The Last Shall Be First


Today is Super Bowl Sunday. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs will battle against the San Francisco 49ers. Four years ago, those same two teams played for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. I rooted for the Chiefs because of a prophecy promising revival would occur when that team wins the big game. Instead, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. That prompted many pastors to close down their churches. Around the time the Chiefs won the big game again last year, the Asbury Outpouring in Kentucky happened but got shut down after a couple of weeks. I’m still expecting a greater end-time harvest of souls to manifest before the Lord’s return.

Since the Minnesota Vikings (my favorite team) won’t be playing, I don’t care who wins Super Bowl LVIII. Often I don’t watch the game live, but catch the highlights later on YouTube. I prefer to avoid seeing all the pregame hype, commercials, and the halftime show. I’m also repelled by the increasing wokeness in professional sports. The NFL had a “Night of Pride” this past Wednesday.


There is one reason I don’t want to see the Chiefs win today’s game. I’m tired of the extra attention given to Taylor Swift, the girlfriend of tight-end Travis Kelce. During the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago and the subsequent Lamar Hunt Trophy presentation, multiple close-ups were done of the singer. In 2019, Swift had a hit with “You Need to Calm Down”, which criticized believers speaking out against the LGBT agenda. However, owner Clark Hunt (Lamar’s son) is an outspoken Christian who has glorified God for his team's success.


The 49ers are among my least favorite teams. Usually, I would root against them, but want to see their quarterback play well. Brock Purdy is also a believer who’s unashamed to speak out about that. If his team wins, I hope he receives the MVP award. It’s worth noting Purdy was picked last in the 2022 NFL Draft. That earned him the title “Mr. Irrelevant” (that brought back memories of how I was often chosen last during athletic contests in school). Purdy originally started that season as the 49er's third-string quarterback but eventually became the starter due to injuries to his teammates. 


Jesus said in Matthew 20:16, “So the last will be first, and the first last.” God has a supernatural way of elevating people who display humility and play for His honor. I hope that happens during today’s Super Bowl and inspire football fans to get right with Him. Unlike an NFL game, most people won’t have a two-minute warning before the clock runs out on their lives. Life can suddenly end without an opportunity to prepare for eternity.


“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” - James 4:10

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