I wrote this post as a result of pondering Friday night’s chat, and watching ballgames all weekend. It’s nothing profound, but I did have fun writing it and it made a lot of sense to me as I was creating it. So here it goes!
It was a replay of a game played the previous day. The winner had already been determined, and the outcome sealed. Although the results were known, some watched with anticipation and anxiousness as the game unfolded. Could the other team pull off the victory? Of course not, but….. some kept watching with expectancy.
One could clearly see the winning coach’s strategy; the plan he had presented to his team. It was obvious that the individuals had bought into the coach’s philosophy and were enthusiastic in carrying through what they had been called to do. After all, the coach had done his job, collected the important data, and studied the other team. He knew the adjustments necessary to win the game. The players were equipped with the knowledge and ability to perform the specific skills they each possessed. There was humbleness as each individual contributed to the team in their unique way; stepping up at just the right time to display the particular talent they had been given or had developed. There was a joy, peace and intensity with which each player participated with one another; knowing that they could depend on each other.
The victory was a result of trusting the coach, believing in his diligent preparation, scouting, researching, and being ready for the contest. He knew the other team backwards and forwards. He realized that in spite of the talent and knowledge of the opponents, they did nothing different from contest to contest. They always used the same game plan; never varying their approach, predictable in every aspect of the game. Sure, they were able to win some games, but only with those teams who were not prepared; those who hadn’t planned and done a scouting report. Their coach was limited in his power and authority to get players to believe and respond to his way of thinking and doing things. He presented nothing to believe in. Yet, he had a team of players who had talent and skills year after year, even though they went nowhere. They were not, and could not be successful on their own power and abilities.
The coach who led individuals to victory time and time again was a superb recruiter. He would present his expectation, guidelines, rules, philosophy, and share his proven record of success. The players were excited and motivated about the possibilities afforded to them – the hope of victory each and every time they took the floor. Each had the skills and put their faith in their coach, and each other, to achieve victory. There was no leniency for selfishness or egotism – you obeyed or you were not part of the team. No second chances were given.
As I was relating to the SOF post from Friday and how we often choose the wrong “team”, knowing full well that our God has already won the victory. The fact that I often exalt Satan instead of God blew me away. Fortunately, God doesn’t “kick” us off the team when we don’t follow Him completely and fully. He gives us more chances and helps us grow into maturity with Him. Why do we choose to be on the losing team? Why do we exalt Satan? I had to seriously look at myself. Ouch! My opinion is that it is easier than abiding by rules and commands! It involves no faith, no action, no effort, no thought, no trust, no patience, no endurance, no belief system; we can just continue our lives puttering through the days. However, there is a price to pay when we walk with Satan – in fact, there is hell to pay – both in this life and eternity.
Satan knows that if he can dominate our thinking, he can dominate our life. Joyce Meyer shares that he bombards our minds with every negative and ungodly thought imaginable to bring about misery and sorrow. He gets us exalting him.
We can eventually become complacent and settle for a losing team. We go through the motions of life, depressed, rejected, addicted, hopeless, selfish; and living just the way the enemy wants us, as low as we can go. Satan will hold us captive in bondage, if we let him. So it is up to us to let god lead us out of the desert and into the kingdom He has prepared for us- from beginning to end- this life and the next. He gives us refuge. There is a spiritual war going on every day, and we need to choose sides. We know the outcome of the war. We know which side wins. Who in their right mind would choose the losing side? More importantly, who would choose to stay on the losing team when they already know and experience the victory God has brought to all of us through the blood of Jesus?
God gives us authority (another of Joyce Meyer’s teachings) to declare and command with the same authority as Jesus did. In fact, that was one of Jesus’ purposes – to teach us how to live in accordance to God’s law; that we may be like Christ.
God does not kick us off the team. He equips us with the necessary wisdom and strength to submit and be obedient to Him. God gives us the faith to do what He has called us to do and the faith to believe what He wants us to believe. He does not ask us to do something and then leave us to our own accord. He does not want us on the losing team! He will continue to recruit us until we join Him. Have faith in God to deliver His promises for your marriage and mine! Thank You, Heavenly Father. We praise and worship You and give You all the glory and honor for restorations and healing.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Galatians 5:26 (NIV)
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Colossians 2:6-8 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Romans 12:3 (NIV)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Posted Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 at 7:17 am in Seeds Of Faith.