Let's Win: From Victory to Victory

            Let’s Win: From Victory to Victory Life’s most important lessons are learned when you are down and feel that you are in this battle and war alone. A wise writer once wrote, “The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness.” There it is! Your greatest battle and warfare is against self. Your mind, emotions, ego, feelings at any given moment, are your greatest battle and warfare. That is what stands between you and greatness, between you and victory.

            So, it’s time to get a spiritual self check up with Dr. Jesus. Let’s see what the doctor prescribes to start winning at life. First, Jesus says to you: “And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” There you have it. Your self worth is not determined by what you possess, and by what you have or don’t have. We tend to measure ourselves by what we possess, don’t we? How much money do I have? How much is my car worth? How much is my house worth? How many college degrees do I have? How much money do I make a year? Etc. Jesus is telling you, “Your worth is not determined by how much money you make or how much money you have.”

            Second, Jesus reminds us that our worth is not based on how well we behave or how obedient we are. Our worth is based upon the fact that God loves us as His children. “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3 The reason is that we will never behave good enough or have perfect obedience. We are constantly missing the mark (sinning), and falling short of God’s standards. Don’t believe me. Instead, listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:23. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Not some, but all. All means everyone, including pastors, elders, and deacons. 

        I used to believe that verse said, "“For all have sinned, except for pastor, and fall short of the glory of God.” Well, it doesn’t. We are not perfect, we are just forgiven. Notice 1 John 3:1: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” Good news! Our self worth is based upon the fact that we are children of God. It’s not based on how I feel, or how well I perform. My perspective and vision needs to change. My prayer should be, “God helped me to see my life from your perspective.”

            Third, Jesus invites us to have faith, even when we doubt our standing before God. “ So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22 We must learn to believe in Jesus, especially when we don’t feel like He loves us, or that we are accepted and forgiven of all of our sins. The book of Hebrews says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Jesus says, “Have faith in God”. Somedays, you may not feel like God loves you, but He does. Somedays, you may not feel like God forgives you, but He does. Somedays, you may not feel like God can save you, but He can. So today, let’s adopt a winner’s mentality. Let’s not be down on ourselves because we don’t have more money, a bigger house, newer cars, or because we did not get the promotion at work. Remember, your worth is independent of all of those things, as important as they may be. Today, Jesus says to us in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

            Today, let’s trust God. His Word never fails. Let’s just revel and bask in the knowledge that God loves us. Plain and simple. There’s a saying that says, “When I try I fail, but when I trust, He succeeds!” Let’s be focused today, and set as our goal to know God more deeply and more intimately. Let’s make that the #1 goal in our life. The prophet Jeremiah records this beautiful invitation: “But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.” Today, let us seek to know God better. That, according to Jesus, is the important pursuit of a person’s life.

            Let’s pray together. “Dear Heavenly Father. Take now our lives of broken dreams, broken hopes, broken aspirations. Allow them to ascend into Heaven’s storehouse, where we will receive instead, “beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”. Thank you for seeing us with eyes of love today, because of the blood of Prince Emmanuel. As Martin Luther once said before the diet of worms, “Here we stand, we can do no other.” Lift us up from the pit of despair, despondency, and discouragement, and death, and place our feet and thoughts upon victory in Your Word, Your Promises, and Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with positive self esteem. We surrender our selfish ego and die to self. Allow Christ to resurrect us so that we can live to serve Him. We love you Lord, thank you for loving us first. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!”

While Daniel Garcia was on the pitch, He dominated Lighthouse Christian Academy

Reigning Omega League MVP, Daniel Garcia (MF #11), dominated, destroyed, and nearly obliterated Lighthouse Christian School. Leonel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Jordan and Tom Brady declared Daniel's performance,

"one for the ages".

Lebron and Bronny James who attended the small parochial Adventist School, crowned Daniel's Garcia game as

"top level" and "elite".

Daniel helped to lead the team to a 10-0 win. He showed great sportmanship, even though he was fouled and harrased by Lighthouse Christian Academy player, Morgan Miles. Daniel played a great game as a playmaker, and helped GAA to dominate the game from beggining to end. The fans in the stands chanted,

"MVP", "MVP", "MVP",

everytime Daniel touched the ball. Second hear Coach, Pastor Sal, gave the game ball to Daniel, as he was proclaimed the

"man of the match".

Ahe, Jiaro, and Kyler all did cartwheels at the end of the game, as Shaun, Rene, and Ryan carried Daniel on their shoulders around the GAA field. Overall, it was a dominant win. (This article is meant to only cause humor and laughter. None of the details may be 100% true)