changed in 1982, and the woman that changed it was Cheryl Miller.
Cheryl Miller grew up in Riverside, California and grew to be 6 feet 3 inches tall.
Throughout her basketball career, she dominated at every level including college, where
she set numerous records at The University of Southern California. Nevertheless, one of
the most memorable things she did came at the high school level. In 1982, while playing
against Notre Vista High School, Cheryl scored 105 points. But this was not the highlight
of the game. The highlight of the game came about midway through the contest when
Cheryl threw down a one-handed dunk that stunned the crowd. Until this time, no female
had ever dunked in a game before. This one act shocked the basketball world and changed
the game of women‘s basketball forever. I guess it was only fair that if men players were
allowed to wear earrings, women players should be allowed … to dunk.
It has been said that everything is impossible until somebody does it. Many things once
thought impossible for human beings to achieve are commonplace in our society today. One
thing that we can know for sure about God is that nothing is impossible for him. And for
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those who have put their trust in him, he is there for us in our time of need. How
comforting it is to know that we can lean on a God of the impossible.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your Word tells us that nothing is impossible for you.
Help me to lean on you and to find strength in knowing that you can do anything. Thank you
that you are greater than my problems and challenges. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY-FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes
everyone he accepts as a son." Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Kenny Ray Carter played basketball in high school for the Richmond
Oilers. Richmond was a town in California just north of Oakland. As a player from 19731977, he set school records for scoring, assists and steals. Twenty years after attending
Richmond High School, he was asked to return as coach of the boys‘ basketball team. He
accepted the offer and became the team‘s coach in 1997. Two years later though, as most
coaches were teaching their teams to block out, Coach Carter was talking ―lockout‖.
At the beginning of the 1999 season, Coach Carter became aware of the fact that the
academic achievement levels of the student body at Richmond High were far below the
national average. With that in mind, he made all his basketball players sign a contract
where they agreed to maintain a 2.3 grade-point average. He also made them promise to
keep perfect attendance records, sitting in the front row at all times, to address men and
women as "sir" and "madam," to study for ten hours a week, to turn in homework on time, and
to wear shirts and ties on days when games were scheduled. The new level of discipline
Carter demanded worked wonders on the court. By January of 1999, perennial loser
Richmond had amassed a 13-0 record and was regarded as a contender for the state
championship. But that was until Coach Carter discovered that 15 of the 45 players who
signed the contract failed to meet its terms. So, in the middle of a winning season, he
padlocked the doors of the Richmond High School gymnasium and marched the players down
to the library where he had tutors waiting for them. This action brought national attention
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and even inspired filmmakers in Hollywood. This incident became the basis for the 2005
movie simply titled, ―Coach Carter.‖
Sometimes, parents, coaches and even friends have to exercise ―tough love‖. When we see
someone we love going down the wrong path, we are often forced to take action that is not
only unpleasant for the ones we love, but for ourselves as well. Many times when we are
disobedient, God has to exercise that same ―tough love‖ on us. Even though it may hurt him
to do so, he is willing to let us suffer pain to turn us back in the right direction. He does it
because He loves us too much to let us go on living in ways that are destructive.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you love me enough to discipline me
when I disobey. Thank you that you always know and want the best for me. Help me to
trust you and to be obedient to what your Word and your Spirit has shown me to be right.
In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY-FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is
better than silver or gold.‖ Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: There are many types of shots in the game of basketball. There is
the slam dunk, which can quickly excite the crowd. There is the basic lay-up and also the
bank shot. There is the jump shot, the set shot, the sky hook, the baby hook and the free
throw. More common today we hear of the floater, the runner and even the tear drop. But
of all the shots in basketball, both past and present, none had the smoothness and grace of
the shot made famous by George ―The Iceman‖ Gervin. While some players thought they had
the game of basketball in the palm of their hands, George had it on the tips of his fingers.
George Gervin played professional basketball in the NBA and ABA in the 1970‘s and the
1980‘s. His most memorable years came as a San Antonio Spur. Many people remember the
four scoring titles he won in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1982. Some remember the last game
of the 1978 season when he scored 63 points to secure his first scoring title. Some
remember the 33 points he scored in one quarter. But almost everyone remembers the shot
he made famous. Yes, when most basketball enthusiasts hear the name George Gervin, they
think of one thing … ‖the finger roll‖. The finger roll is a shot where the shooting arm is
extended with the ball held in the ―palm up‖ position. At the last second, the player flips
the ball over the finger tips and into the basket. It is one of the most beautiful shots in
basketball and no one did it better than the ―Iceman‖. Many tried to emulate the shot but
could never perform it quite like George. It has been said that George was known to have
―finger-rolled‖ from as far away as the free throw line. He learned to use it so effectively
that he would frustrate the shot-blockers of his day. Just when they thought they were
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about to block the shot, George would flip it over their outstretched arms and leave them
swatting at the air. It was George‘s trademark … and always will be.
All of us will leave some type of legacy for people to remember us by. There are certain
characteristics about each of us that will come to mind when people hear our name. The
Bible tells us that our name and the legacy we leave are more important than riches. The
material things we leave behind will pass away, but the memory of who we were as a person
will last for eternity.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, help me to realize the importance of being a person of
character. Help me to conduct my life in such a way that the legacy I leave behind is
reflective of you. Thank you for the example you gave us in Jesus. Help us to follow that
example. In His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY-SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in
Christ Jesus.‖ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Bob Cousy is a basketball legend. He played for the Boston Celtics
of the NBA from 1951-1963 and was part of the Celtic Dynasty winning six NBA
Championship rings during that time. ESPN.com stated that Cousy was ―ahead of his time
with his ball-handling and passing skills‖, and also noted that he was one of only four point
guards to ever win the NBA Most Valuable Player award. Like almost everything in life,
there was a reason that Bob Cousy was such a great passer and ball-handler and there was
a reason he broke so many records. It was because first, he broke something else.
When Bob Cousy was 14 years old, an incident happened that would change his life and his
basketball career. Right after being cut from the basketball team, he was playing in a
tree house when he fell out and broke his hand. It would have been bad enough to break his
left hand, which was his weaker hand, but instead, he broke his dominant hand, his right
one. Some people would call this an unfortunate incident and would tend to give up and feel
sorry for themselves. However, Bob Cousy would later describe this accident as a
―fortunate event‖ and cited it as a factor in him becoming a better basketball player. You
see, by not being able to use his right hand for weeks, Bob was forced to play left-handed
until his hand healed. This caused him to become ―ambidextrous‖ meaning that he could pass,
dribble and shoot with either hand. This would prove to be a great asset later in his
basketball career and would allow him to develop the skills to become one of the greatest
point guards in NBA history.
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Sometimes in our lives, things happen that are unexplainable. Sometimes we experience pain
and hardship and wonder, ―why?‖ However, if we keep a positive attitude and keep our eyes
on Christ, we might find that the very thing that caused us the most pain, also made us the
strongest. Remember, God sometimes uses pain and discomfort to strengthen us for greater
things to come.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, It is hard to be thankful when we suffer pain or
hardship, but thank you that you always have our best interest at heart. Help us to trust
you even when we don‘t understand. Help us to remember your ways and thoughts are
greater than ours. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY-SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD
that man gets justice.‖ Proverbs 29:26 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Most basketball enthusiasts know that Steve Nash has played point
guard for the Phoenix Suns from the 2004-2005 NBA season through the present 20092010 season. Some even know that he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the
2004-2005 season and also the 2005-2006 season. But until 2004, most people had never
heard of Steve Nash and, according to his college coach, that was just fine with him.
Steve Nash did not grow up in the basketball hotbeds of Indiana or New York City. In
fact, he grew up in a place where basketball was not the most popular sport … the country
of Canada. Most Canadian children dream of becoming hockey superstars and even Steve did
not start playing basketball until he was 12 years old. But he quickly fell in love with the
game and began to develop his basketball skills. By the time he reached his senior year in
high school, Steve had become quite the player averaging almost a triple-double per game
and being named the player of the year in the province of British Columbia. Although
Nash's high school coach sent letters of inquiry and highlight reels on Nash's behalf to
over 30 American universities, Nash was not recruited by any. Finally, Coach Dick Davey
of Santa Clara University saw Nash play in person and it didn‘t take him long to recognize
the potential of this young unknown. Coach Davey‘s biggest fear was that word would get
out and one of the larger universities would try and recruit him. Steve went on to sign at
Santa Clara where he would excel. Upon graduating in 1996, he entered the NBA draft
and was taken as the 15th pick by the Phoenix Suns. Upon hearing the draft announcement,
many Suns fans booed in disapproval of the relatively unknown player. After two sub-par
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seasons with the Suns, Steve was traded to the Dallas Mavericks where he eventually
became the starting point guard and enjoyed six successful seasons. In 2004, he was traded
back to the Phoenix Suns where he has enjoyed his greatest years as a professional
basketball player. Throughout his entire life as a basketball player, it seems that Steve
Nash has always had to prove himself at every level. Sometimes, even the experts only see
what is on the surface. They fail to see the heart.
God is an expert at seeing the heart of a person. Even though it is nice to get the approval
of others, it is even more important to get God‘s stamp of approval. His is the one that
really counts.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you see into the heart of a person.
You, above everyone else, know who I am and who I was created to be. Even though it is
nice to receive the approval of others, help me always to remember that my worth is based
on who you say I am. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY-EIGHT
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers
who delude themselves.‖ James 1:22 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: In most sports, the term ―flop‖ carries a very negative connotation. A
player of great potential or expectation who does not live up to those expectations can be
considered a ―flop‖. A particular play or strategy that goes south is often described as a
―flop‖. The term ―flop‖ can also be used to describe a team who carries a losing record
after having high preseason expectations. But, in the sport of basketball, the term ―flop‖
has taken on a very different meaning … not just negative, but artistic.
In basketball, ―flop‖ is a term that refers to a defensive player intentionally falling
backward to the floor upon physical contact with an offensive player. The hope is that it
will appear to the official that the defensive player was knocked off of his feet by the
offensive player's contact, thus prompting the official to call a charging foul against the
offensive player. The move is also sometimes called acting, as in "acting like he was fouled".
Because it is inherently designed to deceive the official, flopping is generally considered to
be less than sportsman-like. Nonetheless, it is widely practiced and even perfected by many
great professional players and has even been effective in changing the outcome of close
games. It has become such a problem for officials to detect that that on May 28, 2008,
the NBA announced it would impose fines on players who show a clear case of flopping and
even issue suspensions for repeat offenders.
Sometimes as Christians, if we are not careful, we can find ourselves ―flopping‖ through our
walk with Christ. By that I mean we can get caught up simply acting the part and not
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really living it. The Bible calls us to not simply hear and know the truth, but to apply it
to our daily lives and to exercise a true and sincere faith.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, it is so easy to get caught up in faking our way
through life. Help me to live each day sincerely and honestly always keeping my eyes fixed
on the greatest example of honesty … Jesus. In His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY THIRTY-NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They
will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be
faint.‖ Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Nancy Lieberman is regarded as one of the greatest figures in women‘s
basketball history. She has both played and coached at every level of the game. She even
played in a men‘s professional basketball league before joining forces with the Washington
Generals, the historical nemesis of the Harlem Globetrotters. At age 17, Nancy was named
to the 1976 USA Women‘s Olympic Basketball Team that competed in the Montreal Games
in the first-ever Women‘s Olympic Basketball Team Competition. Shortly after turning 18,
she became the youngest basketball player in Olympic history to win a medal. But what may
be the most remarkable accomplishment of Nancy Lieberman‘s career did not involve being
the youngest … but respectively, the oldest.
On July 24, 2008, at age 50, Nancy Lieberman became a professional basketball player
again. She signed a seven-day contract with the Detroit Shock of the WNBA, breaking
her previous record as the oldest player in league history at age 39. At age 50, most
females have long given up a sport like basketball and resigned to less strenuous activities.
But, like always, Nancy Lieberman chose to live life outside the norm. Her example is one
we can all follow in that age is just a number.
It has been said that you are as young as you feel. It is up to each of us to throw off the
limitations that age or tradition might place on us and live every minute God gives us with
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passion and purpose. ―Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's
why it is called The Present."
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, it is so easy to limit ourselves by what society and
traditions teach us. Thank you that with you there are no limitations. You are truly a God
of the impossible. You are the Creator of time. Amen.
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DAY FORTY
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people,
eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.‖ 1
Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: The referee plays a big part in the game of basketball. It is their
job to make sure each team abides by the rules and the game is played fairly. It is
important they use good judgment in their decisions and remain totally unbiased. In close
contests, the call of the referee can determine the outcome of the game. As fans, we have
to trust that the referee will call it as he sees it and have no preference on the outcome
or the final score of the game. For most referees, this is the case, but for one particular
NBA referee, it wasn‘t. Did the final score of the games he called matter to him? You
bet it did … and he bet it did too.
Tim Donaghy refereed professional basketball for the NBA from 1994 to 2007. His
career ended when it was discovered that he had placed bets on games during the 20052006 and 2006-2007 seasons. Many of the games which he bet on were games he had
refereed. Through an FBI investigation, it was determined that the score differential in the
majority of the games was such that Donaghy would win the bets he had placed. He was
charged and convicted and even spent time in prison for his wrong-doing. Everything that he
had worked for all those years was now gone. He lost his job, his family, the respect of
others and most of all, his self-respect. His greed and love of money cost him everything.
The Bible warns us about the love of money. It doesn‘t say that money is evil but that the
love of it is. Money, when viewed in God‘s perspective, can be a wonderful thing. It can
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provide for a family‘s needs, help feed the poor and even help carry the Gospel to a lost
world. But when having money becomes our obsession, bad things happen. We must always
remember to love people and use money … not the other way around.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your Word tells us that you give us the ability to
make money. Help us to remember that everything we have is yours and we are just the
caretakers. Help us to be responsible with the wealth you entrust to us and to never
sacrifice our character or our dignity for the sake of possessions. In Jesus‘ name I pray,
Amen.
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DAY FORTY-ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from
conceived me.‖ Psalm 51:5 (NIV)
the time my mother
2. APPLICATION: Hank Gathers was a college basketball player for the Loyola
Marymount University Lions during the 1988-89 basketball season. That year, he led
NCAA Division 1 schools in scoring and rebounding, averaging 32.7 points and 13.7 rebounds
per game. He was a strong, 6 foot 7 inch, athletic young man with a bright future and
promising professional career. It has often been said that a player enjoyed a successful
athletic career because of his heart. Hank Gathers failed to enjoy that kind of career …
and for the same reason.
Hank Gathers' first sign of heart trouble came on Saturday, December 9, 1989, when he
collapsed at the free throw line during an LMU home game against the University of
California Santa Barbara. He was found to have an abnormal heartbeat and was prescribed
medication. However, Gathers felt that the medication adversely affected his play, and he
soon cut back on his dosage. On Sunday, March 4, 1990, he collapsed again with 13:34
left in the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament quarterfinal game against
Portland, just after scoring on an alley-oop dunk that put the Lions up 25–13. He was
declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital at the age of 23. An autopsy found that he
suffered from a rare heart muscle disorder called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. On the
outside, Hank Gathers was an example of optimum health. But on the inside, where the
trouble really existed, Hank Gathers had a condition he acquired at birth. He had a
defective heart.
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When the Bible refers to the heart of a person, it does not mean the organ that pumps
blood to the body, but rather, the mind, will and emotions that control a person‘s desires,
actions or decisions. The Bible tells us that even at birth, due to our sin nature, our heart
is darkened to the things of God. It is that same sin nature that seperates us from a
relationship with a holy, loving God. The heart of man‘s problem has always been the
problem with man‘s heart. But the good news is that Jesus Christ is the greatest ―heart
surgeon‖ the world has ever known. When we accept Him as our saviour, he forgives our
sin, gives us a new heart and puts us back into a right relationship with God the Father. It
doesn‘t require medication, just confession and surrender.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your Word tells me that I am a sinner and that my sin
separates me from you. Thank you that Jesus came to Earth, paid the price for my sin and
paved the way for me to be back in a right relationship with you. Help me to embrace that
truth and share it with others. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY FORTY-TWO
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJ)
2. APPLICATION: In the game of basketball, many offensive strategies have been
developed and perfected throughout the years. Many of the offenses developed in the
history of the sport were to help a team score as many points as possible. Some were
developed to play to a team‘s strengths and help hide their weaknesses. Some were
developed to capitalize on an opponent‘s weaknesses. Some were even developed to help draw
fans and sell tickets. But one particular offense was not developed to score more points,
draw more fans or sell more tickets. In fact, it was developed to limit the scoring … for
both teams.
The four corners offense is an offensive strategy for stalling in basketball. Four of the
players stand in the corners of the offensive half of the court and the fifth dribbles the
ball in the middle. Most of the time the point guard stays in the middle, but the middle
player will periodically switch with one of the corner players. It is most frequently used to
retain a lead by holding on to the ball until the clock runs out. The trailing team is forced
to spread their defense in hopes of getting a steal, which often permits easy drives to the
basket. Sometimes it is employed throughout the game to reduce the number of possessions in
hopes of getting an upset against a stronger team. Basically, the four corners was not
designed to help a team win as much as it was designed to keep a team from losing.
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Sometimes it is easy for Christians to stand around and watch the clock for Christ to
return. But the Bible tells us that we are to be at work as we wait for that glorious day.
Our lives are not to be lived like the four corners offense. We are to be actively working,
giving, sharing and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus until the final buzzer sounds. And no
one knows when that will be.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your Word promises us that one day, Christ will
return and we will be caught with him to spend eternity in heaven. Until that day comes,
help us to be diligent in the work you have giving us in leading others to you. In Jesus‘
name I pray, Amen.
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DAY FORTY-THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.‖ Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Anyone that has ever played basketball has been whistled for a foul.
It‘s just part of the game. More aggressive players seem to foul more often than nonaggressive players. There are many types of fouls; blocking fouls, shooting fouls, pushing
fouls, backcourt fouls, intentional fouls and even offensive fouls. But there is one foul that
has nothing to do with physical contact. It has more to do with attitude and self-control. It
is, of course … the technical foul.
The technical foul (also known as a "T" or a "Tech") is a foul which does not involve
physical contact during the course of play between players on the court, or is a foul by a
non-player. The most common technical foul is for unsportsmanlike conduct. Technical fouls
can be assessed against players, bench personnel, or even the entire team. Some instances of
technical fouls might be hanging on the rim except to avoid injury, having more than five
players on the court during play, calling timeout when a team has no timeouts remaining and
being disrespectful to the referee. In a 2007 NBA playoff game, Tim Duncan was even
charged a technical foul for laughing. Although some technical fouls are committed through
simple carelessness, others are committed through willful disrespect of the game‘s rules or
officials. It is this type of technical foul that can be avoided and should be avoided. Even
though we can‘t always control our physical bodies in a fast-paced sport like basketball, we
can control our attitude. We can always be people of charcter and respect.
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Sometimes in sports, the call doesn‘t go our way. Sometimes, it might even seem like the
official is unfairly calling the game. It is easy at times like this to get frustrated and act
in a disrespectful manner. But sometimes the easy thing is not always the best or right
thing to do. It takes character and self-control to keep a positive attitude and continue to
play hard. We can use situations such as this as opportunities to let Christ‘s light shine
through us enlightening the world to who he is.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, it is difficult at times to be like Christ. When we
feel we are treated unfairly or when things don‘t go the way we think they should, it is
easy to get a bad attitude and lose control of our emotions. When this happens, help us to
remember to look to our example, Christ himself. Help us to be Christ-like. In Jesus‘ name
I pray, Amen.
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DAY FORTY-FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of
these little ones should be lost.‖ Matthew 18:14 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Childhood is one of the most important times in life. It is a time when
we learn so much and many of the values we embrace as a child are responsible for shaping
the rest of our lives. One of the things we love to do as children is play, especially if it
involves sports. Playing sports teaches us many things. It teaches us to interact with
others and to compete. Through sports we learn to be gracious in winning and we learn to
deal with defeat and disappointment. These are qualities that can last a lifetime. But for one
man in particular, playing sports was a way to influence children and their families for more
than just a lifetime. It was a way to influence them for eternity.
Caz McCaslin was the recreation minister at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South
Carolina in 1986. He had created a basketball league for the kids in his community that
became so popular that he was forced to create a waiting list for many of the kids who
wanted to participate. Not wanting to turn anyone away and through the generous financial
donation of a friend in the church, Caz reconstructed an old youth building into a make-shift
gym which created room for an additional 200 kids. Not long after, he found himself with
the same problem he had encountered earlier. He was once again out of space. Faced with
this dilemma, he returned to his faithful friend with the idea of building a new gym.
Unexpectedly, Caz heard his friend speak these words, ―Caz, you don‘t need a new gym …
you need a thousand gyms.‖ He went on to encourage Caz to write a program to allow
churches across the world to run their own basketball league. From that conversation,
Upward Basketball was born. Now, over 15 years later, more than 500,000 kids in over
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2600 churches play Upward Basketball each year. More importantly, those same kids and
their families are introduced to Jesus Christ through half-time devotions and year-end
Awards Ceremonies where Christ is openly proclaimed. Where most sports leagues teach
values that can impact one for life, Upward Basketball teaches truth that can impact one
for eternity.
Sometimes, we neglect to see the importance of reaching out to children. After all, they
don‘t work, they can‘t vote and they rarely have an enormous impact on society. But Jesus
saw children in a different light. He even explained that to enter into the kingdom of God,
one had to do so with child-like faith. Jesus saw children as a precious commodity. As
Christians, it is our privilege and responsibility to do the same.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you see our value even when we are
young. Thank you that your message is so clear that even a child can understand and
receive you as Saviour and Lord. Help us to value children as you do. In Jesus‘ name I
pray, Amen.
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DAY FORTY-FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A cheerful heart is good
but a broken spirit saps a person‘s strength.‖ Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)
medicine,
2. APPLICATION: In basketball, a player‘s career is often measured in his statistics.
Points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, number of championships won, shooting
percentages and even number of games played all are factors used in measuring the success
of a player. But for one player, none of the factors mentioned above determined his success.
His success was not measured in stats, but in smiles.
―Meadowlark‖ Lemon played basketball for the world-famous, Harlem Globetrotters. His
career began with the Trotters in 1955 and lasted for 25 years until he retired in 1980.
During those 25 years, Meadowlark played in more than 16,000 games in almost every
country on the planet. He was invited to the White House on numerous occasions, met with
royalty and heads of state and even performed and played on aircraft carriers for the
troops of the United States Armed Forces. He was given the nickname, the ―Clown Prince
of Basketball‖ because of his unique ability to bring laughter and smiles to the faces of so
many people. His hilarious antics on the court became legendary and caused him to become,
arguably, the most famous Harlem Globetrotter in history. Few people remember how many
points he scored or how many rebounds he grabbed in his career. However, you can mention
his name to anyone who saw him play and you are guaranteed to see a smile come across
their face as they remember the joy he brought. It is a great thing to possess tremendous
basketball talent. It is even a greater talent to bring joy and laughter to the hearts of
others.
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The Bible tells us that laughter is like medicine to a broken heart. That makes me believe
that God has a sense of humor. With our words and actions, we can choose to bring joy or
we can choose to bring sadness to others. As Christians, we need to be carriers of the joy
that comes from knowing Christ. Our salvation is secure in Jesus. We have a lot to smile
about.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the gift of laughter. Help me to be the
carrier of that gift into a world of pain and suffering. Help me to bring joy to someone
today. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY FORTY-SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at
a price. Therefore honor God with your body.‖ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: David Thompson was an incredible basketball player. Throughout his
collegiate and professional careers, he set numerous records. He is considered to be one of
the greatest players in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Michael Jordan once
said that, as a young man, his basketball role model was David Thompson. Although he was
only 6 feet 4 inches tall, David Thompson played much bigger and there was a reason for
that. Incredibly, he had a vertical leap that measured 48 inches. One story said that you
could put a silver dollar on the top of the backboard and he could jump and take it off.
Because of his great leaping ability, he was given the nickname, ―Skywalker‖. Although
getting high was David Thompson‘s greatest asset, it would also prove to be his greatest
downfall.
David Thompson graduated from North Carolina State University in 1975 and went on to
have a stellar career in professional basketball. He was the 1976 ABA Rookie of the
Year and the 1979 NBA All Star Most Valuable Player. In the 1978 NBA final
regular season game, he scored an incredible 73 points. Following the 1978 season,
Thompson signed a five-year $4 million contract which was, at that time, the most any
professional basketball player had ever been paid. It seemed that David Thompson had
everything going for him. But things began to take a downward spiral as David Thompson
began to struggle with alcohol and drug abuse. His addiction eventually ended his career.
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―Getting high‖ in basketball terms is what had made him great. ―Getting high‖ in terms of
drug abuse is what brought him down.
The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit of God. Because of this,
we are to honor God by taking care of our bodies. We are to do positive things like
exercising and eating healthy to strengthen our bodies. We are to avoid negative things like
drugs and alcohol which can destroy this great machine God has given us.
The story of David Thompson ends on a positive note. With the encouragement from a
pastor, David Thompson eventually became a committed Christian and put his life back in
order. He now devotes his time to working with young basketball players, helping them to
aspire to his achievements and avoid his mistakes. His autobiography, ―Skywalker‖, charts
the highs and lows of his eventful life.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for giving each of us an incredible machine
called our body. Help us to care for it and use it to do great things in honor of you. Help
us to be living sacrifices in service to you and others. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY FORTY-SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for
every event under heaven.‖ Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: In the sport of basketball, like any sport, there are rules that
govern play. These rules have been established to promote fair play, sportsmanship and to
cause the game to be played at the highest level possible. Many of these rules were
established out of necessity and many are being added or changed continuously. When one
takes into account all of the rules involved in basketball, it is interesting to discover how
many involve one particular element. That particular element is … Time.
One rule involving time is the ―ten second rule‖ which involves a team having only ten
seconds to advance the ball from the backcourt to the frontcourt. Some levels of the game
have changed this to the ―eight second rule‖. Another ―ten second rule‖ involves a player
having only ten seconds to shoot a free throw once the referee has handed him the ball.
There is the ―five second closely guarded rule‖ and the ―three second lane rule‖. Another
―five second rule‖ limits the amount of time a team has to put the ball in play from the out
of bounds line. Many levels of the game have developed the ―shot clock rule‖ which
determines how much time a team has to shoot the ball once they have obtained possession.
Teams are also limited on how many ―time-outs‖ they can have during the course of the game
and how much time they are given during each of those time-outs. Violating any of these
rules can result in a team losing possession of the ball or, in some cases, even receiving a
technical foul. It has been said that many aspects of sports mimmick situations in real life.
When it comes to the element of time, that statement couldn‘t be more true. In both sports
and life, the element of time is both precious and limited.
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God has granted each of us the gift of time. Even though He has our number of days
recorded, it is something He has chosen not to reveal to us. That is why it is important to
live everyday as though it could be our last. One day, it will be.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, I recognize you as the creator of time. You have
blessed each of us with a determined amount of time to live and function on this earth. Help
us to use our time wisely and to make every moment count. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
DAY FORTY-EIGHT
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1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.‖ Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: There have been many great free-throw shooters in the history of
professional basketball. Rick Barry, using the old-fashioned under-hand ―granny‖ shot
averaged just below 90 percent throughout his career. Mark Price topped that with a
career average of 90.3 percent. In 1981, Calvin Murphy of the Houston Rockets had a
season average of 95.8 percent. But it was Julius Erving that changed the history of
professional basketball from the free throw line. And it wasn‘t for free throws … it was
for dunking!
It was 1976 and the ABA (later to merge with the current day NBA) was celebrating
All-Star Weekend in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado. Part of the festivities
included a new and anticipated ―dunk contest‖ where players could display their leaping
ability and dunking prowess. One of the participants was Julius Erving, forward for the
New Jersey Nets. His nickname was ―Dr. J‖ and he had the reputation of being a prolific
dunker. He was joined by George Gervin and Larry Kenon of the San Antonio Spurs, Artis
Gilmore of the Kentucky Colonels, and the hometown favorite, rookie David Thompson of the
Denver Nuggets. The total purse for the contest was $1200. Each participant was
required to complete two mandatory dunks, one from under the basket and one from a mark
ten feet from the basket. Following those two dunks, they could attempt any dunk of their
choice to complete their final three dunks. Artis Gilmore was first up, and would be
followed by George Gervin, Larry Kenon, David Thompson and Julius Erving. The first
four contestants performed well and the crowd was thoroughly entertained. However, things
rose to a different level as Dr. J prepared for his second dunk. This was the mandatory
dunk that required him to leave the floor from a mark ten feet in front of the basket. Dr.
J walked to the free throw line, stepped off seven paces and turned to face the basket.
Could this be possible? Would he really attempt to leave the floor from the free throw
line, not ten but 15 feet away from the basket? As anticipation filled the crowd, Dr. J
began to run full speed towards his mark. Unbelievably, as his left foot landed on the free
throw line, he rose into the air and slammed the ball through the rim. The crowd was
stunned! No one could believe the incredible athletic feat they had just witnessed. The dunk
was so impressive that, not only was Dr. J awarded first place, he would become the
standard for all future dunkers to measure themselves. His free throw line dunk would
become legendary.
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That day in Denver, a precedent was set for all future dunk contests. Dr. J had become
the standard. His excellence brought dunking to a new height. The Bible tells us that we
are to live our lives in such a way that the world looks to us as the standard for godliness
and truth. It tells us to let our light shine with such brightness that others will praise
God because of us. We can‘t all dunk a basketball like Dr. J, but through Christ, we can
live lives that make others look and say, ―Is that possible?‖
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have commanded us to live lives that shine for
your glory. Help us to remember that in all we do, our ultimate goal is to glorify you.
Help us to be shining lights in a dark world. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
DAY FORTY-NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Each year, the United States receives exports from China totaling
billions of dollars. Everything from sporting goods to toys to clothing to plastic
products…you name it, the Chinese make it and the Americans buy it. The phrase, ―Made in
China‖ is as commonplace in our society as baseball and apple pie. But in 2002, China sent us
one of their biggest imports and it came in the form of a basketball player.
Yao Ming was born in Shanghai, China on September 12, 1980. At birth, he weighed in at
11 pounds, more than twice the weight of an average Chinese newborn. By age ten, he had
grown to be 5 feet 5 inches tall. Upon being examined by doctors, it was predicted he would
grow to be 7 feet 3 inches tall. The doctors underestimated on their prediction. Yao
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currently stands at seven feet six inches tall and weighs 310 pounds. He has a standing
reach just under 10 feet and wears a size 18 shoe. He currently plays center for the
Houston Rockets and has been elected several times to the Western Conference NBA All
Star Team. There is a phrase used by basketball coaches that simply says, ―Play Big‖.
For Yao Ming, that philosophy comes natural.
It is amazing how each of God‘s creations is unique. Some of us are short while others are
tall. Some have brown hair and some have red or blonde or black. There are differences in
our eye color and our skin color. But of all the differences that exist among the human
race, one commonality binds us together. We are all God‘s creations, crafted and formed by
Him for a specific reason. It is easy sometimes to see the differences in people. But if we
look close enough, we can see our common thread in that we all were created in the image of
a loving God.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your Word tells us we were created in your image.
Help us every day to strive to look like you in our deeds and in the way we treat others.
Help us to have the character of Christ. In His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY FIFTY
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices
shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb‘s
Book of Life.‖ Revelation 21:27 (NLT)
2. APPLICATION: Throughout the history of professional basketball, fans have witnessed
many great players. Each had their own style and special abilities. Some were great
offensive players and some were great at shutting down great offensive players. Some could
shoot with unbelievable precision and some could impact a game with their mere presence. But
if you had to pick the top 50 players of all time, who would you pick? In 1996, that was a
question the NBA had to ask … and answer.
The 50 Greatest Players in National Basketball Association History were chosen in 1996
to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association.
These fifty players were selected through a vote by a panel of media members, former
players and coaches, and current and former general managers. The fifty players had to
have played at least a portion of their careers in the NBA and were selected irrespective
of position played. The list was announced by NBA commissioner David Stern on October 29,
1996, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, the former site of the Commodore
Hotel, where the original NBA charter was signed on June 6, 1946. The announcement
marked the beginning of a season-long celebration of the league's anniversary. Forty-seven
of the fifty players were later assembled in Cleveland, Ohio, during the halftime ceremony
of the 1997 All-Star Game. It was an honor to be included on that historical list. Being
chosen would guarantee one‘s place in basketball history.
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The Bible tells us of an even greater list than that of the NBA‘s top fifty players. It is
called the ―Lamb‘s Book of Life‖ and it is the recording of every person that has
surrendered their life to Jesus Christ and invited him to be their Saviour and Lord. The
great thing about this list is that it is not limited to the top 50 but to anyone who will call
upon the Name of the Lord. It is a great honor to be included in the history of professional
basketball. It is even greater to be included in the eternal history of Heaven.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you have prepared an eternal home for
those who have put their trust in you. Thank you that, by simply praying and receiving
Jesus into our lives, we can be assured a place in Heaven. Help us to show our appreciation
by the way that we live on earth. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand
against the devil's schemes.‖ Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Basketball has often been referred to as a non-contact sport. In the
early years, that may have been true, but as the game has progressed, the athletes have
become bigger, stronger and faster and the game has become more aggressive. Because of
this progression, we currently see more and more injuries each year. Therefore, players
have begun to take more and more precautions to protect themselves from the threat of
injury. One player in particular has taken it to a different level. You might even say he‘s
learned to mask his injury.
Rip Hamilton, the All-Star guard for the Detroit Pistons, began wearing the clear plastic
mask that would become his trademark during the 2003-04 NBA basketball season. His
nose had been broken twice that season and once during the season before. Hamilton was
advised by medical experts to wear the mask the rest of his career or risk significant nasal
reconstructive surgery. Wearing the mask on a nightly basis, Hamilton led the Pistons in
scoring as they marched to the NBA title. He now continues to wear the mask each time he
plays, not because he is injured, but to keep from becoming so. If you see him play, you
might ask, ―Who‘s that masked man?‖ It‘s not Zorro, Batman or even the Lone Ranger. It
is simply Rip Hamilton wearing his modern-day protective armor.
In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells us we have a defense against the attack of the Devil.
God has given us spiritual armor to protect us from sin and temptation. It is our
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responsibility to learn what these defense mechanisms are and to use them on a daily basis to
protect ourselves from something greater than a broken nose … a broken spirit.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have provided spiritual armor to protect us from
evil and to give us victory over sin. Help us to recognize what we have in you and to clothe
ourselves for battle each day. Thank you for allowing us to be victorious. In Jesus‘ name I
pray, Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-TWO
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ― 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results
are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery,
hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21
envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have
before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.‖ Galatians
5:19-21 (NLT)
2. APPLICATION: Most people believe that participating in sports as a youth has
tremendous positive effects. It teaches youngsters the great attributes of teamwork,
discipline, sportsmanship and fair play. It also helps kids develop both physically and
emotionally. Coaches can have a great impact on kids when they not only promote the above
mentioned qualities but also exemplify those qualities in their own lives. But when a coach is
only concerned with winning and neglects to be an example of the positive qualities related to
sports, things can definitely go south. In fact, it can be a real ―Knightmare‖.
When it comes to wins and losses, Bobby Knight is the most successful coach in college
basketball history. From winning NCAA National Championships to even an Olympic Gold
Medal, he has done it better than any other coach. But in the category of exemplifying
character and self-control, he would most-likely rate at the bottom of the list. His history
of outrageous outbursts and incidents overshadows any success he has experienced in the
win/loss category. From chair-throwing to assault arrests to outbursts of anger and
profanity, he has proven himself to be the ultimate example of how not to conduct one‘s self
as a player or coach. When all is said and done, what is remembered most about a person is
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not what they accomplished in the field of athletics, but who they became as a person and
how they treated others.
As Christians, we are to be examples of Christ. Whether it be at school, at work, at home
or on the playing field, we are commanded to conduct ourselves in a Christ-like manner.
That doesn‘t mean we have to be weak and lowly. That is a misconception that has been
perceived for too long. Instead, we are to be fair-minded, defenders of truth, strong,
courageous and willing to take evil head on. And we do it in a manner that lets the world
know we stand for something greater than just winning or losing an earthly contest. Our
trophy is eternal life.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, we all like to win, but at sometime, all of us will
experience losing. Help us in both situations to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the
name Christian. Let your Holy Spirit be our coach as your Son was our role model. In His
name I pray, Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.‖ Romans
3:23 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Michael Jordan is arguably, the greatest basketball player of all
time. After all, one doesn‘t get shoes or a clothing line named after him if he hasn‘t
experienced at least some level of success. Michael set a number of NBA records during
his career and I am sure he is proud of each one of them. However, there may be one
exception. No, it has nothing to do with his attempt to play professional baseball. It has
everything to do with his three-point shooting.
The Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout is a National Basketball Association contest held on
the Saturday before the annual All-Star Game as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend. In
this contest, participants attempt to make as many three-point field goals as possible from
five positions behind the three-point arc. Players begin shooting from one corner of the
court, and move from station to station along the three point arc until they reach the other
corner. At each shooting station is a rack with five basketballs. Out of the five balls, four
are worth one point (the standard orange Spalding game balls) and the fifth one (a
specially colored ball; often nicknamed the money ball) is worth two points. The goal of
this contest is to score as many points as possible under the one minute mark. The perfect
score is 30 points. Many great players have participated in the contest throughout the
years and there have been a number of records set. Larry Bird and Craig Hodges share
the record for the most times winning the contest. Each won it three times. Dale Ellis
holds the record for the most times participating in the contest. He participated seven times.
Jason Kapono holds the record for the top score, 25 out of a possible 30 points. But one
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record that no one wants be the holder of is held by none other than, Michael Jordan. It
happened in 1990, the only year Michael ever participated in the three-point contest. Out
of a possible 30 points, Michael recorded a score of 5. Even the greatest players can have
an off day now and then. After all, no one is perfect.
All of us have moments in our lives that we would like to forget, things we have said or
done that make us feel ashamed. The Bible tells us that none of us are perfect. However,
because Jesus lived a perfect life and freely gave that life on the cross to pay for our
imperfections, we can be right with God. He is called in as our substitution and he erases all
our mistakes.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for Jesus. In him we can be righteous in
your sight and know forgiveness for our sins. Thank you that we are justified through
Christ. In His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Walk with the wise
associate with fools and get in trouble.‖ Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)
and
become
wise;
2. APPLICATION: There have been a number of offensive strategies developed in the
game of basketball throughout the years. Coaches are always trying to find some new way
to give their team the advantages necessary to score on a more consistent basis. But with
all the latest and greatest strategies being developed, none have been able to effectively
replace a particular offensive weapon that has been used in basketball for over 50 years
and is still being highly used today. That weapon is … the ―pick and roll‖.
The ―pick and roll‖ begins with a defender guarding the ballhandler. The ballhandler moves
toward a teammate, who sets a "screen" (or "pick") by standing in the way of the defender,
who is separated from the still-moving ballhandler. The defender is forced to choose
between guarding the ballhandler or the screener. If the defender tries to guard the
ballhandler, then the screener can move toward the basket, sometimes by a foot pivot
("roll"), and is now open for a pass. If the defender chooses instead to guard the screening
teammate, then the ballhandler has an open shot. Additionally, the ballhandler may take a
shot themselves or pass the ball to an open teammate. A well-executed pick and roll is the
result of timing, communication and practice. But most of all, it is a result of the most
important factor … teamwork.
In the book of Proverbs, we are taught about the importance of choosing the right friends.
When you think about it, your friends are really your teammates in life. They are there
for you in good times and bad and they have an influence on the way you think and act.
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Surrounding yourself with good friends, those who encourage you and help you grow in a
positive direction, can be a huge factor in your development as a person. Choose your
teammates wisely. It may be the difference between a winning and losing season.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your Word tells us the importance of having good
friends. Please help me in selecting good people to share my time with. Help me also to be
the type of friend that is a positive factor in the lives of others. May others benefit from
a relationship with me as we all do from a relationship with you. In Jesus‘ name I pray,
Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ― 31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the
cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a
viper.‖ Proverbs 23:31-32 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: There are many great success stories that have come out of the game
of basketball. Stories of unknown players making it big in the professional ranks and stories
of unseeded schools knocking off perennial powerhouses in the NCAA tournament are
examples of how basketball has the potential to move us emotionally and encourage us to
strive for greatness in many aspects of life. But occasionally, we hear the story of players
who possessed great potential and promise but never lived up to that potential. Sometimes the
failure is due to injury or unexpected death, however, sometimes it is self-inflicted through
drug abuse or other destructive behavior. One such story is the story of Luther Wright.
Luther Wright played his college basketball at Seton Hall University in the early 90‘s
and was the first-round draft pick of the Utah Jazz in 1993. He signed a five-year, $5
million contract with the Jazz. At 7-foot-2, 275 pounds, he was a mountain of a man,
expected to be the center who eventually could compliment stars Karl Malone and John
Stockton and help them win that elusive NBA title. But involvement with drugs and alcohol
began to take control of his life and his choices began taking him in a downward, out-ofcontrol spiral. After only one season, he was released by the Jazz and left the NBA.
Following his exit from professional basketball, Wright journied through a decade of drug
addiction, rehab clinics and eventual homelessness. He even lost two toes on his right foot
due to a severe infection, an infection left untreated due to his lack of self-preservation. He
spent many days and nights begging for money in the parking lots of fast food restaurants
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and sleeping in abandoned buildings. His life had become a mess. Luther Wright had size,
strength and potential, but addiction to drugs and alcohol had Luther Wright.
The Bible warns us of the dangers of alcohol and drugs. It encourages us to avoid being
controlled by these things and instead, to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. There have
been many lives destroyed and many people led astray by addiction. In many cases, they
never returned.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your Word teaches us to avoid the things that lead us
away from you. Give us wisdom and courage to make wise decisions concerning things like
drugs and alcohol. Help us also to be an encouragement to others in their decisions. In
Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit
within me.‖ Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Yesterday we learned the story of Luther Wright and his struggle
with addiction. We learned how drugs and alcohol stripped him of everything including his
dignity and destroyed his future as a professional basketball player. It is a story we hear
too often and one that would seem to end tragically. But the Luther Wright story doesn‘t
end there. He may have lost his contract in basketball, but he found a new lease on life.
It wasn‘t long after his two toes were amputated that Luther began to warm up to the idea
of getting help. His addiction to drugs was at its highest. He was not taking care of the
wounds on his foot and they began to bleed uncontrollably. He went back to the hospital,
went into a bathroom and looked in the mirror. He thought he was looking at someone else.
His life had gone so far downhill that he didn‘t even recognize his own face. ―You can‘t get
much more hopeless than I was‖ Wright said. ―It was like I was in the spin cycle of a
washing machine, just going around and around and around. I finally realized that if I kept
going, I wasn‘t getting out alive.‖ Luckily, Luther had a friend that practically dragged
him to church and Luther began to hear truth from God‘s word. His own perseverance and
his wife‘s presence kept him coming back for more. It paid off as Luther‘s life began to
change. His need for medication vanquished as did his addiction to drugs. He began to find
purpose in his life once again and the brightness to his eyes that he once had was restored.
Most of all, Luther began to love himself again. He states, ―When my wife and I are
driving through an area where I used to get high all the time, I reminisce sometimes. But
I‘m not Luther Wright the crack head, the pot smoker, the menace anymore. I used to be
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crazy. Even the doctors wrote me off. Today, I‘m Luther Wright, who is doing well, and
thankful every single day.‖
Sometimes, people have to sink to their lowest point in order to look up. And when they do
look up, they see a loving God who is willing and able to restore and heal them. There is
no level we can sink to that God cannot reach down and save us. He can create in us a pure
heart and restore our spirit as well.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you are an expert of restoring the human soul. Thank
you that your hand of mercy is available to us if we simply reach out and take it. Help
hurting people everywhere to experience the loving hand of a loving God. In Jesus‘ name,
Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A man‘s spirit can sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who
can bear?‖ Proverbs 18:14 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Jim Valvano made a huge impact on college basketball. While the
head coach at North Carolina State University, he won the 1983 NCAA National
Championship against seemingly impossible odds. Over 20 years later, video of him running
around the court following the victory looking for someone to hug is still watched and
admired. But greater than the impact he had on basketball was the impact he had on people.
Although he coached, motivated and inspired them with his life, his greatest impact may have
come just before his death.
Jim Valvano was diagnosed with bone cancer in June of 1992. Just one month later, the
cancer had metastasized. On March 3, 1993, he was invited to speak at the inaugural
ESPY Awards presented by ESPN. His speech became legendary as he shared these
words: ―To me, there are three things we should all do everyday. We should do this
everyday of our lives. You should laugh everyday. Number two is think. You should spend
some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears,
could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that‘s
a full day. That‘s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you‘re going to have
something special.‖ He closed the speech with these words: ―Cancer can take away all of
my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch
my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever. I thank you and God
Bless you all.‖ He received a rousing standing ovation from the audience. He died eight
weeks later. Jimmy V. in the face of death was able to illustrate the importance of life.
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It is amazing what the spirit of man can do. But even more amazing is what the Holy Spirit
of God can do. It can bring us peace and comfort in times of sadness and pain. It can lead us
to make good decisions in life. But most of all, it can lead us into a closer relationship with
the God of creation. The Holy Spirit is given to every follower of Christ for those
reasons. It is God‘s way of staying connected with his children as we live on earth and look
forward to Heaven.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for leaving us your comforter, the Holy
Spirit. Help us to take refuge in your Spirit in times of trouble. Thank you for the
guidance, protection and peace that comes from your Spirit living in us. In Jesus‘ name,
Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-EIGHT
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as
surely as the work of his hands rewards him.‖ Proverbs 12:14 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Basketball has seen its share of colorful players and coaches
throughout the years. Who will ever forget players like Charles Barkley, Pistol Pete,
Dennis Rodman and Chris ―The Birdman‖ Anderson, or coaches like Red Auerbach, Don
Nelson or Bobby Knight? But another part of the game known for its color is the part of
the sportscaster. He is the guy that calls the game play-by-play, commentates on the
action and analyzes every aspect of the game to make it more enjoyable for the thousands of
fans. The sportscaster can add an element that takes the excitement of the game to a
different level, especially if that sportscaster is none other than … Dick Vitale.
Dick Vitale got his first job as a sportscaster in 1979 with the then fledgling ESPN
cable network. Prior to calling sports events, he had been a coach, starting at the
elementary level and eventually working his way up to the professional ranks as coach of
the Detroit Pistons. Vitale was not a natural at broadcasting in the beginning. He missed his
first-ever production meeting while walking the streets of Chicago. He struggled in learning
when he was to talk and when he was to listen to the producers in his earpiece. He often
talked over the play-by-play commentator. He wasn‘t sure if broadcasting was the job for
him. Scotty Connal, head of ESPN, tried to encourage Dick by stating, ―You have a quality
we can‘t teach‖. Dick did not understand this until the 1983 Final Four when many people
wanted his autograph. The popularity continued to grow for ―Dickie V‖, his newly given
nickname, and he eventually became a legend in popular culture. He coined such catchphrases
as ―Diaper Dandy‖, describing an outstanding freshman, or ―PTPer‖, a prime time player.
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He ended many phrases with the word, ―Baby‖ which caught on with fans of every age. His
voice was used in video games and he also appeared in sitcoms and popular movies. He
currently stars in commercials for DiGiorno Pizza. The 2008-2009 basketball season was
the 30th anniversary of his work with ESPN. How amazing it is that a man became such a
legend in the sport of basketball, not with his body, but with his voice.
The Bible tells us the importance of choosing our words wisely. Our tongue can be used to
build up or to tear down. As Christians, we are to let the Holy Spirit guide us in our
speech and our actions. The things we say are a direct reflection of the attitude of our
heart.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have blessed us with the ability to communicate.
Help us to use this ability to build up and not to tear down. Help us to communicate truth in
love and mercy. Guide and use our tongues for your glory. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY FIFTY-NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants
to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In the history of basketball, there have been a number of great
players. Great big men like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul Jabbar
would definitely make the list along with great front court players like Larry Bird and
Elgin Baylor. Great guards include Magic Johnson, Jerry West and Pistol Pete Maravich.
But the argument has always been, ―who is the greatest of all time?‖ One name that would
have to top the list is the name of Harvest Leroy Smith.
Leroy Smith was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before moving to Wilmington,
North Carolina in 1972 with his family. In 1978, he attended Emsley A. Laney High
School as a sophomore where he tried out for the varsity basketball team. The final spot
on the team came down to a contest between Smith and a fellow-sophomore friend of his.
Smith was chosen for the varsity while the friend was left to play for the junior varsity
team. Smith went on to play four years of college basketball at the University of North
Carolina Charlotte and even played professionally in England, France, Germany and Japan
but never played a single game in the NBA. So one might ask, ―How is it that this unknown
player would even be considered in the running for the greatest player of all time?‖ For
the answer to that question, one would have to go back to that fateful day in Wilmington
when Leroy Smith was chosen to play on the varsity team. You see, the player he beat out
that year went on to become arguably the greatest player in the history of basketball. In
fact he became so famous that to protect his privacy when checking into hotels he would
often use the name, Leroy Smith, as an alias. So if you ever look at a hotel register and
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see the name, Leroy Smith, it just might be that you are staying in the same hotel as …
Michael Jordan.
In our basic nature, we are always trying to be the first and the best. Even society tells
us in order to be successful, we must strive to be number one no matter what the cost. But
Jesus had a different view of greatness. He saw the greatest as the one who possessed not
so much the heart of a champion, but the heart of a servant.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, our human nature tells us to look out for only
ourselves. But we see in your example that we are to put God first and others before us. It
is difficult to think of the needs of others before our own. Help us to remember your
sacrificial love and to model it in our own lives everyday. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―… because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the
world.‖ 1 John 4:4 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: Basketball is a team sport and the best teams are the ones where
many players make a contribution to the team‘s success. But occasionally, a team will have
one player that typically scores a large percentage of their points. He may be a natural
scorer and therefore, the team will design its offense to allow that particular player to
take the majority of the shots. When facing a team with a dominant scorer, many coaches
will incorporate a special strategy as an attempt to lessen that players‘ impact on the game.
One such defensive strategy is the ―box-and-one‖.
In a box-and-one defense, four players play zone defense, and align themselves in a box
protecting the basket. Typically the two largest players set themselves directly under the
basket and the two smallest players set themselves in the vicinity of the elbow portion of
the foul line. The fifth defensive player in a box-and-one defense plays man to man against
the opposing team‘s top scorer. The idea is to try and shut that player down by forcing him
to score against a dedicated man-to-man player and a supporting zone. Many times, the boxand-one defense can be so effective in frustrating a great scorer that when he finally gets
his hands on the ball, he is so far removed from his normal rhythm that he is uneffective
and even tends to force shots. Sometimes, a great scorer becomes so frustrated that he
eventually gives up on trying to score at all.
Many times, in just our day-to-day lives, we can become just as frustrated as a great
scorer being defended by the box-and-one defense. It seems like everywhere we turn, we
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face opposition. In times like these, it is easy to give up. But that is precisely what Satan
wants us to do. It is his goal to make us ineffective in our daily walk with Christ. The
Bible tells us that, as Christians, we have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us
and that power is greater than any power of the enemy. It is our privilege to pray and ask
God for his divine help in making us more than conquerors through Christ.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, we sometimes find it difficult to live as overcomers.
Sometimes it seems that all the odds are stacked against us. In these times, when we feel
weak and defeated, help us to turn to you for strength, wisdom and courage. Thank you
that your power is greater than any we face. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.‖
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: The game of basketball has seen a number of changes throughout its
evolvement. The size, speed and athleticism of the players of today are far greater than
that of the players who played the game 50 years ago. The game is faster and more
physical as well. But with all the changes and adaptations that have taken place, one
constant has remained relatively unchanged. That element of basketball that has stood the
test of time is … the fundamentals.
The fundamentals of basketball include passing, shooting, rebounding, teamwork and defense.
These elements of the game are monumental in establishing a solid base to build both a team
and an individual player upon. Without proper knowledge of the game‘s fundamentals, both
the team and the player can be limited in the level of success they can achieve. In some
instances, teams and players can reach a plateau of development that can only be broken by
their possession of the game‘s fundamentals. It has often been said that fundamentals win
basketball games. The reasoning is that in stressful situations such as close games, the
team that has rehearsed the fundamental aspects of the game over and over will be better
equipped mentally and emotionally to deal with the stress and perform at a high level. That
is why great coaches have their teams practice the fundamentals of basketball on a
consistent basis. They know it can be the difference between winning and losing.
Like basketball, Christianity has seen its changes in the past years. But although changes
have taken place in the styles of worship and the method in which truth is delivered, the
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fundamental truth of the Bible has not changed. If we practice Biblical fundamentals in our
day-to-day lives, we will be equipped when the game is on the line and we feel the pressures
of a tremendously stressful world. Without these basic fundamentals, many people fall away
from the truth and are left in a state of confusion and fear.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that your word and your truth never
changes but is a constant that will last for eternity. Help us to practice Biblical
fundamentals in our lives everyday in order to be equipped to handle all the pressures we
face. Thank you for not only the truth of the Bible, but also the guidance of your Holy
Spirit. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-TWO
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings… ‖ Proverbs 22:29 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: On Day SIXTY-ONE, we learned about the fundamentals of
basketball and how they are instrumental in creating consistency in players and teams. But
as basketball has progressed from simply a sport into a form of entertainment, we have also
seen the progression of style and creativity. While it is still true that fundamentals are
responsible for winning the games, it is the ―flash‖ that is responsible for winning the hearts
of the fans. One of the players responsible for bringing the ―flash‖ to the game of
basketball played in an era prior to big salaries and endorsement contracts. Yes, before
there was ―Pistol Pete‖, ―Magic‖ Johnson or ―Air Jordan‖, there was simply … Marques
Haynes.
Marques Haynes was born in Sand Springs, Oklahoma in 1926. He played college
basketball for Langston University who was invited to play an exhibition game against the
Harlem Globetrotters in Oklahoma City. Haynes led Langston to a 4-point victory in that
game and was immediately offered a contract with the Trotters. Upon finishing school at
Langston, he joined the Globetrotters and played with them from 1947-1953. He soon
became renowned for his ball-handing and dribbling skills. It was said he could dribble a
basketball as many as six times in one second. The skill that gained him the most notoriety
was his ability to dribble the basketball in such a manner that entire teams could not take it
from him. Upon leaving the Globetrotters in 1953, he was offered a $35,000 contract with
the Philadelphia Warriors of the NBA, which would have made him the second highest paid
player in NBA history at that time. Instead, he formed his own team, the Harlem
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Magicians. Throughout his 46-year professional career, he entertained millions and even
performed for royalty. Many consider him the greatest ball-handler who ever lived and an
inspiration for many professional players for years to come. His seemingly magical ability
with the basketball laid the foundation for the modern-day game we know today.
All of us have the ability to be excellent at something. Through developing our talents and
dedicating ourselves to become excellent, we too can have a tremendous impact on the world.
By dedicating himself to excellence, one person can make a difference.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have given each of us the ability to excel. Help us
to discover our gifts and to use them to make an impact on people. Help us to see ourselves
in the great light that you see us. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government
will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.‖ Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Throughout our lifetime we are given many titles. Physicians earn the
title of Doctor. Ministers are often called Brother, Pastor and even Bishop. Those who
rule in a courtroom are referred to as Judge or Your Honor. And those who guide us in the
realm of sports are simply referred to as Coach. But in the state of Indiana, any young boy
who has ever touched a basketball has dreamed of being the recipient of a name that dates
back all the way to 1939. The name he longs to be called is … Mr. Basketball.
Each year, the State of Indiana Athletic Association recognizes the top player in high
school basketball. That player is then bestowed with the ―Mr. Basketball‖ award and his
name is forever etched in the rich history of Indiana basketball. The first recipient was
George Crowe of Franklin High School in 1939. But since that time, many others have
been blessed with that honor and many of them went on to achieve even greater status in the
game. The 1954 recipient was Bobby Plump from the small school of Milan. His story
became famous in the hit movie, ―Hoosiers‖. The 1956 recipient was Oscar Robertson who
later became the first-round pick of the 1960 NBA draft and was later voted as one of
the NBA‘s 50 Greatest Players. In 1961, the award was split between the Van Arsdale
brothers, Tom and Dick, who both went on to have successful NBA careers. Other
recipients who also boasted of being NBA draft picks were Jimmy Rayl (1959), Ron
Bonham (1960), Billy Keller (1965), Rick Mount (1966), George McGinnis (1969),
Mike Flynn (1971), Kent Benson (1973), Kyle Macy (1975), Ray Tolbert (1977),
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Steve Alford (1983), Jay Edwards (1987), Damon Bailey (1990), Glenn Robinson
(1991), Bryce Drew (1994), Jared Jeffries (2000), Sean May (2002), Greg Oden
(2006), and Eric Gordon (2007). These players will forever be remembered as the best
player in the state of Indiana for the respective year they were awarded the title of ―Mr.
Basketball‖.
The Bible tells us that Christ has many titles. Some of them are Advocate, Alpha and
Omega, Bread of Life, Chief Cornerstone, Great High Priest, Deliverer, Lamb of God,
Light of the World, Our Redemption, Our Protection, Our Righteousness, The Truth, The
Way and The Life. But for the Christian, his greatest name is Savior. Because of Christ
being our Savior, our names are forever etched in the Lamb‘s Book of Life and the registry
of Heaven‘s inhabitants.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, of all the names in history, the greatest is the name
of Jesus. Thank you that by his name we are healed and we are forgiven. He is our
Redeemer and so much more. In His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Come, let's shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who
saved us! Let's march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!
Psalm 95:1-2 (The Message)
2. APPLICATION: Throughout the years in the history of professional basketball, there
have been a number of teams who have enjoyed a faithful following of dedicated fans. The
term ―faithful‖ can carry a very loose definition. It can describe fans who simply attend
games regularly or it can describe fans who choose to wear the team colors and decorate
their homes with team memorabilia. But one type of fan goes beyond the description of
―faithful‖. It is the fan who is described as being a ―radical‖. Arguably, the most famous
group of professional basketball fans fitting into this category would be the Baseline Bums.
If you have ever attended a San Antonio Spurs home game, chances are you have seen them.
They are loud, expressive and energetic. They ride the referees like a Texas cowboy on a
wild mustang and they can make an opposing players‘ San Antonio experience as bad as the
massacre at the Alamo. And, to the mercy of the opposing teams, the modern-day Bums are
a toned-down version of their historical predecessors. The history of the Baseline Bums is
somewhat of a mystery and it is said that none of the original Bums remain on board, but it
is known that they have been around since the Spurs inaugural game with the ABA in
1973. Juli Blanda, president of the Bums states, ―Back then, the Bums were a raucous
and rowdy group that caused a lot of hassle. They would sit behind the opponents bench and
heckle and harass the other teams; they could get away with a lot more than we can get
away with today.‖ Even so, the modern-day Bums are a force to be reckoned with. So if you
are ever in San Antonio and attend a Spurs game, you will have the privilege of seeing not
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only the Spurs, but the Bums, in action. And if you are a player on the opposing team, bring
your ear plugs and your thick skin. You are going to need both.
In our daily Christian walk, we are called to be radical. That doesn‘t necessarily mean that
we are to be rowdy, obnoxious and insightful, but that we are to be strong supporters and
promoters of Jesus Christ. The world should see that we are excited about our relationship
with Christ and the Devil and his army should know we are a force to be reckoned with.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have called us to be radical followers of Christ.
Help us to live enthusiastic lives and to serve you with passion. May our enthusiasm be
contagious and draw others to you. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is
better than silver or gold.‖ Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In the history of professional basketball, there exists a number of
individual awards. Scoring champion, rebounding champion, defensive player of the year and
most valuable player of the year are just a few that separates the individual player from
the rest of the pack. But one method that players have used for years to determine their
popularity among fans has nothing to do with stats, but everything to do with equipment. The
question that must be asked and answered is, ―Do you have a shoe named after you?‖ The
first to answer this question in the affirmative was a guy named Chuck. Yes, long before
there was Jordan, Iverson and LeBron, there was simply … Chuck Taylor.
In 1917, a company named Converse introduced the Converse All-Star basketball shoe.
Then, in 1921, a basketball player named Charles H. ―Chuck‖ Taylor from the Akron
Firestone Non-Skids basketball team came to Converse complaining of sore feet. Converse
gave him a job that consisted of conducting basketball clinics and promoting the All-Star
basketball shoe around the country. In 1923, Chuck Taylor‘s signature was added to the
patch that covered the ankle portion of the shoe and the All-Star became the standard of
basketball shoes for the next fifty years. For decades, the Chuck Taylor All-Star
basketball shoe came only in black. It wasn‘t until 1947 that Converse released the first
shoe in the color white. Under pressure from basketball teams, Converse decided in 1966
to manufacture other colors of the popular sneaker which remained the game‘s standard well
into the 1970‘s. The Chuck Taylor All-Star basketball shoe has developed a number of
nicknames over the years. Some of them are ―Cons‖, ―Connies‖, ―Chucks‖, ―Chuckers‖,
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―Chuckie T‘s‖, ―Verses‖ or simply ―Chuck Taylors‖. Current day versions include wild neon
colors and even camouflage. How ironic that with all the current day technology we see
used in basketball shoes, and with all the names of current day stars used to market the
sale of these newer shoes, the one that started it all is as strong today as it was almost
100 years ago. Long live Chuck Taylor!
One day, each of us will conclude our journey on this earth. But long after our physical
presence has run its course, our name and the memory of who we were will remain. The
Bible greatly stresses the importance of a good name. It tells us that it is more important
than any earthly treasure we could enjoy. Our bodies are temporal, but our name and our
reputation will carry on throughout eternity.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your word tells us the importance of having a good
name, one that represents honesty and truth. Help us to live in a manner that causes others
to think of you when they hear our name spoken. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love
one another." John 13:35 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Women‘s basketball has come a long way since its beginnings in 1892.
Back then, women played for fun and physical exercise. However, today‘s game is quite
different, especially with the development of the WNBA. The female players of today are
paid large sums of money and, as the popularity of women‘s basketball continues to grow, so
will the financial opportunities for women players. But women‘s professional basketball did
not begin with the development of the WNBA. In fact, before women ever made any green,
they had to agree to be red.
It was 1936 and C. M. Olson, better known as Ole, from the small town of Cassville,
Missouri had put together a famous female traveling basketball team called the ―The
Terrible Swedes‖. His wife, Doyle, owned a hair salon and several of her employees played
basketball at night. Legend has it that one night her employees dyed their hair red and
played against a men‘s team. It was an instant hit and Ole decided to begin booking the team
of redheads in games against men‘s teams. Although women were still playing the six-on-six,
half-court game at the time, the Red Heads played full court and by men‘s rules.
Originally called the Cassville Red Heads, the team quickly changed its name to the All
American Red Heads when several AAU All American players joined the team. There was
no draft like the current day WNBA. Many times, potential players would hear that the
Red Heads would be playing at a nearby town in the future and would contact the team and
request a tryout. If the tryout was successful, the player would be hired on the spot, put
her luggage in the stretch limousine and leave with the team that day. One stipulation that
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every player had to agree to was to become a red head. Some came by it naturally, others
with the help of ―Miss Clairol‖ Flame 33. For fifty years, The All American Red Heads
entertained crowds at over 200 games per year before finally disbanding in 1986. But the
trail of fun and laughter they left was as colorful as the hair on their heads.
The identifiable trait of an All American Red Head was the color of her hair. As
Christians, we also have an identifiable trait. It is our love for one another and our love for
people. The Bible tells us that the world will know we belong to Christ because of this
love. It is our trademark and our identification badge.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have commanded us to hate sin but love sinners.
This is a difficult thing to do. We need your help to see people as you see them and to love
them as you do. Help us to love others as Christ loves us. In His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.‖ James 1:5 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In many ways, the game of basketball is artistic. The flow of five
players working together to accomplish a single goal, the strategies used by one coach to
offset the strategies used by the opposing coach, the precision of a perfectly-timed pass and
the beauty of a high-arcing 20 foot jump shot are all aesthetically pleasing to the human
eye. But of all the artistic elements encompassed in the game, none compares to a perfectly
executed … fast-break.
The fast-break is an offensive strategy in basketball where a team attempts to move the
ball up the court and into scoring position as quickly as possible. When executed correctly,
the opposing team may not have time to set up their defense and can be caught off-guard and
outnumbered. The key to making a fast-break effective is to get the ball into the middle of
the floor and into the hands of the team‘s best dribbler and passer as soon as possible. That
player then dribbles the ball up the court and makes the defense commit in order to stop
him. Based on the decision of the defensive player, the player with the ball can pass to a
trailing player on his right or left or even choose to pull up for a short jump shot. Some of
the best players in the history of the NBA at executing the fast-break are Jason Kidd,
Magic Johnson, John Stockton and Steve Nash. These players had great court vision,
great ball-handling and passing skills and above everything else, the ability to make great
decisions very quickly. It was their decision-making ability that allowed them to excel in
leading their team to success in running the fast-break.
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The ability to make good decisions is important, not only in basketball, but in every aspect
of life. The decisions we make on a daily basis set our lives on a course which will
ultimately determine our future. Sometimes, we find it difficult to make the right decision.
The good news is that God has promised to help and guide us if we will only ask.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, our lives are full of important decisions. It is so easy
to get overwhelmed in choosing the right way to go. Help us to turn to you for wisdom and
insight because you know all things and you never fail. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-EIGHT
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself
be refreshed.‖ Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: As children, all of us have big dreams of doing great things. Dreaming
is one of the privileges that every child possesses, no matter what the race, color or
financial status of their family might be. We all wish for just one chance to be and do the
very thing we have always dreamed of. Getting that one chance to discover our dreams is as
sweet as honey. Getting a second chance is even sweeter.
Jonathan Bender grew up in Mississippi and dreamed of becoming a professional basketball
player. His dream was realized earlier than most. Following his senior year of high school,
he was selected as the fifth overall pick of the 1999 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors.
After being traded to the Indiana Pacers, everything seemed to be falling into place for
this young player until he began to have trouble with his knees. In his last three seasons,
he missed 172 games and was finally released by the Pacers. It seemed the dream had come
to an end. Jonathan returned to his home in New Orleans in 2005. That same year,
Hurricane Katrina shattered the entire Gulf Coast, especially the city of New Orleans.
Seeing the devastation, Jonathan felt the need to make a difference. He began buying up
flood-ravaged apartment buildings, single-family homes and triplexes. He renovated the
properties with marble countertops, ornate light fixtures and manicured grounds and began
renting them to families living on Section Eight (government-assisted housing). He also
adopted an elementary school, made it environmentally safe and provided computers and books.
At Christmas, he even provided presents for all 432 students. He gave many people in New
Orleans a second chance. But the story doesn‘t end there. Jonathan Bender got a second
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chance as well. After being out of professional basketball for over four years, Jonathan
was given a chance to return to the NBA. Donnie Walsh, president of the New York
Knicks, signed Jonathan to a contract for the 2009-2010 basketball season. He had heard
about the great things Jonathan had done to help those in the New Orleans area and decided
that a person with that kind of character deserved a second chance. It also didn‘t hurt that
Jonathan was seven feet tall and could shoot three-pointers with deadly accuracy. How
fitting that a person set on giving others a second chance would receive one of his own.
All of us have a desire to be blessed in some way, whether it be our career, our marriage,
our family or our plans for the future. The Book of Proverbs tells us that the way to be
blessed is by blessing others. It is a principle that God established thousands of years ago
and it is still relevant for today.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, it is so good when we receive your blessing. It is also
good for us to be a blessing to someone else. Help us to remember that sometimes, you bless
us so we can bless others. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SIXTY-NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.‖ Proverbs
27:17 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: I first learned to spin a basketball when I was in the fourth grade.
Little did I know at the time the impact learning that particular skill would have on the
rest of my life. Although I seemed to come by it naturally, still someone had to show me
the first time. It just so happened that someone was Billy McMillian.
It was the winter of 1974. I was ten years old and playing basketball in a league called
Little Dribblers in the town of Fairfield, Texas. I don‘t remember the name of my team or
even the team colors, but I do remember the names of my coaches. My coach was Billy
McMillian, Sr. and he was assisted by his son, Lester, who played on the Fairfield High
School boys‘ varsity basketball team. Each week, we would have two practices and play two
games. It was one of the best times of my entire life. I couldn‘t wait to get to the gym for
the practices and the games. One Saturday following practice, Coach McMillian‘s younger
son, 12 year-old Billy, Jr. spun a basketball on his finger. All of the kids on the team,
but especially me, were amazed. We had all seen the Globetrotters spinning basketballs on
television, but no one had ever seen someone perform the skill in person. My immediate
response was, ―show me how to do that.‖ I watched as Billy explained how to toss the ball
correctly and catch it on the finger while it was still spinning. Before the day was over,
Billy had me spinning the basketball. I was on top of the world. Now, over thirty years
later, I am still spinning basketballs. Even more, I have been able to use that skill to
entertain and motivate numerous people of every age for the past twenty years. Sure, it has
taken dedication and countless hours of practice to develop my skills to their current level,
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but it all began with one young boy showing another young boy how to do something. We
didn‘t know it at the time, but there never would have been a Dave ―Travelin‖ Davlin if
there would not first have been a Billy McMillian.
For every successful person that we hear about, there is another person that stands in the
shadows. But the truth is that in all of us, there are bits and pieces of others who have
invested part of their lives into our life. It is incredibly amazing how one positive act can
grow like a weed and affect thousands on a compounded level.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you bring people into our lives to make us better
people ourselves. Help us to recognize those people and what they really mean to us. Help
us to strive to be that person to someone else. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD
that man gets justice.‖ Proverbs 29:26 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Throughout the history of professional basketball, there have been a
number of great teams. We have all heard of the Boston Celtics who dominated professional
basketball from the early years and on into the 70‘s and 80‘s. We have all heard of the
Los Angeles Lakers, the creators of ―Showtime‖ and winners of numerous NBA
Championships. We have heard of the Chicago Bulls of the Michael Jordan era and their
winning of six championships in eight years including two ―three-peats‖. But the greatest
team that most people have never heard of was … the New York Renaissance.
Hall of Fame coach John Wooden, who played against the Renaissance in the 1930‘s stated,
―To this day, I have never seen a team play better team basketball. The way they handled
and passed the ball was just amazing to me then, and I believe it would be today.‖ The
Renaissance, more commonly referred to as the Rens, was the creation of Bob Douglas,
known as the ―Father of Black Basketball‖. In 1923, Douglas cut a deal with the owners
of Harlem‘s Renaissance Casino, which opened in 1922. Douglas organized a group of black
basketball players and agreed to call the team the Renaissance, providing publicity for the
casino. In return, the owners of the casino allowed the team to practice and play home games
in the casino‘s dance hall between the scheduling of dances and big bands. Sometimes, people
would come to see the team play and stay after to enjoy dancing. Whether it was at home
or on the road, the Rens maintained a hectic schedule, sometimes playing as many as 120
games throughout the season. They would also take on all comers including the
Globetrotters, black college teams and even the premier team of that era, The Original
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Celtics. During the 1932-33 season, the Rens compiled a record of 112 wins and only 8
losses and carried an 88 consecutive game winning streak. Despite their greatness on the
court, the effects of racism prevented the Rens from ever being permitted to join the
professional leagues of the era. In 1949, the Renaissance disbanded and ended nearly 30
years of ground-breaking achievement both on and off the court. But the team had earned
the right to be called one of the greatest, if not the greatest, pre-NBA teams of all time.
Unfortunately in this world, excellence is not always recognized. Sometimes, jealousy, greed
and selfishness keep good people from getting the recognition they truly deserve. But be
assured, God knows the good deeds that we do and he will reward us accordingly. It may be
in eternity that we receive our reward, but the reward will be enjoyed for eternity as
well.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, sometimes it seems we work hard for something and
someone else receives the recognition we deserve. Help us to remember that our true
audience is with you and the angels. Thank you that our true reward is in heaven. In Jesus‘
name I pray, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―In His Grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain
things well.‖ Romans 12:6 (NLT)
2. APPLICATION: In the sport of basketball, like all sports, there exists the principle
participants that make a team successful. The players participate on the court and are in
the center of the action. The coaches participate from the sideline and keep a team focused
and working together. The cheerleaders offer their support with encouraging cheers and
clever chants. But one role that often goes overlooked or underestimated, is the equally
important role of the fan. Without requiring recognition or attention, the fan faithfully
stands behind a team, through the good and the bad, through the wins and the losses,
through the tears and the joy. The fan comes for a number of reasons, but mainly because
of his or her love for the game and love for people. One such fan was Mary.
Mary lived in a small Texas town 90 miles south of Dallas. It was the same town where
she had grown up, attended high school and even led the school band as drum major. She
worked as a waitress at a local restaurant for over 40 years before being forced to retire
due to health reasons. Mary had two main loves in her life: high school sports and the
high school band. Although her own children were grown and out of school, Mary continued
to attend every football and basketball game and every band marching contest for the next
28 years. She knew the kids by name. She knew the coaches by name. She even rode on
the band bus to out of town games. She was as much a fixture of local high school sports
as the team colors or mascot. She would talk sports to anyone anywhere. Professional
players who would sometimes eat at the restaurant where she worked knew her on sight.
Mary was a true fan in every sense of the word.
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Mary passed away on December 9, 2009 at the age of 71 due to complications from
surgery. That same year, both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams wore ―Miss
Mary‖ bands as part of their uniforms and declared her as their ―guardian angel‖. And
although she would never be seen again in the stands at the local football field or
gymnasium, it was evident she would always be remembered. Because you see, Mary was a
Fairfield Eagle. And as the last line of the school song which she had played and sung for
so many years stated: ―Eagles will always fly.‖ I should know. Mary was my mom. So
long to the Fairfield Eagles‘ number one fan. You will be missed.
At the end of our lives, all of us will be remembered in some way. But the greatest impact
we will ever have is the impact we have on people. In the end, it is not about the things we
have, it is only about the lives we touch.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have given all of us the opportunity to affect the
lives of someone else. Help us to choose to be a fan of those we love and those we meet.
Help us to be examples of the fanatical love of Christ. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-TWO
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and
no one will find fault with our ministry.‖ 2 Corinthians 6:3 (NLT)
2. APPLICATION: In most sports, the word ―knockout‖ carries a negative connotation. In
boxing, it usually means someone has been beaten so severely that he cannot continue. In
football, it usually is a sign of a possible concussion. In golf, it can mean a player has hit a
ball out of bounds and acquired a penalty stroke. But in basketball, the term ―knockout‖
isn‘t negative at all. It‘s just plain fun!
―Knockout‖ is a basketball game where the objective is to make a shot before the player in
line in front of you makes his or her shot. If your shot goes in prior to theirs, they are
―knocked out‖ of the game. Some other common names for the game are ―Gotcha‖,
―Lightning‖, ―Bump‖ and ―Crash‖. The game starts with all the participants in a single line,
most commonly behind the free throw line, with the first two participants holding a
basketball. The first person in line starts the game by taking a shot from behind the free
throw line. If the shot is successful, he must rebound the ball and pass it to the third
person in line. If the first shot is not successful, he must continue to shoot from any place
on the floor until he makes a basket. After making a basket, the first player goes to the
back of the line. Once the first player releases his initial shot, the second player in line
can begin the same process. If the second player in line makes a shot before the first
player, the first player is eliminated. This process continues between the second and third
players, the third and fourth players and so on. The winner is the last person standing
after all other players have been ―knocked out‖. It is a game that promotes improvement in
shooting, rebounding and quickness. It is used in physical education classes and basketball
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camps nationwide. And even though it is extremely fun, it is still challenging for players at
every level. For after all, no one wants to get ―knocked out‖.
In the game of ―knockout‖, it is fun to be the reason a friend gets eliminated or ―knocked
out‖. Being the reason they to have to sit until the next game can be quite enjoyable. It‘s
just part of the game. But in life, it‘s quite the other story. As Christians, we want to
make sure that our actions never cause someone else to stumble and fall. We want to live in
such a way that we become examples to help them grow in their daily walk with Christ.
And if they should fall, we want to be there to help them get back in the game as quickly
as possible.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, as followers of Christ, it is our privilege and our duty
to live lives of integrity. Help each of us to be shining examples of what it really means to
be a Christian. Help us to avoid doing anything that would cause others to stumble and fall.
In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Each year in the United States, approximately 330,000 boys play
high school varsity basketball. Each year less than 4,000 boys play Division 1 college
basketball. Each new NBA season, 60 new players are drafted and of those 60, only 34
ever see their names on an NBA roster. Moreover, the odds of a young boy ever making it
to the NBA are approximately 1 in 50,000. So is it possible for anyone to ever become an
NBA player? Well, of course it is. In fact, it‘s so easy, even a caveman can do it.
In 2003, Chris Kaman was selected as the sixth overall pick of the NBA Draft by the
Los Angeles Clippers. He had attended high school at Tri-Unity Christian School in
Wyoming, Michigan and following high school, enjoyed a successful college career at
Central Michigan University. In his rookie season with the Clippers, Chris played in all 82
regular season games making him only the second rookie in franchise history to accomplish
this feat. That same year, he also managed a spot on the NBA Rookie All-Star team.
During the 2007-2008 season, Chris emerged as one of the most dominant centers in the
NBA, averaging 15.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. Part of the reason
for his success is due to his enormous size. Standing seven feet tall and weighing 265
pounds, Chris is a giant of a man. Combining his enormous size with his, shall we say,
extraordinary bizarre blonde hair style, Chris was given the nickname, ―Caveman‖, by his
peers. So if you ever see a seven-foot 265 pound caveman-looking-guy playing basketball on
television, it‘s not a commercial for Geico Insurance. It‘s just Chris Kaman, defying the odds
and using his ability at basketball to glorify God.
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Most of us, at one time or another, have dreamed of doing something that might seem
impossible. We may have had others even try to convince us that our dream will never
happen and, left to our own strength, those folks may be right. But when we put our faith
in the God of Creation, everything changes. He has no limitations and nothing is impossible
for Him. With God on our side, what may seem like an impossibility, can become a reality.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that with you nothing is impossible. Our
limitations are overcome by your Spirit. Help us to dream big and to show our faith in you
by acting on those dreams. Help our faith and our trust in you to grow everyday. In Jesus‘
name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were
making his appeal through us.‖
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In his illustrious career as a professional basketball player, Jerry
West acquired a number of nicknames. His high-pitched voice earned him the nickname,
―Tweety Bird‖. His ability to perform under pressure earned him the nickname, ―Mr.
Clutch‖. His long-range jump-shooting ability earned him the nickname, ―Mr. Outside‖ and
his thick Appalachian accent earned him the nickname, ―Zeke from Cabin Creek.‖ But of all
the nicknames given to Jerry West, only one will honor him for decades to come and be
acknowledged by players and fans from generations far removed from his era. That
particular nickname is … ‖The Logo‖.
The company logo for any business is an important part of their consumer awareness
program. It reflects who they are and what they represent and can cause the average
person to think of that company in an instant just by seeing the logo displayed. We see the
―swoosh‖ and we think of Nike. We see the U/A and we think of Under Armour. We see
the ―golden arches‖ and we immediately think of McDonald‘s. So, when the NBA decided to
develop its logo, it thought of one person … Jerry West. And why would the NBA choose
Jerry West? It was simple, he represented everything good about the game. He had
worked his way up from his poor beginnings in Cheylan, West Virginia to become one of the
most successful players in NBA history. He was voted to the All-NBA team 12 times. He
was elected an NBA All-Star 14 times and was chosen as the MVP of the All-Star Game
in 1972, the same year he led the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA Championship. He
is the all-time NBA record holder of points-averaged during a playoffs series (46.3) and
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was chosen four times to the NBA All-Defensive Team. But it was not just what he
accomplished on the court, but also how he carried himself off the court that caused his
silhouette to be chosen to represent the National Basketball Association for years to come.
So the next time you see the man in the NBA logo, you can remember the character in the
man and you can remember, Jerry West.
In many ways, Jerry West became an ambassador for the NBA just by having his
reflection used on the NBA logo. The Bible tells us that, as Christians, we are to be a
reflection of Christ and all that he represents. In other words, we are his logo. When the
world sees us, they should see him. That is not just an honor but a tremendous responsibility
as well.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your word tells us that we are your ambassadors,
which means we represent you. Whether in our homes, our jobs, our classrooms or on our
playing fields, help us to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of that calling. Help us to
be clear reflections of you. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will
be exposed in the assembly.‖ Proverbs 26:26 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: When I was a sophomore in high school, I made the varsity basketball
team for the first time. On my team were seven seniors, two juniors and myself. Of the
two juniors, one became a good friend of mine. His name was Steven Wise and he was
American-Indian by descent. Being under-classmen that year, we didn‘t see much playing time
and usually hung out together at the end of the bench. We were like the Lone Ranger and
Tonto. But still, the first game of the season was as exciting for us as it was for the
seniors on our team. What made it even more exciting was what Steven did just prior to the
game‘s tip-off. You might even say it produced ―flashbacks‖.
The horn had just blown ending the warm-up period for both teams and we each headed to
our respective benches. As Steven and I stood in the team huddle, we noticed all the seniors
taking off their warm-up pants and jackets. Not expecting to see much playing time but still
wanting to at least look like we might play, we began taking off our warm-ups as well. As
the coach called us into the huddle, we noticed something strange about Steven‘s uniform. As
we all looked at him wondering what the difference was, the answer hit us at the same
time. Steven Wise was standing in front of hundreds of screaming fans … shortless. In all
the excitement, he had accidentally taken off his game shorts when he had taken off his
warm-up pants. What made the situation worse was that all of the warm-ups were lying in a
single pile at the end of the bench. As most of the players huddled around Steven to shield
him from the crowd, others sifted through the warm-ups until Steven‘s shorts were located.
He quickly dressed himself and we continued with the game. I am not sure if Steven scored
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or even played that night, but I do know one thing, that night Steven Wise had mastered …
the free shot.
The situation Steven Wise found himself in that night was simply due to a careless mistake.
It can happen to anyone. But when we make a decision to openly be involved with sin, we
expose ourselves to embarrassment that can last a lifetime. One of the worst scars placed
on Christianity comes from the person who claims to be a follower of Christ but continues to
live in sin. It can be the sole reason that leads a lost world even further from the love of
Christ.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, in your Word you have given us example after example
of people who sinned against you and suffered the consequences. Help us to be holy as you
are holy. Help us to remember that in order to avoid the forbidden fruit, we should stay
away from the forbidden tree. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of
many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.‖ James
1:2-3 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Grant Hill has won almost every award imaginable in the sport of
basketball. In high school, he was selected for the 1990 McDonald‘s All-American Team.
While in college at Duke University, he won two national championships and was voted as the
nation‘s top defensive player in 1993 and the ACC Player of the Year in 1994. At the
professional level he was the 1994 NBA Rookie of the Year and was voted to the NBA
All-Star team on many occasions. In 1996, he won a gold medal as part of the U.S. men‘s
basketball team. But despite all the awards and honors he has enjoyed throughout his
career, what he should be most admired for is … his perseverance.
In the 2000 NBA playoffs, Grant sprained his ankle in a game against the Philadelphia
76ers. For most players, a sprain would be looked upon as something minor, but for Grant,
it would prove to be a major liability for years to come. The following season, Grant Hill
was traded to the Orlando Magic. Because of ankle injuries, he played only 4 games in his
first season with the Magic, 14 games in his second and 29 in his third. In March 2003,
he underwent a major surgical procedure in which doctors re-fractured his ankle and
realigned it with his leg bone. Five days after the surgery was performed, Grant developed
a 104.5 degree fever and went into convulsions. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors
removed the splint around his ankle and discovered that he had contracted a potentially fatal
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection. He was hospitalized for a
week and had to take intravenous antibiotics for six months. Yet, despite all he went
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through, he returned to the Orlando Magic for the 2004-2005 season where he played 67
games and was voted an NBA All-Star game starter by the fans. During the 2005-2006
season, Grant once again underwent surgery for a sports hernia but returned for the 20062007 season. The following season, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns where he is
currently playing and where he appeared in all 82 regular season games for the first time
in his career during the 2008-2009 season. Numerous awards, numerous teams and numerous
surgeries describe the basketball career of Grant Hill. But the molding of his character
can only be described by the word, ―perseverance‖.
Whenever we are faced with trials and hardships, the easy thing to do is to simply give up.
But many times, if we allow him to, God can use the things that bring us the most pain as
tools to shape us for something greater than we could ever imagine. It is easy to remain
faithful and positive when things are good. But exercising that same attitude takes character
in the face of trials and hardships.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, never in your Word do you tell us that things will
always go well. In fact, your Word reminds us that we will have trials. When they do come
our way, help us to hold on to you. Help us to grow through the trials and to come out
better people on the other side of them. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor
to be with you forever—― John 14:16 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: For every level of play that exists in the game of basketball, there
also exists a set of rules that govern play. Sometimes, at the beginning levels, teams are
not allowed to guard in the backcourt or run a zone defense. The amount of time for each
period of play can vary from high school to college and even into the professional ranks.
Some levels incorporate the use of a shot clock to monitor the pace of play. But one form
of basketball carries its own set of rules and, for the most part, they are not written down
in a book but are universally understood and respected. The form of basketball I am
referring to is … streetball.
Streetball is a form of basketball that started in the United States but has made its way
around the world and gained popularity in many countries. The rules in streetball are
generally non-existent and vary widely from court to court. Saying they are non-existent is
more like saying they exist but are not written down in any formal documentation. Basically,
players learn them as they go. Players call their own fouls and small or insignificant foulcalling is looked down upon. When a player calls a foul while taking a shot, and makes that
shot, the basket does not count. This rule alone cuts down on the number of fouls called
during the course of a game. In order to participate in a game, a player shows up to the
court of his choice and calls ―next‖. When the current game is finished, whoever holds the
position of ―next‖ selects his team and plays the next game. In most cases, the winning team
holds their position on the court until they have been beaten. Sometimes, in a half-court
game, a ―make it, take it‖ rule is followed, which simply means the offensive team maintains
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possession of the ball as long as they continue to score. A ―win by 2‖ rule is usually
enforced in most games which means a team has to win by a margin of at least two points.
Streetball has become a universal phenomenon with the rules not being in a rule book, but
simply in the minds and hearts of the players.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, we read how God gave the Jewish people a set of rules
to live by that were written down in Jewish Law. The people were required to know the
law and live by it or suffer the consequences of God‘s wrath. But following Jesus‘ death on
the cross, he left us something that was greater than any code or law book. He left us the
Holy Spirit to live in us and help us be obedient to the commands of God. The rules are still
in existence, but now they are written on our hearts.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for your Holy Spirit which you have given
to guide and comfort us. Help us to be sensitive to the leading of your Spirit that we may
live lives that are pleasing to you. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-EIGHT
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth
or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," be no, or you will be
condemned.‖ James 5:12 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: When the average person watches a basketball game, he sees a
number of things. He sees the coaches instructing, encouraging and challenging their
players. He sees the players interacting with each other and making adjustments to
compensate for the play of the opposing team. He sees the fans, the scoreboard, the
cheerleaders and the mascots. But one participant in the game that goes virtually unnoticed
until the whistle is blown is … the referee.
Although the referee may be the least popular participant on the court, he actually
possesses the greatest power and carries the greatest responsibility. His job is to make
sure the game is played fairly and that each team has an equal opportunity to experience
victory through talent, desire and strategy. The referee must remain unbiased at all times
and never let his judgment be determined by anything other than the rules of the game and
his interpretation of the action on the court. Most experienced refs have learned that the
best thing that can be done once a call is made is to stand by that call and not waiver in the
decision that has been made. Although mistakes can and will happen, the referee finds
greater respect from the fans, coaches and players if they sense that he ―calls it as he
sees it‖ and accepts the responsibility for the call. If the fans and coaches sense that he is
unsure of himself and that he is easily influenced by the pressure from the crowd, that
referee is in for a long, frustrating night.
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In our lives, just like referees during a close game, we are faced with tough decisions. The
Bible is very clear that God takes the issue of a person‘s word very seriously. As
Christians, we cannot serve a ―God who cannot lie‖ if we are not people of our word. The
world needs to know that when we say something, it can be counted on as the truth. Our
integrity reflects upon us, our families and the God we serve. Basically, we are no more
than our word.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that, by your very nature, you are not
capable of lying. Help us to remember that as Christians, we are your representatives.
Help us to be people of integrity and honesty. Help us to be people of our word. In Jesus‘
name, Amen.
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DAY SEVENTY-NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Behold, I was brought
and in sin my mother conceived me.‖ Psalm 51:5 (NAS)
forth
in
iniquity,
2. APPLICATION: Pete Maravich is an American basketball legend. He played his
college basketball at Louisiana State University where he averaged 44.2 points per game, a
record that still stands in college basketball today. It has been calculated that if the 3point line had been instituted in college basketball during this time, his average would have
been closer to 57 points per game. Pete also set numerous scoring records at the
professional level where he played for ten seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans
Jazz and Boston Celtics. For being such a great player, many often wondered why Pete did
not play longer at the professional level. Come to find out, he didn‘t have the heart for it.
In January of 1988, Pete Maravich was a man enjoying life. And why not, he was only
forty years old, had recently become a born-again Christian and was enjoying traveling the
country sharing about his faith in Jesus Christ. He was a man on a mission. On the
afternoon of January 5th of that same year, he was scheduled to tape a segment for James
Dobson‘s Focus on the Family talk radio show in Pasadena, California. Earlier in the day,
he decided to play in a pick-up basketball game with Dobson and others at the First Church
of the Nazarene gymnasium. While playing in the game, Pete collapsed and died of a heart
attack. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a rare congenital defect. He had been
born with a missing left coronary artery, a vessel which supplies blood to the muscle fibers
of the heart. His right coronary artery was grossly enlarged and had been compensating
for the defect. Neither Pete nor anyone else knew the condition of his heart. In fact,
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according to Mr. Dobson, Pete‘s last words were, ―I feel great.‖ Less than a minute later,
―Pistol Pete‖ Maravich was dead.
Pete Maravich suffered with a physical heart condition as the result of a defect with which
he had been born. No matter how we might feel, the Bible states that all of us, as human
beings, suffer with a spiritual heart condition that is brought on by sin. Basically, the
heart of man‘s problem has always been the problem with man‘s heart. But the Good News
is that God is still the Great Physician and through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, he
can give us a new heart. Pistol Pete died a physical death because of a defective heart.
But Pete, along with anyone else that will put their hope and faith in Jesus Christ, can be
given a new spiritual heart that can allow them to live eternally.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you are the Great Physician and can heal us of our
physical conditions. But even greater is that you have the ability to heal us of our spiritual
conditions. Thank you for the blood of Jesus that covers our sin. Thank you for eternal
life in Christ. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing;
so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.‖ Genesis 2:2 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In basketball, there are various levels of competition and therefore,
various levels of intensity at which the game is played. At the professional level,
basketball is treated as a business and is taken very seriously. The same can be said at the
college level as a school‘s success can determine the amount of dollars it receives for
scholarships and coaches salaries. At the high school level the intensity varies. Some
schools see the sport as simply a means to promote competition and school spirit while others
see it as an important factor in the school‘s tradition. But for a lot of people, basketball is
just a means for having fun and getting a little exercise. It‘s just their way of, shall we
say, horsing around.
The game of H-O-R-S-E in basketball is a fun way to enjoy the sport with friends. It
allows players to be creative and try shots they would not normally try in the traditional
game of basketball. It can be played with as many players as desired or with as few as two
players. The object of the game is to be the last player to accrue the letters H-O-R-SE. The way the game is played is as follows: Player 1 is allowed to shoot from anywhere
on the court. If Player 1 makes the shot, Player 2 must duplicate the shot from the same
position. If Player 2 misses the shot, he receives the letter ‖H‖ and the process starts
over. If Player 1 misses the shot, Player 2 then is allowed to shoot from anywhere on the
court and the process continues until one of the players has spelled out the word, H-O-RS-E. In some instances, once a player has reached H-O-R-S-E, he is allowed to shoot an
―insurance or farewell shot‖ from the free throw line. If he makes the shot, he gets to
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remove a letter and the game continues. Interestingly, the NBA held H–O–R–S–E
competitions during the 1977–78 season. Throughout that season, CBS broadcasted NBA
games during the regular season and the playoffs. During halftime of those games, they
showed a pre-taped H–O–R–S–E tournament pitting players from the NBA against each
other. It featured, among others, Pete Maravich, Bob McAdoo, Kevin Grevey, and George
Gervin. The finals were played between Pete Maravich and George Gervin with Maravich
taking the title. I guess sometimes even the professionals enjoy a little unbridled fun with
the game of basketball.
In our busy lives, we are constantly faced with situations that are intense and stressful.
Our jobs, our education and our families often require us to be as focused as a professional
player or coach. After all, our success and the success of others can depend on it. But
sometimes, we need to break away from the stress of life and just enjoy having fun with
friends and family. The Bible tells us that even God took time for recreation. It is
necessary for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health and it can help us create and
maintain valuable relationships with people.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have told us in your Word that work is good and
we should do it well in honor of you. But you have also showed us by your example that it is
good to take time away from our work and to use that time to rest. Help us to follow your
example in both work and recreation. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
DAY EIGHTY-ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the
wicked leads them astray.‖ Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)
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2. APPLICATION: Michael Jordan is considered by some to be the greatest basketball
player in the history of the game. He entered the NBA in 1984 and his talent and
showmanship became an instant hit with basketball fans world-wide. But two years later,
some basketball fans, especially in the state of Maryland, believed a new star was on the
horizon and that this new star had the potential to shine even brighter. But then again,
these same fans could have been a little, shall we say, Biased.
On June 17th, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Len Bias was selected as the
second overall pick of the 1986 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He had enjoyed a
successful college career at the University of Maryland where he was an All-American
selection, and was now preparing for the next step in his basketball career. On June 18th,
Bias and his father flew to Boston, Massachusetts, from Washington, D.C., for an NBA
Club draft acceptance and product endorsement signing ceremony with the Celtics' coaches
and management, as well as with Reebok's Sports-Marketing Division. Bias reportedly signed
a $3 million dollar shoe contract with Reebok. Len Bias was living his dream, a dream
similar to any young boy who had ever bounced a basketball. He was now officially a
professional basketball player and he had acquired a shoe endorsement deal with a large
sneaker manufacturer. But unfortunately, Len Bias would never enjoy either. The dream
came to an abrupt end the following morning as he was pronounced dead at 8:55 a.m. in the
Emergency Department of Leland Memorial Hospital in Riverdale, Maryland. The cause of
death … Cardiac Arrhythmia brought on by the use of cocaine. The dream, the money, the
hope of a better future for he and his family; all of it gone with one bad decision. In a mere
moment of time, Len Bias went from star to statistic. In the investigation that followed his
death, it was discovered that Len Bias‘ death was directly related to his choice of friends
and their involvement with drugs.
The story of Len Bias is a tragedy that has been played out on the stage of our country
far too many times. It is something that we can all learn from. We are no more than the
company we keep and the decisions we make. The Book of Proverbs in the Bible instructs
us on the importance of choosing friends wisely. Sometimes, as in the case of Len Bias, our
choice of friends can be a matter of life and death.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, your Word tells us that our selection of friends is
important. Help us to be wise in surrounding ourselves with people who encourage us in our
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walk with you. Help us to be people of good character and judges of it as well. In Jesus‘
name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY-TWO
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you.‖ James 4:7 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Over the years, a number of defensive strategies have been developed
in the game of basketball. We currently hear terms like man to man, zone, box and one, full
court press and half court press to name a few. Some defenses even combine one or more of
these terms. But one strategy that has proven to be effective over the years actually
works off luring the offensive team to do something they have been coached to do, which is
passing the ball to the open man. The defensive strategy to which I am referring is called
… the trap.
The defensive trap is really a very simple, but very effective strategy. Basically, an
offensive player is purposefully left unguarded in an area of the court such as the corner
where the end line and sideline meet. The purpose in leaving the player unguarded is to lure
the offensive team to pass the ball to him in this highly vulnerable area. Once the pass is
made, the player receiving the ball is abruptly met by two defensive players who attempt to
trap him in the corner. With the sideline and end line behind the offensive player and the
two defensive players in front of him, the player really has no option but to attempt a very
risky pass to a teammate. Most of the time, due to the pressure from the trap, a player
will make a poor decision usually resulting in a turnover. The main objective in avoiding the
trap is keeping the ball out of the corners. While the defensive strategy is to lure the
pass to the open man, the offensive strategy is to not take the bait.
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The Bible tells us time and time again that Satan and his army are in the business of luring
us into sin. But it also gives us the steps to take to avoid falling into the trap. First, we
are to submit ourselves to God. Secondly, we are to resist the Devil. It doesn‘t say that
we are to stand up to the Devil, try to outsmart him or even debate or bargain with him.
We are to resist him. If we do that, the Bible says he will flee from us … flee like the
coward he is.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, it is evident that temptation is all around us. Your
Word tells us that, in this life, we will be tempted to sin. Guide us by your Spirit to
recognize temptation when it comes our way and to cling to you, our help and our Defender.
In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY-THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who
sticks closer than a brother.‖ Proverbs 18:24 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: Beginning with the 1978 season, Maurice Cheeks played 15 years as
a point guard in the NBA, including 11 years with the Philadelphia 76ers. He earned four
trips to the NBA All-Star Game, and he helped the 76ers earn three trips to the NBA
Finals in a four-year span, including one NBA championship in 1983. At the time of his
retirement from the NBA in 1993, Cheeks was ranked fifth all-time in assists. But his
greatest assist may not have come as a player … but as a coach.
In 2003, Maurice Cheeks was the head coach of the Portland Trailblazers. On April 25 th
of that same year, the Trailblazers were matched against the Dallas Mavericks. Just
before tip-off, like in every NBA contest, someone was scheduled to sing the National
Anthem. It just so happened that someone was 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert who had been
voted on by the fans in a local talent contest. Miss Gilbert began the famous song in great
fashion, confident and on key. But as she approached the fourth line of the song, which
reads ―At the twilight‘s last gleaming‖, something strange and unexpected happened. Young
Natalie Gilbert, who I am sure was quite overwhelmed with excitement and nervousness,
forgot the words. As Miss Gilbert stood there in shock, an uneasiness came over the crowd
as they felt her pain and embarrassment. But suddenly, like he had done for 15 years as a
player, Maurice Cheeks handed out yet another assist as he rushed over to the young girl
and began to sing the song with her. With his arm draped over her shoulder, the two
finished the song together as the entire Rose Garden Arena crowd sang with them. Upon
finishing the song, both Cheeks and Gilbert received a standing ovation from the crowd.
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Sometimes in life, we all need a friend like Maurice Cheeks, someone who will stand by us,
put their arm around us and help us find the right words. As Christians, we are to be that
person for each other and for the hurting world around us. Our greatest testimony doesn‘t
always come in the words we say, but instead, in the actions we take.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for giving us friends. It is one of the
greatest gifts we can get and one of the greatest we can give. Help us to cherish the
friends we have and to be available to those in need of a friend. Thank you for the greatest
friend we have in Christ. In His name I pray, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY-FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself if his conduct is
pure and right.‖ Proverbs 20:11 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: Professional basketball can be a rough sport in more ways than one.
On the court, some players are notorious for cheap shots and underhanded play. They
believe getting away with something outside of the rules of play is just part of the game.
Off the court, some players are known for living a lifestyle that is less than upstanding.
Wild parties, drugs and alcohol, frivolous spending of money and open immorality have all
become a common occurrence in the NBA scene. But one player made it a point to steer
clear of such behavior throughout his career. That player was … Bobby Jones.
Bobby Jones was the 5th overall pick of the 1974 NBA draft but actually began his
professional career with the Denver Nuggets of the ABA. Although his career began in
Denver, he is most remembered for his NBA days with the Philadelphia 76ers, for whom
he played from 1978 to 1986. During that time period, Jones became known for a number
of things. He played in four NBA All-Star games, won an NBA Championship in 1983 and
was the first-ever recipient of the NBA Sixth Man Award. But more than anything else,
Bobby Jones was known for his outstanding character, a character molded by his deepseeded Christian values. ―When I‘m in there, I just play as hard as I can,‖ Jones told NBA
Today in 1983. ―In the Bible, it says we‘re supposed to give 100 percent in whatever it is
we do—and that‘s what I do.‖ As far as participating in the common vices of many other
NBA players, vices including drinking, smoking and cursing, Bobby politely refused. And
although he never asked teammates to avoid the use of locker-room expletives, many found
themselves making adaptations to their vocabulary when Bobby was present. If one were to
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ask the players and coaches of Bobby Jones‘ day to describe him, you might hear words
like hard work, hustle, dedicated, unselfish and honest. They would use these words not
just to describe the player, but also the man.
The Bible is very clear that we are known, not just by what we say, but how we conduct
ourselves on a daily basis. It is easy to be a warrior for Christ on Sunday, but the real
test is what we do the other six days of the week. Our greatest testimony for Christ is
the one we give by the way we live.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, the world in which we live is a hard place. Society
doesn‘t always live by the same rules and ethics that they use to judge us. As your people,
help us to abide in you and to live, not by the flesh, but by the Spirit. May our lives be a
true reflection of the character of Christ. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY-FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.‖
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Latrell Sprewell was an NBA player known for many things. He was
a prolific shooter who, in a single game, went nine for nine from the three-point line. He
was an NBA All-Star, an All-NBA first team selection and an All-NBA Defensive team
selection. He was known for being one of the best closers in the open court and is perhaps
best known for his fast-break two-handed tomahawk dunks. But one thing that he is known
for overshadows everything else in his 13 year professional basketball career. The one
thing he is most known for is … being a ―choker‖.
In most cases, in the world of sports, being known as a ―choker‖ refers to a guy who does
not handle pressure situations well. He may perform well in normal game situations, but
when the game is on the line, his performance suffers. In the case of Latrell Sprewell, the
situation was a little different. Although he performed well under pressure during the
game, his performance in real life pressure situations was a different story. On December
1, 1997, Latrell Sprewell was participating in a practice session with the Golden State
Warriors under the direction of head coach, P.J. Carlesimo. When Carlesimo yelled at
Sprewell to make crisper passes, specifically asking him to "put a little mustard" on a pass,
Sprewell responded that he was not in the mood for criticism and told the coach to keep his
distance. When Carlesimo approached, Sprewell threatened to kill him and dragged him to
the ground by his throat, choking him for 10–15 seconds before his teammates pulled
Sprewell away. Sprewell returned about 20 minutes later and landed a glancing blow at
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Carlesimo before being dragged away again. Sprewell was suspended for 10 days without
pay. The next day, in the wake of a public uproar, the Warriors voided the remainder of his
contract, which included $23.7 million over three years, and the NBA suspended him from
the league for 82 games. Sprewell took the case to arbitration, and, as a result, the
contract voiding was overturned and the league suspension was reduced to the remaining 68
games of the season. The Latrell Sprewell story can be a lesson to us all of the price you
pay for physiaclly taking matters into your own hands.
The Bible tells us in Galatians about the fruits of the Spirit. One of those fruits is selfcontrol. As Christians it is something we have to work at on a continual basis. People and
situations in life can, at times, make us angry and tempt us to lose control of our emotions.
But if we are grounded in Christ, his Spirit gives us peace and allows us to react to any
situation with self-control.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, we live in a world where sometimes sin is the norm,
and as your followers, it makes us angry. Often, we are tempted to react in our own way
when we feel we have been wronged. In these times, help us to seek you and to rest in
knowing that you have overcome the world. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY-SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power
is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.‖ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In basketball, like in almost every major sport, equipment plays an
important role. One of the most important pieces of equipment for the player is the piece
that connects him with the court creating proper traction and allowing him to stop and turn
on a dime. It is the piece of equipment that gives the player the confidence he needs to play
the game with 100% effort, free from the worry of slips, skids or falls. For most
players, that piece of equipment would be the shoes. But for many basketball players, that
piece of equipment would not be the shoes … but the wheels.
Wheelchair basketball has become a world-wide sport. It is estimated that more than
100,000 people play wheelchair basketball and the competition ranges from recreation to
club play to elite national competitions. The sport was created in 1946 as a competition
primarily between American World War II disabled veterans. It has now grown to the point
of being a recognized sport at the Paralympic Games that are held every four years for
athletes with physical disabilities. The games are held two weeks after the closing of the
Summer Olympic Games and in the same host city. For the most part, wheelchair basketball
maintains the same rules as regular basketball, including the size of the court and the
height of the basket. Some adaptations have been made such as the rule involving
―traveling‖. In wheelchair basketball, ―traveling‖ occurs when the athlete touches his
wheels more than twice after receiving or dribbling the ball. The individual must pass,
bounce or shoot the ball before he or she can touch their wheels again. Throughout the
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years, wheelchair basketball players have developed tremendous skill and ability and the
games have become more and more entertaining and competitive. How amazing it is that these
athletes have learned the importance of focusing more on their abilities and less on their
disabilities.
Many times, when we think of someone being handicapped, we think more along the lines of
physical or mental struggles. But in a sense, we all struggle and therefore, we all suffer
from some type of handicap. It could be mental or physical, but it could also be a belief we
have about ourselves or even something that happened in our childhood that we are still
dealing with today. The question is not do we have a handicap but are we letting our
handicap, handicap us?
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, all of us suffer from something that can bring us down
and keep us from experiencing the life you have planned for us. Help us to recognize our
handicaps but to succeed in spite of them. Thank you that your strength is perfected in our
weaknesses. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY-SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding.‖ Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: NBA basketball has become one of the most watched sports among
cable television viewers. This is largely due to the coverage of Atlanta-based networks,
Turner Network Television, more commonly known as TNT, and Turner Broadcasting
System, or simply TBS. The studio host for the network‘s coverage of the NBA is none
other than Ernie Johnson, better known simply as ―E.J.‖ His duties, other than chaperoning
co-hosts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, include narrating the pre-game and halftime
shows, as well as, hosting Inside the NBA, the network‘s famous studio show that airs
after each NBA double-header. Throughout the years, Ernie‘s commentary has guided
viewers to a greater enjoyment and understanding of the game. But of all the great
comments he has made over the years, the greatest was made by the utterance of three
simple words, Trust … God … Period.
In 2003, Ernie Johnson was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin‘s Lymphoma, a cancer that starts
in cells called Lymphocytes, which are part of the body's immune system. Lymphocytes are
in the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues such as the spleen and bone marrow. For many
months, Ernie managed to keep the news of his condition to himself, but as the swelling
around his neck and face begin to appear, people began to ask questions. At that time, Ernie
Johnson made public his battle with cancer with an announcement on air at TNT and soon
after began chemotherapy treatments. The treatments proved successful and Ernie
returned to his life as a husband, father of four and television sports personality. But many
people wondered and some even asked, ―how did you get through something like cancer?‖
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When asked this question, Ernie Johnson, who had given his life to Christ in 1997 at age
41, would always simply reply, ―trust God … period.‖ In his walk with Christ, he had
learned the importance of trusting God, not just when things were good, but even when he
was faced with the horrific news that cancer was present in his body. His faith in God
served as his foundation for peace and his relationship with Christ provided him with the
strength he needed to live in the midst of uncertainty and fear. For Ernie Johnson, trusting
God had gone from being a cliché, to a reality and an experience that God could use to lead
others to himself.
Sometimes, God allows us to experience situations where the only alternative we have is to
trust him. We become helpless in our own strength and even the experts can‘t give us the
answers we need. But when we experience these types of situations, we also experience the
power and the faithfulness of God. As Christians, we sometimes grow the most when we are
capable of doing the least.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you are always faithful. It is so good
to know that even when we are confused, you are never surprised and you are never
perplexed. Help us to trust you in all situations and to remember that you care for us. May
our unwavering trust in you be a testimony to the world around us. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY-EIGHT
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith.‖ 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: In professional basketball, each team starts the game with five
players on the floor. These ―starting five‖ usually represent the team‘s best players at
their respective positions. Being part of the starting five is something that most players
strive to accomplish as it can mean more playing time and higher salaries. But just because a
player does not start the game on the floor doesn‘t mean he can‘t have a huge impact on the
outcome of the game. In fact, sometimes the greatest impact is made … by the ―sixth man‖.
The ―sixth man‖ is a reserve player who is not part of the team‘s starting lineup, but is
normally the first player to enter the game off the bench. The team relies on him for a
number of reasons that include changing the pace of the game, rebounding, scoring, defense
and making hustle plays. Starting the game on the bench, the sixth man must have a keen
awareness of the flow of the game and determine how he can best help his team the moment
he steps onto the floor. He must remain in the game mentally at all times as he never
knows when he will be called upon to provide that much needed spark of energy a waning
team might require. The NBA recognized the important role of the sixth man and created a
special award back in 1983, simply called ―The NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award‖.
Most sixth men will tell you that it‘s not as important who starts the game on the floor as
it is who finishes the game on the floor when the fate of the game hangs in the balance.
John Starks, winner of the NBA Sixth Man Award in 1997, once said, ―It‘s not how much
time you‘re in the game, it‘s what you do with that time.‖ He understood that it‘s not as
important how you start as it is how you finish.
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The Christian life has often been described as a marathon not a sprint. That‘s because it is
a life-long race on this earth and ultimately has no end as we spend eternity in heaven.
Many times we hear of people who come to Christ and are ―on fire for the Lord,‖ only to
see that fire extinguished in a short period of time. The true example of the Christian life
is the person who remains faithful in his or her walk from the time they come to Christ
until the time they breathe their last breath. Like the sixth man, they can always be
counted on to finish the game.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have given us examples of people who remained
faithful for a lifetime in their walk with you. Help us to remain faithful servants both on
the mountain and in the valley. Help us to be followers who finish the course and to be
lifetime champions for you. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY EIGHTY-NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.‖ Psalm
119:105 (NKJ)
2. APPLICATION: Kobe Bryant is an exceptional basketball talent and his
accomplishments speak for themselves. He was the first guard in NBA history to be
drafted out of high school. He has been an Olympian, an NBA Most Valuable Player, a
member of numerous NBA Championship teams and once scored 81 points in a single game,
the second highest total in league history. No one with any level of basketball knowledge
would question his actions on the court. But his actions off the court, now, that‘s another
story.
In 2003, Kobe Bryant‘s reputation was tainted when a young woman from Colorado accused
him of sexual assault. Because of his actions, Bryant‘s image took a beating from the public.
Sales of his replica jersey plummeted as fans chose to distance themselves from an
association with him. His endorsement contracts with McDonald‘s, Nutella and Ferrero Spa
were terminated. He was met with boos from NBA fans across the country whenever his
name was announced or he obtained possession of the ball during play. To make things even
worse, he falsely accused a teammate of misconduct in order to deflect attention from
himself. But above all the negativity and pain he brought upon himself by his actions, none
compared to the pain he caused to those closest to him, his wife and kids. Their hearts were
broken, their lives were ripped apart and their trust for people was challenged and
compromised. And although he made a public apology for what he had done, he could not
erase the hurt and shame he had brought upon himself and his family. Furthermore, no
matter how much success Kobe Bryant may experience in the sport of basketball, any award
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or accomplishment he may receive will always be followed by an asterisk and the phrase,
―But remember when …‖
All of us, like Kobe Bryant, are guilty of sin and in need of forgiveness and that
forgiveness is available to those who receive it. Because of the blood of Jesus, we can have
our sins washed away for eternity. That‘s the good news. But on the other side of the coin
is the sad truth that our sin can cause pain, embarrassment and a lifetime of regret for
ourselves and for those we love. It can destroy our reputation, and for Christians, our
testimony for Christ. That‘s why it is so important to weigh every decision we make against
the Word of God. It is the standard God has given us to protect us from ourselves. It is a
light to guide us to make decisions that build up and avoid decisions that tear down.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for your Word and your Holy Spirit that
guide and protect us. Help us everyday to see the importance of making good decisions. Help
us to understand that our decisions define who we are and the legacy we leave. Direct us in
the decisions we make. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY NINETY
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a
trustworthy man?‖ Proverbs 20:6 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: A.C. Green played basketball in the NBA from 1985 to 2001.
During that time, he was an NBA All-Star and also a three-time NBA Champion with the
Los Angeles Lakers. He was known for unselfish play, rebounding, tough defense and being a
team player. He did many things well in the game of basketball. But one thing he did better
than anyone else … he showed up for the game.
In his sixteen seasons as an NBA player, A.C. Green missed only three games and those
three games came during the 1986-1987 season, his second year in the league. Out of a
possible 1281 career games, he played in 1278, making his playing percentage an incredible
99.8 percent. Even more incredible is the number of consecutive games in which he played.
In his last 14 seasons, he played in every single game for a total of 1,192. From a game
against the San Antonio Spurs on November 19, 1986 until his final NBA game appearance
against the Orlando Magic on April 18, 2001, A.C. Green never missed a game. This
streak set an NBA record that still stands today. What a great thing it must have been
for his coach and the team‘s general manager to know that they could count on A.C. to not
only be playing in the game, but give 100% effort every time his shoes touched the floor.
We hear stories all the time of players who sign multi-million dollar contracts and, whether
it‘s from injury or from lack of effort, rarely contribute to a team‘s success. But that
was never the case with A.C Green. He gave maximum effort and, as evidenced by his
record, maximum participation. He is the true ―iron man‖ of professional basketball.
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In the world in which we live, it is a rare thing to find people who are faithful and true to
their word and will follow through on the promises they make. Even in our churches, there
exists a lackadaisical attitude on following through with what we say we are going to do.
But the world needs to see that, as Christians, we look and act like the God we claim to
serve. He is faithful and true so we should be as well. After all, we are no greater than
our word.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you are true and you are faithful.
Help us as your children, to mirror you in this respect. Remind us of the importance of
being people of integrity, both for our sake and the sake of your kingdom. In Jesus‘ name,
Amen.
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DAY NINETY-ONE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On
the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.‖ 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: The basketball career of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is unprecedented and
his accomplishments are almost too extensive to mention. Six times an NBA Champion, six
times an NBA Most Valuable Player, nineteen times an NBA All-Star, ten times an AllNBA First Team Selection, three times an NCAA National Champion, one time the
Naismith College Player of the Year, and the list goes on and on. He excelled in many
aspects of the game and possessed a number of tools that led him to success. But the one
weapon he possessed that made him virtually unstoppable at the offensive end of the court
was one that he began to develop as a youth. That trademark offensive weapon was known as
… the Sky Hook.
The Sky Hook was a hook shot where Abdul-Jabbar would bend his entire body, rather
than just his arm, in one fluid motion to raise the ball above his head and then release it at
the highest point of his arm‘s arching motion. Combined with his long arms and his height of
seven feet two inches, the skyhook was nearly impossible for a defender to block without
goal-tending the shot. This was largely due to the fact that, for the most part, he was
releasing the ball downward because of the height of his outstretched arm. The Sky Hook
was a reliable and feared offensive weapon and was the main reason Kareem carried a
lifetime shooting average of more than fifty-five percent. To make the Sky Hook even more
potent, Kareem could shoot it with either hand which made the task of guarding him even
more impossible. When his team was in need of a basket, they knew the ―go to guy‖ with the
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―go to shot‖ was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the true inventor of basketball‘s first weapon of
mass destruction.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar developed an offensive weapon in the game of basketball that was
known to demolish opposing teams. However, we as Christians have weapons of our own to
help us demolish the forces of evil that are constantly waging war against us. Of all the
weapons God has given us, one of the greatest we possess is the weapon of prayer. As 19th
Century writer, Martin Tupper once said, ―prayer is the slender nerve that moves the
muscle of omnipotence.‖ It is simply amazing what God will do when we humble ourselves and
pray.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the opportunity we have to pray. It is a
privilege to come before you with our praise and our requests. Thank you that you not only
hear us when we pray, but you are faithful to answer us as well. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY NINETY-TWO
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us
and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God‘s right hand,
pleading for us.‖ Romans 8:34 (NLT)
2. APPLICATION: In the days of professional basketball prior to the 1980‘s, the game
was different in many respects. Players did not receive the huge salaries we hear about
today. Nike was just beginning to create its enormous empire and the brand of shoe that was
most popular among the players was Converse or Pony. Furthermore, the players were
different as well. Big guys played inside, small guys played outside and the concept of
―team‖ was more prevalent. But there also existed a type of player that has somewhat
suffered extinction in the development of the modern-day game with all its changes. That
player was known as … ―The Enforcer‖.
The Enforcer was the player that made sure the opposition treated his teammates with
respect. If players from the opposing team took it upon themselves to use underhanded or
―dirty‖ tactics during the course of the game, the Enforcer would step in and come to the
aid of his teammate. He basically had the attitude, ―If you‘re gonna mess with my teammate,
you‘re gonna have to deal with me.‖ For the most part, a team‘s enforcer would be a one of
the bigger, stronger guys on the team. Maurice Lucas, who played the role of enforcer for
the Portland Trailblazers in the 1970‘s, was 6‖9‖ and 215 pounds. Kermit Washington, who
was the strong man for the Lakers, was 6‘8‖ and 230 pounds. Dennis Awtrey of the
Phoenix Suns was 6‘10‖, 240 pounds and Bob Lanier of the Detroit Pistons measured 6‖11‖,
250 pounds. But not every enforcer was massive in stature. Some, like Calvin Murphy of
the Houston Rockets, were simply massive in heart and courage. He stood only 5‘9‖ and
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weighed a mere 165 pounds. But, as Boston‘s 6‘9‖ Sydney Wicks found out the hard way,
Murphy was as tough as any of his bigger counterparts. The Enforcers were not players
who advocated violence and many of them were as docile as kittens outside the course of the
game. They were just guys who demanded respect for their team and guys you could depend
on being there for you in tough situations.
The Bible tells us we have an enforcer that steps in on our behalf. The Book of Romans
assures us that Christ himself is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. Even
more comforting is the fact that he left us the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us here on
earth. Add to that the role of the angelic realm and we have an army of support that is
unmatched. Isn‘t it just like our God to provide first-class protection and intervention for his
redeemed children?
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for being our Redeemer and our Strong
Tower. We can run to you and we are safe. Thank you for your protection and your
provision. Thank you for being our ―Enforcer‖. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY NINETY-THREE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ― The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;‖ Psalm 19:9-10 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: The United States has dominated men‘s basketball since it became an
Olympic sport in 1936. In fact, the USA men‘s team, prior to the 1972 Olympic Games in
Munich, had boasted seven gold medals and a perfect 63-0 record. The 1972 team, in
keeping with rich United States tradition, brought an 8-0 record to the Olympic
championship game against the team from the Soviet Union. That same group of players
would prove to be the first U.S. team that failed to bring home a medal, not by elimination
… but by choice.
The 1972 Olympic gold medal game was a hard-fought battle from start to finish. It was
also one of the most controversial in Olympic history. With three seconds remaining in the
contest and the U.S. team trailing 49-48, American guard Doug Collins was fouled on his
way to the basket and was awarded two free throws. He sank the first of the two and
notched the score at 49-49. But just prior to Collins‘ release of the second shot, the horn
from the scorer‘s table blew and set off a chain of events that would forever leave the
game‘s final seconds mired in controversy. Apparently unnerved by the sound of the horn,
Collins made the second free throw and put the team from the USA up by one point.
Confusion between the referees and the scorers would ultimately allow the team from Russia
three separate attempts at an inbounds play with the first two attempts being unsuccessful.
However, on the third attempt, a full court pass from one Russian player to another was
caught and released and, as the buzzer sounded, the shot made its way through the basket
giving a one-point victory to the team from the Soviet Union. The U.S. team immediately
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filed a protest which was voted down by a margin of 3-2 and the gold medal was awarded to
the Soviet team. However, to show its disapproval of the decision, the U.S. team voted
unanimously to refuse their silver medals and to boycott the medal ceremony altogether.
Now, almost forty years later, the 1972 men‘s Olympic basketball team from the United
States of America still refuses to be called silver medalists. And although some may
disagree with their decision, you have to admire their conviction.
Sometimes, situations in life call for us to make a hard call and to stand by that call even in
the midst of controversy. As Christians, we live in a world that is constantly challenging us
to compromise our beliefs and our stance on God‘s Word. But truth is truth and never
changes, even if the traditions of society do change. It is our responsibility to cling to the
truth of the Bible. Like gold, God‘s truth will never wear out.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, we live in a world that is constantly changing and, for
the most part, holds to the belief that there is no absolute truth. But we know that your
word is true and doesn‘t change with the traditions of men. Help us to cling to your truth
and to never compromise what we know to be right. Help us to remain obedient. In Jesus‘
name, Amen.
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DAY NINETY-FOUR
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power
over the day of his death.‖ Ecclesiastes 8:8 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: For some players, making it to the NBA comes at a young age and
seemingly, without much difficulty. Players like Kobe Bryant, Monta Ellis and LeBron
James entered the NBA directly out of high school without playing one minute of college or
semi-pro basketball. But for many players, the road to the top is filled with many
obstacles, setbacks and disappointments. Still, with talent, heart and perseverance, players
make their dreams of playing professional basketball a reality. Ironically, what can take
years to achieve, in just a matter of seconds, can come to a crashing halt.
Bobby Phills played college basketball at Southern University in his home town of Baton
Rouge, Louisiana. In 1991, he entered the NBA Draft and was selected as the 45th overall
pick by the Milwaukee Bucks. However, without ever playing a single game for the Bucks,
he was released from the team in December of 1991. Not letting the discouragement of
being cut stop him, he signed with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the Continental Basketball
Association where he averaged 23.1 points per game. That same season, the Cleveland
Cavaliers of the NBA, recognized Bobby‘s talent and determination and offered him a
contract to play for the Cavaliers. Bobby joined the team and played in Cleveland for the
next six years before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 1997. It was in Charlotte
that he really began to shine as he became a fierce defensive stopper, a team leader and one
of the Hornet‘s top reserves, as well as, a finalist for the NBA Sportsman of the Year
Award. He was also enjoying his third year of a seven-year $33 million dollar contract and
was experiencing first-hand all the success that his hard work and determination had brought
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him. But on January 12, 2000, everything changed for Bobby Phills. At approximately 11
a.m., following a team shoot-around, Bobby Phills drove away from the Charlotte Coliseum
in his black Porsche sports car. As he began to accelerate to speeds in excess of 75 miles
per hour, the car spun out of control and crossed over into oncoming traffic hitting two
other cars. Bobby Phills was killed instantly. Everything he had struggled for and
achieved was gone in one careless moment of time. Bobby Phills left Charlotte Coliseum
that day not realizing that he had taken his last shot at basketball and life.
Life is a delicate gift and one that can be taken away at any moment. That is why it is so
important to cherish and protect each moment we have. The decisions we make everyday can
determine our enjoyment of life and the time we have to experience it with the ones we love.
Making decisions in a careless fashion is as dangerous as an out of control sports car. And
the end result can be the same.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have given us this delicate gift called life. It is
wonderful but it is not guaranteed. Help us to recognize our vulnerability and to make wise
decisions in how we live everyday. Help us to obtain that wisdom from your Word and from
your Spirit that lives within us. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY NINETY-FIVE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―… remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more
blessed to give than to receive.'‖ Acts 20:35 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Chris Paul is well recognized in the sport of basketball. In high
school, he was recognized as a McDonald‘s All-American player. As a college student at
Wake Forest University, he was recognized as a Consensus All-American player. At the
professional level, he has been recognized as the NBA Rookie of the Year, a two-time
NBA All-Star, an All-NBA First Team Player and an All-NBA Defensive First Team
Player. He is even recognized as a notable ten-pin bowler. Obviously, all of the recognition
he has received as a player is honorable. But the most honorable thing he ever did … was
give recognition to someone else.
In 2003, Chris Paul‘s grandfather, Nathanial Jones, was brutally beaten to death in his
own driveway during a robbery. It was a senseless act that left Chris Paul and his family
devastated and distraught. But later that same year, at the beginning of basketball season,
Chris did something remarkable to honor his grandfather. In a single game, he scored one
point for every year that his grandfather had lived, which totaled to 61 points. That feat
was remarkable in and of itself, however, what was more remarkable were the points Chris
Paul didn‘t score. You see, when Chris reached the 61-point mark, he intentionally missed a
free throw and then took himself out of the game. What made it even more honorable was
that he was only 5 points away from tying the state high school scoring record of 66 points
when he decided to miss the free throw and head to the bench. For Chris, it was more
important to honor his grandfather than to receive honor for himself. People who witnessed
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that game will long remember the offensive show that Chris Paul put on that night. But
they will never forget his selfless act of honoring his grandfather by denying himself.
In our world today, there exists an air of gaining honor for one‘s self. Books, commercials
and television all lead us to believe that the way to achieve happiness and fulfillment in our
lives is to promote ourselves and our agenda at every opportunity. But Jesus understood that
real honor comes from honoring others. When we are able to get outside ourselves and focus
on others, it frees us from the destructive elements of greed and selfishness. Ironically, it
is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, it is difficult in our world not to get caught up in
always putting ourselves first. It is our basic nature. But you gave us an example of how to
honor others and you also gave us a new nature. Help us to live by your example and help us
to be controlled by our new nature. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY NINETY-SIX
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?‖ Proverbs 20:24 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: At almost seven feet tall and 260 pounds, Tim Duncan has been a
force at the power forward position of the NBA for years. He is a four-time NBA
Champion with the San Antonio Spurs, a three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, a
two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and has played in eleven NBA All-Star Games.
Many experts consider him to be one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. But
ironically, Tim Duncan did not start playing basketball until he was in the ninth grade. One
might ask, ―Why is that?‖ The answer is simple … his parents couldn‘t get him out of the
pool.
Tim Duncan grew up in Saint Croix, one of the main islands comprising the United States
Virgin Islands. His first love of sports was not basketball, but rather swimming. He
dreamed of becoming an Olympic-level swimmer like his sister, Tricia. With the support of
his parents, Tim showed promise as a swimmer and became a teenage standout in several
events including the 50, 100 and 400 meters freestyle. He set a goal of making the
United States Men‘s Olympic swim team and to be a competitor in the 1992 Summer Games
in Atlanta. But in 1989, tragedy hit the US Virgin Islands in the form of Hurricane Hugo
and caused major destruction. Even more tragic for Tim was that the hurricane destroyed
the island‘s only Olympic-sized swimming pool. This forced Tim to swim in the ocean;
however, due to his fear of sharks, he soon lost interest in the sport and never swam
competitively again. Still, having that competitive edge, he turned to a different sport,
thanks to the encouragement from his brother-in-law. That sport just happened to be the
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sport of basketball and the rest, shall we say, is history. It has been said that life never
works out exactly the way you plan. That statement is definitely true for Tim Duncan and
there are a lot of folks in San Antonio, Texas that are glad about that.
So often in life, we plan our work and work our plan. We set goals for ourselves, our
careers and our families and we take steps to achieving our goals and dreams. And although
having goals and plans is a good and positive thing, ultimately, our lives are in the hands of
the God of creation. Therefore, we must have faith and confidence that he is in control and
has a great plan for each of us if we are willing to surrender to it. Most assuredly, his
plan is greater, but sometimes takes a lifetime to understand.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you are the God of creation and you know what is best
for me. Help me to trust you with every aspect of my life. Help me to begin today to
surrender to you in obedience and faith. I thank you for being worthy of my trust. In
Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY NINETY-SEVEN
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself
be refreshed.‖ Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Michael Redd was the 43rd overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft.
Players chosen in that position usually end up playing overseas or selling cell phones at the
local mall. But Michael Redd was the exception, as he became an NBA All-Star in just his
third season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He also set the NBA record for the most threepointers in a single quarter as he made eight in the fourth quarter of a Bucks game. Along
with his exceptional play came an exceptional contract, $91 million for six years to be exact.
With that kind of money, Michael could buy just about anything his heart desired … and he
did.
Michael Redd grew up as a preacher‘s kid in the city of Columbus, Ohio. His father
worked at the Pepsi-Cola plant Monday through Friday and preached on Sunday. Michael
attended West High School in Columbus where he played basketball. Just prior to his
senior year, Michael made a promise to his father when he said, ―Dad, if I get to the
NBA, I‘m getting you and mom a new house and a new church.‖ After signing his new
contract, he made good on both. Just before his father‘s 50th birthday, Michael purchased
land and the construction began on the newly named Philadelphia Deliverance Church of
Christ in Columbus, Ohio. ―That was the first thing in my heart,‖ Michael states. ―The
Lord, he gave me life. What I did was give it right back to him. That‘s the least I could
do, is buy a church, the very least I could do.‖ To Michael Redd, his generous act may
seem like no big deal. But to people in Columbus, Ohio, especially those who attend the
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church he purchased, it is more than a big deal … it is evidence that Michael Redd is the
―real deal‖.
All of us have been given the opportunity to make a difference with the gifts God has given
us. We may not have the kind of money that Michael Redd has, but we all have time and
talent. Using those gifts can make as much, or even more, of a difference than the gift of
money. As Christians, we are called to use the gifts God has given us to minister to those
in need. Although we may differ in our gifts, we are united with opportunity.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, you have given each of us some type of gift. You have
equipped us with the ability to make a difference in this world. Help us to recognize our
gifts and our opportunities. Help us to use both to share the love of Christ in the world in
which we live. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
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DAY NINETY-EIGHT
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life or a
single cubit to his stature? Luke 12:25 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Traditionally, basketball has always been considered a tall man‘s
sport. In fact, the average height of an NBA player is six feet seven inches tall. Sure,
there have been exceptions to the rule. Calvin Murphy, a dominant player in the 70‘s with
the Houston Rockets was only 5‘9‖. In the 80‘s, players like 5‘7‖ Anthony ―Spud‖ Webb
made a huge impact by winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest over much taller competitors.
Others who have failed to crack the six foot mark but have enjoyed successful NBA
careers are Tyrone ―Muggsy‖ Bogues, Earl Boykins and Nate Robinson. But to go below
the five foot barrier and consider yourself a legitimate basketball player is just plain silly.
Oh yeah … try telling that to the New York Towers.
The New York Towers is the name of New York‘s all-dwarf basketball team. The team is
managed by 3‘3‖ Clinton Brown, III and the tallest player on the Towers‘ team stands at
the ―tree-mendous‖ height of 4‘8‖. But don‘t be fooled by the lack of height in these
athletes. What they lack in height, they make up in skill and heart. The Towers play on a
regulation size court and shoot at a regulation size hoop. The team sports players like the
sensational backcourt duo of Jahmani Swanson and Justin Tompkins and power forward Blaze
Tres Foster. They compete in sporting events sponsored by the Dwarf Athletic Association
of America but have also been known to compete against normal size teams in order to raise
money for charitable organizations. Although they may look small, the New York Towers
have learned to dream big. One of their goals is to create a national little NBA that would
provide halftime entertainment exhibitions at NBA games. As one of the players stated,
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―It‘s not about your size, it‘s about your heart. You can do anything with your heart. Just
follow it.‖ That is something the New York Towers have learned to do. They have also
learned that being small does not mean you can‘t reach big goals. It just means you may
have to aim a little higher.
The Bible tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God that doesn‘t make
mistakes. So often, we get so involved in seeing the abilities we don‘t have, that we fail to
recognize the abilities we do have. Each of us has the opportunity to focus on our strengths
or on our weaknesses and the decisions we make in this area of life can determine the level
at which we live. So often it is our attitude that determines our altitude.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that we were created in your image. Help
us to rise above the limitations that have been placed on us by society or even our own
beliefs. Help us to see ourselves and others as you do and to remember that we were
formed by a perfect God. Thank you for the gift of life. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.
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DAY NINETY-NINE
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.‖ Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
2. APPLICATION: Players have various reasons for wanting to make it to the NBA.
Some see it as a way to compete against the very best basketball players in the world and
to measure their own talent against the game‘s elite. Others see it as a way to make huge
sums of money in a short period of time and to be able to fund their dream lifestyle with all
the cars, homes and clothes. Some players yearn for the spotlight and media attention that
comes with being an NBA star. But for one player, making it to the NBA was a way to
share his faith in God and his relationship with Jesus Christ. That player was … Dwight
Howard.
Dwight Howard was the first overall pick of the 2004 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic.
Following in the footsteps of players like Kevin Garnett, he chose to enter the NBA right
out of high school. Before he was drafted in 2004, Dwight said he wanted to use his NBA
career and his Christian faith to ―raise the name of God within the league and throughout
the world‖. He did that in many ways through charitable work and through his work with
young people. But the most unique way he did it took place at the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest
during the NBA All-Star Weekend. Unusual for a player his size (6‘11‖, 265 pounds),
Dwight‘s vertical leap has been estimated at approximately 40 inches. During the contest,
Dwight teamed up with Magic teammate, Jameer Nelson, for a special ―alley oop‖ dunk. As
Nelson passed the ball towards the front of the rim, Dwight leaped, caught the ball in midair and dunked it through the hoop while slapping a sticker onto the backboard which
reached a height of 12‘6‖. Upon closer view, it could be seen that the sticker he slapped
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onto the backboard showed an image of his own smiling face with a handwritten note saying,
―All things through Christ, Phil. 4:13‖. Just like he had promised three years earlier,
Dwight Howard had found a unique way to raise the name of God. And he did it while the
NBA and the world was watching.
All of us have the ability to raise the name of God for the world to see. We do that by
the way we live our lives everyday. When people see our good works, it is a testimony to
the God we serve. Whether it‘s in the classroom, the job place or on the playing field, our
lives are the greatest testimony of the light of Christ to a darkened world.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the light of Christ and its ability to
illumine the human soul. Help us to be carriers of that light. May our good works be a
shining testimony of the love and the person of Jesus. In his name I pray, Amen.
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DAY ONE HUNDRED
1. TODAY‘S VERSE: ―Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your
consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes
itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.‖ Proverbs 23:4-5 (NAS)
2. APPLICATION: In the realm of professional basketball, we have all heard about the
huge multi-million dollar contracts and the lavish lifestyles of the players. With the
average NBA player‘s salary at $5.36 million per season, the definition of NBA excess
has become, shall we say, more excessive. But what doesn‘t always make the headlines of
the newspapers and magazines are the stories of professional players after retirement. It‘s
strange how the money can play out while the game clock is still ticking.
A statistic cited by an NBA Players‘ Association representative stated that 60% of NBA
players go broke five years after their paychecks stop arriving. To the average person,
that statistic may seem impossible. But when you calculate numerous expensive cars, multiple
lavish homes and costly designer clothes, it‘s not hard to see how the money can disappear
quicker than a fly-by-night fan. Add to those expenses the constant beckoning of friends and
family members desiring to have their new lifestyle financed and you have a formula for
financial disaster. But the truth is that the thirst for money is never satisfied and using it
as the building blocks for establishing one‘s real worth can leave an individual hollow and
dissatisfied. As Christians, we need to avoid that trap at all costs. (no pun intended.) As
Tommy Nelson, pastor of Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas, once said, ―As Christians,
people need to see that our self worth is not dependant on the things of this world. We have
enough to get by … ESPN, a little Rocky Road, a little Tex Mex once a week, and that‘s
all you need. Otherwise, we are simply straightening pictures on a burning building or
cleaning the deck of the Titanic.‖ In other words, Christians need to live like this is not
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our home, we are only passing through. Until we understand this truth, we will be as
frustrated as a retired athlete who spent everything during his playing years.
This is the last day of the ―Game-Winning 3‖ Devotional. I hope you have enjoyed and
benefited from the words you have read over the past 100 days. I call it ―The GameWinning 3‖ because each day consisted of a verse, the application of the verse and a prayer.
But in all actuality, the ―Game-Winning 3‖ philosophy is something that I have tried to live
my life by the past forty plus years. It is also the subject and title for my next book. The
philosophy simply encompasses these three elements, The Person You Become, The
Memories You Create and The Difference You Make. This Day 100 was written to let you
know that if you never achieve great financial status, but you excel in these three areas,
you have lived a good and meaningful life. And if you only succeed financially and miss these
three areas, you have missed everything. And whether it‘s your money, your influence or
your talent, use it for good and use it for God and build up your true treasure in eternity.
3. TODAY‘S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the opportunity to be an influence in
this reader‘s life for the past 100 days. Help this person to seek you in all they do and to
be a true champion in the cause of Christ. Bless them with your presence and fill them with
your grace … your wonderful grace. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dave Davlin, also known as Dave “Travelin” Davlin, is a
graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in
education. For the past twenty-one years, he has worked as
a professional entertainer and speaker and his amazing
ability to handle a basketball has allowed him the privilege
of communicating to millions of people worldwide. From
the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea to numerous
NBA and college arenas across the United States, Dave has
used basketball as a tool to entertain, motivate and
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encourage. One of his greatest accomplishments was
setting a Guinness World record in 1990 by simultaneously
spinning 12 basketballs on his body at the same time. This
feat landed his picture in the 1990 edition of the Guinness
Book of World Records. He has also invented a unique
item called, Sportspinner, a patented, one-of-a-kind device
which allows kids to simulate the spinning of a basketball
on their finger. Dave has recorded a contemporary
Christian music CD titled, “DAVLIN, One on One”. He
has worked as a speaker and entertainer for sixteen years
with the world-wide organization, Upward Basketball. He
is an accomplished golfer and currently competes on the
GolfChannel.com AM Tour. He resides in San Antonio,
Texas with his wife, Traci, where he continues to perform,
speak and write. Both Dave and Traci are associates for
USANA Health Sciences, a company promoting health and
financial independence world-wide. One can learn more
about Dave at www.davedavlin.com and he can be
contacted by email at [email protected].
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www.davedavlin.com
[email protected]
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