From the Pastor's Heart

          It came down to two teams who started on a goal of not just reaching the championship game but winning it. The work started during the heat of the summer and continued throughout the season as they faced one opponent after another. Each game won, was one more step needed in reaching that goal that was set in the past summer. These two teams were not alone for there are a little over 100 other teams that set out on the same goal. But now with the season over and the games played these two teams ended on top of the ratings. They both prepared for this game knowing that winner took home all of the spoils and the loser would go home empty handed. Over 100 teams started the season yet only one team gets to hold up that crystal ball at the end. The winner is really no different than any other team. Yes there are some who have more talent because of the schools that they represent or even the conference. But they still have to have the goal of winning and have to reach that goal. Some could argue the results for there were no undefeated teams this year and there were other teams with only one loss. To be honest it came down to what man thought and some computer. Not taking anything away from Alabama, for they are a great team but there are some who believe they shouldn’t had been in the game in the 1^st place since they lost to LSU during the regular season. But they were and they won it and they deserve to be National Champions. For LSU and the others there is always next season to look forward to. Sad results for all of those who worked so hard only to come up short in the end.

            I am so glad that our getting into heaven isn’t based on how the college football championship is played out. Can you imagine working as hard as the LSU team only to fall short by one game? In past years there have been some championships decided on just one play that went wrong. Can you imagine falling short of entering heaven by one little action? Thank God we are saved by grace and not by works, God’s grace. It doesn’t matter if we lose one game or if we go 0-11, God will save us from our sin.

          Yet we still have to run the race of life and we still have to have a goal of being the best that we can be for the Lord. The Apostle Paul wrote two passages of Scripture that come to mind. The first is found in 1 Cor 9:24-ff which says: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”  The second is found in Phil 3:14 where we find the words: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

            We must endeavor to keep on keeping on for the Lord Jesus Christ in everything that we do. Train ourselves in the Word of God: by studying it, meditating on it and living it. It is an everyday workout that takes dedication and desire. How about it, let’s make it our goal, not only as individuals but as a church, to be the best that we can be for the Lord. Not only for the year 2012 but for rest of our days until we go home to be with Him, or the Lord returns for His Bride, the church.

God Bless and Happy New Year,

PK