WINNING THE SUPER BOWL OF LIFE

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

(Hebrews 12:2)

 

This Sunday is “Super Sunday!”  Our Arizona Cardinals are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.  So, what will it take to win?  As you know, there is never just one key to victory – there are many factors involved in putting together a winning team.

Have you ever considered how much life is like a football game?  You’re the quarterback, but you need many of the same factors in your life as the Cardinals need to win the Super Bowl.  Fortunately, God has given you all the resources you need for victory…

• Focus on the goal – Jesus is our goal   (Hebrews 11:2)
• A good coach – The Holy Spirit   (John 14:16-17; 26-17)
• A good defense – your spiritual armor / your position in Christ   (Ephesians 6:13-17)
• A good offense – the Word of God and Prayer   (Ephesians 6:17-18 )
• A good team effort – fellowship with other believers   (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Execution of the game-plan – obedience   (I John 5:3-5)

And to top it all off, we even have a host of fans in the grandstands – all the saints that have gone before us into heaven (Hebrews 12:1).  They are all cheering us on to victory in the Super Bowl of life!

 

“Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving me Your Holy Spirit to live in me and coach me through life.

Thank you for giving me all the resources I need for victory in this life.

Give me the strength to obey You even when it’s not easy or popular.

And, Lord, thank you that I am on the winning team – Your team!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

MY NEW IDENTITY (Part 3)

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven.”

(Matthew 5:13-16)

 

Our Arizona Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl this year, and we’re all very excited.  But, how significant is the Super Bowl, really?  How many people will remember who won this year’s Super Bowl 10 years from now?  How will this year’s Super Bowl impact our world?  What difference will it make in all of eternity? 

Isn’t it amazing what the world considers to be significant?  Don’t misunderstand me; I’m a big sports fan.  But, the world tells us our significance is based on our intellect, our beauty, our abilities, or our accomplishments.  If that’s the case, then I’m a nobody.  Fortunately, that’s not how God views us.  As a child of God, I am important, and I have a significant place in His Kingdom.  That’s true of you, too.  Just take a look at how significant God says you and I are…

ü I am the salt of the earth.   (Matthew 5:13)

ü I am the light of the world   (Matthew 5:14)

ü I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.   (John 15:1-5)

ü I am a personal witness of Jesus Christ.   (Acts 1:8 )

ü I am God’s temple.   (I Corinthians 3:16)

ü I am a minister of reconciliation.   (II Corinthians 5:17)

ü I am God’s ambassador to the world.   (II Corinthians 5:20)

ü I am God’s co-worker.   (II Corinthians 6:1)

ü I am God’s workmanship.   (Ephesians 2:10)

ü I may approach God with freedom and confidence.   (Ephesians 3:12)

ü I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   (Philippians 4:13) *

You and I are important.  We are very significant.  We are conduits of God’s love and grace in this world.  May God’s light and love shine brightly through each of us.

 

“Heavenly Father, I am privileged to be your child.

Help me to see the reality of life from Your perspective, rather than the world’s.

I know that my identity and significance are sourced in Jesus Christ.

May His light shine brightly in this world through my life.

 In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

MY NEW IDENTITY (Part 2)

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers;

neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Romans 8:38-39)

 

We live in a works-based culture.  We have been taught the American work ethic since we were young.  If we did all our chores, we got our weekly allowance.  If we did all our homework and did well on the tests, we got good grades in school.  And, if we work hard and produce well on the job, we might get a raise, a bonus, or a promotion.

Unfortunately, many people carry that same works-based thinking into their spiritual lives – if we’re good enough, God will welcome us into heaven.  But, the Bible clearly tells us that our salvation is not based on works.  Rather, it’s based entirely on God’s grace, received through simple faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).  That’s all it takes to become a child of God.  Now, once a child of God: always a child of God.  Just as my own children are secure in my love – nothing will ever undo their position as my children – so we are secure in God’s love.  Because I am a child of God…

ü I am free forever from condemnation   (Romans 8:1-2)

ü I am assured that all things work together for good.   (Romans 8:28 )

ü I cannot be separated from the love of God   (Romans 8:38-39)

ü I am anointed and sealed by God   (II Corinthians 1:21)

ü I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms   (Ephesians 2:6)

ü I am hidden with Christ in God   (Colossians 3:1-4)

ü I am confident that God will complete the good work He began in me   (Philippians 1:6)

ü I am a citizen of heaven   (Philippians 3:20)

ü I can find grace and mercy in time of need   (Hebrews 4:16)

ü I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.   (I John 5:18 )

 

Wow!  What a comfort to know with absolute assurance that I am secure in the grace and love of God.

 

“Heavenly Father,

Thank You once again for Your amazing grace.

I am in awe of Your love.

What a joy to know that I am secure

in my position as one of Your children.

May the gratitude in my heart for Your love

be reflected in my daily walk with You.

 In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

A NEW IDENTITY

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called the children of God!”

(I John 3:1)

 

Do you ever struggle with an identity crisis?  It’s unfortunate that many Christians never fully understand and appreciate who they are in Christ.  So, for the next three weeks, let’s take a few moments to simply meditate on our position and privileges as children of God.    It may revolutionize your way of thinking.  Because of God’s amazing grace I have a new identity in Jesus Christ…

 

ü I am a child of God   (John 1:12; I John 3;1)

ü I am a friend of Christ   (John 15:15)

ü I have been justified   (Romans 5:1)

ü I am a member of God’s body   (I Corinthians 12:27)

ü I am a new creation   (II Corinthians 5:17)

ü I am a saint   (Ephesians 1:1)

ü I have been chosen and adopted by God   (Eph. 1:3-4)

ü I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sin   (Eph. 1:7)

ü I am complete in Christ   (Colossians 2:9-10)

ü I have direct access to God’s throne of grace in time of need   (Hebrews 4:16)

ü I am a royal priest   (I Peter 2:9) *

 

Too often in our world today, we are ingrained with the philosophy that what we do determines who we are.  Instead, the opposite is true – who we are determines what we do.  May the Holy Spirit remind us often of our identity in Jesus Christ.

 

“Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace. 

Thank you that I am forgiven and I am a new creation in Christ.

I am honored to be counted as one you’re your children.

May the awesome reality of my position in your family

 flood my soul & encourage me in my daily walk with You.

Lord, may others see You in me.  Amen.”

 

* Adapted & modified from “Freedom in Christ” by Neil Anderson