A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (August 10, 2017)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
A few years ago, I wanted to watch a Kansas City Royals baseball game on television. I am not a big sports fan, but I have always loved baseball. Growing up in the suburbs of Kansas City, I naturally am a Royals fan.
The game I wanted to watch was on during the day. That particular day I had several meetings, so I came up with a good idea. I would set my DVD recorder and watch it later. I would not let anyone tell me about the game – especially the score. Even though the game was over and the outcome had already been decided, to me it would seem like I was watching it as it was actually happening.
Well, even the best plans sometimes fail. While I was on my way home to see the game, I turned on the radio. An easy listening station was on and I felt safe that they would not say anything about the ball game. I was wrong. The announcer evidently was a baseball fan also, and he couldn’t wait to tell about the unusual game that had taken place that day. The Royals were behind by six runs in the bottom of the ninth and came back after two men were out to win the game.
When I got home, I decided to watch the game anyway. As soon as I sat down, the doorbell rang. I left the DVD playing and answered the door. It was a friend, so I invited him in. He asked what I was doing and I told him I had just started watching a ball game. He got excited and sat down to watch it with me. He didn’t know the game we were watching was recorded. He thought it was live.
The Royals were playing poorly. Every inning they got further behind. My friend became depressed. He asked me how I could sit so calmly and enjoy this game. He almost left before the end of the game, but when the game was over, he was very happy and excited at how it had turned out. Then I told him it was a recording of a game played earlier that day.
It was at that point God spoke to my heart with a great truth. I was calm during the game because I knew beyond any shadow of doubt the Royals were going to win. As Christians, we know how things will turn out because God has told us in His Word. In the end, we win. The outcome has already been decided. It was easy to have faith in the Royals when I knew they were going to win on the DVD because they had already played the game and won.
It should be the same way with us as Christians. Jesus has already fought the fight and won. If we can grasp that truth and act on it in faith, we can live a stress-free, worry-free life. It is easy to have faith when we know and actually believe the truth.
The truth is this. Satan has been defeated. Jesus has already paid the price for our salvation and healing. The game is over and He (Jesus) has won. As Christians, we are the body of Christ and He is the head. We are a part of the winning team. The victory is ours.
When we know that the game is won, it doesn’t matter how things look in the second, the eighth, or even in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. The truth is Jesus has won, and as Christians, we are on the winning side. That truth is a faith building truth.
