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This
week we are looking at strongholds. What is a stronghold? Why do we
need to know about them? There are two kinds and one is good and one
is not. Let's look at this verse...
For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal
but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting
down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ, (2 Cor. 10:4-5)
Focusing
on this part of the verse, we see that it has to do with our
thoughts. When the devil gets us to think negative thoughts, he is
making inroads into the way our lives will go if we let him keep
filling our minds with negativity.
We have
to do something, called "taking every thought captive that does
not line up with God's Word. That means stop that thought in its
tracks and replace it with a positive thought. Jesus is the Word. We have to replace the negative, or
evil thoughts with what God says about us in His Word. That's how we
destroy strongholds, or anything that tries to get a grip on our
thinking, to bring us down.
We can
run to God, because He is to be our stronghold, (place of refuge) in
every situation...
The Lord is my rock
and my fortress
and my deliverer; My God, my strength,
in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn
of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm
18:2)
What we
need to do is fill our hearts and minds with what the Word of God
says, and destroy what the enemy tries to plant in our hearts and
minds. Let's look at several scriptures that will certainly take us
from defeated thinking to victorious thinking...
When
I am under attack:
"No
weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue
that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is
the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is
of me, says the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17
When
I feel insignificant:
“Greater
is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
When
I feel lifeless:
“I
shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” Psalm
118:17
When
I feel sick:
“He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His
stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
When
I am worried:
“Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6
When
I’m having a bad day:
“This
is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
When
I am in a storm:
“Fear
not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are
mine.
When
you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass
through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk
through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm
you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your
Savior; Isaiah 43:1-3
When
I don’t understand:
“The
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
When
I am shaken:
“The
LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my
strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my
salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2
When
I need assistance:
“I
will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help. My
help cometh from the Lord?” Psalm 121:1
When
I am financially drained:
“My
God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by
Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
When
I am afraid:
“Yea
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil, for you are with me.” Psalm 23:4
When
I am confused:
“God
has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and
of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7
When
I am alarmed:
“I
will lie down in peace and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me
dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
When
I don’t feel like I am able:
“Now
to Him who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all I can ask or
think.” Ephesians 3:20
When
I feel deserted:
“There
is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Psalm 18:24
When
I feel down and out:
“Thou,
O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.”
Psalm 3:3
When
I feel weak:
“The
joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
When
I need a solution:
“Before
you call I will answer; while you are yet speaking I will hear.”
Isaiah 65:24
When
I can’t find my way:
“Thine
ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye
in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”
Isaiah 30:21
When
I am guilty:
“There
is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus.” Romans 8:1
When
I am alone:
“Be
strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid; neither be thou
dismayed, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
When
I feel like God is distant:
“The
LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in
truth.” Psalm 145:18
When
I am in darkness:
“The
LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord
is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
When
I feel like no one’s got my back:
“Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6
When
I feel unsettled:
“Stand
still and see the Salvation of the Lord.” 2nd Chronicles 20:17
When
I feel defeated:
“Thanks
be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ.” 2
Corinthians 2:14
Let's
try to do what the Lord is showing us in the picture above and let
Him wrap His loving arms (Himself - the Word) around our thoughts and
bring down negative thinking once and for all!
Be
blessed, healed and rejoice because the victory is yours! Just say it
and believe it and receive it!
Have a
wonderful week and always let us know how we can be praying for or
with you!
This
blog is reaching people all over the world! God is sending His Word
out to the nations! Be blessed and filled dear friend and pass this
message along to others.
We love
you so much!
Love
and blessings!
Denny
& Hanny Stearns
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