4-1-2019

Good Morning All,

     Romans 8:37; “The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties.”

    Is your bracket broken yet?  For those of you who follow college basketball, you know what I am talking about.  You start with over 60 teams and are supposed to pick the winners until you get to the final game and see who wins.  There is only one number one seed left so picking the highest rated teams didn’t seem to work.   There is a number five seed, a number three seed, a number two and a number one.  It is a very difficult task.  Upsets occur at every turn.  Usually it is a number twelve seed beating a number five.  I remember some huge upsets; probably the biggest was when thirteenth seeded Princeton beat number four seed and defending champ UCLA in the mid 1990’s.  You really never know who will win; on any given night anyone can win; that is why watching is fun.

    The only real way to guarantee that you pick the winners all the way through is to pick them after the games are played.  Everyone can get it right when you know who wins before you have to do anything.  When you are assured of the victory, because you know who won before you started, life becomes a little more comfortable, a little less worrisome; just a little more peace.

    This is what Jesus gives us.  He gives us the victory over death, sin and the devil by His victory on the cross.  We know how our life ends; it ends in victory for us.  We have an overwhelming victory because of Jesus.  It is like watching a taped game and you already know what team wins.  In the basketball game, the middle of the third quarter might look a little “iffy” but you know the winning team gets through it because you know who wins.  We know who wins!!  We do because of Jesus.  In this life, our middle of the game may get a little “iffy” but we know how it ends; it ends with us in God’s eternal glory with Jesus.  The victory is ours.  We need never fear or doubt; the victory is ours.

    The devil will always try to get you to doubt.  He will tell you that you aren’t the winner or he will tell you that you really can’t be sure.  Yet Scriptures is clear; Jesus wins and declares that we will share in that victory.  You know who wins; you know it is Jesus because of the empty tomb.  You know who wins; you win because Jesus has brought us into his resurrection through our Baptism.  We have the victory because Jesus has the victory.  You and I, the redeemed, baptized children of God, are guaranteed the victory, guaranteed eternal life, guaranteed life in the new creation.  We have the victory!

    So while the middle of the game may look a little “iffy” at times; never ever forget that you have the overwhelming victory through Christ.  Always remember who you are; you are the redeemed baptized child of God who has the assured overwhelming victory of eternal life.

Heavenly Father, keep me ever focused on your grace.  Keep me focused on the victory that Jesus has earned and given to me.  Calm my fears with your mercy.  Help me to proclaim this same victory to those who need to hear that they are victorious as well.  Be with those who fear and doubt.  Lift them in your loving arms and keep them safe.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret