Daily Devotional for Monday January 2, 2012

For Those Who Love Football This is a Great Time of the Year

(Philippians 3:14) For those who love football, this is a great time of the year. Stadiums all over the country are packed with fans, watching their favorite team playing hard to win big games. College teams are playing their bowl games, while the NFL playoffs start next weekend to see who will play for the Super Bowl. For professional football fans, over the next few weeks the playoffs will determine which teams will play in the Super bowl for the ultimate prize in football.

The journey a professional football team takes from training camp, thru pre- season, the 16-game regular season, and finally the playoffs, is full of ups and downs. It is full of peaks and valleys. Along the way people get injured, teams often change strategies, and many events lead to the ultimate success they experience. The bottom line is the team that wins the Super Bowl must overcome adversity, work hard, and keep their eye on the prize.

I appreciate you allowing me to talk sports with you, a subject I have loved since I was very, very young. The spiritual application here is obvious. Our Christian life is a journey, a season if you will. There are many things to overcome along the way. We often have to change our strategy and game plan at times. But through it all, we MUST keep our eyes on the prize. We must not let the bumps in the road slow us down. It is important that even when things don't work out today, we don't give up and stay focused.

Luckily, unlike football, we don't have to do it in our own strength. We have God on our side to give us wisdom, guidance, strength, and love to help us each step of the way. Unlike in a football game, where either team has a chance to win, God has already defeated our foe. Unlike a football game where you have to wait until the game is over to know the final score, we already know that in the end, if we know Christ as Savior, WE WIN!!! How much easier should it be for us each day to keep focused on the prize when we know that no matter what, in the end, we will be victorious!

I love you, I care deeply about you, and God has placed me in your life to help you along your journey. Our life is spent running for a prize much greater than the Super Bowl trophy. My prayer for you today is that no matter what may be going on in your life, that you always keep focused on the prize. You can't let the ups and downs of life keep you from your ultimate objective.

I truly believe that the Lord has allowed you to receive these Daily Devotionals to help keep you focused on the prize. It is so easy during the course of a day to lose sight of what we are really trying to accomplish. We get off track much of the time. which ultimately keeps us from the fullness of God's blessings. God wants you to stay focused, to stay on track, and to keep your eyes on the prize. Never forget that He loves you, and wants you to know and enjoy that love during this life and for all eternity.

In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ, Bill Keller