Darryl Strawberry was one of the most exciting players in Major League Baseball history. Throughout his 17-year career, he made eight consecutive all-star game appearances and captured four World Series championships! During his career, his personal life came crashing down because of a recurring drug habit. Even after responding to a preacher who called him to faith in Christ, he continued to struggle.  

Darryl eventually lost everything—his career, his wife, and almost his life. He managed to go to a drug recovery convention where he met Tracy, whom he would later marry. Darryl says, “I just had to surrender. I had to separate myself from everything and everybody. God was calling me, and it was either I was going to answer this call, or I was going to die.” Darryl went back to church. This time, it was for good. Tracy and Darryl married in 2006. Today, they are both doing better than ever. With Tracy, he founded the Darryl Strawberry Foundation, which is dedicated to children and adults with autism.

2 Corinthians 13 – Faith Tested

Paul closes his second letter to the Corinthians with a challenge to test themselves. He wanted them to seriously consider the validity and strength of their faith (see v. 5). Paul told them to examine their hearts to see whether they were truly born again and members of the family of God. Were they really Christians? If they were believers, were they living like it, or were they living in unrepentant sin?

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete test their own hearts to know for sure they are children of God. Do you “love the brothers” (1 John 3:14)? Do you practice righteousness (1 John 2:29; 3:9)? Have you overcome the world so that you are living a life of godly separation (1 John 5:4)? These are just a few of the tests.

Bible Memory Verse – “And He has said to me [Paul], ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (LSB)

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