Dealing With The Tough Ten 10. Game Over

Game winning shot!

Former NFL Head Coach and now ESPN analyst, Herm Edwards, in a moment of exasperation following a tough loss, echoed these words that still ring in my ears five years later: "you play to win the game"!  Now Coach Edwards is not a student of theology, and you won't find those words in the pages of scripture, but in the game of life, when you come to the final quarter, the only thing that's going to matter, is did you play to win the game in the eyes of God!

Winning in God's eyes depends more a decision you make before the final shot than any heroic act that takes place in the final minutes.  The decision to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is the most important decision you will ever have to make in your life.  Bigger than what school you go to, bigger than who you marry, and bigger than how you raise your kids.  All important, even critical, but only one decision has eternal consequences!

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames."

If the foundation you are building your life on is not on the rock, Jesus Christ, you are building your life on sinking sand, and one day the Lord Himself will say these unforgettable, and unfortunate words to you... Game Over!  "I thought He was a God of love" you might say to yourself!  "I thought He was a God of Mercy" you might ponder!"  Well you are right on both statements, but the scripture is clear when He told us all the ultimate act of love and grace in Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  The death of Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins and mine was His all-sufficient demonstration of love, mercy, and grace.  To refuse His sacrificial gift, is a choice you will regret making for all eternity!

In his best-selling book "One Minute After You Die",  Moody Church pastor Erwin Lutzer states the undeniable truth: 

One minute after you slip behind the parted curtain, you will either be enjoying a personal welcome from Christ or catching your first glimpse of gloom as you have never known it. Either way, your future will be irrevocably fixed and eternally unchangeable.

Lutzer goes on to let us know that:
Those who find themselves in heaven will be surrounded with friends whom they have known on earth. Friendships, once rudely interrupted by death, will continue where they left off. Every description of heaven they have ever heard will pale in the light of reality. All this, forever.

Others—indeed many others—will be shrouded in darkness, a region of deprivation and unending regret. There, with their memories and feelings fully intact, images of their life on earth will return to haunt them. They will think back to their friends, family and relatives; they will brood over opportunities they squandered and intuitively know that their future is both hopeless and unending. For them, death will be far worse than they imagined.

And so while relatives and friends plan your funeral—deciding on a casket, a burial plot and who the pallbearers shall be—you will be more alive than you have ever been. You will either see God on His throne surrounded by angels and redeemed humanity, or you will feel an indescribable weight of guilt and abandonment. There is no destination midway between these two extremes; just gladness or gloom.

Nor will it be possible to transfer from one region to another. No matter how endless the ages, no matter how heartfelt the cries, no matter how intense the suffering, your travel plans are limited to your present abode. Those who find themselves in the lower gloomy regions shall never enter the gates that lead to endless light and ecstasy. They will discover that the beautiful words spoken in their eulogy bear no resemblance to the reality that now confronts them. If only their friends could see them now!

But the good news is this, if you are still breathing, for you the game is not over!  Even if you are on you dying bed there is still time for a last minute game winning shot.  All you have to do is:

1. ADMIT your sinfulness! (we all are)
2. ACCEPT God's substitute for your sin! (his name is Jesus)
3. ACKNOWLEDGE Him as Lord of your life!  (he's your new boss

Salvation is free, but it cost Jesus everything in an act of love that we can never repay.  You can't work your way into heaven!  Jesus made it plain when He said in John 14:6 ..."“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  There is no other way to win this game!  My prayer is that one day all will make this decision and hit the "game-winning shot" before your buzzer rings, and your game of life is over!  Make that decision today!


WHEN YOU ACCEPT JESUS... IT'S GAME OVER!


MY FAVORITE SONG REMINDS ME THAT ONE DAY...THIS IS IT!

Dealing With The Tough Ten 9. Trust

I'll never forget the afternoon as I was spending some precious quiet time with the Lord, when He whispered a seemingly simple question to my heart... Do you trust me?  You would think it would be an easy question to answer, but as my lips began to form the word yes, He whispered, "Even if I took everything you have, money, home, material goods, health, family....would you still trust me?

"That's a lot Lord and to be honest I can't really say yes because I wouldn't understand."  Little did I know but that began a journey that continues in my life today, but I now can honestly tell him, after trials and tribulations...Yes!!

That day as I searched the scriptures The Lord gave me 27 reasons why the answer to the question should always have been yes!  So if you have ever struggled with that question like I have, may His Word bring total assurance to your heart, as you place your complete trust and confidence in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

27 REASONS WE SHOULD TRUST GOD

1.  We should trust in God… for our Salvation!
 Genesis 49:18 (NLT) 
I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!

2.  We should trust in God… because He is All-Powerful (Omnipotent)!
1 Cor. 2:5 (NLT) 
    I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.

3.  We should trust in God… because of his Miraculous Works!
Psalm 73:28 (NKJV) 
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.

4.   We should trust God…because of He is our Protector!
Psalm 18:2 (NKJV) 
    The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
    My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
    My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Nahum 1:7 (NLT) 
    The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him.

5.  We should trust God because… He Hears our Cries!
1 Chron. 5:20 (NKJV) 
And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.

6.  We should trust God… because He Delivers us from our Enemies!
Psalm 37:40 (NKJV) 
    And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;
    He shall deliver them from the wicked,
    And save them,
    Because they trust in Him.
 7.  We should trust God…because He is our Helper!
Psalm 115:9 (NLT) 
        O Israel, trust the Lord!
            He is your helper; he is your shield.

8.  We should trust God… because He Brings us Success!
2 Chron. 20:20 (NLT) 
Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed."

9.  We should trust God… because He is our Defender!
Psalm 5:11 (NKJV) 
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.

10.  We should trust in God… because of His Mercy!
Psalm 32:10 (NKJV) 
    Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
    But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
11.  We should trust in God… because of His Strength!
Psalm 20:7 (NKJV) 
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

12.  We should trust God because… He has Demonstrated His Faithfulness!
Psalm 37:3 (NKJV) 
    Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
   
13.  We should trust God… because of His Righteousness!
Psalm 31:1 (NKJV) 
In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.

14.  We should trust God…because of His Goodness!
Psalm 34:8 (NKJV) 
    Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
    Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

15.  We should trust in God… because His Word is True!
Psalm 119:42 (NKJV) 
    So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
    For I trust in Your word.

16.  We should trust in the Lord… because He brings us Joy!
Psalm 40:3 (NKJV) 
    He has put a new song in my mouth--
    Praise to our God;
    Many will see it and fear,
    And will trust in the Lord.

1 Peter 1:8 (NLT) 
    You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

17.  We should trust in the Lord… because He is our Provider!
Psalm 34:10 (NKJV) 
    The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
    But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
18.  We should trust God… because He is our Redeemer!
Psalm 34:22 (NKJV) 
The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

19.  We should trust God… because He Calms our Fears!
Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT) 
But when I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
4O God, I praise your word.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

20.  We should trust God… because He is our Hope!
Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV) 
    "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    And whose hope is the Lord.

21.  We should trust God… because He Cares for Us!
Psalm 112:7 (NLT) 
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

22.  We should trust God… because He is Trustworthy!
Psalm 119:138 (NLT) 
        Your decrees are perfect;
            they are entirely worthy of our trust.
23.  We should trust in the Lord… because He is our Security!
Psalm 125:1 (NLT) 
        Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
            they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

24.  We should trust God… because He Loves Us!
Psalm 143:8 (NLT) 
Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I have come to you in prayer.

25.  We should trust in God… because He Directs Us!
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will direct your paths.

26.  We should trust God… because He Gives us Peace!
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) 
    You will keep him in perfect peace,
    Whose mind is stayed on You,
    Because he trusts in You.

27.  We should trust God because… He Rewards Us!
Hebrews 10:35 (NLT) 
    Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you!

Dealing With The Tough Ten 8. Aging with Grace

Ecclesiastes 12

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. 3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.
 4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
 5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.
 6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it..
....
 13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

I hate to admit it...but these God inspired words are so true as we grow older in the seasons of life.  We can cover up, clean up, hide out, workout, color over, push over, lift up, throw up, weave it, sew it, slow it but ultimately we all will show it.  Some much later than others but aging is a part of life.  Few however age with grace!

Aging gracefully is so much easier if you remember the great days of your youth with appreciation!  God blessed you for a reason...and maybe only for a season, but he wants you to press on and finish strong!     Man judges you by the outside but God looks at the heart.

We all want to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.  The death rate is one to one last time I checked!  But you can enjoy the ride, and age with dignity and grace if you remember these words of wisdom as you joyfully travel along life's highway!

Dr Charles Stanley - Aging in Ministry with Grace


Meditate on this Classic Christian Hymn by Whintley Phipps

Dealing With The Tough Ten 7. Letting Go

On occasion, we’re amazed by a believer’s perseverance in adversity and confidence in God’s promises. Such people demonstrate a spiritual fullness that many of us long to have. A closer look reveals that they have followed Jesus’ example and surrendered all to God.

We may find it hard to submit to the Lord, because we like to be in charge. This has been man’s problem since the beginning. Adam and Eve, the first human beings, decided to ignore God’s warning and charted their own course, which ended in disaster. Like them, we often overlook the limitations of our understanding and ignore God’s wisdom and knowledge.

Another reason that we hold back is fear: perhaps we won’t like what the Lord chooses for us—He might ask us to give up a favorite activity or take on additional responsibility. How we are perceived by others also factors into our decision about submission, as we don’t appreciate criticism for being “too religious.” In addition, selfishness and pride can make us reluctant to let God take charge: we cling to our ideas and dreams and prefer to be independent.

The truth is the opposite of what we think. By yielding control to the Lord, we position ourselves to live the abundant spiritual life. We’ll experience His deep love, which satisfies more fully than any other. Our usefulness in His service will be maximized as we operate in the Spirit’s power. And obedience will also bring glory to Him as well as blessings to us.

Surrender is the way to abundance. Won’t you humble yourself before God and relinquish all to Him?
"Unconditional Surrender" by Dr. Charles Stanley 

Dealing With The Tough Ten 6. Broken Relationships/True Friendship

Without a doubt one of the toughest things we have to deal with in life are broken relationships!  Few things cause more problems and more pain, than fractures between people who have shared trust.  The reason for this are both complex, and confusing, plus no two relationships are the same.

So instead of playing Dr. Phil, let me instead reflect on the marks of true friendship shared with me by a highly respected Christian Leadership specialist named Ron Edmonson.  Whether in marriage, or dating; among college roomates or childhood buddies; in business, work or pleasure, if your relationship is not based on these eternal friendship principals, it simply won't stand the test of time!


So if you are tired of broken relationships in your life, let's focus on  5 Marks of True Friendship, and try to apply to our current relationships:

Here are 5 marks of true friendship:

1. Unconditional love - Regardless of what you do, what happens, or where life takes you, a true friend loves at all times.
2. Unwavering support – You don’t have to do the “right things” to keep a true friend. They support you (if not in actions as a person) whatever you choose to do.
3. Willingness to challenge – A true friendship makes you better. The Bible says “iron sharpens iron”. True friends will correct you if needed.
4. Consistent over time – True friendships aren’t for a season. They are for a lifetime.
5. Gives grace freely and generously – True friendship weather the sometime difficulties of relationships, forgive where needed, and love even when it hurts.

Remember these words of truth from the Word of God.   

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
   but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."   Proverbs 18:24
 
Do you have a true friendship with those whom you have relationships with?
More importantly, are you a true friend?  
If not, try being one today!  Thank God for the true friends in your life!





No matter if you face broken relationships in your life remember the friend who will never leave you in this song by the Winans!

Dealing With The Tough Ten 5. A Dream Deferred

It takes faith and hope to dream.  It takes courage to face a dream deferred!  I wish life was always as sweet as mom's pancakes and as easy as Sunday morning.  

But, that's not life like Jesus described in the gospels.  It's not like He didn't tell us.  He said "in this world you will have tribulations, but fear not, I have overcome the world" John 16:33.   Like Jesus we too can become overcomers, even if we face our dreams deferred!
 

• You may have dreamed of a marriage made in heaven, but instead face a relationship that seems straight from hell!

• You may have dreamed of the perfect family, but instead trouble seems to be your kids middle name!

• You may have dreamed of a career that lasts forever, but instead pink seems to be your most popular color!

• You may have dreamed of retiring with financial security, but instead face twenty more years of menial labor!

One of life's toughest realities is dealing with a dream deferred!  Some preachers may tell you to "name it, and claim it", but the only thing you have claimed is a life full of bumps and bruises, and a pocket full of lint!

So what do we do?  Do we kiss our dreams goodbye, and never dream at all?  My sister says we should DreamOutLoud,  http://www.dreamoutloudtv.com/  but make sure your dreams are God-given and not your own.  In the end His will must be done.  His dreams for you will come true because He loves you, and His plans for you will come to pass.  When you have a relationship with Jesus Christ,  your future is secure,  and He will sustain you day by day.

So how are we to live with this reality?

• Enjoy everyday as a precious gift from God!
• Thank Him for every blessing He gives in your life!
• Refuse to give up because games are sometimes one at the end!

Three things we must do every single day!

1. Laugh more!
2. Love more!
3. Learn more!

But never, ever refuse to dream again!  Life can be challenging, but trust God, because if you do, in the end you will win!  A Christian's victory can never be deferred!

Life's Tough Ten 4. Success

Shaka Smart, the 34 year old head coach of Virginia Commonwealth University,  is a brilliant and fast rising star in the world of mens college basketball.  After VCU's amazing run to the final four, several major colleges were battling behind the scenes for his services.  To most people's surprise, Coach Smart chose to remain at VCU, turning down a two million dollar offer from North Carolina State.

Now before you cry for the young coach, VCU gave him a salary increase that would take him from a $325K base, to a base of $1.2 million!  Shaka was staying put and would be handsomely rewarded.  By every standard in the world's eyes he is the epitome of the word success! 

But the ultimate question in life is will Coach Smart become a success in the eye's of God?  God doesn't measure success by the size of your bank account (that's nice), your job title, or the square footage of your home.   God measure's success by your absolute obedience to His Word,  your acknowledgment of sin in your life, and humbling yourself to receive His Son as the only acceptable payment for your sin.  Success God's way results in more than victories.  His road to success leads to a heavenly home with the King of Kings!

Coach Smart recruited my son while he was a senior in high school before deciding to go in another direction.  His basketball decisions have obviously been very wise, resulting in an improbable trip to this year's Final Four!   But my prayer for him and others in similar positions of acclaim, is that they would not settle for the world's definition of success, but choose success God's way.  Coach Smart has a lot of spiritual interests, but has yet to land on a definitive decision for Jesus Christ.  The good new is this.  As long as he has breath, there is still time.  My prayers are with him and I congratulate him for "Shaka-ing" the world of college basketball!

For every man who can handle adversity, there are two others who struggle with the "problem" of success!  Most of us want to do things our way.  God in His mercy, has given every man and woman the freedom to choose for themselves.  He did not make us robots, but wants us to choose Him for one reason ...We LOVE HIM!  Our ultimate reward is not a bigger paycheck, though we will walk the streets of gold with Him in Heaven one day.  The ultimate reward is found in six words from the Lord to summarize our lives..."Well done, good and faithful servant"! Matthew 25:19


The Lord told Joshua these words as he sought success in leading the children of Israel into the promise land in Joshua 1:6-9. 

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
 ⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

So the choice is yours.  Will you take the world's way of success and it's momentary pleasures, or will you choose the Lord's way of success and its eternal benefits and rewards.  As I pray for Shaka, I'm praying for you!  Joshua near the end of his life told the people these words in Joshua 24:14-15

¹⁴ “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵ But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Make the best choice today!

ULTIMATE SUCCESS - "COME TO JESUS" Adrian Rogers - prince of preachers - VICTORY with JESUS!