Daily Devotional for Wednesday April 3, 2013

Does Winning Solve Everything

(Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:28; Ephesians 5:22, 25)

***ASK BILL: Pastor Bill, what do you think about this? Brown University was founded in 1764 by a group of Baptist ministers. It has held its commencement services in First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island (the first Baptist church in America) since 1776. Now it has become the 37th American college to include "sex reassignment surgeries" in its student health care plans.

ANSWER: It is a stench in the nostrils of God, much like ANY church or "pastor" that condones in any way sins like homosexuality and abortion. God didn't make any mistakes when he made a man a man or a woman a woman. Yes, through modern medical procedures, you can physically change your sex, but it doesn't change who God made you. To do such a thing is to literally tell God He was wrong!!!

Does winning solve "everything?" After Tiger Woods won Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Classic, Nike, who still employs Woods, released an ad featuring Woods playing golf with the caption, "winning solves everything." After Woods was exposed in 2009 for having scores of affairs during his marriage, the high profile divorce that followed in the wake of those revelations, he dropped from being the world's 1 golfer after holding that spot for nearly a decade.

Over the past 4 years Woods has undergone several surgeries to repair injuries to his body, hired a new coach who helped re-invent his swing, culminating with the victory in Orlando that placed him back as the 1 golfer in the world. Nike took advantage of that accomplishment to release the afore mentioned ad declaring winning solves everything. Does it really?

Back in December 2009, I wrote a Devotional about Woods adultery and the high cost people pay for this sin. For example, look at the price King David paid for his adultery with Bathsheba. In that Devotional I said, "Tiger will go back to winning golf tournaments and most people won't even care. However, all his money, all of his victories, all of the lawyers, will never change the fact that Woods committed adultery and will pay a huge price in many other ways."

Unfortunately, the words I wrote over 3 years ago have come to pass. Woods is again winning golf tournaments and most people don't care about his past transgressions. One of his sponsors Nike has even had the audacity to proclaim that winning solves everything! In a material sense there may be some truth to that statement, but ultimately it is a lie from the pits of hell!

This Tiger Woods story is a great reminder to men and women who are cheating on their spouses, SIN HAS A PRICE! Sometimes you will pay the ultimate price for your sin. While you think you are getting away with your sin, never forget God is watching. In the end, is it worth the cost? Satan is so crafty as he entices men and women to sin. It looks so attractive. It looks so perfect. He knows your weaknesses. He will give you all the justification you need. Once you give in, all of a sudden the bill for your sin starts to come in. It is like getting a $5,000 water bill, or a $12,000 electric bill. Satan is only going to laugh at you when you complain about the price!

Winning a golf tournament, being the 1 player in the world, closing a big business deal, getting that big promotion, all may be "winning" according to the standards of this world, but nothing will solve the real problems you face due to your sins other than repenting of those sins and seeking the Lord's forgiveness! IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WIN WITHOUT JESUS!

The saddest part of the Tiger Woods story was his public announcement in early 2010 of his Buddhist faith. Woods mother is from Thailand and a Buddhist. Woods claimed that he has been a practicing Buddhist all of his life, though strayed from its teachings years ago, helping to lead him to make the choices that caused his downfall. Sadly for Tiger, even if his marriage is eventually restored, he goes on to win a hundred more golf tournaments, ends up winning more majors than Jack Nicklaus, and earns 5 billion dollars over his lifetime, when he takes his last breath he will end up losing the most important thing of all, HIS SOUL! IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WIN WITHOUT JESUS!

I love you and care about you so much. As I have asked you in the past, keep praying for Tiger Woods to come to the knowledge of Christ's love and the truth of the Bible that clearly teaches there is only one name by which men are saved, the name of Jesus. Pray for his wife and children and the healing of this marriage and family. If Tiger would come to faith in Christ, it would be a great testimony of God's redemption and no doubt, would help lead many to Christ because of Woods still enormous impact on people worldwide.

The Nike ad is not true. Winning doesn't solve everything, only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ solves everything!!!

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller