Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven.

Basketball. It is a tremendous sport. Whether you like to play it or watch it, basketball is engaging. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In basketball, there are players, there are spectators, there are coaches, there are referees, and there’s the rulebook. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven

So where does the Bible come in? This is where….every NBA team has a head coach. He is the trusted appointee, he is the leader or ruler of the team. He has authority over the team and has the final say. Jesus is the Head Coach. He is our leader. He has all the authority. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An excellent NBA coach not only makes great decisions for the team, but loves the game, and loves his players. Jesus loves all of us because he created us and gave his life for us. The same way that any great coach wants to be connected to his players, Jesus desires to have that personal connection with all of his children. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven

Now how does the bible tie into this? That’s easy….the bible is the rulebook! In the NBA, there are very clearly defined rules, and they are presented in this rulebook. Without the rulebook, how would the players maneuver in the game? How would the referees umpire or judge the game? There would be complete confusion and disorder. The rules in the NBA must be followed by the players or there will be penalties, violations, and even possible ejection from the game. The same applies to the Bible, if we did not have it we would be living in chaos. That is why God spoke to Moses and provided the 10 Commandments. If we have no structure then there will just be bedlam.

We, as God’s children, are the players. We need to be willing to obey and follow the laws that Jesus (the NBA coach) has established for us that are in the bible (the rulebook). We need to realize that we are not perfect and will make mistakes. As the bible states in Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”http://www.biblegateway.com. As we spend time with God in church, reading and meditating on his word, surrounding ourselves with godly people and listening to that small still quiet voice that is the “Holy Spirit” we will get a better understanding of the rulebook (the bible) and will begin to please Jesus (the head coach) more.

The NBA referees keep the players in line. Once the players hear the whistle blow they know one of them did something wrong. It is the referee’s job to explain what went wrong. That is the same assignment that The Holy Spirit has. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. When the players make mistakes on the basketball court it is the referee’s assignment to convict them. Since the Holy Spirit lives and dwells in us he is the one to convict us when we sin. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Hoops and Heaven

The game gives us hope. Basketball teaches us all the things that our religion teaches us – hard work, integrity, teamwork, resilience, and heart.

The basketball courts are where you can be yourself and be comfortable no matter who you are or what you look like. The same way we can let the game consume us for two hours, we should be consumed in our love of God and living for him.

We have had some awesome NBA finals in past years no matter who you were rooting for. Root, cheer on, support the ultimate one; Jesus our Lord and savior that will solidify your destiny will be heaven.

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