Thursday, May 05, 2005

Winning Edges Pt 2- Learning to Battle

Judges 3:1 "The LORD left certain nations in the land to test those Israelites who had not participated in the wars of Canaan. 2 He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.
10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him (Othniel), and he became Israel's judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the LORD gave Othniel victory over him. 11 So there was peace in the land for forty years.
27 When he arrived in the hill country of Ephraim, Ehud sounded a call to arms. Then he led a band of Israelites down from the hills. 28 "Follow me," he said, "for the LORD has given you victory over Moab your enemy." So they followed him. And the Israelites took control of the shallows of the Jordan River across from Moab, preventing anyone from crossing. 29 They attacked the Moabites and killed about ten thousand of their strongest and bravest warriors. Not one of them escaped. 30 So Moab was conquered by Israel that day, and the land was at peace for eighty years."

One thing that sets football apart from any other sport is putting on armor and going to war. It is not natural. I remember being so afraid at times playing football- but I faced my fear and became more of a man.

This life requires learning to fight. One day you may have to fight for a job, for your wife, fight against disease or a tough situation. You may have to fight for your faith. Jesus was a great fighter. He used tough words against the Pharisees, he fashioned a whip and drove out the money changers, he carried a cross up the mountain bleeding and hurting for me.

Becoming a champion means- learning to battle. Become a warrior in training!

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