Truth and Footballs

    One of the great facts of the universe that has always given me comfort is the fact that the truth never eludes God. He is never fooled and no amount of information – small or great – escapes His notice and knowledge. His omniscience is awesome and amazing to consider. God has no questions that He doesn’t already know the answer to. There are no secrets that can be kept from Him.

It is fascinating to hear all of the analysis, scrutiny, and investigative comments and conclusions in the sports world since there was a problem with under-inflated footballs after the AFC Championship game. It can make your head spin as you try to sort out fact from fiction and try to discern who and what to believe about what actually happened or did not happen. Everyone has an opinion and many are perfectly willing to express theirs. And somewhere in the middle of it all there is a real reality: that which truly happened and did not happen. Human beings may never get to the bottom of it, and if the truth does come out there will be doubters regardless of outcome. But everything – even in the football world - is clear to God.

    It is a blessing to us, and comforting that God has full and complete knowledge of not only all that happens, but He also knows the motives of the hearts of each and every one (the “whys” behind everything). It is comforting if we desire the truth and do not live in fear of it. If we are afraid of the truth, however, it will separate us from God and the truth will be no comfort to us. When the truth is “bad”, we are tempted to hide. But that is about as useful for us as it was for Adam and Eve when God called for them after their first sin. We also are often tempted to embrace what is not true because we think we will be safer. If we can just keep people from finding out, everything will be okay. The truth “hurts” so we avoid it.

We do well to remember, however, that God is aware of everything. Does He care about football teams and media frenzies? Well… yes and no. God cares about everything. There is nothing unimportant to Him. His interest is not as a fan, however. He is not a sports “booster” for any team. His knowledge, however, goes to the depths of the heart. God always goes to this level, whether in sports or our family relationships or our personal, inner lives… or our work ethics… or our worship. And in all of these places and more, nothing short of truth in the inner person pleases Him.

May our hearts find joy in the truth in the same way that God does.

Psalm 51:6 (NIV)  Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach        me wisdom in the inmost place.

John 8:31-32 (NIV) ³¹  To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)  But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Psalm 15:1-3 (NIV) ¹  LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? ²  He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart ³  and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV) ⁸  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. ⁹  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

PRAYER:  Father, there is no fear in love. Because of your love, I do not need to run away from the truth. If it is bad truth, I can repent and find forgiveness from you. If it is good truth, I can rejoice and take delight in it. Either way, may you be glorified in me. In Christ’s name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

My Hope is In the Lord

            Some of the greatest moments in the history of sports have happened after many fans have given up on their team or athlete and “left the building”. Such was the case this past Sunday in the football championship playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks pulled off one of the most exciting finishes of the NFL season on Sunday with their come-from-behind victory.  They are well known for the loudness of their fans, whom they refer to as their “12^th Man”. But some of the famous "12^th Man" had to catch Jermaine Kearse's winning touchdown in overtime from outside of CenturyLink Field ... even though they were once inside the stadium. With the Seattle Seahawks trailing 19-7 with five minutes to go, lots of Seahawks fans were spotted leaving the stadium. When word of the comeback spread, many tried to get back in, but were denied re-entry, a common rule at NFL stadiums. Instead, they had to do the NFL fan version of the "walk of shame" and catch it on TV outside the gates.

            These fans had given up hope and had given up on their team. They believed their beloved team was in an impossible situation so they left the building. By doing so, they missed one of the greatest events in the history of their team: a comeback you had to see to believe.

The more difficult the situation, the easier it seems or more tempting it is to lose hope. On the narrow road where we walk with Christ we are likely to face circumstances that will challenge our hope. It can look like the world is winning. And it can even seem, at times, that we don’t have a chance. But we can always have hope… because of Christ. Paul tells of Abraham’s hope in Romans 4 (vs.18-21) – “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Abraham could have pointed to all the reasons why he should never have been able to have a child, but he didn’t give up on God, and God’s promise. His hope prevailed, so he never “left the building”. In the memorable words of Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over!” God had the last word, as He always does.

            Hope is only as good as its object, and the Lord is certainly the most worthy object in which to place our hope. His will and His Word will always prevail and He is worthy of our confidence. When we face the next “no win” situation, it will be good to remember His words: "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)  

Genesis 18:14 (NIV)  Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."

Jeremiah 32:26-27 (NIV) ²⁶  Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: ²⁷  "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Psalm 31:24 (NIV)  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 33:20 (NIV)  We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 42:11 (NIV)  Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Romans 12:12 (NIV)  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)  Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

PRAYER:  Father, may my hope, because it is in you, be strengthened in measure by your strength. Because you are a great God, I may have a great hope. Set my eyes upon you, and my hope will not fail. In Christ’s name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

In the Band

            During a recent vacation I was watching a concert movie that featured many of Elvis Presley’s performances during one tour in (I think) the early 1970’s. The extent of his success and popularity and his love for Gospel music make him an interesting person to me. Much like Frank Sinatra in the generation before him, there was a time when Elvis Presley created a movement and mania of fan devotion and adulation. No one was better known and his fame was at a peak. It did not last – of course it never can – but his influence and popularity with his adoring fans still held a strong place, even though he had been “supplanted” by the Beatles among the masses.

            One of the things that struck me while watching the film was the role of the back-up singers and Elvis’ relationship with them. They were valued by Elvis and he considered them an important part of his act. They were always with him on stage. There were several female singers (The Sweet Inspirations) and the men were typically Gospel singers:  J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet in this film. Back-up singers, as well as those playing the instruments, are all very talented people. But the fans – those who came to the concerts – did not come to see them. As low a note as J.D. Sumner could hit… or as great as the piano and guitar players and drummers might be… people came not for them, but for Elvis. Elvis was the star. Elvis was the adored one. Elvis was the main attraction. Everything the back-up singers did had one purpose alone:  to enhance the “star” and NOT to call attention to themselves. The spotlight was on the star and not on the back-up singers.

            I believe there is a significant spiritual parable in that. While I would never want to relegate our Lord Jesus Christ to some earthly idea of fandom and worldly fame, there is something significant about who I am in relation to Him and what my place is in His universe. There is always a temptation for we Christians to make our Christian faith all about us, as if we were the “star of the show”. Do you ever sense that in you? The more exposure we have to the public and the greater role we have in front of people – leading, speaking, performing, etc. – the more opportunity we have to think about and “enjoy” the spotlight’s shine upon us. We need to exercise great care and always remember our place. It truly is awesome that we get to be close to Jesus – that He knows us, uses us, loves us, makes the most of our talents and abilities (which He gave us in the first place) – but all of that is designed for His glory, not ours… for people to think well of Him, not us. I remember hearing about a pastor who came to his pulpit his first Sunday and found the following message taped down in front of him (for his eyes): “We would see Jesus!”. What a great reminder for all of our lives – in any place of service to the Lord, prominent or hidden from others. The greatest thing that could ever happen in my life is that people would see Jesus, be drawn to Him, and come to know and love Him.

            None of us are ever likely to become superstars in the category of an Elvis. Many of us feel that just the opposite is the case, and many want nothing to do with any spotlight anywhere. In the end it doesn’t really matter. We are all “back-up singers” using our talents (from Him) to the increase of His glory, honor, and praise. May it be so from the quietest of moments when no one is around to the most public of times when we may be before other people. What a good and blessed thing it is to be “in the band” in the gracious design and plan of our Savior and Lord. To God be the glory!

John 3:30 (KJV)  He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:30 (NLT)  He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

2 Corinthians 4:5-7 (NIV) ⁵  For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. ⁶  For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. ⁷  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

PRAYER:  Father, may my life always point to Jesus. May I seek only His glory and honor. May I be satisfied with decreased attention and importance so that His name and reputation may become greater and that He will be loved more and more. In Christ’s name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott