4 Feb, 2008

Super Bowl Champs!

Winning can result in a crown, pride and joy!

Giants win Super Bowl thriller!

A day that was supposed to be reserved for 19-0 turned into a Giant upset, as New York stunned New England to win Super Bowl XLII.

Trailing late into the fourth quarter, Eli Manning drove the Giants 83 yards down the field, and tossed the game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left in the Super Bowl. Manning was named MVP of the game after going 19-of-34 for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Tom Brady was sacked five times, and hit throughout the game by the Giants defense. He finished 29-of-48 for 266 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots finished the season 18-1, failing to become just the second team to cap an undefeated season with a Super Bowl win.

photo & story courtesy foxsports.com, 2/3/08

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NLT)

19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy.

What does today’s God's Story scripture teach us about an achievement that lasts forever?

Paul is writing the believers in Thessalonica to let them know how much he wants to see them again! Why? Because they represent the biggest crown (trophy) in his ministry. They are some of the people he helped come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

God has given each of us a ministry. The specifics are different but we have this in common - we are to glorify God as we serve Him in being part of His process of seeing people's lives changed now and forever.

Winning the Super Bowl is a tremedous achievement but helping others receive Christ's gift of salvation is an eternal achievement that comes with being part of Christ's championship team!

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

  • Be honest with God. How motivated are you to know Christ more deeply and to help others know Him?
  • Save the picture in today's story - the one of Manning with the sign "We Wanted It More", as a reminder to examine your priorities in your daily life. Are they about you or serving and glorifying God?
  • As you think about the opportunities you might have for earthly achievements, commit them to God for Him to use in a way that brings honor and glory to His name.
  • Read the entire book of 1st Thessalonians to learn more about Paul's story.

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

  • Use today's story about the underdog Giants winning the Super Bowl as a way to talk about how people doubted Christ's "come from behind victory" over death and sin, but He won!
  • Think about your family and friends who need Jesus. Make a list of their names.
  • Start praying regularly for these people to see the love of Christ in you and to recognize their need for Christ and His forgivenss and eternal life. Be ready to talk to them about their story and your story and God’s Story.
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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.