Go to Nineveh! Speak Up! NOW!

 

When Jesus set us free his sacrifice included every area of our lives. The freedom we share as children of God because of His sacrifice gives us a hope that is beyond any hope the world or any other religion can give us. So why are we afraid to go to Nineveh?

The Prophet Jonah, as depicted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel

We've been delivered from strongholds, but do we really know what that means? We know that there is none righteous, no not one. We know that we have become the righteousness of Christ and that who the Lord sets free is free indeed. When we allow fear to block our path, we may be neglecting the things that God has called us to do.

Going to Nineveh, Jonah had to tell a whole town that they were steeped in sin and that God was going to destroy them if they didn't change. He didn't compromise with them and try to reason out their evil the way we are trying to compromise and reason with evil today, instead he ran. He ran away from his home of blessings and ended up spending three days in a stinking, fishy hotel. Jonah 1:17 Now the Lord had prepared and appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Finally, when Jonah did what God asked him to do, he was blessed, but he wasn't happy and still argued with God that it wasn't fair. He thought it wasn't fair for sinners to have the same covering that he, as a 'self' righteous person had, until God showed Jonah that everything he had belonged to God and that Jonah had no right to question God's judgement.

Yes, every sinner has a chance for redemption. But many are called and only a few are chosen. Why? Maybe because we refuse to go to Nineveh. We refuse to do what God has asked us to do. We try to compromise and reason with evil instead of pointing it out for what it is.

So how can we be assured of a house full of blessings instead of a stinky fish hotel?

Nineveh. The Mashki Gate. Reconstructed. One of the fifteen gateways of ancient Nineveh. The lower portions of the stone retaining wall are original. The gateway structure itself was originally of mudbrick. A few orthostats can be seen at the right of the passageway. Height of the vault is about 5 m. (Photo credit: Wikipedia

5 Biblical tips to understanding the will of God.

1. Give God due credit. God is omnipotent. Expect that in his omnipotence and loving nature he is also forgiving to everyone, not just you.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You, Who forgives iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy and loving-kindness.

2. Submit to God with a humble heart as you would to a father you love and trust. God does not belong to us for our own private interpretation. We belong to him.

Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.

3. Do what you are asked to do. When God asks us to do something he has a purpose we may not understand or notice at the time, but because God in his omnipotence sees and knows everything, he knows the outcome and that outcome is to bless.

John 6:29 Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].

4. Go to God whenever you slip and he will keep you from falling (or from being swallowed up).

Hebrews 12:7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?

5. Trust God. There's nothing more to be said. If we can trust him we can humbly submit to him and know that our lives are in his loving, wise, intellectually superior, omnipotent and perfect hands.

Genesis 15:6 And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

Psalm 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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Conquering a Double-Minded Stronghold

Like a somersault, a flip-flopper turns direction and tumbles over in beliefs, and actions. This double-mindedness can shock and surprise others and as a result, a person who changes directives is hard to believe or trust. The dictionary describes flip-flopping or double-mindedness as a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy. It comes from the Greek word, dipsuchos, meaning “a person with two minds or souls.” But what does the Bible say?

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

Changing direction

What’s wrong with changing direction? How can that become a stronghold? We’re all subject to changing our opinions or attitudes when we become more informed or mature in any area, right?

There are a lot of decisions to make and paths to take. However, there are some things that cannot be changed in order to be credible. That’s where a double-minded person fails.

If a stronghold sets in, other strongholds may be attached such as indecision, insecurity, gullibility, low self-esteem, intimidation or any number of other strongholds depending on the original cause of the flip-flopping. They say, "A person who doesn't stand for something, falls for anything."

So, what does the word of God say about flip-flopping and how can we avoid this stronghold in our own lives? Are we doomed to leave an opening for indecision and be on the defensive throughout all our years?

Confused ???

5 Biblical tips to overcoming flip-flopping:

1. Exercise foresight. Once you make a decision after careful consideration, don’t be tempted to change and turn back too quickly.

Hebrews 12:15 Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it—

2. Before making a decision on anything, consult with God’s word and his will. Keeping focused on the word of God will guide us throughout our life and since God never changes, if we follow His Word we will be able to make the right decisions in any type of situation.

Psalm 119:113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

3. Add wisdom to any change you make without changing your path once you have received Christ and know that you have the right direction.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.

Psalm 17:5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

4. Always stay close to the vine (God and His Word–Jesus Christ). You’re in the right place at the right time with the right decision if what you’re doing or planning to do, lines up with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, pay attention to my words. Open your ears to what I say.²¹ Do not lose sight of these things. Keep them deep within your heart²² because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body.

5. Before you choose anything more, choose to believe in Christ. There is no room for turning back or changing our decisions once we make that vital decision.

Revelation 2:5 Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place if you don’t change.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

Related articles

• Stronghold of Insecurity
• Stronghold of Indecision

Conquering the Stronghold of Busyness

Have you ever noticed how much we pride ourselves on our busyness? It gives us a great feeling of importance to be occupied and preoccupied all the time, going here and there, doing this and that for whatever we insist is important, or whatever we anguish over as a life or death situation. In fact, the opposite is a life or death situation.

Our life does not depend on being busy, but on listening to our Lord and on loving our Lord. After all, we have been given salvation by grace and not of our own accord. We are now, not our own, we are bought for a price so precious that there is not ever enough money to earn it. So what is your busyness about?

English: Jesus at the house of Mary and Martha (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The enemy does not want us to spend time with the Lord, in prayer, in quiet gratitude, or in doing anything that gives us peace and connection with God. After all, if we stood still a moment reflecting on the Lord’s goodness and omnipotence or reading the Lord’s will in scripture we might even hear from him, right?

Luke 10:38-42 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

The enemy of our peace is Satan and part of his tactics are to keep us so busy that we have no time for God. Even when we’re doing work glorifying to him we have no time to stop and consult him. Yes, the enemy loves a busy person–a person too busy to consult, love, or admire and worship our dear Lord.

How can we accomplish what we feel called to do without being too busy and without inviting a stronghold of busyness to take the place of God?

5 Biblical steps in overcoming the stronghold of busyness:
1. Stop everything now. There is no time like the present to stop, pray, and worship him.

Psalm 46:10 Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

2. Pursue his presence often and without reservation. When we make a daily habit of taking the time to know him, worship him, be humble in his presence, and enjoy his words and promises, we gain peace, direction, guidance, and strength.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Proverbs 3:3-6 Do not let mercy and truth leave you. Fasten them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ Then you will find favor and much success in the sight of God and humanity. ⁵ Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.

3. Evaluate the importance of his life and will. His will is not your will and your will is not his will. After all who can understand the mind of God.

Romans 11:34 ³⁴ For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor?

Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

4. Depend on God and him alone. He is our provider, the author of our peace, and the author and finisher of our faith.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ³³ For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

5. Rest in him at all times. Never face a problem alone (without giving it to him in prayer) and never allow a deadline to stress you out so much that it takes your mind off him. When you place your hands in his, he will take care of you.

Hebrews 4:9-11 Therefore, a time of rest and worship exists for God’s people. ¹⁰ Those who entered his place of rest also rested from their work as God did from his.¹¹ So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

Free from the Stronghold of Panic

Panic is the epitome of fear. Fear taken to the extreme surprises its victims with an attack of panic that appears life-threatening. When a stronghold of panic is present the fearful extremes can repeat in panic attacks for days, months, and even years.

Words, places, people, and certain days can trigger the panic attack. Usually, its catalyst is an old fear that has never been resolved or released to the Lord. That's your hot button.

Panic-attack (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you’ve ever had a panic attack you felt your heart racing and you might have even seen it pounding in your chest raising and lowering rapidly to the pace of the accelerated pounding. You have a hard time breathing, your head is spinning, and overall you feel as if you are going to die.

Even though you think you’re sure you are having a heart attack take heed and take heart, you are just a victim of panic. (At these times, try: breathing in a paper lunch bag slowly, relaxing your shoulders and back, walking slowly while concentrating on your breathing, stretching your arms, legs, and even body.)

That doesn’t mean the extreme emotional response that caused the panic won’t create a problem in your body, it just means that you should be able to seek out and resolve the trigger before panic can affect your health. As with all other strongholds, the enemy is working behind the scenes to disable and disarm you. Temporary solutions mean either medication or counseling. The only real solution is in Christ for complete deliverance.

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

When we allow the stronghold of panic to remain it invites other strongholds and itself could have been invited by a stronghold such as bitterness, unforgiveness, guilt, fear, anger, rage, and so forth. It’s hard to say how panic took root but the roots of panic usually lie inside of our thoughts, memories, circumstances or imaginings apart from God.

5 Biblical tips to overcome a stronghold of panic.
1. First and foremost, trust God. A mind stayed on God and his promises will never drift into the what-ifs of fear.

Psalm 53:5 There they are—panic-stricken— but there was no reason to panic, because God has scattered the bones of those who set up camp against you. You put them to shame. After all, God has rejected them.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts andplans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts andplansfor welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

2. Know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Mark 16:6 The young man said to them, “Don’t panic! You’re looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been brought back to life. He’s not here. Look at the place where they laid him.

3. Allow God’s words to wash over you. The more time you spend in the word and getting to know the real Christ, the less panic, fear, and all other strongholds will have control over your life.

Proverbs 1:23-28 ²³ If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you. ²⁴ Because I have called and you have refused [to answer], have stretched out my hand and no man has heeded it,²⁵ And you treated as nothing all my counsel and would accept none of my reproof, ²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic—²⁷ When your panic comes as a storm and desolation and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. ²⁸ Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me.

Psalm 51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow.

4. Turn your thoughts to thoughts of love, peace, forgiveness, and purity.

Philippians 4:8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

5. Follow Christ and rest in knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.