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Checkmate.
Checkmate.
The one word that every chess player fears. This word means that you’ve been outwitted, and your strategy failed. All the effort you put into your game has been wasted.
The one word that every chess player fears. This word means that you’ve been outwitted, and your strategy failed. All the effort you put into your game has been wasted.
If you’ve ever played Chess, you know that planning is an essential. You can’t just send your pieces across the board and hope for the best. It requires thought, and concentration.
If you’ve ever played Chess, you know that planning is an essential. You can’t just send your pieces across the board and hope for the best. It requires thought, and concentration.
Life is kinda the same way, right? You can’t just live day by day and hope you’ll find what you need. You need to think it through, what you’ll need for the next day, the next week, next month, and so on. In chess, you can’t win if you go play-by-play. Life is the same! You can’t just exist. You’ll eventually have something go wrong. Maybe an unexpected hospital trip, or a flat tire. If you haven’t planned ahead for this, then that can lead to real problems.
Life is kinda the same way, right? You can’t just live day by day and hope you’ll find what you need. You need to think it through, what you’ll need for the next day, the next week, next month, and so on. In chess, you can’t win if you go play-by-play. Life is the same! You can’t just exist. You’ll eventually have something go wrong. Maybe an unexpected hospital trip, or a flat tire. If you haven’t planned ahead for this, then that can lead to real problems.
And yet…the Bible says something different. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, speaks about this to the church at Philippi in Philippians 4:6. The verse reads: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.”
And yet…the Bible says something different. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, speaks about this to the church at Philippi in Philippians 4:6. The verse reads: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.”
So…Paul says that we shouldn’t be anxious for ANYTHING in life. We should just depend on God for everything. But…WE CAN’T DO THAT! Life is too complicated for that! We have to plan ahead, because of this, this, that, and the other, and-
So…Paul says that we shouldn’t be anxious for ANYTHING in life. We should just depend on God for everything. But…WE CAN’T DO THAT! Life is too complicated for that! We have to plan ahead, because of this, this, that, and the other, and-
Question: In life, are you the chess piece, or the chess player? Is your life being controlled by a Higher Power, or are you under your own control alone? Because if you’re running your own life on YOUR TERMS, the Bible says you’re doing it wrong.
Question: In life, are you the chess piece, or the chess player? Is your life being controlled by a Higher Power, or are you under your own control alone? Because if you’re running your own life on YOUR TERMS, the Bible says you’re doing it wrong.
The pawn is without a doubt the most boring chess piece there is. They can only move one square at a time, either forward or diagonal, and only then when capturing. Not only that, but they are also the most boring to LOOK AT! They are the smallest and most unornamented pieces. You would think that these pieces really don’t have much effect on the game, and that they’re simply to be used as bait, or maybe to protect another piece every now and then. And yet, pawns can be some of the most influential factors in the game, despite them being boring to look at and a limited move set. These small pieces can hold a powerful sway over a round of chess.
The pawn is without a doubt the most boring chess piece there is. They can only move one square at a time, either forward or diagonal, and only then when capturing. Not only that, but they are also the most boring to LOOK AT! They are the smallest and most unornamented pieces. You would think that these pieces really don’t have much effect on the game, and that they’re simply to be used as bait, or maybe to protect another piece every now and then. And yet, pawns can be some of the most influential factors in the game, despite them being boring to look at and a limited move set. These small pieces can hold a powerful sway over a round of chess.
Why do I bring this up? Because according to Philippians 4:6, we are to be God’s pawns. We shouldn’t be anxious for anything, shouldn’t be planning our lives out. We should be completely under God’s control, and do what He asks us to do, even if we think we can’t do it.
Why do I bring this up? Because according to Philippians 4:6, we are to be God’s pawns. We shouldn’t be anxious for anything, shouldn’t be planning our lives out. We should be completely under God’s control, and do what He asks us to do, even if we think we can’t do it.
Now I want you to remember what I just said. Pawns are controlled by the player but can seriously change the game. Please don’t ever think that you won’t be able to accomplish anything if you give your life to God. Since we’re human, we all believe we can do everything on our own. But the fact of the matter is, we can’t. Life is going to throw things at us that we won’t be able to handle without God, and still hold onto our faith. Perhaps the death of a loved one or losing a good friend. God can help us through these things far better than any human ever could. I mean, He’s the Creator of the world! If He can create mankind, He can take care of us as well.
Now I want you to remember what I just said. Pawns are controlled by the player but can seriously change the game. Please don’t ever think that you won’t be able to accomplish anything if you give your life to God. Since we’re human, we all believe we can do everything on our own. But the fact of the matter is, we can’t. Life is going to throw things at us that we won’t be able to handle without God, and still hold onto our faith. Perhaps the death of a loved one or losing a good friend. God can help us through these things far better than any human ever could. I mean, He’s the Creator of the world! If He can create mankind, He can take care of us as well.
Romans has a lot to say on this matter. Chapter 8:28 reads: “And we know that all things work together to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This verse says that if we love God, it’s all gonna work out! It may not SEEM like it’s working out. It may not seem like it’s working out until you die! But when you’re in Heaven, that’s when you’ll understand. Yes. It worked out. In a far better way than you could’ve ever thought. A way that led you to Heaven.
Romans has a lot to say on this matter. Chapter 8:28 reads: “And we know that all things work together to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This verse says that if we love God, it’s all gonna work out! It may not SEEM like it’s working out. It may not seem like it’s working out until you die! But when you’re in Heaven, that’s when you’ll understand. Yes. It worked out. In a far better way than you could’ve ever thought. A way that led you to Heaven.
Chapter 9:20-23 give us some more insight on being under God’s control. They read: “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to Him who formed it, ‘Why have You made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another dishonor?”
Chapter 9:20-23 give us some more insight on being under God’s control. They read: “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to Him who formed it, ‘Why have You made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another dishonor?”
These verses tell us that things ARE GOING TO WORK OUT FOR US IF WE LOVE GOD. Either in this life or in the next. They also sort of challenge us, asking us why we question an Almighty God, why we, the creation, question the Creator?
These verses tell us that things ARE GOING TO WORK OUT FOR US IF WE LOVE GOD. Either in this life or in the next. They also sort of challenge us, asking us why we question an Almighty God, why we, the creation, question the Creator?
So yes, we are to be controlled by God. The Bible says so. But what does that mean for our lives?
So yes, we are to be controlled by God. The Bible says so. But what does that mean for our lives?
Though they have a very limited number of moves, pawns courses can change. They move diagonally to capture other pieces, so that they could end up being very far away from the square where they started! They were just going straight, until the game threw them something that changed their course. You can probably see where I’m going with this. Just like a pawn’s course in a chess game, the course of our lives can change in just a day. I’ve never met a single person who had their entire life planned out, and everything went according to plan. My dad wanted to be a neurosurgeon. Now he’s going around the world preaching. God gives us opportunities to change our lives. Sometimes we see it as a good change. Some we see as bad. And that is important to remember: just because we see a change as bad, that doesn’t mean that God led us wrong, or that He’s done with us.
Though they have a very limited number of moves, pawns courses can change. They move diagonally to capture other pieces, so that they could end up being very far away from the square where they started! They were just going straight, until the game threw them something that changed their course. You can probably see where I’m going with this. Just like a pawn’s course in a chess game, the course of our lives can change in just a day. I’ve never met a single person who had their entire life planned out, and everything went according to plan. My dad wanted to be a neurosurgeon. Now he’s going around the world preaching. God gives us opportunities to change our lives. Sometimes we see it as a good change. Some we see as bad. And that is important to remember: just because we see a change as bad, that doesn’t mean that God led us wrong, or that He’s done with us.
God has a plan for us. He knew exactly when each of our lives would start, and He knows how our lives will end. He also knows what we will accomplish in-between. Each of us have a part to play in God’s master plan for humanity.
God has a plan for us. He knew exactly when each of our lives would start, and He knows how our lives will end. He also knows what we will accomplish in-between. Each of us have a part to play in God’s master plan for humanity.
Pawns aren’t usually critical in the endgame. That’s when the rooks and queen come out to try and trap the king. And yet I have been trapped more than once into a checkmate scenario, simply because there was a pawn in the way of my escape. That pawn hadn’t been involved in the endgame until then. And yet it was the one that ended the game in a checkmate. The other player had forced my king into a position where that pawn went from being something that got in the way, to being the piece that ended the game. A good chess player knows how to make the best of all of his pieces, despite their limited move set.
Pawns aren’t usually critical in the endgame. That’s when the rooks and queen come out to try and trap the king. And yet I have been trapped more than once into a checkmate scenario, simply because there was a pawn in the way of my escape. That pawn hadn’t been involved in the endgame until then. And yet it was the one that ended the game in a checkmate. The other player had forced my king into a position where that pawn went from being something that got in the way, to being the piece that ended the game. A good chess player knows how to make the best of all of his pieces, despite their limited move set.
One of the excuses people use when asked to spread the Gospel is that they can’t talk. Same with song leading, people say they can’t sing. I mean, Moses used this excuse! In Exodus 4:10, Moses, speaking DIRECTLY TO GOD, says, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
One of the excuses people use when asked to spread the Gospel is that they can’t talk. Same with song leading, people say they can’t sing. I mean, Moses used this excuse! In Exodus 4:10, Moses, speaking DIRECTLY TO GOD, says, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
Moses had a one-on-one conversation with God, and even HE offered excuses. But what he didn’t understand, and what I hope y’all understand, is that God knows everything about us; our talents, as well as our shortcomings. God has a place for everyone in His kingdom, and as such, everyone can help GROW His kingdom. So just like a good chess player can use EVERY PIECE to best advantage, God can use all of us, despite us thinking we have no talents, to further His kingdom. To think that He can’t would be to sell our Almighty God short.
Moses had a one-on-one conversation with God, and even HE offered excuses. But what he didn’t understand, and what I hope y’all understand, is that God knows everything about us; our talents, as well as our shortcomings. God has a place for everyone in His kingdom, and as such, everyone can help GROW His kingdom. So just like a good chess player can use EVERY PIECE to best advantage, God can use all of us, despite us thinking we have no talents, to further His kingdom. To think that He can’t would be to sell our Almighty God short.
This may sound odd, but when you start a game of chess, all of your pawns may not stay pawns the entire game. Some could get captured. But if you plan well and strategize, you can clear a path so that a pawn can get all the way from one side of the board to the other. At this point, you are allowed to turn the pawn into another more powerful piece (probably a queen, as they are the most powerful). Once your plan for it is complete, you can start a whole new one with the same piece, except that this time it’s more powerful.
This may sound odd, but when you start a game of chess, all of your pawns may not stay pawns the entire game. Some could get captured. But if you plan well and strategize, you can clear a path so that a pawn can get all the way from one side of the board to the other. At this point, you are allowed to turn the pawn into another more powerful piece (probably a queen, as they are the most powerful). Once your plan for it is complete, you can start a whole new one with the same piece, except that this time it’s more powerful.
Again, it’s the same way with us. If we complete God’s plan for us, if we further His kingdom, and accept the role we are given, we are going to come out better than we were before. We’ll be different, sure. But the difference can be-and often is-for the better. And when we’ve finished the mission that God gave us, we can start a brand new one, one that we can play a bigger part in.
Again, it’s the same way with us. If we complete God’s plan for us, if we further His kingdom, and accept the role we are given, we are going to come out better than we were before. We’ll be different, sure. But the difference can be-and often is-for the better. And when we’ve finished the mission that God gave us, we can start a brand new one, one that we can play a bigger part in.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 assure us of this. The verses read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” These verses tell us what the Bible is, and what it does for us! It is PROFITABLE, it gives us gain, through doctrine, through reproof, through correction, and through instruction in righteousness. That way, we can be complete and ready to do what God asks us to do next.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 assure us of this. The verses read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” These verses tell us what the Bible is, and what it does for us! It is PROFITABLE, it gives us gain, through doctrine, through reproof, through correction, and through instruction in righteousness. That way, we can be complete and ready to do what God asks us to do next.
We are pawns. God’s pawns! He is supposed to be controlling us, and that should really change our mindset. Our lives will change course, sure. But that doesn’t mean that God’s done with us! WE DON’T KNOW THE WHOLE PLAN!!! God sent His Son to die for us. He cares THAT MUCH about us. He will take care of us, and we’ll be better because of it.
We are pawns. God’s pawns! He is supposed to be controlling us, and that should really change our mindset. Our lives will change course, sure. But that doesn’t mean that God’s done with us! WE DON’T KNOW THE WHOLE PLAN!!! God sent His Son to die for us. He cares THAT MUCH about us. He will take care of us, and we’ll be better because of it.
Checkmate. Like I said, you don’t want to hear this word. It means you’ve been outwitted. You’ve been beaten. And if it truly is checkmate, there’s nothing you can do! It’s already over. You’ve lost.
Checkmate. Like I said, you don’t want to hear this word. It means you’ve been outwitted. You’ve been beaten. And if it truly is checkmate, there’s nothing you can do! It’s already over. You’ve lost.
Life can go that way as well. But let me assure you, you do NOT want it to do so. Because if you hear God say, “Depart from Me,” then you’ve lost. Checkmate. It’s over. God’s won. Because He can’t be beaten. He’s been telling us so since Genesis 3. Wouldn’t you rather be on His side, and have Him on yours?
Life can go that way as well. But let me assure you, you do NOT want it to do so. Because if you hear God say, “Depart from Me,” then you’ve lost. Checkmate. It’s over. God’s won. Because He can’t be beaten. He’s been telling us so since Genesis 3. Wouldn’t you rather be on His side, and have Him on yours?
-Reese
-Reese
Watch Reese deliver the lesson at the Morning Pointe below! ↓
Watch Reese deliver the lesson at the Morning Pointe below! ↓
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