Living to WIN!

Josh Knipple changes lanes from talking about his kids to talking about NASCAR. No matter, Josh brings us another winner.

So as I have said before I am a huge NASCAR fan.  This past week, drivers were at Daytona for their final race before their version of playoffs would begin.  Coming down to this final race, 3 drivers were vying for the only 2 spots left.  I won’t get into all of the specifics of NASCAR and how they do points, but quickest way to word it it this, the guy on the outside was in a must win situation.  Without a win, he would be left out.  Back against the wall, he knew what he had to do.  Odds were against him to say the least.  Going into the race he even told his crew to set his car up in a way that it may even seem out of control because he knew he had to be on the offensive.  He was taking it into his own hands, and was not going to wait to see what the other guys did.  He knew what he had to do… and guess what, by golly, he did it.  He went out and got his first career win in the midst of all the pressure.   Oh, by the way, in the past five years he has rolled his car twice there at the that same track narrowly escaping death.  Talk about redemption.  

Maybe you aren’t a NASCAR fan but you love football.  You are watching the season go by and it comes down to the final game of the year as to who makes the playoffs.  Certain teams get put into must win situations, and they seem to rise to the occasion.  It shows in their play calling, being aggressive, taking risks they normally wouldn’t take.   Pushing the limits.  Why?  Because they knew if they don’t win, they are out.  Then you also have the teams that seem to get a lead in games and then switch into what they call a prevent defense.  Instead of focusing on scoring and being offensive, they start playing not to lose.  What normally seems to happen?  The other team drives right down the field scoring against the so-called prevent.  

Why I bring this up is I believe and have noticed that way too many Christians playing prevent.  Living in a way just to make it to the other side instead of trusting God with what He has for us here.  In the name of safety, we quit taking risks.  What if David had stayed on the sideline in the name of safety and wisdom, as Goliath continued to torment the Israelites.  Can you imagine with me everyone around him telling him he had no chance in victory.  “You are too small, you don’t have the right armor or weapon.   Look how many others Goliath has already killed.  David you don't stand a chance.”  Everything in him that day may have been saying, “you can’t,”  but his faith in God was saying loudly with multiple exclamation points, “YOU CAN!!!!”  

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

What if we started living that way, with the faith of God saying you can and you are victorious in Christ.  Instead of backing down and being conservative, we took Jesus words about storming the gates of hell seriously.  We put on our armor and started to win back our families in the name of Christ.  Instead of shying away from what public schools are teaching, we start praying over them.  We go on prayer walks around them and through them winning them back in ways only God can.  Instead of living conservatively, not to ruffle feathers, we actually start living out the boldness that Scripture tells us we have in Christ.  

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

How would our lives look different if we lived with the mindset of “Victory:  Living to win.”  How would our lives look different?  Church we can no longer stand on the sidelines.   We can no longer have the mindset that as long as I do better than the guy next to me.  That is not what Jesus called you to.  Read the book of Acts and imagine Peter, James, John, Paul, and of the early disciples standing around hoping not to lose.  They knew their victory ultimately was in Christ and they lived that way.   Will you follow their example? Let’s take back our city, our schools, and our homes in the name of Jesus.

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

'Til every dark addiction starts to break

Declaring there is hope and there is freedom

I speak Jesus

'Cause Your name is power

Your name is healing

Your name is life

Break every stronghold

Shine through the shadows

Burn like a fire

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

Over fear and all anxiety

To every soul held captive by depression

I speak Jesus

Make it a Mindful Monday! God is good…