“48 Minutes!” by Coach Dave Bessey

Symbolism, metaphors and figurative language are critical to understanding the word. This morning I was laying here and the Holy Spirit said “48 Minutes!”

At the end of every game the team must reflect did they play the whole 48 minutes or 40 minutes in FIBA. Many times we quit early and do not finish well. There are many excuses as to why we lose, but in life it is not about just one game. As a spiritual team following Christ our “Head” Coach, it is about every moment done by faith in Him and trusting our team mates to do their part. This doesn’t always happen. We win or lose as a team, we need to spend sometime in reflection as how to encourage and build up our team mates to think as victors and not as victims. Your mindset is everything. TODAY as the sunrises put on this mindset as a son of God in Christ:

“SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever strengthening and consoling and encouraging our relationship in Him affords, by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind[set] and one in purpose, having the same LOVE, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends in mixture and divisiveness] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God, God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭15‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

When we can walk as Christ did together as one, we will finish well and play the full 48 minutes.

Sometimes we defeat ourselves before we even walk on the court of life because stinkin’ thinkin’!

“I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith. [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor's] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day–and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

“But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel if the Kingdom) of God's grace (His unmerited favor, power, spiritual blessing, and mercy).”‭‭Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Run the race to the end and play to the last second of the 48 minutes.