8 Jan, 2008

Give a shout!

The LSU football team knows how to win! Do we?

LSU dominates OSU to win BCS title

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Too easy.

No. 2 LSU danced, dodged and darted its way into the end zone Monday night, turning the BCS national championship game into a horrible replay for No. 1 Ohio State. It was over early, with Matt Flynn throwing four touchdown passes in a 38-24 win.

Playing at their home-away-from-home in the Big Easy, LSU (12-2) became the first two-loss team to play for the title. Shouts of "SEC! SEC!" bounced around the Superdome as the Tigers won their second BCS crown in five seasons. They are the first school to win a second title since BCS rankings began with the 1998 season.

And in a season of surprises, this was hardly an upset: Ohio State once again fell apart in college football's biggest game. A year after the Buckeyes were routed by Tim Tebow and Florida 41-14 in the Arizona desert, they barely did better.

Yet while LSU got to hoist the $30,000 crystal trophy, certainly many fans around the country were peering into their crystal balls, wondering if someone else was worthy of the title. Southern California, Georgia, West Virginia, Kansas and Missouri all put on impressive shows in bowl games, and will be among the favorites in 2008.

photo & story courtesy foxsports.com, 1/7/08

Ezra 3:10-12 (NLT)

10 When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed. 11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord:

“He is so good!
His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”

Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.

12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy.

In today's God's Story scripture, why are God's people shouting and celebrating?

Finishing up the foundation for the Lord's Temple was a major accomplishment! Rather than displaying pride in themselves, everyone praised God for what had been done.

It's the same today. All accomplishments ultimately come from God. He provides the talents, abilities, strength and motivation. We should always thank and praise God for what has been done in and through us!

You have to say that the LSU football program has laid a foundation for winning championships. For the first time in history, a college has won two BCS national championships in football. Almost makes me want to get a Tigers' shirt so that I can get in on that winning feeling!

In Jesus Christ, we have more than a winning feeling. We have a foundation to always experience victory in the Christian life if we rely on His power. On our own, we lose. When we abide in Jesus, we win!

The physical Temple of the Lord is gone. The championship status of the LSU football team will some day be gone.

But God's victory always has been, still is, and will be forever more....

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Thank God that He will accomplish His perfect will in and through you. Praise Him for Who He is and for the victory He gives you! Ask His Spirit to help you serve Him with all your heart.
  • Whenever you see reports of LSU's championship, remember that you are part of God's victory which will last forever! It starts with you relying every day on God to build on the foundation of Christ in your life.
  • Keep a written list of the ways that Jesus gives you the victory in your daily life. At the end of each week, spend some time worshipping Jesus in celebration! Give a shout!

How can we connect today's story, God's story scripture and our story to others?

Use the topic of LSU's championship to ask those in your storysphere about their experiences with winning and losing. You will learn more of their stories and you may have the opportunity to talk about how you are part of a team that is guaranteed to eventually win forever!

Permanent Link
comments

Ornament
God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.