Sunday Tidbit: The Power of the Cross

     Occasionally, I have a prophetic dream. From the Old Testament to the New, dreams and visions are one way God communicates. The ability to hear from God is not limited to Old Testament prophets but extends to all New Testament believers. While they do not replace Scripture, they can highlight a timely biblical truth. For instance, the Lord once revealed to me in a dream the power of the Cross. 

   I was wrestling with the devil. Grasping him, we engaged in “hand-to-hand” combat for some time. It was a battle for dominance. I tried to throw him over a cliff, but he prevailed. Finally, I threw him to the ground. Standing over him, I declared the name of Jesus. Suddenly, the Cross of Jesus appeared in the sky. A large beam of light shone from the Cross onto him. The devil, unable to move, I walked away a free man. Satan was defeated at Calvary.

    Our human effort, strength, and resources cannot defeat Satan. I thank God that through Christ, “We have been delivered from the power of darkness” Colossians 1:13). When Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), there was nothing more to do. By grace through faith, we received forgiveness for sin and eternal life. Jesus said, 

 “For this cause the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil’ (1 John 3:8).

     But there is much more. Through Christ, we have fellowship with our heavenly Father. His peace, love, joy, power, and strength are ours in Christ Jesus. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister as Jesus did when He walked this earth: to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and restore sight to the blind (see Luke 4:18, John 14:12, and Matthew 10:8).  

     Over the years, I have faced many battles, including Post-Traumatic Stress and the effects of Agent Orange. God once healed my lame leg, injured in a motorcycle accident, and my lower back pain. Over the years, I have received spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental healing. This too is the grace of God, for by His stripes we are healed (1 Peter 2:24). 

    There are still battles to face. Each of us has our own battlefield. I thank God for the grace of His supernatural power that exceeds our expectations:

   Now unto Him who is able to do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL that we ask or think, according to His power… Unto Him be the glory” (Ephesians 3:20,21).

   The song I sing each day is one of victory. There is nothing more to do- it is finished. Christ has risen. From the place of His victory, we are victorious.

  In His heart and love – Roy Roden

Eastgate Ministries