Last Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers were seemingly positioned for a simple win of game three of the finals against the Boston Celtics. There was talk of them anticipating setting some playoff records and I’m sure they were proud of their victories in the series thus far…one of them including a win of a
44 point gap just 2 days before!!!
Although they took home the 2017 Eastern Conference Championship on Thursday (Congrats!!), there are some strong lessons from Sunday's game that I would like to highlight.
Through the lens of the Kingdom Perspective!
For many of us “Cavs” Fans, we were snug in watching the first half of the game where there was a 20+ point lead. It felt like it would be a repeat of the game just days before, but there was one thing.
The Celtics were playing with persistence both offensively and defensively. They were hungry and determined not to go home with another loss. This is All speculation...wink. They employed several tactics to ensure this did not happen….and it did not happen! They won the game 111-108.
The point at which their 20+ point lead became slim, the Cavs were disheveled, missed shots, had turnovers and appeared to not have their head in the game. Many comments on Social Media ranged from frustration to those saying that they “Got caught slippin’.”
Do you wonder what happened? Were they comfortable? Did they make erroneous assumptions about their opponent? Did they get the Big Head (Prideful)? Was it just an off day? Were they slippin’?
Think about the times when prominent Christian Leaders and other Christians have fallen from grace in the past. We find ourselves feeling the same disappointment that the Cavs Players and many fans felt the other day. What happened? These devastating blows leave us searching
for the answer to this very question.
44 point gap just 2 days before!!!
Although they took home the 2017 Eastern Conference Championship on Thursday (Congrats!!), there are some strong lessons from Sunday's game that I would like to highlight.
Through the lens of the Kingdom Perspective!
For many of us “Cavs” Fans, we were snug in watching the first half of the game where there was a 20+ point lead. It felt like it would be a repeat of the game just days before, but there was one thing.
The Celtics were playing with persistence both offensively and defensively. They were hungry and determined not to go home with another loss. This is All speculation...wink. They employed several tactics to ensure this did not happen….and it did not happen! They won the game 111-108.
The point at which their 20+ point lead became slim, the Cavs were disheveled, missed shots, had turnovers and appeared to not have their head in the game. Many comments on Social Media ranged from frustration to those saying that they “Got caught slippin’.”
Do you wonder what happened? Were they comfortable? Did they make erroneous assumptions about their opponent? Did they get the Big Head (Prideful)? Was it just an off day? Were they slippin’?
Think about the times when prominent Christian Leaders and other Christians have fallen from grace in the past. We find ourselves feeling the same disappointment that the Cavs Players and many fans felt the other day. What happened? These devastating blows leave us searching
for the answer to this very question.
How about when WE are the ones that have placed ourselves in such a position – God has set everything up, the only thing to do is walk straight through the door and we somehow miss it
and hit the wall?
As Children of God, we must remember that we have an enemy that is lurking to find us at our weakest point – See 1 Peter 5:8. This is where we insert the answers to the many questions listed above in our own lives.
Whether it is exercising pride or stepping away from the attainable Holiness required of us to live on this side of glory, the enemy is on his assignment.
Judging from the way the Celtics executed their defense against the Cavs, they took some time to study their offensive patterns and weaknesses and attacked them, pressing down for the win. It appeared that the Cavs was easily going to win that game – they were poised for it.
Poise is defined as: To hold or carry in equilibrium, to put into readiness. Equilibrium means a state of intellectual or emotional balance, a state of adjustment between opposing or divergent influences or elements. As we walk this journey of our lives we are to do so wearing all of our spiritual armor, so that we can be prepared to battle - See Ephesians 6:11.
Being poised to win means that the moment we accept/ed Jesus Christ into our lives, we received the membership for the winning team – See I Corinthians 15:57.
Judging from the way the Celtics executed their defense against the Cavs, they took some time to study their offensive patterns and weaknesses and attacked them, pressing down for the win. It appeared that the Cavs was easily going to win that game – they were poised for it.
Poise is defined as: To hold or carry in equilibrium, to put into readiness. Equilibrium means a state of intellectual or emotional balance, a state of adjustment between opposing or divergent influences or elements. As we walk this journey of our lives we are to do so wearing all of our spiritual armor, so that we can be prepared to battle - See Ephesians 6:11.
Being poised to win means that the moment we accept/ed Jesus Christ into our lives, we received the membership for the winning team – See I Corinthians 15:57.
This is not to say that we always have to have a state of equilibrium in our lives. We know that unexpected events and situations knock us off course or presents many challenges, let us look at another definition of the word poise: To old or carry the head in a particular way! Now this brings to mind how royal families that are taught to hold their head a particular way – especially in public.
What more for the Christian? We live poised lifestyles! Whether in peace, in the storm or out of the storm to be poised in the positioning of their heads? Looking to the hills from where our help comes from! The very Creator of Heaven and Earth! God is the one that sustains us in all things - See Psalms 121:1-3
The Lord spoke the title of this blog to me while sleeping. We can win the battle of sin and death by making application of the Word of God. There is a sense of urgency with this. If we were to assume the worst possibilities as to why the Cavs lost the game, please don’t find yourselves in that position!
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the environment of evil has stepped up in our world, however so has spiritual haughtiness (having a proud attitude of superiority). “Church” has its’ own deviant culture: Style, lingo, attitude, comedy (males with beards and wigs acting like women and people mimicking the elders of the church) and there will be a day of accountability.
After every game, LeBron James has to shower, change clothes and sit at a press conference to give an account for the win or loss on behalf of the team. Standing in accountability for our actions now will help us maintain our poise and equilibrium. Everyone will have to do the same at the last judgment.
See - 2 Corinthians 5:10.
For the record, I make no speculation on exactly what was going on with the Cavs to make them lose game 3, but there are some principles that we can draw from and apply to our spiritual walk.
Poise listed above also means to put into readiness. Another way to say this is to brace oneself. Not that we live in fear, but to brace ourselves for the situations that lurk nearby is to live the poised lifestyle
that God has intended for us!
Remember:
The Lord is with us in battle against our enemies – See Deuteronomy 20:4
Jesus’ teachings are there to give us peace in trouble – See John 16:33
God is faithful to forgive our sins if we confess and turn from them
(Maintaining equilibrium – my emphasis added) – See 1 John 1:9
We must be strong in the Lord and the power of His might – See Ephesians 6:10
Deliverance comes from the Lord – Psalms 3:8
All those who are born of God can overcome the world. Jesus victory overcame the world – See 1 John 5:4
If God is for us, who can be against us? – See Romans 8:31
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, We pray that we do not become haughty and prideful in our walk with you. When the turbulence of life comes our way, help us to remember that because of you, we live poised lives and maintaining equilibrium is possible.
Let us brace ourselves while we walk with you, being sober and vigilant but living full and free lifestyles so that we can hear well done. For the person that needs to repent, we pray right now that they humble themselves and learn from you the thoughts, words and behaviors necessary for righteousness.
Thank you for your grace and mercy. In all honor and humility we submit this prayer
in the Name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!
What more for the Christian? We live poised lifestyles! Whether in peace, in the storm or out of the storm to be poised in the positioning of their heads? Looking to the hills from where our help comes from! The very Creator of Heaven and Earth! God is the one that sustains us in all things - See Psalms 121:1-3
The Lord spoke the title of this blog to me while sleeping. We can win the battle of sin and death by making application of the Word of God. There is a sense of urgency with this. If we were to assume the worst possibilities as to why the Cavs lost the game, please don’t find yourselves in that position!
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the environment of evil has stepped up in our world, however so has spiritual haughtiness (having a proud attitude of superiority). “Church” has its’ own deviant culture: Style, lingo, attitude, comedy (males with beards and wigs acting like women and people mimicking the elders of the church) and there will be a day of accountability.
After every game, LeBron James has to shower, change clothes and sit at a press conference to give an account for the win or loss on behalf of the team. Standing in accountability for our actions now will help us maintain our poise and equilibrium. Everyone will have to do the same at the last judgment.
See - 2 Corinthians 5:10.
For the record, I make no speculation on exactly what was going on with the Cavs to make them lose game 3, but there are some principles that we can draw from and apply to our spiritual walk.
Poise listed above also means to put into readiness. Another way to say this is to brace oneself. Not that we live in fear, but to brace ourselves for the situations that lurk nearby is to live the poised lifestyle
that God has intended for us!
Remember:
The Lord is with us in battle against our enemies – See Deuteronomy 20:4
Jesus’ teachings are there to give us peace in trouble – See John 16:33
God is faithful to forgive our sins if we confess and turn from them
(Maintaining equilibrium – my emphasis added) – See 1 John 1:9
We must be strong in the Lord and the power of His might – See Ephesians 6:10
Deliverance comes from the Lord – Psalms 3:8
All those who are born of God can overcome the world. Jesus victory overcame the world – See 1 John 5:4
If God is for us, who can be against us? – See Romans 8:31
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, We pray that we do not become haughty and prideful in our walk with you. When the turbulence of life comes our way, help us to remember that because of you, we live poised lives and maintaining equilibrium is possible.
Let us brace ourselves while we walk with you, being sober and vigilant but living full and free lifestyles so that we can hear well done. For the person that needs to repent, we pray right now that they humble themselves and learn from you the thoughts, words and behaviors necessary for righteousness.
Thank you for your grace and mercy. In all honor and humility we submit this prayer
in the Name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!
MY ENTIRE LIFE IS POISED IN CHRIST!
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