What a game! Did you see it? I’m referring to the Broncos/Patriots game last night. Wow!
I must say, I was hoping the Broncos would win. And at halftime, with the score 24-0 in favor of Denver, I was tempted to shut the TV off and read a book.
I would have missed quite the show!
I wonder what Coach Belichick told his Patriots in the locker room?
Patriots scored their first possession in the second half, and eventually led Denver 31-24. Finally, with only 3:06 left in regular time, Denver scored a TD, tying the game.
Overtime was interesting, as well. It looked as though Denver would score early. They had first possession because Belichick declined it, choosing to opt for playing with the wind rather than against it. But, no score by either team for about the first 13 minutes of OT.
I was thinking the NFL would post its second tie game of the day. That thought was totally wiped away, however, when the Patriots punted the ball, and Denver punt returner Wes Welker decided to wave his team away from the ball; though not soon enough to get Denver player Tony Carter away in time. Hitting him in the leg, the ball bounced around a bit, Patriots recovered, and in just a few seconds, won the game with a field goal.
Poor Tony Carter.
Anyway, it was quite a game!
I wonder how many Patriot fans turned off the tube at half time?
After watching the game, I asked myself, “are there times in life when people sort of check out because the score is too one-sided?” Maybe all of life’s bounces have gone against them; nothing has bounced their way. They’ve never been so far down; and been able to recover. It not only looks bad, it IS bad!
I’ve got good news! We are not alone. Maybe we’ve never recovered from such a huge deficit, but I know someone who has!
Jesus! He was crucified, dead, and buried. A stone was rolled in front of the tomb, sealed, and guarded.
Things looked bad.
But halftime isn’t the end of the game! And as long as God was still on the throne, it was only halftime; and regardless of the score, He would still win!
By the time the third day rolled around, things would be forever changed by the power of God!
Peter told us about it:
“this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it…
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:23-33 ESV)
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
It just may look like there’s no hope for you or your situation. But it’s only halftime!
You’re in the locker room with Coach.
He is speaking to you wonderful words of life.
He is empowering you with His Holy Spirit.
You are able to have as many players on the field that you need!
There are more for you than against you!
And you aren’t limited to four downs!
It’s time to get back on the field and play to win! “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5 ESV)
Okay, halftime’s over…
Jan Grace 