Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Last Thursday the quest to NFL Super Bowl LIX (59) kicked off in 16 different stadiums for 32 teams. My thorough enjoyment of football, inspired me to look for Heavenly parallels to this ultimate team game.

Let’s start with God’s Organizational overview, which like a professional football team is comprised of three equally important teams with the shared goal to win.

Today’s scripture, Genesis 1:26-27 (KJV) testifies…
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Consider…
A team reflects the shared values and personalities of the owner, general manager and head coach. Everyone else within an organization exists because those three agreed to make them part of the team.

That’s exactly what God did when He created humans in His image. However, the Holy Spirit enlightened me on a key distinction God makes in Romans 8:29 (NLT). Scripture says…
[29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Everyone may be created in God’s image, but that doesn’t mean everyone reflects Him. God wants us to become like the His Son!

1 John 3:2 (NLT) reiterates God’s image reflecting intention when it says…
[2] Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

The references to God the Father and Son, make me realize that I should give you my parallels to the three collaborators mentioned earlier.

• God the Father is the Owner. Romans 8:17 declares that we are heirs with Christ of God’s glory. That means, all glory belongs to our Heavenly Father, we just have rights and access to it because we’re a part of His family.
• The Holy Spirit is the General Manager. Romans 8:16 tells us that God’s Spirit let’s us know we’re part of the family. As well as Romans 8:11 let’s us know that we are equally empowered to win, like our Head Coach already won.
• Jesus Christ the Son is the Head Coach. Ephesians 1:22-23 tells us that God made Christ the Head of the church, who will spend eternity with Him!

Hopefully that adds to your appreciation of the Triune God!

Earlier, I also mentioned there are three teams within one football team, offensive, defensive and special. In a similar way, there are three roles that God wants each of us to play…

• The offensive team role is responsible for spreading the gospel. (Matthew 28:19-20)
• The defensive team role is responsible for defending our hope in the gospel. (1 Peter 3:13-16)
• And the special team role is responsible for using our gifts to serve others in playing roles within the gospel. (1 Peter 4:10)

The parallel that I am making is the Triune God that made us in His image expects us to reflect Him, by playing roles that He select and prepared for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) explains…
[10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Notice God the Father made us new in Christ Jesus, His Son. And the special team’s coach, which is the Holy Spirit, will help us become the Christ’s reflectors. That’s why Galatians 5:16 (NLT) exhorts.
[16] So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

So today, put on your uniform that has been issued by God. Colossians 3:12-14 (NASB1995) lays it as follows…
[12] So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. [14] Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Suit up and serve others as a reflection of…

• God the Father who chose you
• Jesus the Son who gave His life for you
• And the Holy Spirit who helps you reflect Christ

God made us on purpose for His purpose. Let fulfilling our Heavenly Father’s purpose, which is to become like His son, be your one and only goal in life. When you do, with the help of the Holy Spirit, He promises you will win the victory over sin and death. More importantly, you will spend eternity with Him, which is the Triune God’s shared goal for everyone! (2 Peter 3:9)

This concludes God’s organizational overview.

Today’s Song is…
The Truth

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)