Tearing Down Strongholds - Martin Wiles

We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT

Deer season had opened, and I was planning to bag “Mr. Buck.”

Deer season in the lower regions of my state opens almost two months earlier than in the other areas. My neighbor then was a retired pastor who loved hunting deer. Not having a weapon, I decided to visit the local Walmart and select one to help me capture my first deer. The shelves were filled with shotguns and rifles, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

After perusing the selection, I decided on one not housed in the gun rack. It lay on a shelf nearby. It and its ammunition were cheaper. I selected my pellet/bb gun, took it to the counter, gave the clerk my $35, and hit the door.

The following day, my neighbor and I set off bright and early. As I perched high in the tree, I saw Mr. Deer prancing my way. When he was in range, I zeroed in on him, pulled the trigger, watched the pellet bounce off his hide, and gawked as he swished his head around to lick the spot as if a fly pestered him. I had chosen the wrong weapon. Not really, but I would have had I actually done this.

I’ll never bring down strongholds with the wrong weapons, either. Strongholds have a strong hold on me. I’ve fought with some that were muscular and others that weren’t. I’ve wrangled with some that were sinful and others that were simply unhealthy and entangling.

While it’s important to know whether or not the stronghold is sinful, it’s more essential to realize God is bigger and stronger than the stronghold—regardless of what it is. God wants to help me bring down strongholds—those that are sinful and those that aren’t. Both can accomplish the same thing. They distract me, cause me to lose focus, ruin my testimony, harm my body, and prevent me from doing my best at God’s work.

Choosing the right weapon to fight strongholds is crucial. Just as a pellet gun won’t bring down a deer, personal efforts without God’s guidance won’t destroy strongholds. Worldly weapons won’t do; we need godly ones, like prayer, Bible study, spiritual armor, books on faith, and close fellowship with other believers.

Don’t try to fight your spiritual battles with the wrong weapons. God will supply the weapons that will ensure victory. All you must do is ask.

Father, thank you for giving me the weapons that will bring down Satan’s strongholds.  

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Out of Focus - Martin Wiles

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Matthew 14:30 NLT

I’ve been known to miss what I focus on—especially when things are out of focus.

I had always hunted deer with dogs and a shotgun. Stand on the side of the road or the edge of the woods and wait for the dogs to run the deer to me, then shoot. Until I moved next to a friend who liked to still hunt. Climb a tree, sit in a stand, and chance that deer might walk where I sat. For this, a rifle worked better.

After purchasing one at a local retail store, I set out for my first adventure. At dusk, a herd of deer walked out of the woods two hundred yards from me. I carefully raised my rife, zeroed in on a buck, and squeezed the trigger. The rifle fired, but the herd stood still. Strange, I thought. After this happened twice, I figured I should check my scope. Sure enough, the rifle shot twenty feet above where I aimed.

For Peter, it wasn’t a rifle. The other disciples and Peter fought a storm in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus suddenly appeared, walking on the water. Peter wanted to try it too, and Jesus gave him permission. He did fine until he noticed the raging waves pounding his ankles. When he focused on them, he sank.

At the end of the day, a faulty scope and rough water are minor compared to other things that can steal our focus from serving God faithfully and loving him unconditionally. Perhaps the major focus stealer is life’s busyness. Work, relationships, hobbies, children, school, homework, and community affairs. None of which are sinful, but all of which can rob us of life’s true joy.

Taking time to ponder our lifestyles can reveal our life’s priorities. The results can be revealing . . . and shocking. When our priorities are out of focus, they steal our focus from the things that should be our priorities.

Step back and look at your priorities. Let God show you what might be out of focus.

Prayer: Father, focus us on the exact plan and purpose You have for us. 

Tweetable: How do you respond when life is out of focus? 

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