Competitors for Christ Newsletter Volume IV, Issue 1
December 2025
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"When I Make Time"
by J Hall, Cross Country/Track and Field Coach
Do you ever have difficulty finding time for certain things? Are you familiar with that end-of-the-day feeling where you realize once again you failed to achieve something you’ve been wanting to accomplish? Maybe it’s extra time with your family around the dinner table, a few moments of solitude for yourself, or finding time to balance finances or catch up on your to-do list. How about in your spiritual life? Do you ever find yourself desperately wanting to have a better prayer or study life, but just never seem to be able to find the time to really invest in them? Unfortunately, I’m sure all of us can answer an emphatic YES to most of these questions. With the pace of our world today it can be hard to find time for almost anything. However, what if there was a fundamental problem with how we approached time in the first place? What if we were able to shift our perspective on time itself and somehow “find” the time we’re always missing out on? This paradigm shifting realization came to me in college from a friend who was regimented athlete named Matt. Matt heavily invested in his health and well-being; always went to bed and woke up early, had three nutritious meals a day, and never missed a chance to be in the gym. Ever. While talking to Matt one day about how I wish I could find the time to join him in the gym he gave me some advice that’s never left me, “J, you’ll never find time to work out. You have to make time to work out.” Now, I confess I still don’t make time for the gym, but what Matt revealed to me that day was a much better outlook on time then I had previously held.
What if the reason we never found time for God was because we never made time for Him in the first place? We can find a good example of this when Paul is on trial in Acts 24. After being brought into the governor of Judea’s court, Felix, Ananias and his lawyer, Tertullas, launch a fabricated prosecution against Paul. Unwaveringly, Paul not only defends himself by pointing to the fact they neither have evidence or eyewitnesses to prove their accusations., but he is also able to turn the conversation to the real reason he’s on trial: he is a leader of the Way. Felix, having some knowledge of this new faith of Christianity, simply deters his decision and detains Paul for the present time. Acts 24:24-25, “After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I find time, I will summon you.”” Felix would fail to sufficiently find the time to declare Paul innocent or truly hear him out for the following two years. It seems as if as soon as Paul started making his testimony personal to Felix, “…as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment…” Felix would send Paul away. Maybe Felix was failing to find the time for Paul, and God Himself, because it was too uncomfortable. Or maybe, as we find out in verse 26, Felix would fail to find the time for Paul because he had alternative motives, “At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So, he sent for him often and conversed with him.”
How are you handling your time in the present? Are you like Felix in that you fail to find the time for God because when you do you’re faced with the reality of your decisions? When you bow the knee in prayer do you have to come face to face with your own shortcomings, so you simply never find the time to approach His throne? Or maybe you just simply have bigger priorities at the moment. Felix never truly found time for Paul because his bigger goal was to get a bride out of him. What aspect of your life right now impedes you from finding time for God? Perhaps you need to swap how you see time. Instead of trying to find time for God in your daily walk, try making time for Him first thing in the morning. Carve out precious minutes throughout your day in prayer, reflection, or study. Whatever this looks like for you, I pray you take your time seriously and stop waiting to find magical time for Him, but you make time for Him instead.
"Checkmate"
by Jonathan Estes, Athletic Director
I used to play chess a lot when I was in grade school during indoor recesses and classroom free time. I definitely wasn’t a grandmaster, but I probably won more than I lost. I enjoyed thinking two, three or more moves ahead while trying to outsmart my opponent. You only need a rudimentary knowledge of the game to know that once your king has no more moves, you are trapped and your opponent can declare “checkmate,” and the game is over.
I recently was introduced to a famous painting by Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch that hung in the Louvre in Paris before being sold to a private collector in 1999 that was referred to as “Checkmate.” The painting shows two players engaged in a chess match with the highest stakes possible. The one is a young man, the other is none other than Satan himself, sneering at his opponent with a look of cocky confidence. The young man is laden with doubt and despair as he looks at apparent defeat.
The story goes that an onlooker named Paul Morphy came upon “Checkmate” during a visit to the Louvre. When Paul’s group left the painting, he stayed behind mesmerized by the scene unfolding in front of him. Paul was a chess grandmaster and he looked intently at the painting for quit a while drawn into the chessboard and analyzing every detail. After a while, the next group came along and Paul pointed out that Satan had not forced the young man into checkmate as was commonly thought.
Satan was confident, but he wasn’t winning. The boy, though feeling defeated, still had a path to victory. As Paul Morphy pointed out based on the remaining pieces and their positioning on the board, the boy still had One More Move. That move would ultimately turn the game in favor of the boy and he would be able to defeat Satan.
Paul told the curator that the title of the painting was incorrect. The game wasn’t finished, the boy wasn’t defeated, his king still had One More Move and that move could change everything.
It isn’t difficult to look to Scripture to find characters that seemed to have their back against the wall, but God proved that He wasn’t done with their story and with their role in defeating evil. In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we are introduced to Joseph. His brothers are jealous of him and hate him because of some dreams he has had and the special treatment he gets from his father. He is sold into slavery and then falsely imprisoned, but God wasn’t done with Joseph. He still had one more move. He was able to interpret dreams in prison and that helped him gain favor with Pharoah and rise to be second in command in Egypt. He navigated Egypt through famine and was eventually reunited with his brothers.
Peter was one of Jesus’ most loyal disciples and apostles. On multiple occasions he was brought into Jesus’ inner circle. He witnessed things that others didn’t witness, saw the miracles and signs and wonders with his own eyes for three years. When Jesus said Peter would deny Him, Peter said he would lay down his life for Jesus. Just a few hours later, Peter turned his back on Jesus and denied Him three times. When the cock crowed, Peter realizing what he had done, wept bitterly for what he had done. God wasn’t done with Peter. He still had one more move. Fifty days later Peter would stand up and preach boldly to thousands of Jews “that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Peter would become a pillar in the early church boldly standing up for Jesus to Jews and Gentiles.
The application is for us as well. When we find ourselves in the midst of sin, doubt, despair, persecution or the storms of this life that Satan can hurl our way, remember who is in control. Remember the promises God has made us and God never comes up short with His promises. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). When it seems like Satan has us in “checkmate”, we serve King Jesus, and our King always has One More Move!
"Becoming a Barnabas"
Anonymously written by member of the FHU baseball team
Throughout Scripture, God often changed a person’s name to mark a turning point in their life. Saul became Paul. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. Each new name reflected something God was doing in them and through them.
Saul transformed from a persecutor into a preacher.
Jacob wrestled with God and became Israel, meaning “one who strives with God.”
Simon received the name Peter, “rock”, because he would become a foundational leader in the early church.
Meet Joses… or rather, Barnabas. Acts 4:36 tells us about a man named Joses who was given a new name by the apostles: Barnabas. Barnabas means “son of encouragement.”
Remarkably, this is the only time in the entire Bible he is ever called Joses. His new name stuck because it described him better than his given one. Everywhere Barnabas went, people found courage, strength, and hope.
So, what made him Mr. Encouragement?
First, he was generous. In Acts 4:37, Barnabas sold a piece of land and gave all the proceeds to support the work of the church. No one required it from him. He simply gave because generosity flowed from his heart.
Most of us know what it feels like when someone is generous to us. I remember when my grandpa gave me his old truck. Vehicles aren’t cheap, and I felt deeply the love behind that gift. Barnabas lived with that same spirit—giving freely, joyfully, and sacrificially.
And his giving stood in stark contrast to Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11), whose gift was more about image than sincerity. Barnabas didn’t give to be noticed; he gave to make a difference.
Second, he believed in people that others weren’t sure about. When Saul tried to join the disciples after his conversion, the believers were terrified. They weren’t convinced his transformation was real. But Acts 9:26–27 tells us Barnabas stepped in. He “cosigned” for Saul—not financially but relationally.
If you’ve ever had someone cosign a loan for you, you know what it means: they take responsibility that you will pay it back. Barnabas put his reputation on the line because he believed God was doing something new in Saul.
And this wasn’t a one-time act. In Acts 15:36–39, when Paul refused to take John Mark on another missionary journey because he had deserted them before, Barnabas advocated for him. He saw potential when others saw failure.
Years later, Paul himself would say in 2 Timothy 4:11, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me.” It came full circle and much of that growth was nurtured by Barnabas.
Thirdly, Barnabas was trustworthy. In Acts 11:27–30, the church sent financial relief to believers in Judea—and they entrusted that significant gift to Barnabas and Saul. You don’t put large sums of money into unsteady hands. Barnabas was dependable.
And look how far Saul had come, now standing beside Barnabas as a trusted leader. Being around a man of character has a way of shaping you into one.
Acts 15:22 and 15:30–31 show the same pattern: when Barnabas was involved, people were encouraged, strengthened, and confident the work would be done well.
Fourth, you may have heard the phrase, “The best ability is availability.” Barnabas lived this out. In Acts 13:1–3, when the Holy Spirit called him and Saul to a new mission, Barnabas was ready. No excuses. No hesitation. He simply went. Encouragers show up faithfully and consistently.
Finally, Barnabas was an encourager because he was humble. Early in their ministry, Scripture refers to “Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 13:2). But soon it becomes “Paul and Barnabas” (Acts 13:45–46). Paul’s influence grew, his voice became primary, and Barnabas moved to the background. And Barnabas didn’t resist it. He wasn’t chasing the spotlight; he was chasing the Gospel. In fact, in the next chapter (Acts 14), the crowd thought Barnabas was Zeus, meaning he still carried tremendous presence and authority. Yet he let Paul lead. His humility was rooted in purpose, not position.
Eventually, the narrative of Acts focuses almost entirely on Paul, and Barnabas fades from the pages. But his impact? Undeniable.
If you were named for your character, what would your name be? Would it resemble Barnabas or would it sound a bit more like Judge Judy or Debbie Downer?
Barnabas brought out the best in people. He lived in such a way that encouragement wasn’t just something he did, it was who he was.
Let’s take the example of Barnabas, the son of encouragement:
• Be Generous – Choose to be a giver, not a consumer.
• Believe in Others – Don’t trap people in their worst moments. Give them room to grow.
• Be Trustworthy – Become the type of person others can depend on. Live by the famous quote by Yoda, “Do or do not. There is no try.”
• Be Available – Be ready and willing when God calls.
• Be Humble – Celebrate the success of others without jealousy or comparison.
Barnabas made people better simply by being around them. Imagine the impact we could have if we lived like that too. May we strive to be encouragers—people who lift, inspire, and bring out the best in everyone we meet.
Moving On, But Falling Back
by J Hall, Cross Country/Track and Field Coach
Have you ever heard of the doorway effect before? More than likely it’s happened to you numerous times before in your life. It may have even happened to you this morning as you prepared for worship! The doorway effect is the psychological principle that explains why we often forget things after we walk into a new room. Science seems to prove that when we change our physical environments, as we simply transition from one room to the next, our thought processes change as well. Transitioning affects our focus. Often when we’re moving from one location to the next, we forget what our original goal was, and end up pursuing other goals. One time as a kid, I remember my mom calling and asking if I could sit some food out to thaw for dinner. After hanging up I left my bedroom, went into the kitchen, promptly opened the freezer door…and grabbed some ice cream! My original purpose for going to the kitchen was mentally lost in the transition. My mom although, did not forget about the (still frozen) meat when she transitioned into the kitchen later…
Spiritually speaking, I believe Christians lose their spiritual zeal for the Lord and overall commitment to Him in times of transition as well. Often in youth ministry, I observe students who were once so 
passionate about their Christian walk in the Summer, nearly disappear at the start of school and fall activities. As adults transition through different “environments” of life, they too can get spiritually lost in the transition. In our attempts to keep moving onward and upward in this world, we ultimately fall back into our spiritual life. So how do we combat this unintentional spiritual decline in times of transition? I believe the Old Testament nation of Israel reveals just how to handle these situations because they went through a transition.
In Deuteronomy we see Israel preparing for the transition into the promised land for the very first time. Moses in Deuteronomy 4, leaving them with final exhortations since he won’t be joining them, encourages them to remember their experience at Mt. Sinai. Deut. 4:9, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.” He continues in Deut. 8:18 to remind them of who is really in control and will provide them success, “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” By way of reminder, Moses is calling on Israel to not forget the past experiences they had with God. If we want to cling to God during times of transition, we too must stop and remember past experiences we had with God. Times when we felt near to Him in prayer and study, times of worship or devotion that were especially uplifting, and even moments of sweet fellowship with our brothers and sisters. Simply taking time to reflect on past moments will keep us near to Him.
This practice of intentional remembrance will be something that not only the Israelites do often, but that God organizes from time to time. We see this in Joshua 3 when God commands Joshua to place 12 stones together so that, “When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.” When we purposefully put things in our lives to remember what the Lord has done for us in the past, we are more likely to stay with him in the present.
Today, what are you transitioning to? Are you transitioning into a new norm or way of life, are you fulfilling a new role, or are you in a new environment altogether? Most years are years of movement and change, and as we face these changes and move on from one thing to the next – let us never fall back in our spiritual life! Let us “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and remember what He has done for us so that we will never forget our original priority – no matter how our environment changes!
