From Setbacks to Comebacks

Although I still avoid watching NFL games, I continue to follow the Minnesota Vikings. This past Thursday, they played against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I googled the score after a Facebook friend commented that the Vikings looked the best they had all year. At that point, they were ahead 29-0 during the third quarter. Later before going to sleep, I checked on the final score. The Vikings held off a Steeler rally and won 36-28. Had they lost, it would’ve set an NFL record for the largest regular-season comeback (the Buffalo Bills once overcame a 32-point deficit in a playoff game). It reminded me of a saying attributed to Yogi Berra (though he didn’t utter these exact words): “It ain’t over till it’s over.” 


The Bible mentions individuals who found themselves in difficult situations but didn’t give up and came back victorious…

  • Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Despite being a faithful servant, his master’s wife accused him of raping her and was put into prison. Joseph didn’t lose hope and eventually became second-in-command of Egypt. Joseph may have been in prison, but the prison didn’t get into Joseph.
  • Moses went into exile for 40 years after he killed an Egyptian in a premature attempt to free the children of Israel. God still used him to lead them out of captivity and later presented the Ten Commandments.
  • Samson was a mighty warrior who made the mistake of falling in love with Delilah, who later betrayed him to the Philistines  He was blinded and had his hair cut off. After Samson’s hair grew back, he regained his strength. Samson pulled down the pillars of a house, destroying himself and killing more of his enemies than when he was alive.
  • Job was a prosperous man whose patience was tried by undeserved misfortunes. Despite his bitter lamentations, he remained confident in the goodness of God. His captivity turned around after he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10).

In more recent times, well-known preachers made comebacks… 

  • Early in her ministry, Kathryn Kuhlman married a man who left his wife and children for her. It got Kathryn out of the will of God for several years. After leaving this man (who mostly hindered her from preaching), she went on to have large crowds attending her meetings.
  • Jim Bakker had a moral failure and was divorced by his wife Tammy while behind bars. He didn’t even want to go on television again but was led by the Lord to start a program he now hosts with his current wife Lori.

Whether your setbacks are caused by others or mistakes you’ve made, God can turns things around if you keep your eyes on Him. He wants bring you out better than you were before.


“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe...
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of ...
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Hallowee...
Read more