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Cornerstone Assembly of God |
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by Joyce Baggott
I was devastated with heaviness as I mentally rehearsed what the doctors had told me that day at the hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Barney, my husband, had been diagnosed with an unspecified disease and had only six to nine months to live! The horrifying disease was attacking his lungs and other body tissues.
My mind was reeling with thoughts of not only losing Barney, but all I would have to face if I were left alone with Paula and Julie, our two little girls. Our world was crumbling.
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As believers we know that we cannot be possessed by demons. However, many Christians experience strongholds in their lives. What is a stronghold? It’s simply a lie we’ve allowed to influence our behavior. The first scriptural reference to the enemy is Genesis 3:1. In chapters one & two we learn that God created everything that exists. He placed Adam and Eve in the garden – a perfect place with perfect provisions. When Satan arrived, he immediately raised doubt about the one thing God told to avoid, “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” The enemy works the same way today. He questions God’s goodness in our lives. If left unchecked, these questions can produce strongholds of discontentment, fear and doubt. The enemy may whisper things like, |
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The next woman we want to look at is Mary Magdalene. We know from scripture that she was a woman possessed by seven demons. We can only imagine the hold this had on her life. But an encounter with Jesus and his authority brought a transformation that reached the very depths of her soul. |
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“You’ll never change….. you will always struggle with this weakness”. The more you entertain these lies, the more they affect your attitude, thoughts and words. When the enemy plants deceptive thoughts, we can either allow them to become strongholds, or replace the deception with God’s Truth.
Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Mary Magdalene had a powerful encounter which transformed her life instantly, but her transformation didn’t stop that day. As we read Luke 8, she continued to walk with Jesus day by day. She even had the privilege of being the first to see Him after His resurrection!
Paul tells the Ephesians (1:19-20), “I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” The power that raised Him from the dead was the same transforming power that changed Mary and can change you!
So are there strongholds you are experiencing today? Strongholds of discontentment, fear, unforgiveness, doubt, pride, bitterness, addiction… the list can be endless. A few weeks ago we heard some powerful testimonies of God’s power in the lives of the women of Candlehouse Teen Challenge. That same power is available to you today if you would believe! Believe His Power is Enough to Transform! I have an awesome vacuum cleaner that works so well but without plugging into the outlet it’s powerless.
Ladies, plug in! |
