8.24.7 "This is Your Chance!"

Job 12:1-15:35
I Corinthians 15:29-58
Psalm 39:1-13
Proverbs 21:30-31

I'll never forget it as long as I live. All he had to do was kick a 34 yard field goal. Gary Anderson had kicked 31 in a row that season, without missing one, and with 3 seconds on the clock all he had was this "chip shot" and the Vikings were in the Super Bowl. Yup, you guessed it. Wide right. The Falcons went to the Super Bowl. (the Packer fans cheered)

That was a great year for the Vikes. They scored 541 points in the regular season setting an NFL record. That was the best offense they ever had. That was their chance. They blew it. Actually they're pretty good at blowing it. I describe the Vikings as a team with a ton of weapons, but they use them to shoot themselves in the foot! Oops - Back to the Word!

Psalm 39:4 "Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more."

Time goes by so fast. Growing up, I heard "old" people say that, & I thot they didn't know what they were talking about. Now that I'm "old", I get it. Just the other day I was 25. I sneezed and now I'm 37. It seems like it's that quick.

"Mid-life Crisis" may be something you've heard of. It's when you get to a certain age and realize that maybe you haven't accomplished some of your goals, or your unhappy with who you've become. Individuals respond to these feelings in some bizarre ways sometimes. sometimes they'll try to change their lifestyle in an attempt to turn back the clock.

Understanding how fleeting life is should compel us live with intensified purpose. There isn't much time, so give God your all. We've talked over the last couple days about being distracted from the purpose by the cares of life, or even by sin. If you knew today was your last day, how much time would you spend in sin? Probably none. Why? Because you understand that it isn't worth it. There's no time to mess around. If there's 4 people you know that need to know Christ, and today was your last day, you'd probably be intentional about getting the message across to them.

Now, no one should "wig out" and start calling people today sobbing "today, might be my last day. you need to get saved." That's a little "out of balance" to say the least. But, we should live life as Paul instructs the Ephesians, "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Eph. 5:15-16)

"Making the most of every opportunity". That's the way to live! How fulfilling that is to know each day that your focus has been in the proper perspective. You've gone down the checklist of D,R,E,A,M, and been faithful in all that God has led you to do. You've allowed his spirit to work through you.

My girls are heading off to school next week. Both are heading to Second Grade (Lisa teaching, of course). We're so excited! This is what we've been waiting for! Each morning before walking out the door, we'll sing a song we've sung for the past 2 years. The lyrics are:

This is my chance to change the world
God has a plan for me
I'll go where He leads
I'll tell of his love
For God has strengthened me.

Our focus is not just going to school. It's going to school to make a difference. My focus each day needs to be going to work to make a difference. When I'm walking around my neighborhood it needs to be with the intension of making a difference.

That's what we're here for! We don't have much time. We need to live like there's 3 seconds on the clock and this field goal is REALLY important! It doesn't make a difference if you've done it a hundred times before. THIS one counts! Whether you're at a desk job, at home, at the factory, or wherever, God has you in the game, and there will be opportunities laid before you. Make the most of them.

I Corinthians 15:58 says, "So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Don't worry. You don't have to do it in your own strength. Today's Proverb 21:31 says, "Go ahead and prepare for the conflict, but victory comes form God." If things turn out different than you expect, understand that you are only responsible to be faithful to what he has led you to do. He'll take care of the rest!

Go for it! This is your Chance!



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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