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January 7, 2009
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
The Hand of God, by Wesley Shutt
If you Google "Hand of God" the initial results are probably not what
you might have expected. In 1986, Diego Maradona, arguably the greatest
soccer player ever in the world, scored one of soccer history's most
controversial goals. Diego was playing for his home country, Argentina,
and his goal came against international rivals, England, during the
1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Diego leapt toward the ball that an England defender failed to clear
and discretely punched the ball into the back of the net with his hand
(the use of hands is taboo in soccer). A difficult angle for the
referees prevented them from dismissing the goal; so instead, it was
awarded. Argentina went on to become champions in the world's most
prestigious soccer tournament. The goal was soon nicknamed the Hand of
God after Diego admitted in an interview that he had scored "a little
with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God".
Accrediting the goal to God was a lighthearted attempt to deflect the
outraged objectors' cries for a more just ruling. Diego's subtle
admission of his unconventional score reminds me that God's hand is at
work in each of our lives.
"What is He working so hard at?"
Jesus told the religious leaders of his day, "My Father is always at
his work to this very day, and I, too, am working" (John 5:17 NIV).
"What is He working so hard at?" He's bringing the whole world to Him
through Jesus. He aches for us all to accept Jesus as lord of our lives
and to follow Jesus' way of living. Nonstop, God is implementing his
plan to reconcile us to him through Jesus. It is through Jesus that we
are made righteous before God. His perfect life gives precious hope to
us that are imperfect.
Have you recognized that God is working to bring you to Him?
Visit our website, www.hopeforlife.org, to watch video testimonies
about people that have accepted God and stop by our blog to leave a
comment. If you would like, send me an email at
wshutt@heraldoftruth.org.
(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing,
retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.)
Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has
come!"
This new life is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If
you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you,
sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life,
whatever you've done, you can begin again.
You may also contact us at info@hopeforlife.org if you have questions
about becoming a new creation.
---------
(c) 2009 Herald of Truth
RELATED LINKS:
* Hope for Life Blog
http://www.hopeforlife.org/blog/index.asp
* Far from Home
http://www.hopeforlife.org/blog/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=62
* Profiles of hope
http://hopeforlife.org/profiles/
* Hope for Life
http://www.hopeforlife.org
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200901/20090107_God's Hand.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
BREAKING FREE, by Beth Moore
Moore teaches us to identify--and remove--the spiritual barriers that
hinder our daily freedom in Christ.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?153
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
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