New York Yankees rookie outfielder Aaron Judge hit his 50th home run during his rookie season in 2017. That surpassed the mark set by Mark McGwire in 1987. The 6-foot-7, 282-pound Yankees slugger has received the baton from the many great Yankee home run hitters like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle. With his home run number rising, many compare him to Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. “People have said, ‘Oh, the next Stanton,’ but I’m just trying to be the best Judge I can be every day. I’ve always been about the team aspect of baseball: pass the baton and keep it rolling.”

Deuteronomy 32, 34 – Succession Plan

The final chapters of Deuteronomy include Moses’ actions before passing the leadership baton to Joshua. In addition to living out the calling the Lord had given him, he reminded the Israelites of the essential lessons they should know. They were to recall who they were—sinners saved by God’s grace and what He had done for them. This would allow them to enter the new land triumphantly, defeat their enemies, avoid dangerous temptations, and enjoy the inheritance God prepared for them.

While God’s people looked forward to another prophet after Moses, Jesus Christ ultimately fulfilled that expectation. Hebrews 3 teaches that Jesus is the true Savior, who provided a way of redemption from sin.  

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete equip themselves by hearing His Word, embracing it, and doing it. They never lose sight of pleasing and glorifying the Lord to accomplish the work He’s given them to do.

Bible Memory Verse – “Now it happened when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel.” Joshua 5:1 (LSB)