Monday, December 5, 2016

Cheap Shot vs. Prayer


The Matchup: Cheap Shot vs. Prayer

Location: Matthew 6:14-15 NLT
Jesus said, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. 

Headline: "Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them." - Bruce Lee



Game Summary:
If you have watched much football, you probably have seen a late hit out of bounds, or a roughing the quarterback. But this "cheap shot" was a little different and had all of college football team outraged. However, the situation flamed an unexpected turn of events.

The Wisconsin Badgers clawed their way to an upset victory over the 5th ranked LSU Tigers. The Tigers came into the Badgers stadium hoping to secure their status as a contender for the NCAA Football championship. It turned out to be a shocking victory for the Badgers, then ended with a bitter sweet flavor. Wisconsin made a late 4th quarter field goal to take the 16-14 lead. With a few minutes on the clock LSU was trying to move the ball quickly down the field. With just under one minute to play, Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon intercepted a hurried pass by LSU's quarterback. Dixon fell to the ground. The whistle blew the play dead. He immediately got up and ran jubilantly to his team's sidelines. The Badgers had won. Then a shocking thing happened. As Dixon ran with the ball over-joyed with one finger raised in the air, LSU's Josh Boutte, an offensive lineman, blind-sided Dixon with a vicious hit. Dixon flew off his feet, hit the ground and lay there, not moving. Flags flew everywhere. Boutte was ejected from the game for his flagrant hit on Dixon after his interception. Twitter went wild with people saying  Josh Boutte should never play football again. The interception gave Wisconsin a stunning upset victory. LSU's chances to stay highly ranked were gnawed away by the Badgers. As unexpected as Josh Boutte's hit on D'Cota Dixon was, what happened next was even more unexpected.
Dixon did get up and was not seriously injured. After the game he got a phone call from Josh Boutte. He asked Dixon if he was alright. He apologized for hitting him. With the game in a frenzy, Josh didn’t realize the play was blown dead. Dixon accepted his apology. Then the unexpected unfolded. D'Cota suggested they pray together and Dixon prayed with Boutte. Boutte was a Believer in Christ and he quickly realized Dixon was too. What was a bad thing turned into two rivals becoming friends. Dixon said games can become very intense and our emotions may get the best of us. In that intensity we may do things we normally wouldn't do. It's part of the game. Dixon brought that into light. Now D'Cota and Josh have each others phone number and they stay in touch.

To forgive someone who has hurt you and then pray for them is a power principle in living God's way. The Scriptures say to forgive others who try to hurt you. Pray for others who seek to do you harm. If you forgive others you will be forgiven as well. When Josh asked D'Cota to forgive him, it opened the door for God's Spirit to heal what could have become a long, bitter relationship. Now they are friends.

MVP: 
D'Cota Dixon and Josh Boutte
These two young men showed a lot of class in how they handled the above play and it should remind us all about the true meaning of forgiveness.
Recap:
When has someone hurt you and you felt it was deliberate?
Has it ever happened to you in a game? What happened and what do you think would be the best way to handle it?

How has someone hurt you in your life, and what could you do to respond by doing "good to overcome evil" as the Scriptures say in Romans 12:21?

Some say it is not as hard to forgive as it is to forget. We may forgive but still hold a grudge. The Scriptures say to pray for your enemies. Do you see how praying for someone, and especially with them, can melt a grudge?

This is why it is so important to love your enemies. The Bible says… "Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. (Luke 6:27, 28)

Practice:
The Hit
https://youtu.be/Q2jl-iwBagU

Interview after the hit:
https://youtu.be/ZWATXEmVPIM

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