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- Feb 9, 2004
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The Real Super Bowl - September 01, 2005
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24
As football season gets ready to start, minds turn toward the team that will be victorious at the end. The team that goes all out, does their absolute best and claims the prize called the Super Bowl. We all know what that day is like. There are parties with lots of screaming fans, mountains of food and a room decorated with goofy football-shaped lights and serving bowls with favorite players' pictures on them. Or, perhaps you are so certain of the outcome of the game that you have placed a "bundle" on a particular team, hoping to strike it rich and never have a care in the world. Maybe you've spent your life's earnings on a ticket to the game because you know that team won't win if you're not there to show your commitment and outrageously-painted face.
What about the teams; how are they feeling? They have trained and prepared for this game all season long. They have personally sacrificed much for this one day, so that they may be known as victorious. All of this is done with the hope of one prize: a brilliant, shining trophy that says you are the best... but just for this year only.
Now fast forward to the game that is played every single day of our lives. It is one where the enemy tries to distract us from the truth, makes us comfortable wasting valuable time and gets into our heads to tell us we can't make a difference. He can find our weaknesses quicker than a 300-pound linesman can pound a quarterback into the ground on a broken play. He convinces us every single day that we're not good enough to play the game. Like an obsessed fan, he devotes every minute trying to pull us away from what is good, noble and right; and for most of us, he is winning.
How about you? Will the season of your life end with you sitting on the sidelines disillusioned and disappointed with the game plan you've been given? Or, have you chosen a different team with the ultimate leader who can bring you to victory over everything? Are you absolutely certain and victorious in Christ, Jesus? Just think what a different world this would be if each of us put all of our energy, work and thoughts into saving souls for God. How the peace of Christ would lay across this world, giving us a united team, equipped and willing to stand and face any lies, deceit or deception thrown our way. Each person on God's team is as important as the next, and to our favor, God knows all of the plays in advance. We can't lose!
So, what type of game are you in? Let's put our game faces on and run toward the prize that awaits each and every one of us. A prize so wonderful, it was carved with the blood, sweat and tears of a precious and innocent Lamb of God named Jesus.
We can know we have victory in our lives if we just follow our Father and look toward Him for everything we need. And, when the season ends and the game book closes, we will hear those words; "Well done, good and faithful servant!...Come and share your master's happiness!"
Contributed by Diane Check
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24
As football season gets ready to start, minds turn toward the team that will be victorious at the end. The team that goes all out, does their absolute best and claims the prize called the Super Bowl. We all know what that day is like. There are parties with lots of screaming fans, mountains of food and a room decorated with goofy football-shaped lights and serving bowls with favorite players' pictures on them. Or, perhaps you are so certain of the outcome of the game that you have placed a "bundle" on a particular team, hoping to strike it rich and never have a care in the world. Maybe you've spent your life's earnings on a ticket to the game because you know that team won't win if you're not there to show your commitment and outrageously-painted face.
What about the teams; how are they feeling? They have trained and prepared for this game all season long. They have personally sacrificed much for this one day, so that they may be known as victorious. All of this is done with the hope of one prize: a brilliant, shining trophy that says you are the best... but just for this year only.
Now fast forward to the game that is played every single day of our lives. It is one where the enemy tries to distract us from the truth, makes us comfortable wasting valuable time and gets into our heads to tell us we can't make a difference. He can find our weaknesses quicker than a 300-pound linesman can pound a quarterback into the ground on a broken play. He convinces us every single day that we're not good enough to play the game. Like an obsessed fan, he devotes every minute trying to pull us away from what is good, noble and right; and for most of us, he is winning.
How about you? Will the season of your life end with you sitting on the sidelines disillusioned and disappointed with the game plan you've been given? Or, have you chosen a different team with the ultimate leader who can bring you to victory over everything? Are you absolutely certain and victorious in Christ, Jesus? Just think what a different world this would be if each of us put all of our energy, work and thoughts into saving souls for God. How the peace of Christ would lay across this world, giving us a united team, equipped and willing to stand and face any lies, deceit or deception thrown our way. Each person on God's team is as important as the next, and to our favor, God knows all of the plays in advance. We can't lose!
So, what type of game are you in? Let's put our game faces on and run toward the prize that awaits each and every one of us. A prize so wonderful, it was carved with the blood, sweat and tears of a precious and innocent Lamb of God named Jesus.
We can know we have victory in our lives if we just follow our Father and look toward Him for everything we need. And, when the season ends and the game book closes, we will hear those words; "Well done, good and faithful servant!...Come and share your master's happiness!"
Contributed by Diane Check
