It is not uncommon to hear a person express a wish of “Good Luck” over someone about to undertake an activity. Or with great enthusiasm, they shout to the winner of an event, prize, or The Lottery, “Wow, you are lucky!” or “What a lucky break!” How can any break be lucky? Even more common is using the word luck as a flimsy expression of encouragement after a disappointment. For example, ”Better luck next time.” Seriously! These are just a few instances of the world’s prevailing belief in chance (favorable or unfavorable). This practice has even become so prevalent that some of our most frequent gatherings have encouraged the name “potluck” to inform the attendees of an unknown menu. In the true sense of its meaning, luck is a form of gambling. Its origin is unknown, but early sources record it as a shortening from the early Middle Dutch gheuluc, “meaning happiness, good fortune.”¹. In this country, we are borderline addicts to games of chance: The Lottery, slot machines, card games, bingo, dice, roulette wheels, horse racing, sports betting, and other suspect markets. The outcome of these games has zip to do with luck. Grace is the total opposite of luck. It is a gift of undeserved favor, loving-kindness, and mercy from God. It is life. It is the air we breathe, healing, forgiveness, freedom. It is God’s attitude toward mankind and is free from human intervention. In other words, good works can’t earn it, nor is it some natural morality. Religion, ethics, good deeds, ordinances, and charity, no matter how sincere, cannot substitute for faith in God’s Grace through the work of Christ. (Romans 11:5-6) If we count the multiple times we mess up and fall into our own mud puddles, we don’t deserve His Grace, but He gives it anyway. God’s Grace is never inactive. It is filled with power, and His strength is brought to perfection when we depend upon Him. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Skip the television commercials for healing solutions and the superhero movies for protection. His Grace is sufficient for:
Games of chance exalt men above God. We look for positive outcomes in devices created by humans and become angry with God when there are unfavorable outcomes. God’s Grace necessitates that we place our souls and spirits in the heart of God and focus on God’s nature, the deity of Jesus Christ, and love for humankind. God’s Grace is sufficient in all situations to shield, deliver and protect. ¹https://www.etymonline.com/word/luck
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Here in the United States, the month of March officially signals the season of spring. Eventually, according to some clandestine source, we also will gain extra daylight time, presumably a perk of the precious lost hour of sleep. With spring, many of us will also celebrate two of the most notable holidays of the year. Some may identify them as religious holidays, others as Christian or Jewish holidays. Yet, both validate freedom for humanity. Formalized in 664 as part of the confirmation of Roman-British Christianity, Easter celebrations share their belief that the Son of God, who was perfect and without sin, died on the cross to redeem humanity from the judgment of God for sin. He was resurrected by God from eternal death, having paid the ransom and obtained the keys to forgiveness for humankind. Many believers refer to it as Resurrection Day. Passover (Pesach) recounts the remarkable story of God’s power to free the Israelites from slavery (redemption) and death. The Haggadah explains the meaning of many Passover symbols and traditions on the table during the seder (Passover meal). Initially, Easter was often referred to as the “Christian Passover.”¹ But over time, with the Christian church desiring to distance itself from Jewish traditions, Easter became the formal Christian holiday. Racism against Jewish history and pagan influencers such as bunnies, colored eggs, and easter baskets were also present. Despite all the drama, confusion, customs, and traditions, there is one prevailing theme in both holidays. That is God’s love for humanity:
With our world system in its current turmoil, one might question the point of either of these holidays. If we believe God is just a cosmic force subdued and understood only by reasoning and science, then yes, they have no purpose. If we are content to rely on worldly wisdom, they are meaningless. On the other hand, our answer rests in our own reality of personal trust in one true God. These events create trust in a faithful God who is our life-giver, freedom fighter, prison door opener, truth giver, joy, and peace companion. Easter and Passover proclaim God’s love for humanity. He extended an invitation through His Son for all who believe in His sacrificial act to be filled with the bread of life, an abundant life, everlasting life, and His eternal love. ¹ Eerdmans, Wm. 1977. Eerdmans’ Handbook of Christianity. Edited by Dr. Tim Dowley. Lion Publishing. Hertfordshire, England.
If you profile my alma mater, you will discover Penn State University. Let me introduce you to this school nestled in the Appalachian Mountains with its nearby historical Amish population. Uniquely, it has its own post office mailing address (University Park, Pennsylvania) and houses a campus population that enthusiastically embraces football. Despite this saturation, I never quite grasped the rules or the rabid passion of diehard football fans until I was advanced in adulthood. With Super Bowl LVII (57) in the history books, I began to reflect on what might be called the accessories of the game. For example, the money the winners and losers earn and the perks the players get for just being in the game. For many of you ardent fans, this will be old trivia. On the other hand, I am in the stunned group that shows open-mouth shock. This year’s Superbowl-winning players each received $157,000. The losing players each received $82,000. This is only part of the pudding. For the winners, an additional $150,000 is added to their pre-game bonuses for winning their Wild Card and Divisional and conference playoffs. Unsuccessful Super Bowl players each received $75,000, and like the winners, supplementals for winning their Wild Card playoffs and Divisional and conference playoffs were added. To round off the perks, there are the Super Bowl Rings made with slight differences given to each player, and the coveted sterling silver, Lombardi Trophy, reserved for the winning team. If we could go behind the scenes, we would learn that each football team coach depends upon his secret encyclopedia of plays and strategies they believe will make them a winning team. This book is confidential and only shared by team members and players. The players must memorize all the plays and strategies within the treasured playbook. Everyone wants to be a winner, so it is crucial that the rest of us consult our winning playbook—the real one. It contains everything we need to be a success in our life journey, and it can be shared with anyone. The Bible is the greatest guide on how to win ever published. It is the metaphorical, spiritual playbook of life. It is inspired by God, who loves us with an everlasting love and who cannot lie. (Hebrews 6:18) The Bible is written to offer us truth, correct our faults, and lead us into freedom and obedience so we will be fully equipped to live and win throughout life’s journey. (2 Timothy 3: 16) I have heard famous people, religious organizations, and some pastors misquote, misinterpret, and mislead the truth of God’s playbook. Too often, fake or false statements about His playbook have dangerously adverse outcomes for those seeking the truth. Far too often, people equalize the Church with God and make the Church responsible for their absentee relationship with Christ. They also make God responsible for everything that is evil and dark. But the Church is not God. It is made up of imperfect people who need to open the spiritual playbook as much as you or I. Anyone who claims they want to know about a loving and kind God but never opens the blessed Word that tells the story of His love and freedom He promised for the whole world, will always be critical of the Church. Hearing someone say, “I will have to give up everything to follow God,” is an unhealthy and distorted viewpoint. God is a God of freedom and love. We are not pre-programmed computers or robots. He gave us free will to make up our own playbook. But if we choose to do it our way, without learning what’s in the official, genuine playbook, we place our journey under the direction of someone or something that is not good. God is the perfect coach who will always make it possible for you to take home the trophy of Grace. He offers His bonuses of faith, forgiveness, peace, and abundant life. (John 10:10; John 14:27; John 16:33) It is time to discover and learn the substance of the only playbook that includes a priceless guarantee that we will always be on the winning team! |
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