A man was out of town on a business trip. As he was coming back to his hotel after eating dinner, he saw a baseball field where there was a little league game going on, so he decided he would go over and watch some of the action. As he got to the field, he noticed the players going into their dugouts between innings. The man went up to a young player who was now in the dugout and asked him, “What’s the score?” The first-grade player looked back and, with a big smile on his face, he said, “We are behind 14–0!” To which the man replied, “You do not seem very upset by that.” “Up set?” the player responded, “why should I be upset? We have not even come up to bat yet!” The player could have named the situation as a loss in the first inning. But instead, he simply focused on his upcoming turn at bat. And, who knows? His team might score 15 in the bottom of the first!
Do you know some Christians who have the God given ability to live their lives in this way? Things happen. Even to good people, things happen. Some of those things are hard. Some are not good. But God’s people have the ability to overcome those disappointments through the power of God that lives within them.
In John 16 we read the words of Jesus, “When I go away, I will send the Helper to you.”
As a child of God, have you ever had a thought of thanksgiving come to you, even on a sad day? Then, you have been blessed by the Helper. That is a God-given gift.
Have you ever read a scripture for the 1,000th time and learned a brand new truth you had never seen before? That was the Holy Spirit teaching.
Have you ever felt God using you to encourage, help and heal others? That is the Helper empowering you to do what you were called to do. It is a God-given gift.
What is the score right now in your game of life? Are you ahead, or are you down by 14 runs? The good news is that if you are a child of the King, you know that your final victory is sure. The final score will be in your favor because of what was accomplished for you on the cross. God will help you through the tough times as you finish this race. Aren’t you glad we have the God-given power to help us through this life and on into the next?
If you have not accepted Christ as your savior, make that decision today. You need the Savior and the Comforter he will send to you. If you have questions on how to move forward with this, ask a Christian friend or contact one of our Community Life Church pastors. (Visit clifec.com/staff for contact info.)