I once played a game of "touch football" like you would not believe! Now that's an amazing statement from a gal who has no idea what's going on when she watches or goes to a football game. It's Greek to me--and if you sat beside me, you'd spend more time just explaining and sharing my junk food than watching the game! SO--you know this football-challenged female is not talking about REAL football--and that the Lord has a real sense of humor to prompt her to do a sports-related devotional!
The game of the week involved "The Son with the Missing Coat," "The Mouse with the Mangled Lint" and "Too Late for Breakfast" at a fast food, all in one terrible morning. (You are welcome to use your imagination to catch the touching details!) Now I love my son, I adore my mouse, and I delight in the breakfast at a fast food--but when none of them work like they're supposed to, Mama's not a happy game-player! Many yards--and many tears--later, the foe found out he didn't win and Mama was finally laughing at the finish line over the mishaps of one mad morning. Believe me, this quarterback mom made a touchdown and an extra-point kick over the opposing team that day!
Ever have days like that in life? Well, if you have and are honest enough to admit it, get on your football gear with me (whoa...how in the world do I put this stuff on!), do a few push-ups (ouch...that hurts!), and let's make a mad dash (...is that a TRACK term?) for the Well. Someone who loves us all, sports fans or not, is waiting to call the plays in our life! And football experts--enjoy the game; this "sports" writer has no idea what she's talking about!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Mind the Blocks--Sensitivity Training!
Blow the whistle--Someone's blocking, and it doesn't make sense! The Lord opened a door, and now He seems to be closing the same door. His will, so clear to your thinking one day, becomes muddled the next....now how in the world do you play THAT game? Well, God doesn't play games with us--He is trustworthy. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and once we surrender to that premise, we can say, "OK, Coach--I sure don't understand what You are doing, but I do trust You and I will obey You!"
Is there a "blocked" play in your life today? Don't sweat it--God is in control. The whole game plan is clear and safe in HIS keeping, not yours. So carry on...don't drop the ball. Just be sensitive to His leading. Focus on loving and listening to Him--leave the details with Him--and let Him call the next play!
Mark the Tackles--Strategy Alert!
Blow the whistle--someone's tackling--and it's as illegal as can be. Our foe doesn't obey the rules; he will catch you in the middle of a play, completely unexpected, and try to pound you into the turf--if you let him. But Someone is guarding you, watching out for your welfare, and He will never let Satan win. As a matter of fact, the old foe lost the game a long time ago at the Cross of Calvary and the Empty Tomb! Someone "greater" is within you--and you are going to make it all the way with His mighty help!
Is the "tackler" on your playing field today? Learn his strategy; then get out the Game Book and play YOUR strategy--God's Word! Show him every truth that tells of his demise; shout it aloud if necessary! Send him screaming to the sidelines, for he IS defeated. Mark your victories--remind him of those past battles won in the Name of the Lord. And you can mark it well too, Satan, for some day you will be thrown out of the game forever--into the pit of Hell where you belong. Claim God's powerful Word; say it aloud so the devil is sure to hear it--and then take off running with that ball!
Make the Touchdown--Success Achieved!
Blow the whistles, the noisemakers, the horns and the trumpets--it's touchdown time! But it's a touchdown at a time--for each day you defeat Satan with the Word of God, each time He flees at the mention of the Blood of Christ, you've won. We are victors and conquerors--in the "touch football" of life, the little skirmishes that mess us up--and in the challenges of life, the serious bigtime battles we face. The point is--he can't win! And someday, the final game will be played, the final touchdown will be made, and we will be HOME...a baseball term, I know--but in THIS football game it fits, because "Home is where the heart is," and our hearts and our eyes are fixed on Him, the author and finisher of our faith. Someday we'll remove the helmet and take off the uniform for a crown of gold and a robe of righteousness. When the game's over, I want to be there--on the winning side, don't you!
OK, football experts, have a "ball" enjoying the mixed metaphors from this "sports" writer's pen--but this much I DO know: every good football game has some good get-up-and-go cheerleaders. And we've got them too! Watching from the stands are millions of believers, who've "finished the course and run the race" (now we're in track, but it's biblical); they cheer us on. We won't disappoint them, for in the power of the Lord, we shall win the game of all time in His Name, by His Word, through His power--and THEN the after-game celebration party begins! Don't despair; don't be defeated! The Divine coach watches every play and keeps careful score. By His Grace--a few blocks, a tackle or two, and a thousand touchdowns--we win!!
Now go enjoy the coming football season--you can email me to explain it--but KNOW there's a challenge of life that's far more important; for when you know the COACH, abide by HIS rules and play HIS way, you WIN--each day, each play, all the way!
PS. And if anyone has seen one lost Starter Jacket in the stands or in cyberspace...
"Lord, sometimes I get so weary in life. The devil tackles and I succumb; and then Your grace rescues me. Give me muscles of maturity; help me to grow as I train and play and run. I plan to win! In Your power and in Your Name, Amen.
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A Hurting
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