“What Does God Think About Winning?” Isn’t that a GREAT title? I can say that this week, because it’s not my title. I will not be preaching this week, but, in talking with Ed, our guest preacher, I told him I’d like to use that theme anyway. So, let’s think about how the question applies in our lives. There’s an old saying, “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” I think that could apply to what I want us to think about this week.
Monday February 6 -
I obviously write these Study Guides ahead of time so I do not know at this writing who won last night’s Super Bowl. Truth-be-told I don’t even know who’s playing! One thing I do know is there will be a winner and a loser. That’s the way in life! As we think about what God thinks about winning, let’s think also about what God thinks about losing. With God, whether we win or lose something as simple as a football game, we are ALL winners if we trust in the name of the LORD and believe Jesus came to save us from…, well, losing!
Tuesday February 7 -
Jesus was one of the greatest leaders of all time. He certainly knew about winning and losing in the culture he lived in. But Jesus knew that none of us wins until we all do. I love the story about the Special Olympic race where the winning runner noticed that the boy in second place stumbled only a few yards from the finish line. He stopped, went back and helped his opponent across the finish line. He knew that nobody wins until we ALL win! (The Crowd went WILD!)
Wednesday February 8 -
We see so many commercials about the lottery. For the people who play, it’s ALL about winning. They are probably happy about anything they might win from a dollar out. But, of course, most people play to win MILLIONS of dollars. If we choose God to be our lottery of choice, we will always win. We are not just talking about a little or a lot of cash. We are talking about our life FOREVER with the God who created us, loves us, walks with us, and will see us through…throughout eternity! Now that’s winning!
Thursday February 9 -
Do you remember when you were a kid and they used to choose up sides in gym class? Well, I was the little skinny, NON athlete that was always picked last! I remember the humiliation of that like it was yesterday. But, I also remember when my kids played AYSO soccer the rule was, “EVERYONE PLAYS EVERY GAME!” I loved that for all the kids that weren’t as good at soccer at some of the others. I know that God somehow influenced that decision; because, with God we ALL get to play AND we all win (because we’re on God’s team.
Friday February 10 -
As I sit to write this I want to tell you that I am a winner! I say that because Ed has offered to jump in to help cover all the things that I needed to do. You are also winners. Some of you heard his message in worship last weekend. Some of you receive the CD. He always does an excellent job when he preaches and I look forward to hearing his entire message. Ed sets the bar pretty high for each of us as we think about stepping up for others. When we do that, the winners are on BOTH sides. There are NO losers! Thanks Ed!