Help for Prevailing Problems

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

Does one prevailing problem leech your life?

Some are prone to cheat. Others quick to doubt. Maybe you worry. Yes, everyone worries some, but you own the national distributorship of anxiety. Perhaps you are judgmental. Sure, everybody can be critical, but you pass more judgments than a federal judge.

What is that one weakness, bad habit, rotten attitude? Where does Satan have a stronghold within you? Ahh, there is the fitting word—stronghold: a fortress, citadel, thick walls, tall gates. It’s as if the devil staked a claim on one weakness and constructed a rampart around it.

Strongholds: old, difficult, discouraging challenges.

That’s what David faced when he looked at Jerusalem… .

Nevertheless.

“Nevertheless David took the stronghold …” (2 Sam. 5:9).

Granted, the city was old. The walls were difficult. The voices were discouraging … Nevertheless David took the stronghold.

Wouldn’t you love God to write a nevertheless in your biography? Born to alcoholics, nevertheless she led a sober life. Never went to college, nevertheless he mastered a trade. Didn’t read the Bible until retirement age, nevertheless he came to a deep and abiding faith. We all need a nevertheless. And God has plenty to go around. Strongholds mean nothing to him. Remember Paul’s words? “We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4 NLT).

You and I fight with toothpicks; God comes with battering rams and cannons. What he did for David, he can do for us.

—from Facing Your Giants

Blessed Father, as you helped David conquer a stronghold so you can help us conquer the strongholds in our lives. You have promised freedom and victory. Father, will you break these strongholds with your mighty power? You steady us with your love, amen.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
Psalm 50:15

“Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
Matthew 6:8

From Lived Loved: Experiencing God’s Presence in Every Day Life
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado

• Appreciate those who have hurt you, because they strengthen your heart.

• Appreciate those who deceive you, because they improve your wisdom.

• Appreciate those who slander against you, because they improve your personality.

• Appreciate those who whip you because they arouse your will to fight.

• Appreciate those who abandon you, because they teach you independence.

• Appreciate those who make you stumble, because they strengthen your legs.

• Appreciate those who denounce you, because they remind you of your shortcomings.

• Appreciate those who give you strength.

– Unknown

as seen in Inspiration Plus via Cup O’ Cheer

Most of these pictures were taken by Curt, and I took a few. This is serious bridge reconstruction, folks.

What’s Your Name?

The manager of a large office noticed a new man one day and told him to come into his office. “What is your name?” Was the first thing the manager asked the new guy.
“John,” the new guy replied.
The manager scowled, “Look, I don’t know what kind of a mamby-pamby place you worked at before, but I don’t call anyone by their first name. It breeds familiarity and that leads to a breakdown in authority. I refer to my employees by their last name only – Smith, Jones, Baker – that’s all. I am to be referred to only as Mr. Robertson. Now that we got that straight, what is your last name?”
The new guy sighed and said, “Darling. My name is John Darling.”
“Okay, John, the next thing I want to tell you is…”

Received from Just For Grins (www.worldstart.com)Mixed Signals

My father’s hearing aid occasionally emits a brief high-pitched squeal that can be heard by anyone near him.One day my little niece was sitting on his lap when the device started to beep. Surprised, my niece looked up at him. “Grandpa,” she said, “you’ve got mail.”

Stephen W. Flocks in Reader’s DigestReceived from The Good, Clean Funnies List (www.gcfl.com)