Day 1590 MARCH 13TH – RENEW YOUR MIND…TAKE DOWN STRONGHOLDS!
STRONGHOLDS: In biblical teachings, the term “stronghold” often refers to a fortified place, a strong defense against enemies. However, its spiritual significance extends beyond physical fortifications. Strongholds can represent the thoughts, beliefs, or habits that keep us from fully embracing God’s truth and freedom. These strongholds manifest in patterns of sinful behavior, false beliefs, and spiritual oppression. The Bible has much to say about identifying, overcoming, and finding freedom from spiritual strongholds through the power of Jesus Christ. These strongholds are established in a person’s mind through repetition of thoughts, actions, or false teachings (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Just as an enemy army would fortify a physical stronghold, spiritual strongholds are fortified with lies, deception, and sinful patterns.
The strongholds of hearts are fortified against divine truth, leading to cycles of sin and repentance. Understanding this historical backdrop allows us to see how strongholds can be both physical and spiritual. Strongholds cause personal chaos but open up doors to new opportunities. This is where we can be thankful for all things. Where the enemy wills for bad, God turns them into good.
“Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses [strongholds]” (2 Corinthians 10: 3-4).
This passage above reveals the following facts about our warfare:
1) Our battle is not planned according to the way this world fights; earthly stratagems are not our concern. Ww must be aware of Footholds!
FOOTHOLDS: A foothold refers to a secure position from which further progress can be made. In a spiritual sense, it suggests a small area of influence or control that can be expanded if not addressed. A foothold is a strategic position from which one can advance. In World War II, Allied forces invaded Normandy, France, and established a beachhead—a foothold—behind enemy lines. That foothold allowed the Allies to create a base of operations and proved to be the springboard to victory in Europe.
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4: 26-27)
To help one deny footholds from the enemy, here are some practical things one can do…forgive – unforgiveness and bitterness give the devil footholds big enough to pull his body in. We must make sure never to allow the enemy some room in our lives. There are some times, however, when we unwittingly give the enemy a foothold from where he can influence our decisions.
2) At the moment of conversion, Christians are enlisted in a spiritual army and involved in a spiritual war as they immediately become an enemy of Satan. The military symbolism utilized by Paul to describe our spiritual armor includes footwear: we are to have our “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”. We must be sure our feet do not slip. It’s important that we maintain the foothold we have and not lose ground.
Our weapons are not physical, for our warfare is spiritual in nature. Rather than guns and tanks, our weapons are those of the “full armor of God” and consist of “the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6: 14-17).
3) Our power comes from God alone.
4) God’s plan is to demolish spiritual strongholds.
The Christian, wearing his spiritual armor and bearing his spiritual weapons, sets out to “conquer” the world for Christ, but he soon finds obstacles. The enemy has erected strongly fortified garrisons to resist the Truth and thwart God’s plan of redemption. There is the fortress of human reasoning, reinforced with many subtle arguments and the pretense of logic. There is the castle of passion, with flaming battlements defended by lust, pleasure, and greed. And there is the pinnacle of pride, in which the human heart sits enthroned and revels in thoughts of its own excellence and sufficiency.
The enemy is firmly entrenched; these strongholds have been guarded for thousands of years, presenting a great wall of resistance to the Truth. None of this deters the Christian warrior, however. Using the weapons of God’s choosing, he attacks the strongholds, and by the miraculous power of Christ, the walls are breached, and the bastions of sin and error are battered down. The victorious Christian enters the ruins and leads captive, as it were, every false theory and every human philosophy that had once proudly asserted its independence from God.
If this sounds a lot like Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho, you’re right. What a great illustration of spiritual truth that story is in (Joshua 6).
Sharing the gospel is not the only time we see resistance. We can also face demonic strongholds in our own lives, in our families, and even in our churches. Anyone who has fought an addiction, struggled with pride, or had to “flee youthful lusts” knows that sin, a lack of faith, and a worldly outlook on life are indeed “strongholds”. Fighting back against Satan begins with submitting to God (James 4:17) and requires drawing near to God (James 4:8). It involves using God’s Word, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and praying “in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18). It is when the Christian gives God everything and refuses to give Satan an inch that he finds safety and security.
“PRODIGAL DEVOTIONAL…A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY” – PROJECT!
All of us desire to know what truth is; what happens after I die; or what is my purpose for living. Young and old go through these various struggles. The Bible states in Isaiah 1:18 – “Let us reason together”. It states in Hosea 4:6 – “My people perish for lack of knowledge”. God wants us to know Him in a personal way and He desires for each of us to discover our purpose and destiny in life! Why not start a movement to directly help parents, grandparents, youth pastors, campus leaders to train and equip our young people and “PRODIGALS”? Why not create a “Spiritual Journey Devotional” to bring back prodigals, but also prevent the younger generation from becoming one. I (Rick) have worked on University campuses for years talking with countless young people (thousands) discussing and debating issues regarding God and the Bible. Opportunities to debate with representatives of other religions, atheists, agnostics, liberals and philosophies have been numerous. Also many liberal professors challenged me. Out of these experiences seems to arise a constant flow of redundant questions and topics. I have come to conclude that the questions and answers must be given to our young people.
PRODIGALS: Many in your congregation or sphere of influence have children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and spouses who have become prodigals. Many wonder what happened as they were brought up in a Christian home. Can this be addressed directly in our churches and homes???
POINT TO PONDER: Many parents, pastors, youth leaders, cannot answer basic questions which are used to confuse believers and create seeds of doubt. We send our kids ill equipped into the world. Why not create a “DEVOTIONAL” answering these questions for parents and leaders to impact our church culture? It would be broken down into 3 sections – babes, you, and those mature in Christ. .Numerous church leaders I have contacted said this must be done.. In my publication “Bible to be True” evidence was given. I believe it was a good start for a family devotional – proving the Bible to be undoubtedly true. What if each parent could cover one of those topics each week? Then tackle the basic questions that are in the new upcoming Devotional – 70 other questions or topical areas would be included. The plan would be a 4 color, High Gloss 100 page devotional.
WHAT IS THE COST PROJECTION???: Based on printing of 5000 copies in the past this is only an estimate to have it done with excellence…10,000$-15,000$. I have spoken with many leaders and they have given me counsel on how to proceed. They all said it is necessary to get this project moving forward. Look at what is happening on some universities: https://cbn.com/news/us/they-want-god-8000-students-seek-jesus-huge-kentucky-revival-2000-give-lives-christ?fbclid=IwY2xjawIkNIdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZ0tBU2qo7LNH95j_YuxGjJ_CGHtdpWmvq6HRPakw4Un4-TOm9SEmBqvvw_aem_xjtW6onajoQPjsNifHNNLA
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SPECIAL PRESENTATION – FRAUD UPDATES…BUILDING THE BODY!
3/12 RENEWING OUR MIND OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS
SYRIA PERSECUTION
MONTH OF MIRACLES
END OF IRAN REGIME
