For non-American football fans please bear with me:
The first play of the game the center (the guy who snaps the football between his legs) thought Peyton Manning (the Denver quarterback) said “Hut” when he hadn’t so he snapped the ball right over Peyton’s head in to their own end zone. This gave 2 points to Seattle on the very first play of the game. Sports gurus will tell you that in a lot of sports the first possession in the beginning of a game it is really important for getting some kind of momentum going so that you can continue to build on it as the game goes on. Denver not only didn’t gain any but lost what positive momentum they may have had from a good week of practice and a great inspirational speech from the coach before the game. Then later when they finally did get some momentum going, they threw 2 interceptions and continually allowed the other team to score. Denver basically kept hijacking their own opportunities to gain momentum by making repeated mistakes.
Momentum. Momentum is key not only to sports teams, but also to business including B4T. Momentum impacts language learning as well as our relationships with co-workers, team members, our spouse, and our relationship with the Father. The enemy, our enemy, would like nothing more than to disrupt our momentum in any of these areas. Whether you are currently focused on language learning, starting your business or growing your business or working on some other key assignment from the Master, keep your momentum!
Peter writes, be sober be watchful in other words be on guard against those things which distract you and cause you to lose momentum. Concentration is important in whatever we do and this true for B4Ters. Focusing requires work. Surround yourself with others to assist you in becoming better at identifying the things that trip you up and break your momentum. Peter writes this same enemy is prowling around looking for souls to devour.
The Devil will come at us from our blind side, he knows our weaknesses and will attack those vulnerable areas of our life and work. Peter tells us the solution is to have a sober perspective of ourselves and to resist the Evil One. This means we need to identify these areas of weakness personally; in our marriages, our workplace, our families, all of our relationships. Start with the big things in your life and work your way down. Being aware of what is happening around us helps us to stay ahead in the God’s game.
Satan knows the damage that just one believer who has yielded his life to the Holy Spirit can cause in his kingdom, so keep your momentum and do not fall victim to his schemes. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.