Some say that I like pain.  Others wonder why I torture myself again and again.  Many have prayed for me, but it has yet caused any change in me.  Why?  Why do I do this to myself year after year? Is there any hope for me?  …I'm a Cleveland Browns fan, and I can't help it.

I came home after service at church. I set my DVR to record the Browns game.  I know what you are thinking—“Why”.  All I can say is I like comedy!  When I turned the TV on, the Browns game was on the screen, and there was the score.  I paused the game and went up to the screen, just to make sure that I wasn't seeing things.  The Browns were winning 34-24.  You may question my credibility after reading this, but it's true. They were winning.

I clicked on the DVR to start the game over from the beginning.  But it's not the same watching a game when you know the outcome or score of the game before you see it. People used to call me and say—“Did you see the game?  They really played well and won 42-0.”  UGHHHHH!  I don't want to know the score.  It changes the way you watch a game. It's not as intense. You don't go through the ups and downs.  Mainly downs with the Browns!

As I was watching the Browns game, I noticed the coach getting upset.  God spoke to me at that moment.  God said he is upset because he does not know the outcome. If he did, he would not be worried.  The coach is fuming and stressing because he doesn't want to lose another game. I wanted to call the coaches headset and let him know it will be ok.  They will finally win today.

Spiritual application:  On the one hand God tells us who wins in the end.  God and those who believe in Him already won…

(Jn 16:33)  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We already won!!  On the other hand, God doesn't want us to live bored and non emotional about life. God was there in the beginning and has already seen the end.  He is in full control, and there is nothing I can do but Trust Him! Sometimes things will happen in our lives where we are not sure of the outcome or what God is doing. Just like in the football game.  There were times when the score was tied, times when Cleveland barely had the lead. Times when they were not sure of the outcome.  God doesn't show us the whole game of life on a video screen.  Because sometimes we would just coast on cruise control or if we knew some of the things that we will go through—we probably couldn't function.  God is calling us to live with Faith. Faith means that we believe we already won, and trust that whatever happens, we believe that God IS in control. So God wants us to get in the game. Live the game.  But most importantly—we have to have Faith in the Truth that God has ALREADY WON!!!

Promises from God's Word:

(Mat 16:18)  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.

(Rom 5:17)  For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

(Joh 12:31)  Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

Praying that God increases our Faith TODAY!

Pastor Ray