Lord, I’m sorry for not giving You the time that I should. You’ve been there patiently waiting for me. Here I am, ignoring You. I’m sorry for the times I don’t feel like talking with You. Help me see Your abiding love. Help me draw nearer to You. Thank You for Your unconditional love. Thank You for Your endless forgiveness. Empower me Oh Lord to destroy any stronghold in my life that deters me from walking closer with You. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, I pray. Amen.
Good morning friends. These past days, I had been busy, doing routine things though. But felt like I didn’t have the desire to read His Word or just simply, spend time with Him. I have a lot of quiet times. I just couldn’t be still. And when I finally did, this is what the Lord had shown me: Fight…not with your might. But with My power…Look at these weapons created by inmates. Yes, they are very capable of secretly creating weapons. They hoard them in all unexpected places:
Through that video, I felt the Lord probing me, “Rosel, search and see for those strongholds in your life. But you are not going to fight with your own power but with Mine. Draw near Me and know Me intimately. Only then, you will discover the weapons I’m arming you with.”
Strongholds are any of our own human reasoning or ideas, values or designs raised up by this satanic world system. And those who oppose the knowledge of God [biblical view of grace, eternal values, etc]…Our weapons from the Lord are designed to tear down those strongholds or fortresses.
“3We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. 4We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the devil’s strongholds.” ~ 2 Corinthians 10:3,4
What are the strongholds in your life? We are given a choice to either use the world’s weapons or that of God’s. God’s weapons which include prayer, faith, hope, love, His Word and the Holy Spirit [in us] are powerful and effective. These weapons can break down any fortresses [any proud human arguments against God and the walls that satan builds to keep people from finding God].
I know that I love to spend time with God and the enemy will try anything to make me lose that desire. We may have that “Jericho” [Joshua 6:1-27] that stands in the way of our ability to possess our possessions in Christ, impending our spiritual progress. It could be a weak character, physical infirmity, or simply neglecting things of spiritual nature. But no matter how big or small this “Jericho” is in our lives, we must realize that victory in destroying them comes only through God’s plan of deliverance.
“But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its mighty weapons.” - Joshua 6:2. God reassured Joshua that Jericho was already delivered into his hands - the enemy was already defeated!
Let us build a fortress then, not of this world’s system, but of Christ. He will surely guide us and will be with us all the way. Just remain trusting in Him and desiring Him FIRST on top of everything and everyone. Glory to You Oh Lord!
“The Lord is my rock, my FORTRESS, and my savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my STRONGHOLD. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies.” ~ Psalm 18:2,3 [emphasis is mine]…
Praising the Lord is one of the weapons we can start with to gain our victory. So, turn up your volume and if you have time, let us praise the Lord!
30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING - 14
8 hours ago
I would have never thought they could construct weapons like that!
ReplyDeleteTake care, my friend. Blessings.
Rosel ♥ This is a message that SO many need to hear. Many suffer through the dry times, wanting so much to regain that intimacy that they once had with Him and not really understanding why they can't reach Him. These walls are invisible to us.
ReplyDeleteIt is SO TRUE that the mightiest weapon to begin the battle with is Praise. As we begin to Praise Him for everything good, we can feel the mighty water of refreshment cleansing through every part of us. Praise God.
He is moving through you in ways that you can't even imagine, my sister. Beautiful. Absolutely.
Good Morning Rosel
ReplyDeleteOne 'stronghold' in my life that hinders my walk with the Lord is worry and it's usually about the little things. I know Jesus warns us that worry will zap our spiritual strength (Luke 12:22-26) but after more than 30 years of walking with the Lord it's still a daily battle.
When I was in the work force I worked 50 to 60 hours a week and drove about 1200 miles a week in the traffic infested
Los Angeles area.Improper rest and diet caused me a lot of problems with people and God. A proper amount of rest and diet can do wonders for our relationships and making right decisions.
Have a great day and Gog bless you
Ron
A christian friend and I were just discussing this, last night. Both she and I had been burdened with the need for more prayer time to cover specific things in our lives. She had been more faithful in the last few days than I and the results were certainly proof...I must pray beyond the exhaustion in my life.
ReplyDeleteLove, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
Rosel,
ReplyDeleteHe knows your heart and your desire to be with HIM....I can recall those times of being still before HIM and it seemed empty yet in the months ahead I recalled those times and learned even in the quiet HE was doing a mighty thing! HE loves and adores you and loves your humility....
May HE alone be our Stronghold!!
Love you Rosel
Oh that is HORRIBLE!!!! I will pray even harder for you. Can one pray harder than they already are?
ReplyDelete"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zech 4:6)
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me of this scripture. And it also reminded me of my own strongholds that need to come down...
Have a blessed weekend, Rosel!
Praying for you, and with you dear sis. I love you.
ReplyDeleteRosel,
ReplyDeleteGreat post today and just another important reminder for us all to take our daily preparations serious and put on the light and love of God as well.
If you get a chance, stop by and participate in some of my giveaways, most of them end this weekend! I'd love to have you join!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Good post. Transparency is not always easy. Sometimes there are seasons we just don't feel like talking. Thank God He is always there and never turns away.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet spirit and open heart - what an encouragement you are. May we indeed build our fortress of Christ and spend much time in praise and thanksgiving to Him.
ReplyDeleteYes, the strongholds in our live are Satans tools! Thanks for sharing this very timely post that hit dead on where I am as well:-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mary
If I didn't know better I would have thought I wrote your opening prayer. Those are my thoughts completely. Your entire post is just perfect for what I am going through right now. Thank you so much for listening and being an instrument of God.
ReplyDeleteI was just writing about how God is my fortress and then I happened upon your blog post. Hmmm ...
ReplyDeleteI've noticed many of your comments in our blog world and decided to visit you. I was delighted that you are a correctional nurse. How awesome to have a believer working in the prisons. Several of my close friends worked in the prison system for many years but are since retired. However, they continue to minister to many there. I've witnessed several 'success stories' through their friendship including a young man who had been in prison for murder during a robbery. He is now a Christian, married and his wife is about to have their second baby. He's living for the Lord a new life indeed.
Blessings,
Debbie
Oh I loved this.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for standing in the gap for so many hurting people. A sister in the Lord really needs prayers ,,,it just broke my heart while I was at the meeting for the Catholic Women's Leauge and they read the email that she had sent. She not only stepped down from her position but has left the league completely. Totally disheartened and broken. Her husband died suddenly a year ago, she is having health problems and one of her children's marriages broke and the son is living with her now (which we believe is a good thing). Her faith has hit rock bottom and she doesn't see God and His goodness...so I was so overcome..Plus we are dealing with HUGE issues in our area with the Catholic Church and many are broken because of this,,many rumors are being said, and as the priest said I thought was so powerful..'the Holy Spirit has pierced'....Here I thought it was an attack from Satan (which it is also but...). The priest stated that good was going to come from this...that the Church needs to become a servant as Christ was and is a servant. Getting on His hands and knees to wash the disciples feet, even Judas. He stated that some priests have become too 'high' up and looking down on the people..and that is not Who Christ is nor what the Church stands for...so lots of stuff going on..
Please pray for Randy. He received a call from an employer where he has had two interviews now. This second call came yesterday where the employer stated that the answer wasn't no but he still needed to talk to a few other men. Please pray for God's favor. This job would entail Cabinet making (Randy enjoys working with his hands and wood, has his own wood working shop). Pray for God's hand leading in this decision that the Holy Spirit will continue to bring Randy to this man's (Mike) mind and grant him this job...
Love you dear sister.
Angela
fight with the right weapons...the power of His name...awesome post. praying for you b/c I know what it feels to not feel like praying or reading His word.
ReplyDeleteRosel, I find myself struggling to make time for God somedays. But, it always feels good when I do. Thank you for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you felt Him wooing you back. Your day always goes much better when you start with Him. I know how it is to get preoccupied and distracted. I think we all go through this.
ReplyDeleteLove you! Continue to pray in the Spirit my friend.
Beth