Month: July 2016

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5

Pulling Down Strongholds

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Bible KJV http://www.biblegateway.com

God is mighty in pulling down strongholds!

Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh

Carnal weapons are not physical violence or psychological manipulation.

Every day Satan and his demons are trying to entice us into his sin-filled world. He will use every chance he can, to lure us in. A stronghold is where Satan will tempt us to sin. Perhaps the stronghold is in how we live our lives; partying, drinking, overindulging in all sorts of ways. Perhaps we steal, gossip, bully someone and the likes. Whatever our sin is, we tend to justify of our actions and gives Satan has a grip on us. The best way of pulling down the strongholds is fight the enemy is through God’s divine power of prayer, good works and especially using God’s Word.

Inside we feel and know what we’re doing is not right. Whatever our downfall is, that’s where the enemy sets his focus on. And believe me, he will come after us in full strength. Quite often we even enjoy our sinful nature and don’t really want to stop. Over the top partying, doing drugs, overindulging in anything, seems to be fun and we delight in many of the sinful ways. Most often, we don’t even believe what we are doing is wrong. Even murderers, rapists, and the likes, find ways to justify what they are doing.

However, in reality, something deep inside of us, says what we are doing is wrong. Sometimes, our “gut” instinct wants us to quit what we are doing, but we can’t seem to stop. The good news is that God’s angels battle for us all the time in the heavenly realm. The Holy Spirit convicts us – giving us the “gut” feeling we have saying stop. When our conscience is talking to us, we need to listen. We need to ask ourselves do I really want to be doing or acting like this?” If truthful to yourself, the answer is most likely “no, I don’t”.

Angels are fighting at pulling down the strongholds placed on us

We need the help the angels who are fighting for us. When we sin and feel convicted, many people perhaps believe they should break their habit, but won’t, don’t or can’t seem to change on their own. God has sent help and we can be of assistance, when we use the defenses of God! The angles fight for us in a place where our earthly weapons cannot help. God has given us a way to assist in the battle. Since we cannot use our human (carnal) artilleries, God has given us special equipment to wear and to use, called the amour of God.

When in difficult situations, we have the habit of trying to fend for ourselves. Because of that we usually end up in a condition/position worse than when we began. However, when covered by the armour of God, we are mighty, strong and able to stand up to the situation. God’s armour works on both what we can see and especially on those that are unseen (the enemy – Satan).

Praising God is the best way to fight when in spiritual warfare. At this point a physical fight is impossible. However, being mighty in God and by using God’s divine power is the way to go. Using God’s words and prayer, is the absolute best way of pulling down the strongholds the enemy has placed on us. Although we walk as human beings, our biggest foes are not humans, but Satan and his spiritual forces.

Be mighty in God using His divine power

Much like the equipment a warrior wore many years ago, there are 7 items. However the Armour of God is very different. Each piece of Gods armour cannot be seen by humans but are clearly seen and felt by Satan, the enemy.

  1. Belt of truth – holds the words of God. Know and use the words from the Bible against the enemy.
  2. Breast plate of righteousness – cleanses us. Ask for forgiveness from our sin and be morally righteous through Jesus.
  3. Gospel of peace – walk covered with God’s peace regardless of situation.
  4. Shield of faith – knowing, without doubt, that Jesus is the one and only true Son of God and he will shield us.
  5. Helmet of Salvation – through Jesus, we have authority over the enemy (Satan and his warriors).
  6. Sword of the Spirit – The Holy Spirit will remind us of God’s words when we need them. This is why it is important to read the Bible and know the Word so the Holy Spirit can help us.
  7. Prayer – our most effective method of warfare. We need to pray for ourselves, for others, for situations, for health, for finances, for marriages, etc.

Start each day with the Armour of God in place.

That way we will be alert and ready to face the day’s challenges. Every time we feel attacked, we can gain control of our emotions by using the Armour of God. Pulling down the strongholds that have us captive is up to us. We must fight the enemy by using God’s methods.

By having this control, and using the Word of God, his armour, and the name of Jesus, the situation becomes reversed and authority is gained over the enemy.

Do you want to learn more? More information in Ephesians 6:10-20 Here is a prayer for the Armour of God.

Wear the armour of God as a way of pulling down the strongholds.

My Prayer for 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

My Dear Heavenly Father,

In today’s darkened world, the enemy is working twice as hard to dominate all people and situations. You Lord have a way of pulling down the strongholds! Hallelujah!

Satan is attempting to convince everyone that you Lord, are not worth worshipping. His time of free reign on this earth is quickly drawing to a close. He’s hoping to get all unbelievers and Christians to turn away from you and he desires that all people in the world would see him as king rather than you. As a Christian, it is extremely important that I must be vigilant in watching for Satan’s lies and tricks. I must be ready at all times, dressed in God’s armour.

I realize that just because I am wearing armour, it doesn’t mean that I will never be persecuted or won’t have to endure Satan’s wrath. Sometimes bad things just happen. Also bad things happen because the enemy is working in my life, trying to draw me away from you Lord. In both cases, it’s very important for me to stand strong and firm, protected by my armour, and let you deal with the situation.

It’s important that I give my worries over to you Lord.

I know Father that sometimes, I immediately start to worry when I know I shouldn’t. Because I am your child, through your son, Jesus Christ, and it’s important for me to give these worries over to you.

However, it can be hard to stay in my faith when everything around me looks hopeless, appearing like it will never be rectified. At this point, my faith and strength in you may start to fail and I will resort to my own methods. It is very important that I must resist these impulses to work on my own.

The earthly weapons I may use (worry, stress, anger, helplessness, depression, trying anything and everything, etc.) are useless and futile: whereas your spiritual weapons are mighty and will overcome everything.

Thank you Lord for giving me a way to fight back.

Thank you Father for reminding me again how important it is to put on my armour each and every day. Yes, I know that by wearing it, I am not immune to bad or stressful times and I can’t even be assured that they won’t last long. However, I can be assured that everything happening in my life will be completed in your time and according to your will.

Knowing that you are always in control of every situation, I can rest assured that, with your armour intact, I will be able to give all situations over to you and then go about my day, in peace.

Father, thank you for always having my back and being with me through all the good times and the trials. I am so thankful.

In the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen

John 14: 26-27

We Are Never Alone

John 14:26-27

We are Never Alone

  • 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
  • 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
  • You can read the complete chapter here:www.biblegateway.com
Hand drawn picture of Jesus holding a bible. John 14-26-27
John 14:26-27

During his 3 year ministry, Jesus taught the disciples everything they needed to know, to continue building the church after his crucifixion.

Following his resurrection, Jesus spends some more time with the apostles. And then announces that he must leave the earth to go back to his Father. He assures them they will not be alone. Jesus assures the apostles that God will send them, a comforter, in Jesus’ name. That is, a helper (the Holy Ghost) that will be much like Jesus himself.

Jesus says that The Holy Spirit will remind them of the things that he said while on earth and he will teach them what they need to know. The Holy Spirit arrived, and empowered the apostles, just as Jesus said he would.

Still today, the Holy Spirit, is living in Christians. He is leading us, guiding, helping, nudging and keeping us in line with God’s Word.

Peace I Leave With You

In those days, “Peace I leave with you” was a Jewish salutation. Many could have thought Jesus was giving them a greeting or benediction, but he wasn’t. Jesus was giving the apostles the “peace that passes understanding”. The peace that Jesus blessed the apostles with was also meant for all of God’s children, throughout the generations to come.

Christians will go through trials and tribulations like every other man on earth. The Bible tells us that even the disciples/apostles endured tribulation in their lives. However. with the Holy Spirit living within the believers in Jesus, we have the unique opportunity to stand strong, without worry or fear. As a result Christians are able to continually maintain deep peace, especially during raging storms. If we stand in faith, the Holy Spirit will help us and secure Jesus’ peace on us.

Picture of man standing on sea shore. Text says we are never alone because the Father has sent the Holy Spirit in Jesus' name.
John 14:26-27

My Prayer For John 14:26-27

Divine God,

You are a most loving Father. Not only did you create this world and everything in it, but you sent Jesus to earth for our salvation and to teach us your ways. You sent the Holy Spirit to live in us, guiding, leading and teaching us.

God (the Trinity), you are everything that we will ever need, both now and in the hereafter. Thank you Father for all you do for us on a continual basis.. And, for the love you are never in short supply of.

Too many times, in difficult situations, I forget to immediately turn to you. I don’t think to listen for the Holy Spirit’s leading. I don’t always remember that Jesus is waiting to comfort me with open arms. It is during those times that I feel lost, alone, frightened. As a result, I may believe the enemies lies that everything is too big to handle. Then, everything all starts closing in on me.

Praise be to you God!

Suddenly, I will hear the Holy Spirit’s still voice within me, I feel Jesus’ arms encircle me. As a result, I know that you Father are sending me love and peace. Then I am reassured, without doubt that you are in charge of everything. It is in those moments that I can take a deep breath, relax and feel peaceful, in spite of what is going on around me.

Someone may ask; how can you relax when everything around you is in turmoil? My answer is that the Lord has sent me the “peace that passes understanding”. At times, I can’t understand how I can have peace during these times. However, I know that you, Father God, have the power to allow me to relax. In fact, I can be assured and know, without doubt, that everything will work out as it should. Not by my will, but by yours Lord.

Thank you Father, for your gift of Jesus, for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for peace. Mostly Lord, I thank you for love; the greatest of all gifts!

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray Amen.

Prayer – Faith In God’s Power Prayer – God Has Made It Possible

PROVERBS 29:11

You Have The Right To Remain Silent – Use It!

11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Bible KJV www.biblegateway.com

Right to remain silent – use it.

Rambling on and on, is the Bible’s definition of a fool!

It sounds so easy to just remain silent when in a heated argument, however it is not an easy task to do. If a man is angry and immediately spews out that anger, he may say more than he means to say. However a wise man will hold the anger and let his mind and body relax before he discusses what has made him angry and why.

When an argument erupts chances are that both parties will attempt to speak at the same time. What happens is that while both are trying to get their point across, they are only listening to their own opinions because each person is thinking about what they are going to say next.

A fool vents their anger, but the wise remain silent

By trying to speak over or silencing someone, you are doing the opposite to what you are attempting to do. That is, if you are attempting to silence someone, you are just building more tension. Best thing is to remain silent when someone expects rage. When you pause and listen to the other person long enough for them to finish saying what they need to say, the underlying emotions can be released.

If something happens and our emotions have already taken over, the best thing to do is stop and relax. Having a cooling down time allows the anger to be calmed. Talk to God, before speaking to the other person. Ask for his peace to come over the situation. How to find peace? Check out this link Break the Chain of Anger and Move On

Speak less, listen more

There is another scenario that Proverbs 29:11 can fall under. Assuming that there are two or more people talking. If one man tells everything he knows on a subject, all at once, he is then out of the conservation. When he tries to get back into it, all he can do is to rehash what he has already presented. However, if he had began by sharing a little bit of information at a time, he would be adding to the conversation, as it progresses.

It’s important for us to learn to listen more and speak less and not run on at the mouth in any situation. We need to control our anger or it will take control over us. Here is a thought for us to keep in mind the next time we are tempted to ramble on; God gave us mouths that shut and ears that don’t! Remember that you have the right to remain silent – use it! If you don’t, anything you say will be misquoted and used against you!

I have the right to remain silent, but sometimes I don’t have the ability

My prayer for Proverbs 29:11

Dear Father,

I always have the right to remain silent however, often I don’t use that right. Sometimes, I am like the fool! Whatever comes to mind, I talk about. Often I don’t even stop long enough to sensor or check out what I am about to say. However, I am glad to say that with your help, I am learning each day to filter my words and stop the rambling.

Because I am still learning the process of learning to remain silent, I need your help everyday. I ask Father, that you would watch over what I see, hear, think and especially say. I need the Holy Spirit to convict me and make me aware of the times that I go speak on and on so that I can stop and hear what others want to say.

Controlling anger is hard for most of us.

Anger usually reaches a boiling point and then watching what we say is not our priority. However, with the Holy Spirits guidance, I now take a deep breath and immediately ask for peace to cover the situation and all who are involved. With the covering of peace, the situation is quickly defused.

Father, thank you that I am still learning. Thank you for your leading, loving and especially your patience throughout my training period. I am truly blessed!

In the name of my Lord, Jesus, I pray

Amen