Tennis Ambassadors Christian Ministry newsletter Janurary 1, 1999

Love to Serve News January 1, 1999

Happy New Year!

You can be a success in God’s eyes in 1999. You may have already thought of your accomplishments last year and set new goals for the upcoming one. God has told us in the Bible that approaching the new year in the wrong manner can be both foolish and unwise. "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians3:3)

Tennis professionals, such as world number 1, Pete Sampras, set their year end ranking as a major goal. School teams look at their year-end results. Team players look at their position on the team. Coaches look at their results and recruiting accomplishments. Fans look at their favorite player's results. Recreation players wish to play a better game than in the past year. Businessmen look at their profit and loss plan. Perhaps I’ve missed a few, but you get the general idea. Does God have a better way? You bet! Here are some secrets to success no matter what your profession.

In the Old Testament, the people of God sought for forgiveness of their sins through a sacrifice.

"Sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them." (Leviticus 9:7)

Acknowledgement of sin is important to God. The good news is that, Jesus Christ paid for our sins by his death.

"This is my blood of the (new) covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28)

Have you done something that you know is wrong and that you should mention to Jesus? It may be an action or an unkind thought.

"Since (you) show that the requirements of the law are written on (your) heart, (your) consciences also bearing witness, and (your) thoughts now accusing, now even defending (yourself)." (Romans 2:15)

Find a quiet room and poor out your heart to the Lord. Then turn from your sin, repent, and know that you have forgiveness. "Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his (Jesus) name to all nations. (Luke 24:47) If you play on a team perhaps you have a grudge against a fellow team member or the coach. Honor God in every situation. Turn and go the opposite direction from you sin. "He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him (Jesus) is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him." (John 7:18)

King Solomon, was the richest and wisest man in the Old Testament of the Bible and he learned that comparisons are vain and not useful. Comparing how you did this year with last year or with other players is not wise. Rich or poor, famous or not, God has the perfect plan for your life. "But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25) It may not be the plan you envisioned, but He (God) knows your past, present, and future and will make a good way for you to follow.

"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he (God) will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:6)

Michael Chang recently dropped from world number 2 to 29. His comments reflect the inner man, "Remember, God has a time for everything." (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The conclusion that Solomon came to was,

"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

What would New Year be without setting goals for the upcoming year? Actually, for myself, I have desires. Foremost among them is seeing tennis players network worldwide among themselves for the glory of God. "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4). Remember God knows what is best for us. "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." (Isaiah 48:17) For a Christian, the goal is very simple. "But (first) seek his kingdom, and (all) these things will be given to you as well." (Luke 12:31) Life’s decisions are a gift that God has given to you with his love. His hope is that you will make a decision that will honor him. If you have two roads to take and one leads towards God, then by all means choose that way. The Road Less Taken was a NY Times bestseller and pointed out that the popular choice is not always the right choice. Do not fear man, the reaction of man, or what the future may hold, but in all your ways acknowledge Him (the trinity of: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit). Honor God; lift up the name of Jesus Christ. Be empowered by the Holy Spirit and remember: "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39).

Rev. Bob Kraft