8/2/2019 Writing This Devotional - Reese

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Writing this devotional each week has caused me to look back on my career as a coach. I have

recalled some great times, some bad times, and realized many mistakes. Included among those

things I did poorly was giving up on If-ing. All of us at one time or another had to face what

we considered to be a superior opponent. To say the least their Jimmies were bigger, faster,

just better than our Joes. As a younger coach I would always create a scenario that would

generate winning. I have since called it If-ing, you know where if we can do this or we can dothat we can win this game. You know it happened a few times too. In fact it happened in some

rather huge and important games. But, as I became more savvy, experienced , and wise I lost

that ability to If. I must admit that I sometimes planned to lose rather than planning to win. I

thought about this during this past week while reading in John about the raising of Lazarus.

Lazarus and his family were very good friends to Jesus. When Lazarus fell very ill, the family

sent for Jesus to come to his aid. Jesus, procrastinated, waiting for a while so that a great

miracle could be performed. As Jesus arrived at Lazaruss home, His friend had been dead for 4

days, He was met by Martha, who had anointed Jesus with expensive ointment some time

before, and she said to Him, IF you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus

replied, Thy brother will rise again. No one seemed to understand, but Jesus followed this

with a statement that had no if attached to it. I am the resurrection, and the life; he that

believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosever liveth and believeth in

me shall never die. Believest thou this? As He made His way to the tomb, Mary the other

sister to Lazarus, met Him and uttered the same words as her sister. If you had been here, he

would not have died. Moved by the great grief these and others portrayed, Jesus

wept. Jesus commanded the stone over the tomb be removed, and indeed He was questioned

by Martha. This time Jesus responded with an If. Did I not say to you, if you believe, that

you would see the glory of God? After praying, Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb. Many

were astonished and came to believe that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. But some refused

to recognize the glory of God and went on their way to tell Jesus enemies.

I would not begin to suggest that IF you call on the name of Jesus, that He would cause a victory

over a far superior opponent, at least in a situation like a high school football game. I would

suggest, however, that we often fail to realize Gods desire to help us when the odds seem so

great that there is no chance to come out on the other side. I would also suggest that Gods

love for us is so deep that He will help us in the way that He deems appropriate. He will

strengthen us to accept the outcome of the circumstances facing us, and sometimes, when

great things need to be accomplished so that His Kingdom can be glorified He will do wondrous

acts of love. After all, tomorrow nights game is just a game. Win or lose you and your players

will learn something. You will profit from your experience, and gain insight into who you areand what you are. The question is are you a member of Gods family. Do you believe? If so be

prepared for glorious events in your eternal life.

By the way, If-ing, helped us win two state championships. We were able to meet the IFs,

and won over superior talent. Dont ask me about the failure to IF, and losing 70-0. God

loves me anyway.

Good luck Friday night.

8/2/2019 Writing This Devotional - Reese

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