What You Need To Know About Strongholds

Has someone stronger than you ever held you in such a way that you couldn’t get loose? It can be an exasperating feeling to be held against your will by someone stronger than you.

Perhaps, there is even a sense of claustrophobia associated with your life presently because of a “stronghold” you’ve been wrestling with for weeks, months, or years. It isn’t a physical person that has clamped down on you. Instead, you are grappling with a spiritual enemy. Thankfully, in writing to the Church at Corinth, Paul shared how we are to deal with spiritual strongholds that put us in headlocks and attempt to cut us off from all life-giving things.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NIV

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

You have weapons. And, they are not of this world. God has placed in your hands an arsenal of ammunition and weaponry specifically designed to demolish any hold of the enemy -- regardless of how strong hell’s power might be.

You do not wage war as the world does. Your objective is not to master politics and win the game of social influence. Yes, God may use you in politics, and you may gain significant social influence, but these will not be your primary weapons. Your weaponry will be more potent. And, fueled by divine power, you will demolish every stronghold that the enemy has placed upon your life.

Maybe, it has felt like the enemy just keeps increasing his grip upon you; daily taking more of your soul into his grasp. But, as you realize how you are designed to fight, you will be positioned to tear down the prison walls the enemy is trying to build around you. In fact, you get to demolish them because God desires to make you into a spiritual wrecking ball when it comes to strongholds!

I would love to share more with you in this vein of thought; especially, on the subject of fear and its ability to place a stronghold upon our lives; so, I invite you to check out my message, “Faith Over Fear.” In the message, I take a detailed look at the Biblical meaning of strongholds and share lessons from my own battle with the stronghold of fear during a very challenging health diagnosis. You can check it out here.

Wrong Room

I heard a story about the Roberson family of Duck Dynasty fame.

One night, they were in a motel as they were traveling from one place to the other. In the middle of the night, someone tried to break into their room. As the door came ajar and the intruder entered, he found Phil Roberson sitting up in a hotel bed. Partially disrobed with 12 gauge in hand, Phil yelled to the would-be thief, “Wrong room!”

Maybe it is time for you to resist the devil rather than to just ignore him. James 4:7 teaches us that the enemy doesn't flee until he is resisted. Step into your child’s room, armed with the word of God, and let the enemy that’s attacking the future of your family know, “Wrong room!”

In the authority of the name of Jesus, speak to every area of spiritual attack, “Wrong room!”

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Watch Pastor Eric's Message on this subject: 5 Ways to Win in Life

The One Thing You Should Take Away From THAT Day

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV)

‬‬ Caleb was a man who knew God had a plan for his life. And, it was a good plan. A plan to prosper him! Now, therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim (GIANTS) were there, and that the cities were great and fortified... (Joshua 14:12 NKJV) But, on that day, the day God revealed his plan, humanity also started talking.

Have you ever experienced THAT DAY?

You know, "that day," when God was speaking so clearly but so was the enemy...

Heaven speaking on one side but humanity rebutting it on the other side. Maybe it was coming from a loved one, a friend, a well-meaning prayer partner, or your worst critic; but, you were hearing the plan of God and all others could hear and relay was the plot of the enemy. God was revealing that he had good things for you, yet the enemy was trumpteting through choruses of negativity, "The giants are too big! The enemy is too organized! We can't! We shouldn't! You can't! You shouldn't!"

You can relate to Caleb.

You can also probably relate to David. God telling you he desires to use you to kill giants, but others telling you the enemy will use the giant to kill you! You can relate to Joseph. God giving you dreams to celebrate. Others telling you, the manifestation of your dreams they will never tolerate. You can relate to Paul. Jesus telling you he will save you. Others telling you, you've done too much wrong to ever be called by God. But, you can also further relate to Paul, because you know, if you have surrendered to Jesus' invitation, "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" (Rom 5:20) What we learn from Caleb, David, Joseph, and Paul about how to handle "that day" -- the ultimate takeaway from their experiences and examples:

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Give more attention to the PLAN of God

than you give to the PLOT of the enemy.

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Caleb said as much on his way up the mountain, "I will drive them (the giants) out of this land, just as the Lord said!" (Ref. Joshua 14:12)

Climb your mountain, Caleb!

Onward and upward!