Daily Devos
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A STAR TO WIN
February 27, 2006
Sweden wins Olympic gold because their men's hockey team played as a team.
THINK ABOUT IT
How Swede it is
Sweden celebrates their 3-2 win over Finland in the gold medal ice hockey match.
(Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
 
photo courtesy AP & foxsports.com, 02/26/06
TAKE A LOOK
Romans 12:3-5 - (NLT)
3As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. 4Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.

IN TODAY'S SCRIPTURE, WHAT DOES PAUL TEACH US ABOUT BEING A TEAM?

You have probably had workshops in school and read articles on your own about the importance of a good self-image.  This is true, because without a healthy perspective about who we are, we may think too little of ourselves or some of us may overestimate our importance. 

It is easy to get trapped in our culture's emphasis on being a star.

This is the challenge of putting together a championship team.   Everyone must recognize their need for the rest of the team and the team must recognize the need for each individual.  This is essential to playing together as a team.  And don't forget - teams win championships!

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU FIT IN ON CHRIST'S TEAM?

Paul says that you are vital to Christ's team.  Each of us must find our identiy in Jesus Christ.  If we recognize this truth - then just like the parts of the body function under the direction of the brain - so we must work together under the direction and power of the head of the Body - Jesus Christ!

On our own, we can't accomplish much for Jesus.  But when we work together with other believers, we're talking championship!  Gold medals for every one!

TALK ABOUT IT

Thank God for the Body of Christ.  Ask Him to show you how to best serve with other believers where you live.  Ask His Spirit to show you your spiritual gifts so that you can see how to work with the rest of Christ's "team".  Pray right now for your church and your role in serving in and through your church.  Ask God to give your church victory in Kingdom battles.

TRY IT
  • Form a small "team" of 2-3 friends who will work together at praying, studying and serving Christ in your neighborhood, school, or in your work place. 
  • Get regularly involved in your church.  Ask about opportunities to use your spiritual gifts and abilities to serve.
  • Ask your pastor or youth leader for help in understanding your spiritual gifts so that you can be a more effective "team" member.
    • ABOUT IT
    DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

    Byron EmmertDaily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG.  Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

    Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college.  He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.