Life-Changing Words

AthleteWord: Great change is created by words that never change.

READ: Romans 6:1-14

REFLECT: At this time of year we begin to see changes all around us.  New life, new beginnings, and hope for better weather cause us to dream about what could be next.  In the sport of fitness, we are also moving into a new phase of the season.  Some are beginning the next phase of their quest for the Games.  Many of us are reflecting on the Open and thinking of what could be next.  As we aim for change, what changes do we hope to see?  How will these changes occur, and what could inspire us to move in the right direction?  Words possess the power to produce the greatest change.

RESPOND:

1. What words have been life-changing for you?
2. How have you seen words alter the direction of your life?

When I asked my wife to marry me, one word changed my life – “Yes!”  When we struggled for years to have children, three words changed our lives – “It’s a girl!”  These words bring great joy, but words can also be devastating.  Many of us have heard words like – “It’s cancer,” “He didn’t make it,” or “We have to let you go.”

Words have the power to change our lives.  This is why we must search, claim, and fight for words that can change our lives for good.

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” – Romans 6:3-4

The words we celebrate on the coming Easter weekend provide the foundation for real change.  All sin was paid for on the cross of Jesus Christ.  He buried sin in the grave and overcame the consequences of sin when He conquered death.  This gives us hope since we have the opportunity to unite with Him in this resurrection.  We can begin to live a resurrected life when we accept these words.

Skill Work

1. Receive these life-changing words for your life right now. If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord, contact me directly with your desire to take the next steps in understanding how you can respond in faith, repentance, and baptism. ch**@fa******.or
2. Read Romans 6:1-14 out loud.  Imagine these promises are very personal to you for this phase of life.
3. Journal for 10 minutes about how you want to change and how the resurrection of Christ gives you hope to change.
4. Share your experience with a friend.