“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

“Gooooooooooo, Jennnnnnnnnnnnnnniiiifffffffffeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr!” I can still hear my mom calling from the bleachers as I ran the 1600 m around my high school track.  Some of the high schools had cinder tracks back then, but ours was a new black rubber track.  I pounded my spikes into the rubber, determined to take my mom’s encouragement and keep gooooooooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnggggggg!

Encouragement.  We all need it in this race called life.  I find my inspiration in God’s Word every day.  My TEA CUPP Prayers with Jesus are like a cup of cold water to my thirsty soul.  However, at times it sure helps to be heartened by another Christian.  As Christian athletes we are called not only to train for ourselves, but also to encourage others in their training.

My favorite daily devotion (Our Daily Bread)  gave a beautiful example of this on April 13th , 2008.  The devotion is entitled, “Cheering Each Other On.”…

A mile from the finish line of the London Marathon, thousands of onlookers holding signs lined the route. When spectators spotted a family member or friend coming into view, they shouted the person’s name, waved, and yelled encouragement: “Just a little farther! Keep going! You’re almost there.” After running 25 miles, many competitors were barely walking and ready to quit. It was amazing to watch exhausted runners brighten and pick up the pace when they saw someone they knew or heard their name called out.

Encouragement! We all need it, especially in our walk of faith. The book of Hebrews tells us to keep urging each other on. “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, . . . but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (10:24-25).

The New Testament is filled with the certainty that Christ will return soon. “The Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5). “The coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:8). “Behold, I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:12).

As we “see the Day approaching,” let’s keep cheering each other on in the faith. “Keep going! You’re almost there! The finish line is in sight.”

And so, my TEA CUPP friend and athlete, I encourage you.  Keep running!  Keep exercising!  Keep reading your Bible and praying!  Your labors are not in vain. God will surely bless you.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

The LORD remembers us and will bless us. Psalm 115:12 (NIV)

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NKJV)

KEEP GOING! YOU’RE ALMOST THERE! THE FINISH LINE IS IN SIGHT!

http://odb.org/2008/04/13/cheering-each-other-on/

“Give thanks, with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks, because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son…”

This tune pounds through my head as I run the dusty mountain road, taking a step with each beat of the song.  I have no earphones, no cord, no electronic gizmo in my pocket…just my running clothes and God in the great outdoors.

Many of you are familiar with the Ipod, a pocket-size electronic device made by the Apple company to store and play hundreds of songs.  My daughter has an Ipod.  Now, instead of lugging around a huge binder of CDs, she carries all her favorite tunes on her Ipod.  With a small set of pink earphones, she immerses herself into her world of music.  Or, she can attach it to a speaker and play the songs for all to enjoy.  But I don’t have an Ipod yet.

I have an I-AM.  It is a God-size music collection that fits right inside my heart.  My I-AM connects directly to my mind, playing all the best tunes and Bible verses.  I take my I-AM with me every time I go running. God reminded me when I was exercising this morning that others might like to have an I-AM Ipod, too.  And so I share this with you today :-).

Sometimes my I-AM plays Bible verses.  My favorites are ones I shared yesterday.  I make up a tune to go with one of the verses and play it over and over again in my mind as the miles pass by.  I especially like to play…

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12 (NIV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Other days my I-AM plays music, a metronome to my soul, providing me a beat for each step.  These songs follow My TEA CUPP Prayers, helping me to pray as I run.

I give THANKS to God while singing in my head, “I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart, I enter His courts with praise…”

I EXALT the Lord with “Thou are worthy, Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, glory and honor and power…”

I ADMIT my sins to God while mentally singing, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

I talk to Jesus about my CALL with, “Here I am, Lord, is it I, Lord, I have heard You calling in the night.”

I UNDERSTAND my story when I sing, “I’m forgiven, because You were forsaken. I’m accepted, You were condemned, I’m alive and well, Your Spirit lives within me, because You died and rose again.”

I claim God’s promises by humming, “Standing on the Promises of Christ my King…”

And I end my run with my favorite petition song ever, “The Lord’s Prayer,” as it is often sung at  weddings: “Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven…”

When I get to the very last part of the prayer, I am running faster and God’s Spirit carries me to the finish line with “for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.”

There are hundreds of songs, hymns and Bible verses stored in my I-AM, just waiting for me to play.  It’s always exciting to strap on the running shoes and head out the door with the Great I-AM.  Go running with Jesus today!

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” Exodus 3:14 (NIV)

New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. Matthew 10:42  (NIV)

My side hurts, my legs are cramping, my throat is so dry…I’ve just reached the half-way point of the Midnight Madness fun run in Ames, Iowa on a typical humid July evening.  I registered for the 10K run, but wish again I had only signed up for the 5K.  Then it would be over!  My body is telling me to give it up, my mind is arguing with my body, and then a wonderful person hands me a cup of cold water.  I gulp the delicious liquid down, pour some on my head and toss the cup as I continue the race, refreshed and now encouraged to finish.

Aren’t those volunteers at races just the best people ever!  They cheer for us and renew us with their cups of cold water.  It reminds me of this Bible verse above from Matthew.    And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. God bless those race volunteers!

A cup of cold water – that is what God’s Word is to me every day, refreshing and renewing me for the journey ahead.  This verse from Matthew is not the only one that ties in to my life as an athlete.  Sprinkled throughout the Bible are all kinds of verses that bring me closer to Jesus and encourage me to be the best athlete I can be.  My fellow athletes, please drink each day from God’s Word and talk with Jesus about your favorite verses.  Here are a few to get you started…

For praying about your path:

I run in the path of Your commands,
for You have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12 (NIV)

For praying for strength:

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor His delight in the legs of a man;

the LORD delights in those who fear Him,
who put their hope in His unfailing love. Psalm 147:10-11 (NIV)

But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He gives me the speed of a deer,
able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 (NLT)

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

For praying for help and protection:

For He will command His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 (NIV)

I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but Your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. Psalm 94:18 (NLT)

I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:13-14 (NIV)

For when I am thirsty:

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:37-38 (NIV)

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Mark 9:41 (NKJV)

For training your body:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

For praying for perseverance:

If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Matthew 5:41 (NIV)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:7 (NIV)

Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

For praying to finish the race:

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NKJV)

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

For praying for victory:

The Lord is my strength and my song;
He has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise Him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt Him! Exodus 15:2 (NLT)

Victory comes from You, O Lord.
May you bless Your people. Psalm 3:8 (NLT)

We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests. Psalm 20:5 (NIV)

But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way.
He will be victorious. Psalm 110:7 (NLT)

Refreshed from brooks along the way, that is what my Jesus, the Word, does for me each day.  He is my Glorious Gatorade of God!  He is the best cup of cold water ever!   Drink up, my friends!

New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14 (NIV)

The clear cool water splashed over my face, into my mouth and drizzled down my neck, as I dunked my sweaty head into the ancient drinking fountain.  The old watering trough at the edge of the football field was a welcome relief on this blistering August day. If the fountain was bigger, I might have stuck my whole body into the chilly liquid!  The girls’ cross country team had just completed our second workout of the day, a torturing set of repeat half miles.  Now it was time for the cool down, which I was hoping to accomplish at the watering trough.  How refreshing it felt!

It must have been well water, because I don’t think the city of Ames, Iowa had a water pipe out in the field.  The coolest, cleanest water I ever drank came from that well.  The small watering trough was raised up on shaky metal legs, with several spigots for shooting water to a thirsty football team.  How many athletes came to that well every day to be refreshed?  And the well never ran dry.  It was always there for us.

I look back on my time as a student athlete and remember the simple joys of the water fountain after a hard day.  I also remember the heartache of losing my college cross country team in a plane crash.  And I remember the joy of coming to know the true Well, Water, and Washer of my soul, Jesus Christ.

Welcome to My TEA CUPP Prayers for Athletes! This week we will be exploring how runners and others can enjoy a TEA CUPP with the Lord each day.  You will find that JESUS is more satisfying than Gatorade, more powerful than Powerade, and more refreshing than the deepest Iowa well.  He is the River of Life,  the Ultimate Sports Drink, the Champion of my soul.

Runners and athletes all, come, enjoy a TEA CUPP of Living Water with Jesus to quench  your thirsty souls!

“Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17 (NIV)