Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Hosea and Hosanna In The Highest

I was reading the Bible yesterday in Hosea. I was doing a topical scripture writing plan in my journal. I was supposed to write verses 1-3 but I read all 11 and was moved by God's sovereignty and His love. I was disheartened by the sin and carelessness of the people. Sadly, it rang true a bit too much for me that this is how today's society is. I began to pray for our nation even more and asking yet again for God's hand of mercy to be upon us all. I prayed for genuine repentance and genuine compassion and concern for us all to draw near to Him.
Tonight, the song below was on my heart. I felt led to share both. I hope this touches your heart and you listen for His whisper from His Spirit to your spirit. He loves each of us SO, SO much, no matter what we've done. He longs to be with us. 🌹
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"Hosea 6 Good News Translation (GNT)
The People's Insincere Repentance
6 The people say, “Let's return to the Lord! He has hurt us, but he will be sure to heal us; he has wounded us, but he will bandage our wounds, won't he? 2 In two or three days he will revive us, and we will live in his presence. 3 Let us try to know the Lord. He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth.”
4 But the Lord says, “Israel and Judah, what am I going to do with you? Your love for me disappears as quickly as morning mist; it is like dew, that vanishes early in the day. 5 That is why I have sent my prophets to you with my message of judgment and destruction. What I want from you is plain and clear: 6 I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than burn offerings to me.
7 “But as soon as they entered the land at Adam,[a] they broke the covenant I had made with them. 8 Gilead is a city full of evil people and murderers. 9 The priests are like a gang of robbers who wait in ambush for someone. Even on the road to the holy place at Shechem they commit murder. And they do all this evil deliberately! 10 I have seen a horrible thing in Israel: my people have defiled themselves by worshiping idols.
11 “And as for you, people of Judah, I have set a time to punish you also for what you are doing."
Footnotes:
Hosea 6:7 Probable text But … at Adam; Hebrew But like Adam."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
God's Word Translation says it this way for verses 4-8:
"4 “What should I do with you, Ephraim?
What should I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like fog in the morning.
It disappears as quickly as the morning dew.
5 That is why I cut ⌞you⌟ down by sending the prophets.
I killed you with the words from my mouth.
My judgments shined on you like light.
6 I want your loyalty, not your sacrifices.
I want you to know me, not to give me burnt offerings.
7 “Like Adam, you rejected the promise.[a]
You were unfaithful to me.
8 Gilead is a city filled with troublemakers.
It is stained with bloody footprints."
Footnotes:
6:7 Or “You have walked all over my promise as if it were dirt.”
6:10 “Unclean ” refers to anything that Moses’ Teachings say is not presentable to God."

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We don't need to insult God with false repentance. We need to truly open our hearts and invite Him in. We need His love, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness. We need His eternal presence. We can't make it through this life well enough without Him and we certainly don't want to do eternity without Him. Blessed peace and grace are found in Him. He longs to walk with us through all of it. Take His hand. ❤ ❤

Hosanna- Hillsong




Wednesday, September 23, 2020

It's A Snow Day! πŸ˜ƒ

Hi everyone!

I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday in the Lord! It is raining here in Florida. I just have an overwhelming feeling inside of me to just use today as a chill day. It just feels like one of those days where you just need to grab a big cup of cocoa, like a snowy day, be still, and sit by the fire with your feet tucked under you. It's a good day to just go nowhere and do nothing but relax and just be.

I grew up in the north. We had lots of rainy days or snowy days. I had lots of time (as a kid) to just sit and watch the weather or to reflect and ponder. I miss those days. Now, many years later, I am married and living in a completely different climate. We don't have very much precipitation. We, of course, don't have snow days here but not many rainy ones, either. Our weather is hot, hotter, muggy, or a combination thereof. πŸ˜‚ A Florida rain lasts about 15 minutes usually around 3:00 or so in the afternoon. It can rain multiple times but usually never more than 30 minutes, unless there's a hurricane.

Today is one of those days that is supposed to be scattered thunderstorms all day long. There's been a continuous gentle rain for a while now. It's got me feeling nostalgic. I heard a really good sermon this morning. Those two things combined just have me feeling chill and wanting to relax and unwind and to just not speak so much just listen for God's voice. However, I know one of the things I heard him say was to blog this. I felt pressed to put this post out. I'm sure it will be a blessing to someone.

So, the sermon that I was listening to today was from Pastor Steven Furtick at Elevation Church. He titled the message "Did I Ask?" It was a really good sermon. I'll link it in this post. I really recommend watching it. There's some really good takeaway to it. 

One of my realizations was for all moments, with what  little that I can do, I can and should ask God for His opinion and His input more often. Let's be real. We know we should let Him lead. But do we?  Too often, we don't. We get in the driver's seat and try to lead our own lives. You know we say things like,  "God is my copilot." Is that really true? And if it is true, it shouldn't be. He should be the pilot first and foremost. We should just be his companion. We shouldn't even really be His copilot. He doesn't need one. Okay, true enough, there are things we need to decide how we are going to react and respond and there are times of action but those are the times where we see how much faith and obedience we truly have and how much we have listened to Him prior. We shouldn't even be in the driver's seat. We should always seek him out first and ask Him to lead. The action required by us follows like with Abraham. "Go to a land I will show you." (Genesis 12:1)  We should let God be behind the wheel of our lives. But do we? I think most of us, myself included, don't let him take control or lead often enough. I've heard it said before, and it's true, that we don't really ask for God's opinion on a matter before we tell him what we want and then just ask him for his rubber stamp of approval.

Wow. And then we wonder why things turn out the way that they do. We wonder why we hadn't done stuck in a rut. We wonder how we got to this point? We want to know where God is. We want to know why He didn't work things out a different way. Well, how could He? Did we ask Him to be part of the journey? Did we ASK for His opinion? Did we ask him to lead? Did we ask approval BEFORE we took action?  Proverbs 3 says, 

"1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and Truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lead not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be a health to your flesh and strength to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the lord, nor detest his correction; for whom the lord loves he corrects just as a father the son and whom he delights."

Mostly no. Too often, we don't ask His input on a situation we're facing. We just try to ride the rails and see where they take us we try to make the best decisions from what knowledge and resources we have. Even if mentioned in prayers, we just tend to follow our own insight. To be honest, I'm sure that the Holy Spirit is still trying to lead us even though we don't take time to listen. I'm sure that God is definitely still watching after and keeping things from getting too far out of hand. But how much better would it  be if we actually just trusted Him in the first place? How much better would it be if we said, "God I need you. Guide me and direct me in this situation. I don't know what to do. Please show me the steps that I need to take and help me walk it for Your Glory in Jesus name."  Sometimes we say that but we still just blindly do what we want. 

Today just feels like a day to just kind of let all of that roll off to let all of the crud from rest of the week/ month/ year just be washed away in the rain like showers of blessing. We should just take time to ley all of the negative and chaotic stuff be washed away from us,  out of our souls and just reflect on God and His goodness and his mercy and compassion and love- to trust with complete confidence that He knows us. He formed us in our mother's womb and knitted us together. (Psalm 139:13-18) If not for His divine inclination, we wouldn't even be here. So, Who better to drive our lives than our Creator? He has a plan and a purpose for us (Jeremiah 29:11-14). You should always take advice from somebody smarter than yourself rather than someone who is not even as smart as you feel you are. So, the question is, again, why should we be more qualified to lead our lives than God?

I don't know where you are in your walk today. I don't know the specific situations that you're going through and I'm not asking for that information. I'm just suggesting maybe today would be a good day for you and me to just take time to spiritually set with a cup of cocoa with our heels tucked up under us just relax and patiently waiting for God to speak to us and ask questions. Ask Him what his will is for your life right now or in the future. Ask how should you handle this thing that you have going on or the situation with the person... Instead of giving into assuming you know the outcome, make your prayers and petitions known to God and then just quietly and patiently wait for the answers. (Philippians 4:4-7) Maybe He will answer you right away and maybe He won't. But if he doesn't answer you right away, just praise Him in the hallway until He does. Just take time to sit at His feet spiritually and just be grateful. Be grateful for all of the things that He has done and all the love that He has shown you. 

If you don't have a history with God like that, ask yourself some questions. Have you actually let God truly into your heart - to ALL the places in your heart. Have you given God had a chance and opportunity to show you and shower you with His love? Has He had a chance to lead your life? Have you listened to the prompting of His Spirit or have you kept the door closed? 

In all honesty, the door could be closed whether you're a believer or not a believer.  Life knocks us down at times. We can be shaken by it. We should be standing on God's word and we should be looking at mirror and seeing His reflection. We are created in His image. We are called to be sons and daughters of God. We are called to be His children. So when we look in the mirror, what should we see? Should we see insecurities, frustration, and impossibilities? If we have accepted salvation through Jesus Christ, we  have God's DNA and nothing is impossible with Him. Jesus said in John 15:5, 

"I am the vine, and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

So, if there's any lack in our lives, we will probably trace it back to our time spent with Him. There is no question that He is faithful. The question is: How faithful are WE to HIM? 

There's always a reason for everything that we go through. It's either a lesson or a blessing. Some things are meant to stretch and grow us in our faith and our walk with him. Sometimes we are allowed to be stretched so that we can see that He's always there that He always provides. Yet, sometimes things are tough and roads are rocky because we haven't reached out. His grace is sufficient and He is enough. No matter what today, spend some time reflecting and you'll see that He's always right there with you. He wants to be. If you feel like there's only one set of Footprints in the Sand, then He has been carrying you.

May you abide in Him always and He will abide in you, so that you bear much fruit.

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [g]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." ~ Galatians 5:22-23

{Written on Sunday, September 20, 2020 but editing delays caused posting date of Wednesday, September 23, 2020.}

Did I Ask? - Pastor Steven Furtick at Elevation Church
Showers of Blessing - Vocal by Blessy Ann Jojy

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Dig deeper. Ask, Seek, and Knock. *cue God moment* ;)

πŸ’–πŸ˜ƒ Good evening y'all. 
You might want to grab a cup of tea or some other tasty beverage. This post grew a bit. lol

As usual, I've got a lot kicking around in my brain. It's also Saturday, so there is always a good chance that I am mulling over this afternoon's Bible study- which I am. Granted- it is worth noting that I submerge myself in some aspect of God's presence every day.  I don't just wait until Saturday to have an epiphany. πŸ˜‰ Some days it is deep or continual prayer. Sometimes it is through worship and praise. I might also be in Bible study or scripture writing some days. Whatever it is, I am, usually, trying to keep that connection to Him open. Nobody is perfect, though. There are also days when I have plugged my ears or buried my head in the sand. Can I get an Amen? The thing is to keep plugging away and doing our best. He will help us through everything this crazy life entails.

However, I also have the opportunity to gather together with fellow believers who challenge me to go a little deeper and often God uses them to shine light on a perception or angle that I may have otherwise missed. I am part of a few groups that do this. Likewise, I have also been the same for some of them. Iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs 27:17)

(If you don't have a Bible study group, you should find one.  They are everywhere. They are even found online. Well, right now, there are a LOT online because of social distancing. Even without that, they can be found on Facebook or on message boards, there are video conferences, YouTube videos, and, I'm sure, other places.)

Don't be afraid to ask yourself questions about God or of God- ask a lot of them. It deepens your faith.  Questions beg answers. Answers need to be found. To find those answers, you are seeking and searching. When you seek, oh what you will find!!  The answers sometimes will take your breath away. Other times, they may just about blow your mind. The first thing that we need to find is God.

"5Now if any of you lacks wisdomhe should ask Godwho gives to all generously and without criticizingand it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith without doubtingFor the doubter is like the surging seadriven and tossed by the wind7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord8An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways." ~ James 1:5-8 (HCSB)
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"11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." ~ Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)
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"“So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” " ~ Luke 11:9-13 (HCSB)

I don't know if I have said this here before or not. I know that I have said it to my son. I love to learn just about anything. I find learning fascinating. I love to be amazed and in awe or just plain thankful for the knowledge that others have used to create things that further our search, research, or to benefit us in some other small (or grand) way. Technology, science, life hacks, crafts, inventions. I love it. I can sometimes be like Johnny 5 from Short circuit. lol  Well, almost.  I can't speed read as fast or comprehend as quickly but I am definitely interested in trying.



There is also something to be said for being still. One of my favorite places to go when I get the chance, is to the lakefront. I love being near the water and watching the waves and the birds. I love listening to the sounds the water makes as dances, washes, and ripples. Can't you just see and hear it right now?




 Both of those things have something in common- God. We are created in the image of One who holds all knowledge. He also is the maker of heaven and earth. Everything we think, everything we do, every breath we take in, and everything we see is made possible by Him.

"20 May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. 21  He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. 22 He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. 23 I offer thanks and praise to You, God of my fathers, because You have given me wisdom and power. And now You have let me know what we asked of You, for You have let us know the king's mystery." ~ Daniel 2:20-23 (HCSB)

Even if you had never picked up a Bible or heard that there was a God so powerful and mighty, you would yet be able to believe. We have talked about this in our Bible study group. A question that has come up a few times is: "What are the two books of God?" Obviously, the first one is the Bible. The second is this: nature.

"18 For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. 21 For even though they knew God [as the Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles." ~ Romans 1:18-23 (AMP)

How can a person look out in the vast expanse and not see that there must be a Creator?  When you consider the intricacies of living organisms alone, it is astounding. How difficult to give order to the human body and how it is woven delicately together to function in perfect harmony, all parts in symbiotic unison with each other, unless it were intelligently designed. It cannot "accidentally" fall together the same way each time an organism, be it a human or a plant, is replicated.

The funny thing about our Bible study today is that we didn't actually study the Bible. lol  Well, not formally. We finished up the book of Luke last week and were discussing which book to tackle next.  In the midst of that, a previous question by one person was brought up to be answered. That led to a discussion and Genesis and that to a question by someone else. That person's question led me to question myself why God, being omniscient (all knowing), would create the earth, that He knew the consequences of, with all its hardship and heartache?

In other words, let us say that I thought about creating a tower made out of Legos or playing cards. I conceived an idea so developed it would take great skill and time to craft it into something to behold. But what if I knew that when I did that someone was indeed certainly going to swoop in and destroy it?  Why bother?  What if God had said that about our world?  Yet....he didn't. If He knows all, then He had to have foreseen what would happen with Lucifer and sin, pain, death, and all the tragedy. His perfect earth would be demolished in an idealistic sense.

However, He created it anyway. Why?  Good question. The immediate response in my spirit was because we were worth it to Him. The cost of the damage to the world (the created thing) was more bearable than living an existence without the fellowship of the living beings that He also created. He created us to have a relationship with us.  He loves us. We are not "worthy" in a sense of being equal to God but that God, saw us as lovable and of value (worth) to Himself.  Beauty was in the eyes of the Beholder.  We are the apple of His eye.

"9 For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. 13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; 14 Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape."~ Deuteronomy 32:9-14

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"1 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, 
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." ~ Psalm 23 (ESV)

He loved us so much that was not a great enough sacrifice. In order to be fully redeemed and justified
to dwell in Heaven, a blood sacrifice needed to be given.

"For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16 (AMP)

Wow, God.  Wow to You for giving this insight to me. An even bigger wow to the astonishing and breathtaking affirmation of Your love for us. It was worth creating what would be destroyed. It was worth the time and the effort. WE were worth the time and effort to You, O God, because of that great love.
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πŸ’— Thank You, God, for the ability to not only seek such knowledge but also to be able to obtain and retain it. It is such a truly wonderful gift, especially when we are able to use it to draw closer to You.  You give us SO, SO, SO much.  Sadly, we take it all for granted entirely too often. πŸ’—Thank You, Father, that You love us enough to give us so many things even to have such beautiful creatures and scenery. Thank You that our bodies were designed to perform many fascinating and brilliant things from our brains to our toes. Thank You, Oh God, that we are mighty in Your name. You are the Creator and the Vine. We are but mere branches and tiny reflections of a mighty God; as ripples in an ocean.

Be with us this day.  Help us to receive You today in whatever way we can, even if it is a small crack of light peeping into our worried or wearied souls. Seep into our hearts and let our souls be saturated with a desire to seek You.  You know what goes on inside of us each and every day, Father. You know exactly what hurts there are to heal and how to apply the balm. Help us to be ever conscious, ever mindful, and thankful of not just how you designed and created us but also how we fit into this fabulous and beautiful world that You have placed us into. Help us to live out a life of purpose as close to Your perfect will as we can and to prosper first in our understanding and gratitude. All else will follow. May we delight ourselves in You, heavenly Father. We love you, we praise and thank You. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

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πŸ‘€Wow. I hadn't planned on saying so much. Thank You, Holy Spirit for redirection. What a blessing to be able to approach the Throne of Grace with confidence!  We have truly NO idea exactly what a beautifully miraculous thing that is! Thank You God for choosing us and loving us first before we even had a chance to love You. Thank You for speaking to my heart, as You speak to the hearts of all of Your children each every day. There is no one like You.

Monday, March 30, 2020

πŸ˜€Hello there.

I am processing a lot of information this morning. God has been working some thought processes through my brain already, even though I haven't much more than woken up.  Firstly, I was recalling Luke's account of Gethsemane and the arrest of Jesus. Our Bible study group, which met a couple of days ago, has been reading through Luke for a bit and we are about to be in chapter 23.

I saw that one of my friends in the group had posted this scripture: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak." Mark 14:38  I had some personal revelation about this verse in Luke 22:40, 46.

"40And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.g 45And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”" (ESV) 

Jesus had given the disciples a simple command. They were to pray against temptation.  Easy, right?  Yet, they didn't do it. Instead, they gave into sadness and depression. He has to wake them up and tell them again in verse 46.

(The Bible does not specifically say that they did not pray. Yet, since Jesus is God (https://biblereasons.com/jesus-is-god/), He knew that they had not obeyed.  They did not have time to pray now, either. Before Jesus was finished saying this to them, Judas and the multitude were there to arrest Him.)

Jesus had also already warned them all earlier in the chapter-
"31And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."  33And he said unto him, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death."  34And He said, "I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."" (KJV)

When He says to have "you" sifted, He was actually using the plural reference, meaning all of the disciples. Then, in verse 32, Jesus addresses Peter specifically and says that He had prayed that his faith would not fail him. He is expecting Peter to sort of rally the troops (the other disciples) after he gets over what is about to happen.  

Peter was full of faith, never bashful of it,  and always ready to boast about it. The word "converted" usually is used in reference to a person of non-belief coming to know Christ. One might ask why, then, would they use the word "converted?" 

I find it interesting and helpful to look up some of the words in a passage to get a deeper meaning.  I looked up the definition of the word convert in the Oxford Dictionary:

VERB
converted (past tense) · converted (past participle)

  1. cause to change in form, character, or function.
    synonyms:
    change · turn · transform ·  adapt · reshape· remold 
So, in my understanding, after Peter has turned back to (resumed the fullness of) his faith and has gotten out of his disbelief, shock, and depression, Jesus expects his character and function be adapted and transformed in order to lead and strengthen his brothers. 

I also find it really interesting for the third definition....

score from (a penalty kick, pass, or other opportunity) in a sport or game.

  • american football
    score an extra point or points after having scored a touchdown by kicking a goal (one point) or running another play into the end zone (two points).

Normally, it wouldn't seem that this would be applicable at all because the Bible isn't a sport nor pertaining to one. Yet, perhaps we can gain perspective from a certain angle, if the fight of faith can be loosely viewed similarly to a sport in at least one aspect. There are opposing sides both warring for victory.  In Truth, there is no real competition because Team Jesus has already won the championship victory. However, the perceived competition would be the daily tournaments of good vs. evil. 
















































































The chief priests and captains sought to kill Jesus. That was their endgame. God's endgame, however, was the resurrection. Christianity was not snuffed out and Christ's followers were not all disbanded.  After the crucifixion and resurrection, those that remained were strong and bold in their faith. The conversion point for God, amidst the penalty of His Son's death, the turning (or conversion ) point in the war. Competition over.  This is what went through my mind when I read about the football definition. Maybe it is a bit of a stretch but I see at least some correlation.

More on the next post.
I hope that you are staying safe and have a blessed week!































































































































































































































































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