God truly cares

My 2 younger brothers and younger sister had a tennis tournament today that my mom, little brother and I all went to. It's a team tennis group of kids, playing different teams from other areas. The one thing that I thought of as we sat there cheering for the good shots, was this: God loves what you do if you're doing it for Him.

On Facing The Giants the kids asked coach Taylor "So, you really think God cares about football?" and his response was "I know God cares about you, and if you really care about football then yes God cares about football because He cares about you."
He then went on to explain that people in history who have won were forgotten after years passed. There are a few, mind you, that are remembered for breaking records and such, but just your "normal" players aren't ever remembered. This confused the team, because they thought the point of playing football was to win. Then it was explained that winning isn't everything, but how you play is and what you play for is. If you can have a team or group of people who verbally or outwardly praise God no matter the outcome of what they're doing, then you have made a difference doing something you love. "We praise Him in our wins, and we praise Him in our losses."

2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed..."

Tennis doesn't just have to be a "sport"; something you do when you don't have anything better to do...it can be a ministry. Anything in your life you do can be a ministry. You can even witness to those around you simply by having a good attitude. They will see something different in you and start wondering what it is.

Like I quoted already, God cares for you and me, which means He cares about the things we care about.

Romans 8:28
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Our lives can have such a huge impact on those around us if we will just "go do" and not sit around all day hoping for something to come along with "Jesus" written all over it. Someone mentioned something once that really spoke to me. She said "The reason a lot of the things in this world are getting so bad, is because Christians are pulling away from them and letting all of the worldly people take over. Whether it be authors, film directors/writers, singers, photographers, etc,etc,etc. Something starts getting out of hand and, instead of all the Christians standing up for what's right, they back out and pull everyone out of that category or line of work."

If we all stay away from Hollywood, writing, acting, etc then of course there will be bad things that come out of those parts of life, because we aren't taking a stand or doing anything about it. We're complaining that the world won't be "good" when we should know better than than. If you don't have Jesus, you can't be "good" or do "good"...period. What we need are Christians who will go into things to make a change. Christians who will go play football, baseball, soccer, tennis or basketball and praise God for all to see. We need Christians in the film industry, ones who will take a stand and protect the viewers eyes and ears from things they shouldn't have to hear or see. To use their talents to make great films, but films that are pleasing to God, and not be ashamed to give Him credit. People who will write books full of adventure, romance, suspense, thrills, mystery and such...but in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. We need photographers who are willing to take a stand against immodesty and inappropriate photos but use the God given talents to make amazing pictures. We need people using their musical talents to praise God, to blow away those spouting out filth to fill our minds with.

1 Corinthians 10:31
"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

We need people who will make a difference where they're asking others to do so.

I need to not be ashamed to mention God's name wherever I go. I need to shine Jesus with everything in my life that I do. I need to make sure my actions and words only point to Him, and not me or the world.

I can make a difference...in a small or a huge way, depending on where God leads me. Won't you join me in being radical? Everything we do, should be done to give God glory.

"You’re picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today.
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost Cheerios that got away.
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips and head out the door.
And while I may not know you I bet I know you wonder sometimes does it matter at all. Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you. Cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face and tell the story of grace. With every move that you make and every little thing you do.

Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie, maybe your shirt says your name.
You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers but at the end of the day little stuff big stuff in between stuff God sees it all the same.

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you, 'cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face, and tell the story of grace with every move that you make.

Well maybe you’re sitting in math class, maybe you're on a mission in the Congo.
Maybe you’re working at the office, singing along with the radio. Maybe you’re dining at a five star or feeding orphans in Myanmar. Anywhere and everywhere you are, whatever you do, it all matters so do what you do and don’t ever forget
to do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you. Cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face, and tell the story of grace." ("Do Everything" by: Steven Curtis Chapman)