This morning I want to take the time out to offer my condolences to a loss of the lives of people that has affected so many people around the world and that is the death of Kobe Bryant 41, his daughter Gianna 13, John Altobelli, 56; Keri Altobelli, 46; Alyssa Altobelli,13, Christina Mauser, 38, Sarah Chester, 45, Payton Chester, 13 and Ara Zobayan, 50.  This shows that there are people who really care about one another and the impact was felt literally around the world.

One thing I know having worked in Hospice and living on this earth, tragedy is and has always been a hard pill to swallow even as a believer in Christ.  I have watched many videos and tributes of how great of a player Kobe was and how great of a father, husband and even a philanthropist he was.  For all those things are admirable and all and I don’t want to short change or sound insensitive but what about those who fought for our country in the military, those who may have died in multiple ways: fire fighters, police men and woman, plumbers, electricians’ teachers, I think you get the picture.

Is it because Kobe could like many other athletes bounce, throw, shoot, kick or hit a ball to entertain you, he’s considered a great or his life is to be memorialized more than others who have died before him?

       All those accolades are nothing, if not only Kobe those on that plane, but this applies to everyone who has not surrendered their lives to Christ, need not be treated as some god.  Each of us has to give an account to God the Father for the life we lived during our season on earth.

Question for those who have watched and followed Kobe as he grew up in front of many of us.  What was Kobe known for?

Many would say that Mamba mentality; I can say he never quit on what he believed in!!  Even on the night they gave him a major tribute with the statue, the commentator said that one of the opposing players played with Mamba mentality which gave their team the victory over the Lakers. Does anyone know what a Black Mamba is?

1)   The Black Mamba: Adult Black mamba snakes have an average length of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and a maximum length of 4.5 meters (14 feet). The Black mamba snake receives its name from the black coloration inside of its mouth, rather than their skin color which is a grey to olive tone.

2)   What does it represent: species of mamba snake known for its large size, quickness, and extremely potent venom. It lives in sub-Saharan Africa and is one of the continent’s most dangerous snakes.

3)   Why is it so dangerous: They are highly aggressive when threatened, “known to strike repeatedly and [to] inject a large volume of venom with each strike.” Their venom is potentially lethal, and though antivenin exists, it is not widely available in the black mamba’s native habitat of southern and eastern Africa.

4)   So, do you agree they are aggressive?  Black mambas are fast, nervous, lethally venomous, and when threatened, highly aggressive. They have been blamed for numerous human deaths, and African myths exaggerate their capabilities to legendary proportions. For these reasons, the black mamba is widely considered the world’s deadliest snake.

Now I gave all these things to give you an idea not to dishonor a man and those who died with him but what he openly represented to the world. They loved him but only a small amount of people even knew his faith.  Remember we as born-again believers are to give God the Glory!!  I know some would say that is between him and God…

Yes, But Kobe and many others have no problem sharing their tactics on how to succeed in life but only in his time of trouble he mentioned his Catholic faith… Not his faith in Jesus but his Catholic faith!!

I will get to that… The Bible tells us if HE (JESUS) be Lifted UP, He will draw all man unto Him!!

Luke 9:24-27 King James Version (KJV)

²⁴ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

²⁵ For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

²⁶ For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

²⁷ But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:24-27 The Passion Translation (TPT)

²⁴ For if you choose self-sacrifice, giving up your lives for my glory, you will embark on a discovery of more and more of true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will lose what you try to keep.

²⁵ Even if you gained all the wealth and power of this world, everything it could offer you, yet lost your soul in the process, what good is that?

²⁶ So why then are you ashamed of being my disciple? Are you ashamed of the revelation-truth I give to you?

“I, the Son of Man, will one day return in my radiant brightness, with the holy angels and in the splendor and majesty of my Father, and I will be ashamed of all who are ashamed of me.

²⁷ But I promise you this: there are some of you standing here right now who will not die until you have witnessed the presence and the power of God’s kingdom realm.”

God has blessed so many of us who has multiple gifts, yet we will say stuff like it was hard work, never giving up, it is important to network, build good relationships and one that is often stated “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  In that since, this is true “It’s who you know.”  God wants the Glory through Christ Jesus, Not a denomination!!!  I quoted it earlier: 

John 12:32-43 King James Version (KJV)

³² And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  Jesus was very clear with this!!

³³ This he said, signifying what death he should die.

³⁴ The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever:

 I heard many of the people in the sports arena saying “I never thought he would die” Kobe, like all of us are created in the image of God but we are going to die on this earth one day, yes we will live in eternity forever but not on this earth!!

and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

³⁵ Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

³⁶ While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

³⁷ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

³⁸ That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

³⁹ Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

⁴⁰ He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

⁴¹ These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

⁴² Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

⁴³ For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

God has always wanted the Glory not the Mumba mentality.  I was not even sure if Kobe was a believer in Christ, I had to look it up, but never did I have to question if he was a guy who never gave up on what he believed.  He believed that he could accomplish anything, never allowing his informal education to stop him. He spoke 7 languages, won multiple titles, won an Oscar, helped allot of people and never allowing anyone or anything to tell him “no” when he believed in his heart that he could accomplish it.

The problem comes along when more people are concerned about Kobe’s life than they do the people in their community, AGAIN: people who have served our county for years putting their lives on the line daily so that we can live a life in safety, so that we can openly praise God!!   Yes, I gave the names of those who died in the crash but what about the people who are next to you?  What about the people that we work with, are we concerned about their eternal salvation?

God is true to His word: Kobe stated on multiple occasions that he wanted to die young. Talked about what he wanted to be remembered by…. He Received just want he wanted:

Proverbs 18:21

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Be careful of what you allow to come out of your mouth and what you accept that is spoken over your life and the life of your love ones. I will leave you with a few things today, something to think about as you are preparing to leave here and for those of us who plan to watch the Super Bowl today which I’m sure you remember when they will gave honor to Kobe for the impact he made on the sports world.  But I want you to think about why our nation is so quick to give honor, cry, write letters and even make memorials for a man that did not give his life for any of us, but Jesus who gave it all, and Jesus will forever protect us from darkness in the earth. JESUS will always be there for us!!

2 Timothy 3:1-5

¹But you need to be aware that in the final days the culture of society will become extremely fierce and difficult for the people of God. 

² People will be self-centered lovers of themselves and obsessed with money. They will boast of great things as they strut around in their arrogant pride and mock all that is right. They will ignore their own families. They will be ungrateful and ungodly.

³ They will become addicted to hateful and malicious slander. Slaves to their desires, (MOMBA MENTALITY) they will be ferocious, belligerent haters of what is good and right.

⁴ With brutal treachery, they will act without restraint, bigoted and wrapped in clouds of their conceit. They will find their delight in the pleasures of this world more than the pleasures of the loving God.

 

⁵ They may pretend to have a respect for God, but in reality, they want nothing to do with God’s power. Stay away from people like these!

One of the statements on his behalf: Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant attended Catholic mass just hours before the tragic helicopter crash, per Daily Mail. This has prompted many fans to want to learn more about Bryant’s religion and spirituality.

Bryant and his daughter Gigi attended the 7 a.m. mass at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach, California and both received communion, per Daily Mail. Bishop Timothy Freyer posted a lengthy Facebook message noting that Bryant was a parishioner of the Orange County Diocese while calling the Lakers legend a “committed Catholic who loved his family and loved his faith.”

Remember Kobe said Bryant reflected on the time in a 2015 GQ interview noting he leaned on his faith during this time period and recalled a conversation he had with a priest.  Not a Pastor, not a Christian leader!!

“…The one thing that really helped me during that process—I’m Catholic, I grew up Catholic, my kids are Catholic—was talking to a priest,” Bryant explained to GQ. “It was actually kind of funny: He looks at me and says, ’Did you do it?’ And I say, ’Of course not.’ Then he asks, ’Do you have a good lawyer?’ And I’m like, ’Uh, yeah, he’s phenomenal.’ So, then he just said, ’Let it go. Move on. God’s not going to give you anything you can’t handle, and it’s in his hands now. This is something you can’t control. So, let it go.’ And that was the turning point.”

Not anything like ask this lady to forgive you for cheating on your wife although it was as Kobe stated consensual.  What about Kobe it’s time to repent and ask Jesus to come into your life!!! Form of godliness but denying the power there of!!!

Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity. All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. A Christian refers to a follower of Jesus Christ who may be a Catholic, Protestant, Gnostic, Mormon, Evangelical, Anglican or Orthodox, or follower of another branch of the religion.

A Catholic is a Christian who follows the Catholic religion as transmitted through the succession of Popes. The Pope is the leader of the Catholic church. The Catholic church is the largest of the Christian churches – about 60% of Christians are Catholic.  We must tell the truth!!  The Bible tells us in John

14:6 King James Version (KJV)

⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Never one time the Mention of Jesus Christ from Kobe or the priest who was interviewed!!!

Remember, it’s all ways about relationship with Jesus Christ, and never about religion!!

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Finally Free