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10/23/09 11:50 pm
i read this story from the daily bread and i really like it.
In 2004, Josh Hamilton was an outstanding pro baseball prospect, but he was suspended because of drug abuse. Then one night Josh had a life-changing dream. He was fighting the devil. "I had a stick," he said, "and every time I hit him, he'd fall and get back up. I hit him until I was exhausted, and he was still standing."
After that nightmare, Hamilton vowed to stay clean. The dream returned, but with an important difference."I would hit the devil and he would bounce back," said Josh. But this time Josh was not alone. He said, "I turned my head and Jesus was battling alongside me. We kept fighting, and I was filled with strength. The devil didn't stand a chance."
The Bible says that the devil doesn't stand a chance because the Spirit, who is in us, is greater than he is (1John 4:4). Christ came to destroy the works of the devil through His life, ministry, and sacrifice (3:8). At the cross, He disarmed and triumphed over the devil (Col 1:13-14; 2:15).
Though defeated by the cross, the devil remains active in this world. But his final defeat is certain (Rev 20:7-10). Until then, we take up the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18), standing firm against him by Jesus' blood and His Word. He doesn't stand a chance.
I'm glad I was at prayer meeting today.. To be honest, I've been feeling far away from God for the past weeks. Though I know the bible says that He's always with me.. all the time.. till the end of age.. I can't help but think otherwise.. School's been really stifling and I haven't been spending much time with God. He touched me so deeply at the altar, I can't even articulate the experience but all I knew at that instance was that I want to be near to Him because he's my refuge and my creator God. And though all things may fail, fade and pass away, I am always safe when I'm with Him.
Times like this, my heart is filled with immense gratitude. I am so thankful for my salvation, that though I don't deserve it, God has brought me into His Kingdom, and I am set free because of His Truth. No don't get me wrong, life is not all perfect the moment you receive Christ, and there are many issues which I still have to juggle with, but I know my God holds my world in His palms, He is the one who steers the ship on which I sail...
i look back and I marvel at what God has done in my life... I can't imagine how I'll be like today if not for Him, if not for His Truth being revealed before me... Will I be another lost soul out there not knowing the reason of my existence, or perhaps struggling to find my place is a world that is twisted and corrupted... I ponder and I marvel, and i can't help but lift my hands and say that I love Him...
You need to experience Him if you haven't...
huishuang
In 2004, Josh Hamilton was an outstanding pro baseball prospect, but he was suspended because of drug abuse. Then one night Josh had a life-changing dream. He was fighting the devil. "I had a stick," he said, "and every time I hit him, he'd fall and get back up. I hit him until I was exhausted, and he was still standing."
After that nightmare, Hamilton vowed to stay clean. The dream returned, but with an important difference."I would hit the devil and he would bounce back," said Josh. But this time Josh was not alone. He said, "I turned my head and Jesus was battling alongside me. We kept fighting, and I was filled with strength. The devil didn't stand a chance."
The Bible says that the devil doesn't stand a chance because the Spirit, who is in us, is greater than he is (1John 4:4). Christ came to destroy the works of the devil through His life, ministry, and sacrifice (3:8). At the cross, He disarmed and triumphed over the devil (Col 1:13-14; 2:15).
Though defeated by the cross, the devil remains active in this world. But his final defeat is certain (Rev 20:7-10). Until then, we take up the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18), standing firm against him by Jesus' blood and His Word. He doesn't stand a chance.
I'm glad I was at prayer meeting today.. To be honest, I've been feeling far away from God for the past weeks. Though I know the bible says that He's always with me.. all the time.. till the end of age.. I can't help but think otherwise.. School's been really stifling and I haven't been spending much time with God. He touched me so deeply at the altar, I can't even articulate the experience but all I knew at that instance was that I want to be near to Him because he's my refuge and my creator God. And though all things may fail, fade and pass away, I am always safe when I'm with Him.
Times like this, my heart is filled with immense gratitude. I am so thankful for my salvation, that though I don't deserve it, God has brought me into His Kingdom, and I am set free because of His Truth. No don't get me wrong, life is not all perfect the moment you receive Christ, and there are many issues which I still have to juggle with, but I know my God holds my world in His palms, He is the one who steers the ship on which I sail...
i look back and I marvel at what God has done in my life... I can't imagine how I'll be like today if not for Him, if not for His Truth being revealed before me... Will I be another lost soul out there not knowing the reason of my existence, or perhaps struggling to find my place is a world that is twisted and corrupted... I ponder and I marvel, and i can't help but lift my hands and say that I love Him...
You need to experience Him if you haven't...
huishuang
