It was a wild NFL Sunday filled with dramatic comebacks, surprising winners, and disappointing showings. For many of the games, what ended up happening was the exact opposite of what most people expected to see. We were told all week that the Cowboys' season was over and there was no way they could win without their quarterback, Dak Prescott. Yet, the reality is they beat the Cincinnati Bengals (last year’s Super Bowl team) 20-17. Wait, Dallas won with backup, Cooper Rush?! Meanwhile, people love laughing at the Jets, and very few believed Joe Flacco was leading them to a win over the Browns in Cleveland, especially when the Browns were up by 13 with 1:22 left to play, but that’s exactly what happened. Most people would agree that an offense with star running back, Jonathan Taylor, would run all over the Jaguars, but the truth is the Colts scored 0 points and Taylor only rushed 9 times for 54 yards. We were misled to believe that Jimmy Garpolo would never play another down in San Francisco, but in actuality, he was never traded and led the 49ers to a 27-7 win over Seattle in relief of the injured, Trey Lance. There are countless examples of things not being what we thought they would be and many storylines that people bought into turned out to be wrong. We expected certain teams to win or we wanted games to go a specific way, but when we saw the action unfold on the field, the truth was much different. Whether or not we liked the results from yesterday, and whether they lined up with our personal beliefs of what should have happened or went along with the media’s opinions, ultimately the truth was revealed on the field…and the teams that prevailed turned out to be the opposite of what most thought. When it comes to the world we live in, many people believe life should be a certain way based on their own opinions or ones they've heard from others and have bought into "storylines" that culture has told us are true. However, when we look to God’s Word and understand what He reveals to us, we realize that the opposite of what we once thought is actually the truth. What the world thinks life is all about is much different than God's design. The "team" that prevails turns out to be the opposite of what most think. Many people consider gaining everything this world has to offer (money, success, fame, power, and pleasure) as the goal of life and the ultimate satisfaction. However, Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:39 (AMP), “Whoever finds his life will lose it , and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it .” Wait, isn’t the main point of every day to get as much as we can and do whatever selfishly feels good? No, the reality of living according to God’s truth is that we sacrifice, surrender, and obey the One who created us and calls us to live a selfless life that looks like the opposite of what the world says. Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Paul encourages us in Acts 20:35 (NLT), “...You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” The world also tells us it’s all about doing what's easy, being self-made and strong and powerful, and never showing any weakness. Yet, the truth is, that God works in amazing ways when we’re weak, humble, and willing to embrace difficulties. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV), Paul describes how he pleaded with God to take away the thorn in his flesh, but God told Him, “'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'” Paul writes, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Jesus also says in Matthew 5:10 (AMP), “Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven .” Today, NFL fans can’t deny what was revealed during the games on Sunday and although much of it was the opposite of what most believed, we know it’s the truth of week 2. Likewise, as we follow Jesus we can’t deny what God reveals through His Word. Although it’s the opposite of what the world believes, we know it’s the truth. Today, let’s choose to live according to it! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray You would renew my mind and help me to think rightly. Teach me to embrace Your truth, even when it's the opposite of what I used to think or what the world tells me is true. I know Your way is the best. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
What is the hardest truth in God's Word for you to believe and follow because it's the opposite of what the world says?
What is something you used to believe that you now realize was so misguided and the opposite of what God says is true?
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