Go For the Green

By Jeff Hopper

God can meet us wherever we are, and for golfers, that is often on the golf course.

Experience daily devotions with the peace you feel on an early morning course, the excitement of doing well, the enjoyment of time spent with the closest of all friends.

This daily round of golf-themed devotions offers thoughts for throughout the year: the Off-Season, the Majors Season, the Golf Season, and the Silly Season. Conceived by the founder of a faith-and-golf ministry, each devotional and scripture are partnered with a solid golf tip to help the reader get to the green. Written in a pleasant, intelligent style that will connect with players of all ages, Go for the Green is a hole-in-one for its target audience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: May 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781400320424

Book preview

A GIFT FOR

1

FROM

19781400319657_INT_0005_00319

Go for the Green

Copyright © 2004, 2012 by Jeff Hopper

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

PGA professional Doug Scrivner contributed to the daily golf tips.

Photos on ♦ and ♦ by Mike Houska, Bend, Oregon.

Thomas Nelson, Inc., titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [e-mail].

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scriptures marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. Scriptures marked NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Foundation, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-4003-1965-7

Printed in China

12 13 14 15 WAI 6 5 4 3 2 1

www.thomasnelson.com

To

KATHLEEN AND DOUG,

who know well

how rewarding and how challenging

the game can be.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION: ON THE TEE

JANUARY

JANUARY 1: TRUE DESIRE

JANUARY 2: CAN’T GET AWAY?

JANUARY 3: FOLLOW THE CROWD

JANUARY 4: SUFFERING

JANUARY 5: STAYING SHARP

JANUARY 6: MEETING THE MAKER

JANUARY 7: ARRESTING THE SLIDE

JANUARY 8: BACK IT UP

JANUARY 9: ETERNITY’S TREASURES

JANUARY 10: GLORY DAYS

JANUARY 11: SALVATION’S STAMP OF AUTHENTICITY

JANUARY 12: DO THE DO

JANUARY 13: IN OUR RIGHT MINDS

JANUARY 14: TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

JANUARY 15: THE RANGE OF GOD

JANUARY 16: CAN’T WAIT

JANUARY 17: GOD’S TIMING

JANUARY 18: LET IT RAIN

JANUARY 19: TALKING A GOOD GAME

JANUARY 20: THE LOUD CROWD

JANUARY 21: DIGNITY

JANUARY 22: IN THE BAG

JANUARY 23: LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIPS

JANUARY 24: ABOUT-FACE

JANUARY 25: THE OTHER GODS

JANUARY 26: IN CONDITION

JANUARY 27: TO THE MOUNTAIN

JANUARY 28: BOOKISH TYPES

JANUARY 29: BLIND FAITH

JANUARY 30: PROMISES, PROMISES

JANUARY 31: NEW CLOTHES

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 1: HEART CHECK

FEBRUARY 2: FUNDAMENTALS

FEBRUARY 3: NOT MINE

FEBRUARY 4: SERVICE AND WORSHIP

FEBRUARY 5: SETTING OUR SIGHTS

FEBRUARY 6: CHANGE OF PLANS

FEBRUARY 7: FRIENDS LIKE THESE

FEBRUARY 8: FROM GOD

FEBRUARY 9: CAN’T HELP MYSELF

FEBRUARY 10: POWER TO DISCERN

FEBRUARY 11: FIRED UP

FEBRUARY 12: BACK TO HIM

FEBRUARY 13: THINK ABOUT IT

FEBRUARY 14: OPEN HOUSE

FEBRUARY 15: FULLY FUNCTIONAL

FEBRUARY 16: FULL SUPPORT

FEBRUARY 17: HONOR

FEBRUARY 18: INSIDERS

FEBRUARY 19: HEALTHY INTIMIDATION

FEBRUARY 20: ANTIESTABLISHMENT?

FEBRUARY 21: NOTHING IN THE WAY

FEBRUARY 22: THE GOD WHO’S NOT HIDDEN

FEBRUARY 23: DON’T MISS THIS

FEBRUARY 24: FEARLESS

FEBRUARY 25: BACK TO GOD

FEBRUARY 26: HIGHEST REGARD

FEBRUARY 27: HOLY CURIOSITY

FEBRUARY 28: HOOKED

FEBRUARY 29: GOD’S PRIORITIES

MARCH

MARCH 1: TIME WELL SPENT

MARCH 2: CASE CLOSED

MARCH 3: FULL-SERVICE GOD

MARCH 4: TURNING THE TIDE

MARCH 5: WHOLE NEW BALL GAME

MARCH 6: OPEN THEIR EYES

MARCH 7: BETTER

MARCH 8: GUESSING GAME

MARCH 9: TRUE BLESSINGS

MARCH 10: PRESENT AND POWERFUL

MARCH 11: ARGUING WITH GOD

MARCH 12: SPANNING IT ALL

MARCH 13: SHARE ON

MARCH 14: VISUALIZING LIFE

MARCH 15: KNOWING GOD

MARCH 16: BEST WISHES

MARCH 17: SELF-MADE?

MARCH 18: WHAT WE REALLY WANT

MARCH 19: NUMBER ONE

MARCH 20: COMMITMENT

MARCH 21: FREE SLAVES

MARCH 22: JUST DESSERTS

MARCH 23: IF YOU SAY SO

MARCH 24: EARNESTLY SEEKING

MARCH 25: NEAR MISSES

MARCH 26: OUT OF OUR HANDS

MARCH 27: SLOW

MARCH 28: GIVE IT UP

MARCH 29: BEING TRANSFORMED

MARCH 30: PRIVILEGED PEOPLE

MARCH 31: WHAT COUNTS

APRIL

APRIL 1: FULLY ACCREDITED

APRIL2: IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

APRIL 3: OUR GUARANTEE

APRIL 4: THE JOY OF THE LORD

APRIL 5: ON THE BOARD

APRIL 6: FITTING REMEMBRANCES

APRIL 7: COMMANDER

APRIL 8: TRUE HEROES

APRIL 9: HOPE BEATS HYPE

APRIL 10: NOT SO PAINFUL

APRIL 11: ONE WAY

APRIL 12: FIRST STEPS

APRIL 13: POWER PACKED

APRIL 14: CONFIDENCE

APRIL 15: GET AWAY

APRIL 16: WASTED

APRIL 17: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

APRIL 18: TOMORROW

APRIL 19: WHAT IS GOOD?

APRIL 20: MORE THAN ENOUGH

APRIL 21: TRUE STRENGTH

APRIL 22: THE SEED

APRIL 23: MIGHTIEST PRAISE

APRIL 24: SET STRAIGHT

APRIL 25: THE GREAT ASSURANCE

APRIL 26: STEADY AS YOU GO

APRIL 27: THE REAL REASON

APRIL 28: TOTALLY COMMITTED

APRIL 29: READY OR NOT

APRIL 30: BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

MAY

MAY 1: GUT FEELING

MAY 2: GOD’S WORK

MAY 3: TOGETHER WITH CHRIST

MAY 4: AT THE HEART

MAY 5: JUSTICE AND LOVE

MAY 6: SALT THE EARTH

MAY 7: WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

MAY 8: JUST DO IT

MAY 9: KNOWING WHAT’S YOURS

MAY 10: SWEAR IT OFF

MAY 11: LET THE WIND BLOW

MAY 12: NOT UNEXPECTED

MAY 13: GOD’S UNIVERSE

MAY 14: ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT

MAY 15: GROWN-UPS

MAY 16: OUT WITH THE OLD

MAY 17: DEPTH IN FRIENDSHIP

MAY 18: TOLERANCE

MAY 19: SKILLED LABOR

MAY 20: NAMELESS AND FAITHFUL

MAY 21: UNCOMMONLY COMMON

MAY 22: TOGETHER AS ONE

MAY 23: RISK-REWARD

MAY 24: IT DEPENDS ON GOD

MAY 25: NO OFFENSE

MAY 26: THE PRICE OF GRACE

MAY 27: GOD’S WAY TO PERFECT

MAY 28: TALK IS PRICEY

MAY 29: THE WILL TO WIN

MAY 30: THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

MAY 31: UNITED

JUNE

JUNE 1: THE ULTIMATE TEST

JUNE 2: POCKET CALCULATORS

JUNE 3: BETTER THAN WINNING

JUNE 4: DYING BY DEGREES

JUNE 5: ONE ACT

JUNE 6: NO OTHER

JUNE 7: EXPECTATIONS

JUNE 8: SHIELDED

JUNE 9: HEADS UP

JUNE 10: LAWLESS

JUNE 11: A COMPELLING REASON

JUNE 12: THE GOD WHO TRUSTS

JUNE 13: DARKNESS TO LIGHT

JUNE 14: FIT TO PREACH

JUNE 15: BAD TO GOOD

JUNE 16: THE HOME COURSE

JUNE 17: CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE

JUNE 18: GIFTED CHILDREN

JUNE 19: WISE TO THE GUISE

JUNE 20: WELL MARKED

JUNE 21: A BIGGER GOAL

JUNE 22: TRUTH ABOUT TROUBLE

JUNE 23: A FORGETFUL GOD

JUNE 24: SOMETHING TO SAY

JUNE 25: THROUGH CHRIST

JUNE 26: ANOTHER KIND OF MASTERY

JUNE 27: THE PERFECT GAME

JUNE 28: SURPRISE, SURPRISE

JUNE 29: IN YOUR RIGHT MIND

JUNE 30: CLOSE TO HOME

JULY

JULY 1: DO THE DEW

JULY 2: ALL FOR US

JULY 3: RECOVERING THE SPLINTERS

JULY 4: FIRST THINGS FIRST

JULY 5: ROCK SOLID

JULY 6: NEW AND NEW AGAIN

JULY 7: GOOD WORK

JULY 8: THE POWER OF LOVE

JULY 9: UNDERSTANDING

JULY 10: ON AND ON

JULY 11: IN THE FACE OF UNBELIEF

JULY 12: MORE THAN A FEELING

JULY 13: LEFT BEHIND

JULY 14: DO AS I HAVE DONE

JULY 15: WINNING RESPECT

JULY 16: DRAWN LINE

JULY 17: THE GREATEST TEST

JULY 18: FALSE GODS

JULY 19: SELF-CHECK

JULY 20: A SAVED LIFE

JULY 21: GOING ON

JULY 22: RIGHTLY JUDGED

JULY 23: WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

JULY 24: EQUIPPED TO STAND

JULY 25: SPEAK UP

JULY 26: BIGGER AND BETTER

JULY 27: LAST CHANCE

JULY 28: END OF DISCUSSION

JULY 29: THE LONG RUN

JULY 30: DON’T SAY IT

JULY 31: THE GOOD SIDE

AUGUST

AUGUST 1: THE CASE FOR CHRIST

AUGUST 2: SHUN EVIL

AUGUST 3: KNOW IT ALL

AUGUST 4: TOWARD PERFECTION

AUGUST 5: NO CRISIS HERE

AUGUST 6: BOLD WORDS

AUGUST 7: GRATITUDE

AUGUST 8: THE MAIN THING

AUGUST 9: BIG AS CAN BE

AUGUST 10: THE RIGHT WORDS

AUGUST 11: QUITE RIGHT

AUGUST 12: BELIEVE IT

AUGUST 13: RULING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

AUGUST 14: STRAIGHT AND NARROW

AUGUST 15: CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

AUGUST 16: AT THE READY

AUGUST 17: HOLIER-THAN-THOU

AUGUST 18: GROW ON!

AUGUST 19: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

AUGUST 20: ONLY ONE

AUGUST 21: READY FOR ROUGH

AUGUST 22: GOOD AND BEST

AUGUST 23: GAINING ON IT

AUGUST 24: EMERGENCE

AUGUST 25: THE FRIEND OF THE DAY BEFORE

AUGUST 26: LOOKING FOR GOD

AUGUST 27: PAYING ATTENTION

AUGUST 28: UPRIGHT MAKES RIGHT

AUGUST 29: CONTENTMENT

AUGUST 30: SEND IN THE REPLACEMENTS

AUGUST 31: ROLE MODELS

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 1: STEERING CLEAR

SEPTEMBER 2: FIRM FAITH

SEPTEMBER 3: ON OUR WAY

SEPTEMBER 4: FOLLOW ME

SEPTEMBER 5: GOD’S DISTANCE

SEPTEMBER 6: CHRIST AS LORD

SEPTEMBER 7: CONVICTED BY CONVICTIONS

SEPTEMBER 8: LITTLE AND BIG

SEPTEMBER 9: HAVING IT ALL

SEPTEMBER 10: TIME FOR GOD

SEPTEMBER 11: THE VERY BEST

SEPTEMBER 12: IN GOOD HANDS

SEPTEMBER 13: GODLY INDEPENDENCE

SEPTEMBER 14: THE GREATEST BLESSING

SEPTEMBER 15: TEAMWORK

SEPTEMBER 16: COPIOUS AMOUNTS

SEPTEMBER 17: THE GOOD AND THE BAD

SEPTEMBER 18: ONE GOAL

SEPTEMBER 19: MERE MEN

SEPTEMBER 20: CAREFUL CHOICES

SEPTEMBER 21: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

SEPTEMBER 22: INSIDE OUT

SEPTEMBER 23: A FULL LIFE

SEPTEMBER 24: HARDY FOOLS

SEPTEMBER 25: HUMBLED

SEPTEMBER 26: WHAT WE HAVE

SEPTEMBER 27: THE NARROW WAY

SEPTEMBER 28: SALVATION’S MARVELOUS BREADTH

SEPTEMBER 29: QUICK-CHANGE ARTISTS

SEPTEMBER 30: CHARACTERS IN CONFLICT

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 1: BLESSED BELIEF

OCTOBER 2: ALL THE KNOWLEDGE IN THE WORLD

OCTOBER 3: GRACE AND PEACE

OCTOBER 4: STICKING WITH IT

OCTOBER 5: SOUNDS OR SILENCE?

OCTOBER 6: NEARER TO THEE

OCTOBER 7: THE BRIGHT SIDE

OCTOBER 8: THE WHOLE STORY

OCTOBER 9: FUNDAMENTALS

OCTOBER 10: SMART FOOLS

OCTOBER 11: STEP RIGHT UP

OCTOBER 12: EYES ON LIFE

OCTOBER 13: UNTANGLED

OCTOBER 14: THE LIVING WORD

OCTOBER 15: THE VALUE OF OBEDIENCE

OCTOBER 16: WORK IT OUT

OCTOBER 17: GOD’S OWN

OCTOBER 18: AT PEACE

OCTOBER 19: LOVE ON THE COURSE

OCTOBER 20: FULL OF HIM

OCTOBER 21: NO PRETENSES

OCTOBER 22: MAKING IT REAL

OCTOBER 23: THE MIND OF GOD

OCTOBER 24: STILL WONDERING

OCTOBER 25: THE TRUE BEST

OCTOBER 26: WHAT WOULD YOU TRADE FOR GOLF?

OCTOBER 27: MOTIVATED

OCTOBER 28: AN ILL WIND

OCTOBER 29: NOBODY’S FOOL

OCTOBER 30: BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE

OCTOBER 31: WANDERING EYES

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 1: PRIVILEGED

NOVEMBER 2: BUT FOR THE MERCY

NOVEMBER 3: BETTER JUDGMENT

NOVEMBER 4: RELIGIOUS FAITH

NOVEMBER 5: FAR GREATER

NOVEMBER 6: A HIGH PRICE

NOVEMBER 7: POINTED PRAYER

NOVEMBER 8: OUT OF MY WAY

NOVEMBER 9: FAITH FIRST

NOVEMBER 10: REVISITING

NOVEMBER 11: SPEAK UP

NOVEMBER 12: NO QUESTION

NOVEMBER 13: NEAR TO GOD

NOVEMBER 14: ESCAPED!

NOVEMBER 15: BETTER THAN THIS

NOVEMBER 16: BALANCED

NOVEMBER 17: SURROUNDED

NOVEMBER 18: ALL WORDS

NOVEMBER 19: HIS WAY

NOVEMBER 20: IN RESPONSE

NOVEMBER 21: DESIRE

NOVEMBER 22: ABOVE ALL

NOVEMBER 23: EVER WATCHING

NOVEMBER 24: ALL TOGETHER NOW

NOVEMBER 25: BALANCED

NOVEMBER 26: FOR GOD’S SAKE

NOVEMBER 27: WHAT WE DO

NOVEMBER 28: SHARING THE WEALTH

NOVEMBER 29: THAT CLOSE

NOVEMBER 30: NOT FOR NOTHING

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 1: SUNSHINE

DECEMBER 2: THE GOOD NEWS

DECEMBER 3: ANOTHER POWER

DECEMBER 4: GOLF GODS

DECEMBER 5: MAKING CONNECTIONS

DECEMBER 6: THE TRUTH TEST

DECEMBER 7: I AM THIRD

DECEMBER 8: TELL ALL

DECEMBER 9: OPENHEARTED

DECEMBER 10: THE SOURCE

DECEMBER 11: TRADING IT ALL

DECEMBER 12: A WORD OF WARNING

DECEMBER 13: SEEKING MORE

DECEMBER 14: UP FROM THE PIT

DECEMBER 15: PURE

DECEMBER 16: BLIND SHOTS

DECEMBER 17: STRENGTH CONDITIONING

DECEMBER 18: THINKING GAME

DECEMBER 19: SECOND DEATH

DECEMBER 20: NO MIDDLE GROUND

DECEMBER 21: TURNED FROM DEATH

DECEMBER 22: RIGHT FROM WRONG

DECEMBER 23: ALONE PREEMINENT

DECEMBER 24: THAT TIME OF YEAR

DECEMBER 25: THE GIFT GIVER

DECEMBER 26: HAND-ME-DOWNS

DECEMBER 27: MATURE DECISIONS

DECEMBER 28: UNDER GOD’S CONTROL

DECEMBER 29: FREE TO WORK

DECEMBER 30: CHOOSE THIS DAY

DECEMBER 31: CREATIVE AND RESOLUTE

LINKS PLAYERS: INTERNATIONAL

FOREWORD

I began playing the game of golf as a young boy with my grandpa in Oregon. It wasn’t long before it became the focus of my life. As I grew up and pursued it more seriously in high school and college, it became apparent to me that golf, although a wonderful game, did not deserve to hold a position higher than that of God. As I relentlessly pursued the game, I realized that my relationship with Christ gave me much more purpose and direction, and I needed to be diligent about how I lived out my priorities and where I placed my hope and my trust.

I have had the privilege of playing on the PGA Tour for several years now. It is a dream come true, and God has done amazing things to allow me to compete at such a high level. At the beginning of last year, I set out to pursue my life on tour with my number one goal being to glorify God. I have realized that when living and playing for Christ, the rest takes care of itself. I live this out by starting my day with a daily devotional that I read and talk about with my caddie before each round, then praying before we go to competition. Throughout the day, I often find that the thoughts and verses read in the morning calm my nerves and refocus my perspective as I go through the challenges and victories on the course. My hope is that this devotional will give you the same sense of guidance and inspiration as it relates to the great game of golf.

—Ben Crane

For God is working in you,

giving you the desire and the power

to do what pleases Him.

—PHILIPPIANS 2: 13 NLT

18

INTRODUCTION

ON THE TEE

Each round of golf begins the same. You pull a ball from the bag, place a tee in the ground, balance that ball, swing loosely a few times, and step up to hit away. In the next few moments, we will find out a lot about you.

Do you hit far? Do you hit it straight? Do you only talk as if you know what you’re doing, or do you really know golf?

With so much on the line, that first shot can demand more from you than makes you comfortable. Which means, of course, that golf is much like life.

17

If we live a life of real activity, each day we are challenged by situations and circumstances that require us to step out in ways that may seem uncomfortable. How we respond in moments like these can reveal who we really are.

Do we act with courage or do we shrink timidly? Are we in the know or in the dark? What are the chances we will succeed, and how are afraid are we that we will fail?

This book encourages you to spend a few minutes each day examining your life through the lens of golf. Since a 4-iron in the backyard literally split my chin before I’d even started my first day of kindergarten, I have been marked by this game. It has taught me many lessons, some of them harshly and some of them with great favor.

But most of all golf has taught me that God doesn’t show up only at church. He can meet us wherever we are. Often for me that has been on the golf course.

—Jeff Hopper

16

THE OFF-SEASON

In the dead of winter, golf is often the thing furthest from your mind. You might watch some of those sunny tournaments from some warm course in the desert, but your own clubs are stored away in the closet with your sandals and your swimsuit.

Nothing is innately harmful about walking away from the game. One of America’s finest amateurs in years past, Jay Sigel, lived in the Northeast, and like many of us, he put his clubs away for much of the winter and went about his other business. It never seemed to hurt his game. He was three times U.S. Amateur champion.

Jesus was master of many things. One of them was getting away from the routine to a quiet place where He could put things back into perspective, beginning first with God. We can accomplish much when we are busy. But sometimes we can gain more by stepping back, taking a break, and reordering our lives.

JANUARY

15

JANUARY 1

TRUE DESIRE

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

PSALM 84: 10

Just because you have the time to play golf doesn’t mean you have no time left to dream— time to dream of a lower handicap, a better driver, a house on the fairway.

Though we know by experience that the world is full of traps, we still are coaxed by the lust of the eyes. We see something we do not have and assume that it will replace the missing pieces in our lives.

The psalmist saw something so different—so permanent—in the courts of heaven. To spend a day in God’s presence is to fulfill the longing of a thousand days. More complete, though, is the new covenant, when Christ’s work has restored our relationship with God! For now our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We can dwell with God, and God with us, wherever we go. Every day is that spectacular one day.

TIP

CONCENTRATE ON A ONE-PIECE TAKEAWAY— WRISTS AND ARMS TOGETHER.

JANUARY 2

CAN’T GET AWAY?

You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

PSALM 139: 3

Time to get away from it all? That makes sense in the thick of winter, with no sun in sight. And likely, the golf course is on your mind when it comes time to escape.

As far as we want to get away from our world sometimes, let’s look for something else in our relationship with God—let’s look to get closer to Him. For God’s nearness is so good.

God’s nearness brings confidence. How grand to be loved by the Author of the universe, to be part of His story!

God’s nearness brings forgiveness. How wonderful to be granted grace we do not deserve, only because we are willing to be called by His name!

God’s nearness brings rich gifts that empower us to do His very bidding. How awesome to gain strength from the ultimate Source of all that is strong, and to use that strength for all the right reasons!

TIP

THE CLUB’S DESCENT DICTATES THE BALL’S ASCENT. HIT DOWN ON THE BALL TO WATCH IT FLY UP.

JANUARY 3

FOLLOW THE CROWD

Many nations shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

MICAH 4: 2

Have you ever tried to invite a friend to Sunday services? It’s not so easy when the competition is NFL pregame shows or morning foursomes. You can predict the apologies. Sure, they’re cordial, but they all have to do with time. Time to relax, time to be with family, time to get away—our only chance.

Whatever happened to time for God? No worry: God has always made time for Himself. Since the line of sin was opened, people have been preoccupied with the attractions of this world. None of this has concerned God. He just keeps repeating His promise: the Day is coming. Despite sin, God would forgive. Despite Satan, God would rule. Despite death, the Redeemer would live—and give life to us.

Remember, the temple of the Lord is the ultimate edifice for our Ultimate Attraction. People will yet stream to Him.

TIP

AS YOU IMPROVE WITH YOUR WEDGES, YOU’LL WANT TO KEEP THOSE GROOVES CLEAN FOR MORE SPIN.

JANUARY 4

SUFFERING

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

ROMANS 5: 3–4

Golfers must suffer. Of the many truths about the game, this may be the greatest. If you have played enough golf in your life—that is, more than two or three holes—you know much about suffering.

Life is full of suffering too. In fact, suffering is one of the great issues for the nonbeliever. But the biblical writers did not shrink from the matter. They met it head-on, and they saw it as a positive experience.

In all aspects of life, suffering can produce one of two responses: retreat or advance.

When the suffering goes beyond all human capacity, it is then that we find we can persevere only by keeping our Goal in sight. For as believers our Goal and our Source of strength are the same: Jesus Christ. In Him, we can advance in spite of suffering.

TIP

WHEN READING PUTTS, PAY CLOSEST ATTENTION TO THE LAST FIVE FEET.

JANUARY 5

STAYING SHARP

He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

PROVERBS 18: 9

We all have seen what happens when we cannot pay attention to our golf game because of other commitments or interests in our lives. The short game is the first to go, people say. But truthfully, it is consistency that first abandons us when we do not practice. Practice is vital because discipline maintains quality.

The Bible is unafraid of discipline. Even though our work is not what saves us (Ephesians 2:8–9), work does improve us. Here’s how:

—Work provides for our earthly needs. Work is often how God makes provision for us.

—Work proves our commitment. We are willing to give our time and energy to what we love.

—Work produces character. When we work, we often must set aside what is easy for what simply must be done. Each time we do this,