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A Morning View Near the Patio

Today is the first round of the NFL Draft. Most Browns fans call this he SuperBowl! But today the other Ohio team has the number one pick and has high hopes to make the right choice to set them up for the future!
This is the time of the NFL year that every team is looking for the players who will help them win now and more importantly, help them win in the future. The teams evaluate talent and potential to see how they will help the team win. There is a risk because of the many factors the drafted player brings into the party. There is always a risk no matter the potential of the reward. But as I listen to the "experts" discuss the players and their future there are players who are no brainer choices and many others with question marks! The value of the picks made in the draft tonight will now immediately be seen until some time down the road when we look back to what they have done in the NFL.
The quarterback who has been labeled the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) was not the first pick of the draft. As a matter of fact he was chosen in the sixth round of the 2000 draft and the return on their investment was phenomenal. It was not how he began, it is how he has finished! Time, effort, teamwork and drive to be the best has returned well in the life of Tom Brady. The top five picks in the first round had average careers at best. He did not start strong, but he finished strong!
The excitement and transformation of recognizing Jesus Christ as the Savior of our lives is the most exciting feeling and greatest decision we will ever make to say yes to the gift of grace from God. We are all in at the moment and we experience unbelievable freedom and the most amazing relief from the forgiveness of our sin. In that moment we become the G.O.A.T. The greatest not for anything we have done, but the greatest because of what God has done. That moment may be the best single moment we ever have! But that moment is only the beginning.........
Life as a Christian is not staying in the moment of salvation. It is all bout growing in the gift of salvation and grace to grow deeper in relationship with God! It is not about how we start in our relationship with God, but it is all about how we finish!
I love this old hymn, because it shares how our lives in Christ should become sweeter than the moment of our salvation! Trust God, go deep and live strong in your relationship with God!
“Sweeter as the Years Go By”  by Lelia N. Morris 

Of Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;
Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;
Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,
And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.
Refrain

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.

He trod in old Judea life’s pathway long ago;
The people thronged about Him, His saving grace to know;
He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see;
And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me.

Refrain

’Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss,
To bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross;
With saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise,
Till Heav’n and earth re-echo with our Redeemer’s praise.

Peace,
PB



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