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But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. --1 Corinthians 15:57 There is so much that you and I can learn from the failures and victories of athletic champions. And not too long ago I learned one of these lessons by reading about legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden. This great coach began his career at UCLA in 1948 at the age of 37. But it took him 16 years to win his first national championship! After his team had lost in the first round of the championships in 1950, 1952, and 1956, he read something that changed his thinking. It said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts!” You see, Wooden thought he knew everything about basketball, but he didn’t. So he invited other coaches to evaluate his players in practice. He hired assistants who would challenge his thinking. He re-evaluated everything. And eventually, UCLA became one of the great powerhouses of NCAA basketball! And from his experiences, Wooden gave us one of the great quotes about life. He said, “Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.” Let me ask you something. Have you learned from your failures or have you let your failures defeat you?  Listen! We all experience failure, but God wants you to trust him and keep going. Stay in the Scripture. Learn from other followers. Don’t stop now, your victory will come! Give God everything and he will bring the victory!   DON’T STOP NOW, YOUR VICTORY WILL COME!

Utterly Secure

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:3–5

Many Christians are besieged with doubt and uncertainty regarding their salvation. Yet no one who has truly entered God’s family should ever fear leaving it—it is impossible. We are not saved by our own work, but by grace alone. If our salvation depended on us then we would risk losing it, but since salvation is all of God, the keeping of those who come to Him is also completely His responsibility. That is a responsibility He never fails to meet.
Preaching on this wonderful truth of eternal security, H. A. Ironside said, “You may have heard of the Irishman who was converted but was seized with a dreadful fear that some day he might commit some great sin and lose his soul, that he might be lost after all, and he trembled at the thought. He went to a meeting and heard the words read, ‘Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.’ ‘Glory to God!’ the man shouted, “Whoever heard of a man drowning with his head that high above water?”
Rather than living with fear, the child of God can live with confidence. Our family relationship allows us access to Him, and we should claim it in faith. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Do not allow the devil to cripple your work for God by causing you to doubt what He has promised regarding your destiny.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The eternal security promised to every child of God is our strength and confidence.