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Sunday, September 24, 2017

What Strongholds Are In Your Life That Need Breaking?

Stagecoach, NV

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

     A stronghold is ANYTHING that goes against God’s Word, or ties you to doing things you know, if Jesus was right next to you – YOU’D BE ASHAMED OF DOING.  I don’t need to elaborate on these; we all know what strongholds we have and must destroy them, before they destroy us.
     My purpose of teaching this is to help you eliminate and destroy any stronghold that keeps you away from obeying Abba [God].  Do you remember who places the stronghold on us?  [John 10:10 NKJV] "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  [Jesus] I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly.”   Is your cup full or half empty?
     So the twerp [enemy] comes to every Christian to steal what Abba has given you, to destroy your relationship with Abba and finally so the twerp can have you for eternity when you are killed.
     Yet Jesus came not only for you to be set free, but to have a clean slate with Abba and have your name entered into the book of life then live with Him in His Body, here on earth that is abundant living!
     Many ask, why do I NOT HAVE a better life?  Or WHY ME LORD?  Both answers are usually the same.  You have strongholds you’ve never dealt with, that are strangling you. 
     This will answer you questions… [2Corinthians 10:3-12 NKJV] 3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he [is] Christ's, even so we [are] Christ's. 8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed-- 9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10 "For [his] letters," they say, "[are] weighty and powerful, but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible." 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such [we will] also [be] in deed when we are present. 12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
     I know that’s a mouth full, but how true and factual it is.  As I’ve discussed many times, we have been give the authority by Jesus Himself and it was approved by Abba, in Heaven, before Jesus came. See Isaiah 54:17.   So let’s break this down.
     “For though “we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh  you cannot overcome a stronghold by trying to do it in the flesh – it won’t work, you’ll only please the twerp.  Because “the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God  The sooner you and I learn that we have no power against this world, except what the Lord has provided, the sooner we can break our strongholds.  Verses 6-7 say, “being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?”  It’s not talking here about beating yourself up, but once you know the truth, and change what you’ve been doing, it’s then that old stronghold is gone and the twerp is beaten!  8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed-- 9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters [Paul’s letters/the Word]”  Don’t boast to others how you removed your stronghold, because it’s not you who did the work to remove it.  It’s all because of what Jesus did for you – so give the credit where credit is due!   Many fear “they have to give up all the fun things.  You don’t, they will be replaced with the Goodness of God.  Things you’ll feel better about [no more guilty conscience], where the twerp will not win in stealing, killing or destroying you or your stuff.  For Abba’s Words in verse 10 "For [his] letters," they say, "[are] weighty and powerful, but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible. Yes Paul’s words are weighty and powerful, because it’s the Lord’s Words.  Even if you have a small or weak body or a speech impediment. In this verse, we’re asked to: 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such [we will] also [be] in deed when we are present. 12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” So what they say in the Bible is what you’ll see them live like.  Also in verse 12, if you are basing your goodness against what others are doing – you’ll loose the battle with the twerp.  Man does not have the answers.  Those that do, hold five different positions [Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists] and are taught by the Holy Spirit what you may or may not need for what Abba has called you to do.  Remember, we [You] ARE UNIQUELY MADE.
     You’ll always be safe if you are working on what the Lord said in: [Philipians 4:8 NKJV]  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.”  I would only add, these are all things that are pleasing to Abba as we apply them to our lives.
     Next week, we’ll discuss more of our authority, so you know “how to” overcome your strongholds.

Blessings to all who read the blogs, and share them with your family.

Sandy F.
The Lord’s Servant
  

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