Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Scripture Text: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

We continue this morning in the area of strongholds.

I have had many "Godly" brothers and sister write to me and tell me that they would like to have a personal worship time - but they just can't. They feel like they're on an airplane that just won't fly, and when you think about it, if an airplane can't fly - what is it? It's just a really fast bus. Can you imagine a bus filled with 200 - 300 people going down the highways in excess of 550 mph? Talk about awkward; talk about dangerous; it's an accident just waiting to happen! But when those buses are scaled down to proper size, implementing state and federal regulations that govern safety and proper procedures pertaining to mass transit - the desired result is realized.

Now, pardon that analogy, but that was actually the scenario given to me by a partner with regard to her prayer life. She said she tried to pray but she just couldn't. She said, "I feel like I'm on an airplane that just can't take off". In other words, she had the proper vessel, her tanks were filled with fuel, but when she revved up the engines - nothing happened.

That's what strongholds do to us, and there are many of us who cannot plumb the heights of the Glory of God because our vessel just won't fly.

Remember what Paul said yesterday in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5?

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (KJV)

If we're going to fly, we need to first get up off the ground. Did you hear me? Stop moping around about the past and fretting about the future. God has BIG things in store for you if you will break free of your strongholds that are holding you captive to the flesh. Paul said, "...the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds", and that my friend is where praise comes in.

Here's the thing though. There is a war going on for your life and mine, and it's not being fought in the realm of the flesh. It is being fought in the realm of the spirit - in the heavenlies. If we read 2 Corinthians 12 we see where Paul speaks of being caught up into the "third heaven" which he describes as the realm where God dwells. Now, I need to hurry here because of time but let me just quickly say that if there is a third heaven, there must be a description of the first and second heavens somewhere in the scriptures wouldn't you think?

Look at Psalms 19:1. It says there,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."

I believe that suggests that the first heaven is our atmosphere here on earth, and if we look at Revelation 14:6 which I believe substantiates that - it says,

"And I saw another angel fly in the 'midst' of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

Did you get that? John says, "I saw an angel fly in the midst of heaven". That word "midst" speaks of "between" one thing and something else. If you look a couple of chapters back in the book of Revelation (12:7,8), you will read these words:

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."

Now, I just had to squeeze that one in there, and I will explain in more in the actual study I am preparing for you to download later on - but isn't that like old Satan - to set up shop right between our world and the world to come? Doesn't it make sense to you that when you pray or to try to praise the Lord, and you feel as the one gal described it, "your airplane won't fly", that a good reason for that is that there is a battle going on in the heavens for your soul - and only you can turn the tide my friend, and you do it through the power of praise.

Isn't this exciting? Your vessel may be loaded down with baggage that would never let you get off the ground - but you have a new Pilot that has been sent to you by Jesus Himself (ref., John 14:6), and he will assist you to lift you far beyond the stormy skies to new heights in Jesus Christ. Are you ready? More tomorrow.. for now, let's pray.

Father: I have been loaded down with a lot of baggage that I should have discarded a long time ago. I need to fly - I need to be set free from the lies and the accusations that Satan has levied against me for so long, and be free once again to proclaim the gospel of Christ unencumbered by the strongholds that chain me to my fulcrum - walking in circles and going no where. Set Free! What a glorious sound that has Father, and I desire that in my life today - In Jesus' Name I ask it, Amen.