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The
stands are filled to capacity; the spotlight is turned on and picks
up
the ring in the center. The announcer begins, 'In this corner is
Pilgrim,
weighing in at a heavy load of cares and burdens. He is fighting for his
life,
but He says he is hopeful; because he has been in similar rings many
times
with this same opponent and emerged the champion.' Attention is
drawn
to the contender who is outfitted in attire recognized by many who
are
familiar with Ephesians 6:13. He is flexing all his muscles
'strengthened
with all might, according to His glorious power' (Colossians 3:11).
Though
weary and tired from previous fights, he holds his head high and
raises his
gloved hands in triumph, feeling confident because he knows he is
'strengthened with might through His Spirit' (Ephesians 3:16).
The announcer continues the introductions: 'And in this corner is
Lucifer,
an experienced fighter, who has been fighting since time began. He
has many victories behind him and expects to be the victor tonight.
He keeps himself
in shape by constant workouts and fights; and his strategy is to
study his opponent’s weaknesses, then wait for the right opportunity
to take
advantage of an opponent to score a KO.'
Pilgrim is not intimidated by the many victories claimed by Lucifer.
He
knows that many have been felled by his KO punch, but he also knows
that
many others have come away victorious and walked away even stronger
than they were before the fight.
Every successful fighter is supported by a manager who knows the
ropes
and keeps his fighter buoyed up by words of encouragement. He
trains him
to be alert to the tactics of his opponent and how to defend himself as well
as how to throw the punch that will defeat his opponent.
As the fight begins, Lucifer dances around on the mat, luring
Pilgrim into
his hitting range. He thinks pilgrim will get careless and at that
precise
moment, a KO blow will land Pilgrim on the mat for the count. What
he
failed to take into account was Pilgrim’s Manager. His expert
training
had prepared Pilgrim for this fight.
You see, Manager faced Lucifer in a battle for His earthly ministry
in a
wilderness place many years before. There were no ringside
seats, flashbulbs
or reporters; but the great victory that was won there has been
published
for two thousand years. That victory zooms into pilgrim’s
consciousness,
and he knows he is prepared for this fight.
Pilgrim draws back and with all his might smashes Lucifer with a
right jab...
'It is written!' Then a left jab...'It is written!' Lucifer
staggers, flinging erratic punches at Pilgrim but only glances him
with blows. A one-two jab..' It is
written!' and Lucifer hits the mat and the count begins:
'1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10--Knockout!'
The crowd is on its feet and roars! The great 'cloud of witnesses'
(Hebrews 12:1) had experienced their own bouts with Lucifer
and had won and were jubilant at Pilgrim’s victory.
Winning brought great satisfaction to Pilgrim, but the purse that
came with
the victory was what he was excited about. Having overcome Lucifer’s
attempt to defeat him, he now heads for the payoff...Eternal Life in
the Manager’s mansion!
There can be no defeat when your Manager is the Master strategist in
the ring.
He knows every move, every footwork trick and every sneak attack by
the opponent. He can’t be surprised, and every fighter He manages
always comes
out a winner.
Don’t try to face your opponent alone. You’ll be on the mat for the
count
before you know what hit you. Put yourself in the hand of the Master
for
training before you have to go into the ring to face the challenger. You
are
no match for him alone. He is a friend of the mob, and they are out to win
at any cost. They don’t play by the rules and will go to any length
to gain
a victory. Use the jab that will always score a KO -- 'It is
written!'
'For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the
victory
that has overcome the world,our faith. Who is he who overcomes the
world,
but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?' (1 John 5:4-5 NKJV).
Jesus dealt the KO blow once and for all~~at Calvary.
~~Delores~~
@
2013 All Rights Reserved
Alice's Legacy
Remembering Alice
Bible Studies
The "Handkerchief" has been anointed and prayed
over by several believers who care
about you and want to help you realize your full potential in Christ
Jesus Our Lord.
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