Daily Devos
GIVE IT UP FOR GOD!
June 22, 2006
NBA champion and MVP Dwyane Wade gave honor to God after he won it all!
THINK ABOUT IT

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade holds his Most Valuable Player trophy following a 95-92 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the NBA basketball finals in Dallas, Tuesday, June 20, 2006. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
 
If you're a basketball fan, you saw Miami win the NBA Championship on Tuesday night.  You don't have to be a fan of basketball to be a fan of Dwyane Wade.  He is an amazing player, but he is also one of the most humble I have ever seen.  
 
Dwyane Wade gave God thanks after the Miami Heat won the NBA title. It seemed much more sincere than the ususal "just want to thank the Man upstairs, or the Good Lord above" verbage that often comes out of the mouth of a pro immediately following a championship.  
 
Wade, who wears No. 3 to honor the triune nature of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), who tithes faithfully to his church, and who appears to love his family faithfully, has a great opportunity to be an example of someone who has a genuine relationship with God.
 
photo courtesy AP, 0/21/06
TAKE A LOOK
Psalms 115:1 - (NLT)
      1Not to us, O LORD, but to you goes all the glory

            for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

WHAT DOES TODAY'S SCRIPTURE TEACH US ABOUT HONORING GOD?

Here's some insight from Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes:

115:1  The writer asked that God's name, not the nation's, be glorified.  To often we ask God to glorify his name with ours.  For example, we may pray for help to do a good job so that our work will be noticed.  Or we may ask that a presentation go well so we will get applause.  There is nothing wrong with looking good or impressing others; the problem comes when we want to look good no matter what happens to God's reputation in the process.  Before you pray, ask yourself; Who will get the credit if God answers my prayer?

If we do everything in humility, knowing that we owe everything to God, He will be glorified whether or not we win or become the best at anything.  Right now, Dwyane Wade, basketball's Most Valuable Player seems serious about honoring God.

We can be serious about honoring God by dedicating all of our actions and abilities to Him through our Most Vulnerable Prayer.  

TALK ABOUT IT
Praise God for His unfailing love and faithfulness!  Thank Him for gifting you and giving you the privilege of honoring Him with your actions and abilities.  Confess any way in which recently you may have been seeking glory for yourself.  Ask Jesus to use you every day to bring honor and glory to God.
TRY IT
  • Pray for Dwyane Wade to use wisdom and discernment in his life as his superstar status will now highlight all of his actions and words.
  • Pray every day for a Christ-like humility in all that you say and do, so that your life will honor and glorify God.
  • Remember to offer God your Most Vulnerable Prayer before any opportunity He gives you to demonstrate your talent and abilities.  This might be at school, in sports, in the arts, at your job....
  • Use today's Devo to share your faith or encourage someone.
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.