Box Score: Jesus 1 devil 0

It happened last night. It was around 2am in the morning. I woke up and found myself sweating. I was wondering why because most of the time I am a little chilly. I saw my wife peacefully dreaming beside me. I got jealous! I rolled over and shut my eyes. All of a sudden fear came over me. Not a “you’re fired” or “where did mommy go” fear…but something more sinister, darker. All of a sudden thoughts of “what if’s” filled my mind. With every passing moment, the thoughts got worse. What if the storm outside causes lighting to hit the house, what if the 412 kids are in trouble, what if something ever happens to Annie, what if I died right now….what if the baby doesn’t make it? That was the last straw for me. I knew where this fear was coming and it wasn’t anything from heaven! My youth pastor growing up (Kenn) showed me Philippians 2:9-11 and I have never forgotten it. I cried out for Jesus to help me get through the fear. See, God is big enough to handle all of our problems…even at 2am! I prayed for protection over the house. I prayed for my wife to have one of the best nights of her life, I prayed that God would protect me, and then I began to pray for the baby (“cleatus the fetus” is what we have the youth group calling him/her). I asked God to calm my fears right then and there. “Lord, I know this is Satan trying to get after me. I know I’ve got two opportunities to preach to the youth tomorrow (FCA & 412) and the devil is trying to jack with me. Dad, you are so bigger than the devil could ever be and you hold us in the palm of your hand”. Immediately after the prayer, the fear sensation left. It was like, I said amen & it was gone! I guess I am writing this for two reasons: know that God is present with you even while you sleep and the power of Jesus’ name. Wherever you are, what ever you are doing today, I pray that God will calm you in the storm, no matter if it’s 2am or 2pm. Jesus so bigger than the devil could ever be! Score one for Jesus!!