Strongholds (pt13)

We’ve covered a lot of ground and I hope you’ve learned some things. I would appreciate some feedback on the series. The comments I’ve received so far have been helpful and insightful. But if you like the idea of strapping two sticks of dynamite together, prayer and the Word, to demolish whatever has a strong hold over your life, begin to write your own Scripture-prayers. Look for any Scriptures that you believe reflects the mind of Christ toward your particular stronghold, reword it into a prayer, write it down, and pray it! My hope in going through all this, is that you will learn a practice that will be helpful for the rest of your life.

Just allow this approach to be a compliment to any other means by which God may be teaching you and leading you to freedom. For instance, if your obstacle has been overwhelming and your Father has led you to sound, godly counseling, don’t stop the counseling as long as it’s beneficial. Simply add this practice to it.

Praying Scriptures isn’t the only way of demolishing strongholds: I’ve just found it to be the most effective means, for me. God can use all kinds of different elements to usher you to freedom, but one thing I am confident of is that the Word of God will be the absolute common denominator in all genuine deliverance from captivity. “The you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). “He sent forth His Word and healed them” (Psalm 107:20). “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought our your precepts” (Psalm 119:45).

As you single out one obstacle you want to overcome, don’t forget that sometimes other issues might be involved, too. For instance, if you’re praying to overcome unforgiveness or anger, pride will almost always be involved. Ask God to give you discernment about coinciding areas tat may be hindering your freedom and abundant life in Christ. Pray for the mind of Christ in those areas, as well.

Father, when I began to read these messages I thought they would be quaint and easy assignments, but I now understand I have to apply myself to grow and understand your thoughts. So I open my heart to your Word. Guide me, teach me and unfold your Wisdom to me.

Strongholds (pt 12)

Yesterday I tried to make sure you understood how we are to use Scripture-prayers. They are to be a reflection of your own heart. Someone wasn’t sure exactly what I meant, so I asked them if they had ever read something, or maybe heard a song and thought, “Oh, that says exactly what I want to say.” What happens? We memorize the lyrics and sing along with the song every time we hear it on the radio.

I remember my high school years were a very difficult time for me, and Pete Townsend from the Who, wrote a song I so identified with, I played it over and over and over . . . the song was “Behind Blue Eyes.”

No one knows what it’s like
To be the bad man to be the sad man
Behind blue eyes

No one knows what it’s like
To be hated to be fated
To telling only lies

But my dreams they aren’t as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours only lonely
My love is vengeance that’s never free

How many of you remember that song?Anyway, when you’re reading the Scripture you may have the same reaction. You read it and you so identify with it you create a prayer!

Now when you’re trying to demolish a specific stronghold, don’t just pray through a list of Scriptures once, unless you experience the rare event of immediate release (without even the threat of relapse). Meditate on each passage and pray it from your heart until you experience lasting freedom. Even after freedom comes, you are wise to occasionally pray the Scriptures that God seemed to use most powerfully.

I remember the strongholds from my High School years and how they still controlled me for years afterward, and I finally found freedom. Even though they haven’t had any control over me in years, I still celebrate the freedom and pray certain Scripture periodically. I hear that one song and it will bring back all those memories and I thank the Lord I have been set free! That life was so devastating, I never want to go back to it as long as I live!

Be wise, some strong holds are simply more threatening then others. Never take for granted that you are beyond a return to captivity, but also don’t live in inappropriate fear. I often think of  Paul’s words in II Corinthians 1:9-11 when I think about my former captivity and the freedom my Father has given me, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us.  On Him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.” That’s worth celebrating: He has freed us, He will continue to free us!

God has all the power we need to free us and keep us free, but in the matter of demolishing strongholds, He also demands our prayerful cooperation.

Father I am so grateful you have delivered me from my past, and that you will continue to keep me free. I commit to working with you by taking every thought, every idea and suggestion from the enemy and my own imagination captive and substituting your Truths.

Strongholds (pt 11)

I should address a concern I have if you have been following this series. It’s important that you understand what I’m not saying as much as what I am saying. Praying Scriptures isn’t using magic words, like “Abracadabra, Bingo, It’s done.” That’s not at all what I have been saying.

Let me give an example. Several years ago, Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book entitled, “The Prayer of Jabez.” Many of you may have read it. For the most part, it’s a worthwhile book to read. Jabez’s story is indeed an inspiring story, and Wilkinson’s book tells the story well.

Jabez’s story is found in the fourth chapter of I Chronicles and begins in the 9^th verse: “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez (sorrow maker), saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”

Now I’d hate a name like that too! I like my name: Nickolas! (meaning Victory or Power! That’s what I want to identify with!) but Jabez looked beyond the history of his birth and cried out to God, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” What an attitude! But then it says that: “God granted his request” (I Chronicles 4:10).

Regarding Wilkinson’s book, the editor wrote:

“It’s a timeless prayer that produces timely results! Bruce Wilkinson takes readers to 1 Chronicles 4:10 to discover how they can release God’s miraculous power and experience the blessings God longs to give each of us. The life of Jabez, one of the Bible’s most overlooked heroes of the faith, bursts from unbroken pages of genealogies in an audacious, fourpart prayer that brings him an extraordinary measure of divine favor, anointing, and protection. Readers who commit to offering the same prayer on a regular basis will find themselves extravagantly blessed by God, and agents of His miraculous power, in everyday life>”

Wrong!

It wasn’t the prayer that brought the results, it was God who answered the prayer! And, this is where my concern lies: God didn’t answer the prayer Jabez prayed, God answered the desire of Jabez’s heart!

There is a fine distinction between the two. You’re not going to have the same results by praying the “Prayer of Jabez.” The words have no magical power in them. You can repeat those words every morning when you first wake up, but they won’t bring the same results—and yes that is what Wilkinson’s book is saying will happen—unless they are truly breathed from the bottom of your heart.

Don’t pray Jabez’s prayer, unless it is from your own heart; you possess the attitude and desire and longing of Jabez. That is what God honors, not chanting meaningless words you read in His book.

Recently someone suggested reading the traditional “Book of Prayers,” and that is a worthwhile endeavor—if they reflect what is in your heart. For years I used “Prayer’s that Availeth Much,” from Harrison House Publishing. Good prayers—again, if they are spoken from your heart. They can serve as great guides and teachings, but there is nothing magical in the prayers, themselves. Oh I hope you understand what I am trying to express.

As you read the Scripture and you find a story or a particular passage or Psalm that so reflects what is burning in your own heart, then use the words to form your own prayer.

Years ago, when I read the first two verses of Psalm 42, I wept. It so reflected what I was experiencing:

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

I was a new Christian and found myself praying those words every day:

“Father, just like a deer drinks from a creek; I want to drink from you—deep draughts of of your presence. I’m thirsty for experiencing your life manifested in my life. I desire for you to so consume me, that I no longer exist, but only you. I often sit and wonder Lord, “Will I ever make it—will I ever arrive and drink in Your presence?”

This is what I am hoping to inspire in you. I’m hoping you are able to take God’s Word and make it live BIG in your life!

Well Father, that is indeed what I am seeking. Your Wisdom, your Life, and as I search your Word, allow it to search my heart, help me find the words that reflect what is feeling. Then help me express those words in loving fellowship with you. Make my heart a work of art in your hands, help me to learn to express all the wonders and excitement I feel when I am in your presence. Just like Joshua, I will cry, “I will be strong and courageous. I will not be terrified, or discouraged, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go!” (Joshua 1:9)

Nickolas

My friends, there are many ministries who need you to come alongside them and support them financially and prayerfully. and I certainly understand that. But in October two of us will be taking a trip to Bangladesh and we are looking for your support. We fully understand the burdens many of us are experiencing, but it is through your faithful and continual support that we are able to continue our outreach and ministry.

Can we suggest you commit to a small monthly gift for the next five months? We thank you deeply for whatever support you are able to provide.

Strongholds (pt 10)

So we’re going to learn to pray the Scriptures. This is something I have done for many years and has become the most natural way for me to pray. In fact, for years, when I prayed for myself or someone asked me to pray for them or a loved one, I would pray “Ephesians 3″:

Father I fall to my knees and pray that from your glorious, unlimited resources you will empower me with inner strength through your Spirit. I pray that my roots can grow down into your love and keep me strong. I pray that I can have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep your love is .

I pray that I can experience the love of your Son, although it is too great to understand fully. That I can be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from you (Ephesians 3:14-21). Amen.

It doesn’t matter what stronghold you are seeking to destroy, when you pray the Scriptures it will remind you how powerful our Father is and will work to increase your faith in His Word. Remember that Paul said, “Faith comes by hearing His Word.”

Whatever you do, don’t confuse this with a “name-it-and-claim-it” philosophy. The chief purpose is to develop the mind of Christ in areas  that are holding you captive. With every Scripture-prayer you are asking your Father to fill your mind with His thoughts and purposes instead of your own.

One thing you can rest assured of is that Yehoveh’s desire is for you to be free from all areas of bondage. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” His greatest desire is for us to be totally free from all strongholds. You will never fail to have His cooperation as long as He has yours.

Oh boy, Father, I am excited to fill my life and mind with your Word. You told me to feast on your Word and I have opened my heart to your Word and discovered it tasted as sweet as honey. So each morning; each afternoon; and each evening I will continue to feast on your Wisdom and Life through your Word. Amen and I rejoice to say again, Amen!

Strongholds (pt 9)

Someone asked me, ooh, come to think of it , a good question actually. They asked if I use Scripture every time I pray? My answer was, no. But it was a reasonable question because I admit I am normally prone to extremes. There seems to some type of security in “always” and “nevers.” I don’t always pray any particular way, but without a doubt, you will never find a more powerful way to demolish strongholds in your life than praying Scripture. Never! When it comes to warfare, this approach is without question the one I most often apply.

So far every one of these messages was more theory than anything. So let’s put some meat on these bones. In many of my messages I have used Scripture-prayer and you may, or may not have recognized it, but let me give you an example of what I’ve been talking about. This is a good prayer to break the stronghold of unbelief:

Father, your Spirit clearly says that in the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and thing taught by demons (I Timothy 4:1). Please help me be very discerning of deceptive teaching. Help me never to abandon the faith to follow after a lie.

Let me describe what you have here. What you read before the Scripture reference that I put in parentheses, are a paraphrase of that reference. Then any words that follow the parentheses are my own addition to the prayer. Simple, isn’t it?

One thing I should say about everything I’ve said in the last 9 messages, is that I’m not trying to set myself up as any kind of perfect example. Just remember we are trying to learn not to allow anything–or anyone, for that matter, to be exalted in our minds but our Messiah. He is alone is worthy of our esteem and admiration.

I’m a fellow sojourner with you. I have to live this stuff out every day of my life, just like you do. I’ve made many mistakes along the way, and learned so many hard lessons. So don’t misunderstand what I’ve been sharing. This isn’t my formula here. As much as I would like to take credit for it, the truth is, our Father created the whole thing. When it works in your life–give Him the Praise and Glory. This is all about Him and the divine weapons He has given us to demolish strongholds.

If I am an example of anything, I am an example of life after failure. Abundant Life. And I am living proof that can liberate anyone.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty.
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands (Isaiah 55:11-12)

Strongholds (pt 8)

Yesterday we talked about our first stick of dynamite: Spirit Empowered Prayer. This morning I want to look at our second stick: The Word of God.

So what makes the Word such a powerful stick of dynamite that will demolish our strongholds? Take another look at II Corinthians 10:3-5:

“For though we live in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, Inasmuch as we refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ . . .”

In the process of demolishing the strongholds in our life, we are to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

“Wow! Well okay . . . that’s what I’m going to do. . . but what does it mean?”

This is the key that finally opened for me after studying these verses for months: We take our thoughts captive, make them obedient to Christ, every time we choose to think Christ’s thoughts about any situation or stronghold instead of Satan’s or our own.

Well that’s good, too! I’m going to do that . . .! So what are Christ’s thoughts?

Well, it’s the Word of God revealed to us!

“Huh?”

The way to make our exalted, overpowering thoughts bow down in obedience to Jesus Christ is to choose to think His thoughts about whatever we are struggling with instead of our own those influenced by the enemy. We need to identify as many passages as we kind find on a particular stonghold, and reword them into prayers.

When we start to pray Scripture, not only will we find ourselves in intimate communication with our Father, but our mind will be retrained, or renewed, as Romans 12:2 instructs us to do. We begin to think His thoughts about our situation instead of our own.  Ultimately, He resumes His proper place in our thought life as huge and indomitable, and our obstacles shrink. This will work powerfully every time you apply it. It takes belief–which comes by hearing the Word—diligence and time—you can’t give a “test drive” to see how effective it is. This will become your lifestyle. But the effects are dramatically liberating and eternal.

Oh Father, bring it on. I desire to grow to know your thoughts and reflect your life. Let’s take it step-by-step, but please complete the work you have begun in me. Thank you for the Glory and wonder of your Word. You are bringing your Word to me and I am feasting on it. I am finding great delight in your wisdom and life.

Strongholds (pt 7)

Oh boy! We finally saw that God put two sticks of dynamite in our arsenal. So what makes these two sticks of dynamite so powerfully effective when they’re strapped together? Well let’s think about that . . .

First we’ll look at stick of prayer first. Prayer keeps us in constant communication with our Father, the Almighty God, which, if you think about it, is the goal of our entire believing lives. Remember this: Prayerless lives are powerless lives, and prayerful lives are powerful lives; but, believe it or not, the ultimate goal our Father has for us isn’t power but personal intimacy with Him. I hear people all the time who are looking for the next “move of God”—the “signs and wonders” of His power. Yes God wants to bring us healing, but more than anything, He wants us to know our Healer. Yes He wants to give us resurrection life, but than that, He wants us to know the Resurrection and the Life.

Oh my friends, let that sink in: It is never the will of our Father for warfare to become our focus. The fastest way to lose our balance in warfare is to rebuke the devil more than we relate to God. I’m serious about this. The primary strength we have in warfare is godliness, which is achieved only through intimacy with our Father. Period!

Our Father will enforce prayer as one of the weapons of our warfare because His chief objective is to keep  us connected entirely to Him. We will never win any spiritual battle without prayer, but when the heat of battle has momentarily cooled, the plunder from the battle is a far greater intimacy with our Father. Prayer isn’t the means to an end. In so many ways, it’s the end itself.

Father, teach me to pray. With all my being I want to fellowship with you. When I was younger I used to sing, “He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own . . .” Well, it wasn’t true. I do love you, and I crave with all my being to be able to sing that song from the depths of my heart. I do want you to “walk with me, and talk with me.” I desire you above all else. Teach me how. I’ll be as bold as Moses and ask that you show me your Glory. Unveiled my heart so I can see your face.

Strongholds (pt 6)

We’re talking about those things in our life that have a “strong hold” on us. Things we just cannot break free of no matter how much will-power and determination or positive confessions we make. We find those strongholds talked about throughout the Scriptures.

I’m thinking of one particular event that might interest you. There was a time when the Israelites had conquered much of the Promised Land, except there was one group who provided particularly strong opposition: The Jebusites simply could not be driven out.

We could read the whole story about them, but there was finally a point when David decided their opposition was unacceptable and decided to settle the matter once and for all! But when he approached their city, the Jebusites responded defiantly, “You shall not enter here.” Well that made it clear they would not go easy . . . “Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David . . .” (1 Chronicles 11:4-5).

Look, David could have given up. It would have been much easier for him—and his army. It certainly looked like the Jebusites’ boasts were true and that their city would never be conquered. But David was unwilling to accept defeat. He was determined to conquer Jebus. He found a way to achieve victory and persevered until he won!

Look, all of us face “strongholds” where our previous efforts failed—where we were told “no, I won’t give up;” “it can’t be done,” or “you’ll never overcome me.” But the Word of God is telling you this morning to persevere, be determined, depend on God’s Word and Spirit-empowered prayer for victory, and believe that nothing is impossible.

All of us face obstacles to overcome in life, and there’s going to be people who tell you that God’s Word is not true . . . that you’ll never be able to succeed . . . that certain strongholds can’t be overcome . . . or that you have a medical condition that can never be cured. But I’m telling you now that you serve the God for whom nothing is impossible!

In every situation, declare your faith in God. Remember, as Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). Be persistent to believe God. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. He will give you victory!

Father, I believe that Your promises are true. I will not allow the devil or the world to steal Your blessings from my life. I believe that You can do all things!

This morning I renew my commitment to follow you through all of eternity. You alone are my Lord and I swear my allegiance to you, my King. Be Glorified in my life.

Strongholds (pt 5)

Yesterday we discovered that to fight our spiritual battles we are to use the Word of God and Spirit empowered prayer. These two weapons have divine power! The original Greek word for power is dunamai, which means “to be able.” This is the achieving power of God applied. Maybe it would pack a little more punch for you if you knew that the English word dynamite is derived from the same root word as dunamai.

Stick with me here, because this is important: Virtually nothing we come up against in our individual Christian lives is more formidable than a stronghold. The very word tells us that whatever it is, it has a “strong hold” on us. Strongholds can’t be simply ignored or swept away with a spiritual broom. We can’t stamp our feet and demand it leave us alone. We can’t throw temper tantrums to make them leave, either. Nor can we simply ignore them until they disappear. There is only one way to break a stronghold: They must be demolished.

Have you ever seen a building demolished? In the Word of God, the term fortress is the closest equivalent to a literal, ancient stronghold. Both were fortified buildings. The way to destroy a modern-day “fortress” is by deliberately and strategically placing dynamite in the building and then detonating it. Imagine the demolition crew showing up at the building with sticks and stones. They could holler at that building with all their might and throw sticks and stones until they fainted from exhaustion and it would still be standing. No one would doubt they had tried. They simply used the wrong tools. What they needed was dynamite.

If we’re going to try to break the strongholds in our lives with carnal weapons like pure determination, willpower, secular psychology, psychoanalysis, pulling up the proverbial “bootstraps” and denial, we’ll have as much success as the demolition crew with sticks and stones.

Many of us have expended unknown energy trying hard to topple these strongholds on our own, but they won’t fall, will they? That’s because they must be demolished—instead of coddled. God has given us two sticks of dynamite to use to demolish our strongholds: His Word and prayer! What could possibly be more powerful than two sticks of dynamite place in separate loacations? Two strapped together. Now, that’s what this series of studies is all about: taking our two primary sticks of dynamite—prayer and the Word—strapping them together, and igniting them with faith in what God says He can do. Hallelujah! I’m getting excited just thinking about it!

Oh Father, my heart is open to your Word. Let it fly! I am opening my heart to receive the Wisdom from your Word. Speak Life into my heart this morning. I’m am getting bolder and more confident with each “jot and tittle” of your Word.

Stronghold (pt 4)

Yesterday we heard about the warfare we are in the midst of. We were also told that it’s not a warfare we might know about—where we use rifles, bayonets, hand grenades and tanks.  So what weapons do we use? If you are attack while wandering down the streets, many of us carry handguns . . . but will they help you in your spiritual warfare? Of course not. So when the enemy of your soul comes sauntering by, how will you defeat him? I told you yesterday that his only weapon is T.I.S . . . Thoughts, Ideas and Suggestions. That’s all he can come against you with.

According to the text we read (II Corinthians 10:3-5), we have four vital pieces of information that identifies the weapons we have at our disposal in this warfare:

1. They aren’t weapons of the world.
2. They have divine power.
3. They are associated with the “knowledge of God.”
4. Their purpose in this warfare is to take our thoughts captive.

In the 6^th chapter of Ephesians Paul listed the whole armor of God, but only one piece of that armor is actually a weapon. You never gave that a thought, did you? You have probably read all about that armor and never gave it a thought. There’s the figurative belt, shield, breastplate, shoes and helmet—which are all defensive pieces of armor. Oh, each very important, because they keep us from being injured by the weapons of the evil one.

However, the sword of the Spirit, clearly identified as the Word of God, is the only offensive weapon listed in the whole armor of God. Not only that, the passage is in the plural, which should give us some confidence, because it says we have weapons for warfare. Hmm, what could the other primary weapon be? That’s a good question, thank you. I bet we can find the answer in another passage. The other primary weapon  of our warfare is stated in the sixth chapter of Ephesians:

We are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Put on God’s complete armor so you can resist and stand your ground on the evil day of danger, and, having done all the crisis demands, to stand firmly in your place. Hold your ground, tighten the belt of truth around your loins and put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And shod your feet as you prepare to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace.

Lift up the shield of faith, so you can quench every flaming dart of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation and [here we go] the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. [And?] Pray at all times and on every occasion, in every season in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer and entreat —Ephesians 6:13-18

Did you catch that? The other primary weapon of our warfare is Spirit-empowered prayer!

Father, I stand amazed this morning that you have given me the opportunity to rule in my life. Beginning today I will rely on Spirit-empowered prayer and the sword of your Spirit to break every stronghold in my life. You Father, are the true Victor and I will simply walk with you the rest of my life.