Victory!

We live in a world of increasing turmoil these days. Our nation, and the entire world for that matter, has divided. America is no longer the "united" states. We have become divided by our individual theologies, ideologies, and political beliefs.

We are now red and blue states, a people separated by skin color and political parties. We, as a nation, are going downhill faster than the number of people drinking Bud Light. Why?

Our main problem is that we have stopped asking the 'why' question and have instead surrendered ourselves to the 'Well, that's just the way it's going to be' mentality. 

But why? Here's an example.

I saw a statement on Saturday from the NFL that, for the first time in NFL history, three of the first four players selected in the draft were black quarterbacks. That statement is an indicator of a much bigger problem.

Why? Well, why was the word 'black' used? Think about it. Isn't it being used to make note of an accomplishment of a particular race. But why?

In my opinion, the National Football League is trying to show how 'diverse' and 'inclusive' they are. That's called 'virtue signalling' these days.

They're basically saying, "Look how virtuous and diverse we are! We have selected black men!"

No!

Dr. Martin Luther King once said that he had a dream. That we "will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character." Those are good words. Unfortunately, they are still just a dream in some people's hearts.

I would submit to you that all of the players selected in the draft were not selected 'by the color of their skin' but by their ability on the field. The coaches and GM's don't have a 'race problem.' It's the NFL leadership, or the person who wrote the statement, that needs prayer.

When asked how he felt upon being selected #2 in the draft, quarterback C. J. Stroud first gave all glory to God. Therefore, in my opinion, he will be blessed. But how do we stop the division and hatred in this world?

There is a song that we will be using in our church's Vacation Bible School this summer. The song contains the key to defeating any 'worldliness' we might encounter in life. Here's a line from the chorus.

"Faith is the victory that overcomes the world."

Faith in God, that is. Our faith in The One True God is the only thing that can save us.

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:57

Faith Is The Victory - Answers In Genesis VBS

C. J. Stroud Interview

Not For Long

I think I'm done with football now. I wasn't really sure before with the whole kneeling during the National Anthem thing. But now that they're calling penalties for good, clean hits, we'd be better off watching Dancing With The Stars.

Back in the late 80's the Houston Oilers had a head coach named Jerry Glanville. Nobody liked him much but he sure was a funny guy. He once told an official that "this is the NFL. That's Not For Long if you keep making (bleep)-ing calls like that."

What has happened to the NFL? Well, I know exactly what's happened to it. It's gotten all warm and fuzzy, like a helicopter parent watching over a spoiled child. And the fans don't like it. The NFL is bending over backwards trying to please everybody and protect everybody. That doesn't please anyone. Especially God.

They are also driven by the almighty dollar. Take away their uniforms and we'd all be staring at a bunch of naked politicians. Everybody has an opinion. And whoever makes the most money, well, that's whose opinion matters most.

Don't hurt the quarterbacks. They make big plays and big plays sell tickets! It must be frustrating to be an NFL football player. It sure is frustrating being a fan. That's why I have opted out.

What does all this have to do with Jesus? Not much. Although the NFL teaches us several things that we should NOT do that God says we should.

"For the love of money is a root of all evil." - 1 Timothy 6:10

Speaking of Timothy, Tim Tebow took a knee on the field - to pray. He was chastised for it and is no longer playing football. The thing is, the NFL needs more players of Tim Tebow's character and faith. The NFL banned Tim from wearing Bible verses on his eye black. Sad.

Think about that for a moment. They ban someone from displaying their faith yet allow other players to express themselves during the national anthem, even though they are demeaning our service men and women and our police officers. Confusing.

And let's not even talk about the prideful "look at me" end zone celebrations.

The NFL needs to learn a lesson. By siding with "the world" and rejecting His children I am sure a big lesson will be coming soon.

So, have you looked up Isaiah 40:31 yet to see what words the NFL banned?

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

We need to remember that verse because you will never hear those encouraging words from the NFL - The No-Faith League.

End of rant.

I encourage you to turn off the football game and pick up the Bible. We should analyze how we spend our time. 1st John says we are to be in the world but not OF it. We are to be holy - set apart. I'm not saying that if we watch football we're not Christians. What I AM saying is that we will be judged by our works - held accountable for our actions.

If Jesus returned during a football game, what would He find us doing?

Jerry Glanville vs AFC Central
He Is Lord - MercyMe

Fight!

It's football time here in Wisconsin! I know it's still summer outside but the Green Bay Packers are already half way through their preseason schedule! And they havent won a game yet!! Players are battling for positions with the team, and for some, these positional battles mean the difference between having a high-paying job in the NFL or tending bar in some small town back home. Making the team is serious business!

Things get so desperate sometimes that there are actual fights at practise . . . between members of the same team!! Watch this short video and you will see what I mean.

Fight at Packers training camp

These are grown men vying for key roles on MAJOR NFL teams, but in the heat of battle we can ALL lose our cool. When the going gets tough we ALL will take a stand for the things that are really important to us. No matter what our skill level is, we ALL will fight if we are pushed hard enough.

What if you or I really wanted to play for the Green Bay Packers? Good luck with that!! But what if we REALLY wanted to play for them? Or how about this scenario . . . what if we HAD to play for the Green Bay Packers or we simply would die? What would we do? How would we approach our daily lives if every decision we made determined whether or not we would make the team?

Well, first we might analyze the team and figure out where we had our best chance. Quarterback is not an option. Aaron Rodgers has pretty good at that job. Most of us are probably too small to be linemen. I guess I could gain a couple hundred pounds and become "an immovable object." That might work.

Of course I'd need to have a try-out with the team. Hey, I spoke with the chaplain of the Packers once for a few minutes. Maybe he could get me in. Or maybe I could find out where the head coach lives and mow has lawn or walk his dog or something like that. Maybe that would help?

Let's face it. There is absolutely NO WAY on God's green earth that most of us could EVER be good enough to make the roster from the Green Bay Packers, or any other team for that matter, and for me that includes Pop Warner League football for grade school kids! So, what about my "make the team or die" scenario? Well, I guess I should be making funeral arrangements instead of writing this blog because I don't have a snowball's chance in hell. (How about THAT for a major league segue?)

There is another team out there though that is more powerful than the Green Bay Packers. This team offers a tremedous benefit package and retirement plan. And making the team does not depend on how well we throw a football or how many times we can kick a football trough then uprights. It doesn't involve and "skills" at all!! Just a simple belief in the coach & general manager, Jesus.

Even though we don't really have to DO anything to make the team, there are many would-be players on God's Team that act as if they are still trying out. They try to DO things to show God and others that "they have what it takes." It's like they are screaming, "Pick me! Pick me! Look how far I can throw a football!" Those are not the kind of players God is looking for.

God's team is made up of losers. We are the lowly, rejected sinners of the world, not worthy to be chosen by ANY team, let alone God's. Yet we HAVE been chosen! We've been drafted!!

"No one comes to the Father (God) except through me (Jesus)." - John 14:6

If we are looking to "make the team," God's team, we must do so through Jesus Christ. We must acknowledge who He is - The Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16), repent of our sins (Acts 2:18) and then we must give up everything we have (Matthew 19:21) and be willing to follow Him wherever He may go.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

There are several believers in Christ scattered throughout the NFL. Aaron Rodgers is one. Tim Masthay, the Packer's punter, is another. Tim Tebow (New England), Ray Lewis (Baltimore, recently retired) but I fear that many more are NOT followers of Christ, but followers of The World. We need to pray for them and for all who have not made a decision for Christ. Because, quite honestly, although they might be "stars" in THIS world, they don't have what it takes to make it on God's team - faith. But there IS a way, THEE Way, Yahweh. Do YOU have a roster spot (in The Book of Life). I pray that you do, because it is nearly game time!

"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:18