Devotional

Play to Your Strengths

Ready 

“Do not lack diligence; be fervent in Spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” -- Romans 12:11-12

Set 

As a coach or athlete, you always want to flip the game to your advantage and play to your strengths. You look for that matchup that will allow you to play your best and gain the greatest competitive advantage.

Why wouldn’t you do the same thing in your spiritual life? God is your X-factor, and what He provides for you are your spiritual strengths. When you use all that He gives you access to, you have the competitive advantage over any challenge you face.

In Romans 12:11-12, the apostle Paul outlines five specifics that will give you poise, peace and power on the sideline and the court.

  1. Do not lack diligence in zeal… keep your passion for what you do, no matter the circumstances.
  2. Be fervent in the Spirit… never lose your spiritual fire or cause someone else to lose theirs.
  3. Rejoice in hope… remember your hope is not in what you do but in who you do it for.
  4. Patient in affliction… God is still God in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties.
  5. Persistent in prayer… this is your most powerful weapon.

These five principles are a must within any believer’s arsenal. Take hold of each of them and learn to play to the strengths God has provided.

Go 
  • Have you lost your spiritual fervor or zeal because you've had a series of bad plays or games?
  • How do get that fervor and zeal back?
Overtime 

“Father, help me to never be lacking in zeal, to consistently keep my spiritual fervor, to rejoice in hope, patient in affliction, and most importantly persistent in prayer. Amen.”