This past weekend my oldest son Levi turned 10! I am so thankful that his birthday fell on a Saturday because we were able to celebrate and enjoy him all day long. He is truly a gift from the Lord to our family.
Like most 10 year old boys, he enjoys being outside and riding his bike with his siblings and neighbor friends, building Legos, and playing sports – his favorite is baseball.
One evening last fall, the sun had set, the big lights came on, the game came down to the last inning, the last out, and last chance for his team to win. Strike one, strike two, strike three, you’re out! They lost.
After their team huddled on the field, I went over to the dugout to help him gather his stuff and he was crushed.
As his father, who loves him dearly, how did I respond to him in that moment? Did I point out all of his team’s missed plays? Did I yell at him and tell him to try harder? Absolutely not.
Even though it is my heartfelt desire to see him win and be victorious every single game, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. As we walked to the car, I put my arm around him, told him I loved him and I’m proud of him, and reminded him that he had a game tomorrow and he would have another opportunity to win.
Like most 10 year old boys, he enjoys being outside and riding his bike with his siblings and neighbor friends, building Legos, and playing sports – his favorite is baseball.
One evening last fall, the sun had set, the big lights came on, the game came down to the last inning, the last out, and last chance for his team to win. Strike one, strike two, strike three, you’re out! They lost.
After their team huddled on the field, I went over to the dugout to help him gather his stuff and he was crushed.
As his father, who loves him dearly, how did I respond to him in that moment? Did I point out all of his team’s missed plays? Did I yell at him and tell him to try harder? Absolutely not.
Even though it is my heartfelt desire to see him win and be victorious every single game, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. As we walked to the car, I put my arm around him, told him I loved him and I’m proud of him, and reminded him that he had a game tomorrow and he would have another opportunity to win.
As believers, the Bible is clear that God’s heart and desire is for us to be victorious over sin every single day.
As believers, the Bible is clear that God’s heart and desire is for us to be victorious over sin every single day. On Sunday, from Romans chapters 5 and 6, Pastor Tim reminded us that “In Christ, we are VICTORIOUS.”
“So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
– Romans 6:11
We are dead to sin and alive in Christ. The same Holy Spirit power that raised Christ from the dead is the power that lives in us and empowers us to say NO to sin and YES to the abundant life in Christ.
Ridge family, may we remember and live in this remarkable truth that we can be victorious over sin because we are in Christ! And this week, consider memorizing Lamentations 3:22-23 so that on the days that we choose to give in to sin, we will remember that our Father still loves us, will graciously forgive us, and will be there every day to help us be victorious!
Ridge family, may we remember and live in this remarkable truth that we can be victorious over sin because we are in Christ! And this week, consider memorizing Lamentations 3:22-23 so that on the days that we choose to give in to sin, we will remember that our Father still loves us, will graciously forgive us, and will be there every day to help us be victorious!
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”
– Lamentations 3:22-23
Author: Josh Rhodes, Pastor of Ministries
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