CSRM

❓ What Gospel ministry partner are you empowering?

Today we want to empower you to empower others.

In the fourth chapter and third verse of the letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to challenge those who were co-laboring side by side in Gospel endeavors.

The root word for laboring side by side found in the Greek language that the New Testament was written in, was the word sunathleo’ where we get our English word athlete. So, the spiritual lesson for all of us who are sports ministers is that we are to encourage and help all who are co-laborers in Gospel outreach.

🙏 Who are you encouraging today?

🔗 Looking for more ways CSRM can empower your ministry? Check out our consulting opportunities ➡ https://www.csrm.org/coaching

💬 Want to receive more devotions like this in your inbox? Comment I want in below ⬇

❓ Who are you “struggling” for...

Today we continue on the theme of “striving” or “struggling”... spiritually speaking. Our conversation continues to be based upon our ongoing study of the Greek word Agon which was an athletic term that was rooted in the concept of an athlete’s “striving or struggling” to overcome an opponent or obstacle.

Paul writes to believers in the ancient city of Colossae that he, that is Paul, “struggles” or “strives” that the Colossians hearts may be encouraged.”

Are you “struggling or striving” for your sports ministry leaders, teammates and/or players?” Are you “striving & struggling” (meaning you are engaging in efforts) so that their hearts are encouraged and that they may be ever more increasingly mature in their walk with the ultimate head coach - Jesus?

🙏 Action point: Today, make a list of who you are called encourage and specifically how you are to encourage their maturing in Jesus!

🔗 Want more devotionals like this? Check out our devotions library and sign up for our daily devotional mailing list at: https://www.csrm.org/dailydevotionals

At REACHGathering, we're always looking for resources that help churches and sports leaders serve their communities well. We wanted to bring this opportunity to your attention.

🛡️ FREE SafeSport® Training - August 3–9

In recognition of International Safe Sport Day, the U.S. Center for SafeSport is offering its SafeSport® Trained Core Course FREE for a limited time.

This course will help you:
✅ Recognize risk factors that make athletes vulnerable to abuse
✅ Learn research-based strategies to protect athletes
✅ Understand when and how to report abuse or misconduct
✅ See why following the SafeSport Code matters for a safer sport environment

Here's how to claim your free spot:
📅 Register August 3–8 (first-come, first-served)
🎟️ Use promo code: SAFESPORTDAY26 at checkout
⏰ Complete the course by August 9

Whether you're a coach, parent, volunteer, or anyone who works with young athletes, this is a great opportunity to deepen your awareness and help create safer spaces for kids in sports.

❓ What if you could start every weekday with a short devotional designed specifically for people serving in Sports, Recreation, and Fitness Ministry?

📖 We're excited to introduce a brand-new resource from CSRM and ! Each weekday, Dr. Greg Linville and other experienced SRF ministry leaders will share a brief, Christ-centered devotional to encourage your walk with Christ and equip you to serve athletes, teams, leagues, and your community.

🏀 Whether you're leading a church league, coaching, serving in recreation ministry, or using fitness as a ministry platform, these devotionals are created with you in mind.

🙌 Want to receive them?

⬇ Comment "I WANT IN!" below, and a member of our team will reach out with all the details.

✅ Tag a friend who serves in Sports, Recreation, or Fitness Ministry—they won't want to miss this!

April 2026: Refreshed, Encouraged & Empowered - https://mailchi.mp/54955b53f439/why-sports-ministry-matters-and-where-were-going-in-6433445

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?” Looking up, they observed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed.

“Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.’”

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And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place). They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get. Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. The inscription of the charge written against Him was:

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

They crucified two criminals with Him, one on His right and one on His left. [ So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: And He was counted among outlaws.] Those who passed by were yelling insults at Him, shaking their heads, and saying, “Ha! The One who would demolish the sanctuary and build it in three days, save Yourself by coming down from the cross!” In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking Him to one another and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him were taunting Him.

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!” Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!”

But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “This man really was God’s Son!”

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