Spiritual Strongholds

Romans 1:19-23

19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...

I went walking today. I do that often. It is a chance to get out and pray for the city and the different areas that God lays on the heart. It is a good reminder of the things that need to be prayed for, and often gives food for thought. It is nice to walk and converse with God asking Him to share His heart and also to move with His power.

Today it seems that everywhere I went there was another reminder that what we do is not about what so much is seen as it is about what is unseen. Though I have seen these sights before today was somehow different, more intense, more disturbing. What did I see? I walked up a hill and saw two older women praying ... to Mary. I passed them on the way up the hill, I saw the rosaries and heard some of the words. They arrived sometime after I did. they rang the bell of the shrine and the began to pray again to Mary. I had seen them once before. They had also prayed to Mary then but they had also prayed much more to Son and Father that time.

Last night on the playground we met a girl. She was happy and pleasant. She heard us speaking English and had been to visit the US... even our home state. So we chatted. As we told a little about us and what we do she revealed that she attended Kingdom Hall and wanted to help people study the Bible. Her religion made her very happy.

As I continued my walk today I went into the heart of the city. Again it is a sight that I have seen before on a number of occasions but coupled with the others it affected my heart and spirit. It was a Hare Krishna. He was setting up his music box, all his materials neatly arranged around him. Before long he would start to play the box and chant his mantra for the people passing by ... looking for inner peace and consciousness. Most people will probably give him a wider berth. But some, some might just wonder if there isn’t something to it.

I was grieved in spirit. I was bothered. All these people believing in some kind of higher power but exchanging God’s grace for man’s lie. One elevates Mary above her place and prays to her, exchanging the greatness of Christ for the frailty of mankind. One demotes Immanuel to an uncommon man (but a man all the same) denying His precious blood that saves us. One exchanges God for some higher power, seeking peace, but not the Prince of Peace. Begging enlightenment but walking in darkness.

We truly do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this age and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We see that so many people here are so reserved to spiritual things in general and then that is contrasted with people lead astray by the enemy of their souls after things that cannot save or give peace. It saddens the heart and moves the soul. And we pray for the spiritual strongholds to be torn down. We pray for the blinders to be ripped away. We pray for a door to be opened to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus, so that people walking in darkness might see a great light. That they might not be lead astray but come to knowledge of the truth.

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 4:3-6

Please continue to pray with us as we seek to preach Jesus Christ.