College Golf Fellowship

Matthew 18 – Childlike Humility

Admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:10:43 +0000

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4, ESV)

What an interesting passage of Scripture! Can you imagine hearing these words from Jesus directly, that you must become more like a child. This must have caught his disciples quite off guard.

The day: October 23, 2016, at 3:36 in the afternoon. What was significant about this day and time? Our first baby arrived to us! Charlie was born weighing eight pounds, thirteen ounces and is doing great! We are excited about our new adventure and looking forward to what the Lord has in store!

As I am reflecting now and seeing what God has taught me and shown me the past week or so, this passage came to mind. If you would allow, let me share the biggest thing that has been on my mind recently and how it can relate to our Christian walk.

Charlie, today, is the humblest he will ever be in his lifetime. Think about that for a second. He is fully dependent, he is in complete need of full, hands-on care, and he has no potential of boasting. He is completely modest—he has no way of protecting himself.

This is why Jesus said to his disciples that one must be childlike in humility in order to enter the kingdom. One must be fully aware and willing to be stripped down, fully in need of a Savior. One must not boast, because boasting is admitting that you don’t need a Savior.

You see, Charlie is now in need of two things: parental care and love, and a Savior, King Jesus, to wash him clean of his sins. On earth, it is Hannah’s and my responsibility to care for his needs, feed him, bathe him, change him, put him to bed. However, this only takes care of his temporal, physical, earthly needs. One day, my boy Charlie must recognize his need for an eternal, heavenly Savior who lived the perfect life for him and died a death worthy enough to pay for all of his sins. It is the God of the Bible who can take care of his children fully and perfectly.

You see, Charlie’s parents will try their best to protect him, comfort him, take care of him, and love him. But, because we are sinners, we will fail often. Our hope is that this will point to a greater hope. A hope that doesn’t fail. A hope that doesn’t fade. A hope that lasts forever. This is King Jesus’ kingdom!

Brothers and sisters, we must humble ourselves like a child. Helpless, fully needy, and fully dependent on someone or something. We, the children of God, are in total need of a Savior. Our hope, the God of the Universe, loves you, his child. He cares for you and protects you perfectly. May you find hope in this today.

This post first appeared on LinksPlayers.com

John 6 – The Satisfaction of Christ

Admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 06:04:17 +0000

A Devotional Thought by Rosson Anderson

Today, we’re sharing a devotional thought from by Rosson Andreson (Southeast Region).

Rosson came on staff in June 2013. He resides in Birmingham, AL, and covers the Southeast region for CGF. Rosson graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Business. Having attended the same church as Stephen Bunn in Birmingham, Rosson got plugged in with CGF right away. Stephen discipled Rosson throughout his college years. Rosson is pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree from Birmingham Theological Seminary.

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THE SATISFACTION OF CHRIST

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never go thirsty.” (John 6:35, ESV)

“Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there is something out there that’s greater for me? A lot of people would say that I have reached my life, my goals, and my dreams… but I think that there has to be more than this.”

Reporter: “What’s the answer?”

“I wish I knew, I wish I knew.”

I have learned one thing in my life about worldly and immoral things that present themselves pretty and neat—they never satisfy.This is a conversation New England quarterback Tom Brady had on60 Minutes. Even with all the fame, success, rings, and MVPs, Brady was not satisfied with life on this earth. He knew there was something more, but could not put his finger on it.

Brothers and sisters, the only thing that can fully satisfy us is Christ. He can fill the void. He is the only one who will always fill our cup. He is the one we can truly rest in and find our identity in.

The famous mathematician Blaise Pascal said this: “There is a God-shaped vacuum found in every man which cannot be filled with any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”

When Jesus fed the masses, he knew that it was only a temporary fix to a problem. His miracle, in which he provided food for more than 5,000 people, was indeed a setup to show several things.

First, Jesus performed this miracle to show that he and God are one. He showed his mighty power by doing what only the Creator can do!

Second, Jesus performed this miracle as an illustration to all the people present and to all the people who read this story. Feeding them food was a very temporary aid to all the people there. You see, the same is true for me and you. When we eat, we will get hungry again a few hours later. Our need for food will come back over and over and over again until we get to heaven.

After all these people ate and were fed, Jesus told them this: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never go thirsty.” The illustration is this: While food and water are temporary fixes on this earth, Jesus is the ultimate, complete fix that will satisfy us into eternity.

I wish I kept this at the very forefront of my mind all the time. Oh, how I fall into the trap of this world, thinking that worldly things will satisfy my cravings! However, I have learned one thing in my life about worldly and immoral things that present themselves pretty and neat—they never satisfy.

Brothers and sisters, God can fill that “God-shaped vacuum” inside of you. He is the only one who can wholly satisfy you in all things and in all areas. May we turn to him!

This post first appeared on LinksPlayers.com

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James 1 – Responding to Difficult Times

Admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 05:57:41 +0000

Responding to Difficult Times

How am I supposed to respond during a difficult time? What am I supposed to ask of God? What am I supposed to expect of God? Is God working on my behalf? Is their a point to my struggling?

Have you ever asked these questions to yourself or God? Tune in and see what James has to say about hard times and our attitude as believers in the midst of these times.

Golfstat Devo James 1 from College Golf Fellowship on Vimeo.

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Matthew 11 – True Rest

Admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 06:00:38 +0000

Got Rest?

Are you looking for rest in the middle of your busy schedule? In this video, CGF Central Region staff member, Karsten Majors reads Matthew 11 to see where true rest comes from. Check out this encouraging video from Karsten.

CGF golfstat devo from College Golf Fellowship on Vimeo.

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John 15- Life WITH God

Admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 05:50:10 +0000

Life WITH God

Jesus’ life, death and resurrection gave us access to our Heavenly Father in an unprecedented way: through the indwelling presence of God Himself in the Holy Spirit. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we’ve never had a truly private moment as a Christian because the God of the universe dwells within us. Even in disobedience and in dry seasons God is near, and Jesus’ call is simple yet profound: abide in Me.

John 15- Life WITH God from College Golf Fellowship on Vimeo.

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Psalm 81:10-12 – By Luck or by God’s Plan?

Admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 06:44:32 +0000

Golfstat Devotional

Challenging the thesis of Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram, College Golf Fellowship’s Northeast staff member Michael Blodgett explains why the world doesn’t run on luck but is instead willed by a loving and judging God who desires to have a relationship with you. When God opens our eyes to be able to see the world through His eyes, luck no longer makes any sense. There becomes a much greater purpose for this life.

Psalm 81:10-12 – By Luck or by God’s Plan? from College Golf Fellowship on Vimeo.

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A Conversation with PGA Tour Pro Ben Martin

Admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 16:33:47 +0000

Talking with a Champion

In this Golfstat devotional video, CGF Staff Korky Kemp sits down with PGA Tour Champion and former Clemson All-American, Ben Martin. Check out their conversation on Ben’s long term PGA Tour goals, long term faith goals and how God became real to him as encountered Jesus Christ after college.

Ben Martin College Golf Fellowship Golfstat Devotional from College Golf Fellowship on Vimeo.

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Philippians 2 – Imitate Christ

Admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 06:43:48 +0000

Imitate Christ

In this Golfstat devotional video, CGF Staff Marcus Jones encourages everyone to imitate the ultimate man in human history. We, kids and adults, naturally imitate those we respect, look up to, and want to be like in life. We do this by watching them, learning their tendencies, and spending time with them…in the same way, we must spend time getting to know our Savior, Jesus Christ, if we wish to follow the Apostle Paul in imitating Jesus.

Imitate Christ from College Golf Fellowship on Vimeo.

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Classic CGF Stories – PGA Tour Pro Golfer Cameron Tringale

Admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 06:08:51 +0000

Growth in Adversity and a Commitment to Integrity

Ever have to play while injured? Ever have your confidence take a hit due to bad performance? In this classic CGF video, PGA Pro Golfer Cameron Tringale talks about his challenges, injury and accomplishments in 2013. He also discusses the spiritual growth he experienced in the face of adversity.

When Cameron explains where he finds his ultimate satisfaction in life, he means it. After this video was shot, he finished fourth at the Houston Open and Greenbrier Classic. Six days after the 2014 PGA Championship, many were surprised when he disqualified himself after he realized he signed an incorrect scorecard. But those who knew him best saw the consistency of his witness and his dedication to playing with integrity.

Talking about this turn of events, Kerry Haigh, chief championships officer of the PGA said, “We are very appreciative of Cameron coming forward to inform us of this situation…It again shows the great values and traditions of the game and the honesty and integrity of its competitors.”

Check out this classic video from our friend, Cameron.

Meet PGA Pros like Cameron Tringale

Want to meet Cameron Tringale and some of your favorite PGA pros? You just might. Find out more about our FREE retreats and why pro golfers like Scott open their homes and partner with CGF.

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Advice to a Truth Seeker – Eric Salazar

Admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 06:08:17 +0000

One-Question Interview

In this installment of our series of one-question interviews, we caught up with CGF staff member Eric Salazar and asked him,“What advice would you give to someone who is seeking to know what is true about God?” Check out his response to today’s one-question interview.

Eric played his college golf at Princeton University where he majored in Religion, graduating in 2011. He joined the College Golf Fellowship staff as an intern spring of 2013 and was hired as a full-time staff member August 2014. He now lives near Los Angeles, CA covering the West Region. He is pursuing a Masters of Divinity in Evangelism and Discipleship through Talbot Seminary.

Eric, what’s your advice to a truth seeker?

The most profound discovery on my journey toward a relationship with God came from the pages of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. In chapter 15 he claimed that if Jesus didn’t actually rise from the dead Christian were of all people most to be pitied (1 Cor.15:19). Reading that as a spiritual seeker raised an interesting proposition: Christianity was based on the belief in a moment in history. The earliest Christians staked their lives (temporal and eternal) on a potential physical reality, the resurrection of Jesus. If you want to seek God and find out what’s true about Him, the easiest place to start (at least for someone in our western culture) is with the historical evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. If He really did rise from the dead, then what He claimed about Himself (that He’s the Son of God, Savior of the world, the Messiah) changes everything; and I’m confident, like He did with me, He will change your everything too.

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