Bruce Hempel

Psalm 84:1-7 (tears)

Jerusalem is spirit of giving, Babylon is spirit of gaining – we have been brought into the kingdom of God.

Hannah (Samuel’s mother) prayed in the tabernacle in great distress – the Lord granted what she asked.

It’s good to pray aloud, there is something in the spoken word that brings faith. In the present, because I have faith, I can have a testimony. God does not want us to have fear, to be held back by worry of what people will think, etc.

Luke 1:67-79 - Zechariah (John the Baptist’s Father) – what strikes me about this is how he speaks of being free from fear. God does not want us to live in any fear. Fear has torment. Americans are fed, through the media, a steady diet of fear.

1 John 4:4 – greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. V18 – perfect love casts out all fear.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Back to Luke 1. Verse 74: Grant us that we, being delivered from our enemies, may serve Him without fear. From this say 2 things: 1. I am the Lords servant; 2. I should serve Him without fear.

God want to get rid of health fears, family fears, fear that I cannot change.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Previous verse talks of how Paul has learned to be content in all things – Paul does not fear poor and hard times.

1 Sam 17 – the meaning of “my soul will make its boast in Thee Lord” – God wants us to have this boast in our hearts.

Dr. Teubl - Stronghold of fear:

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2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We must take every thought captive. The kingdom of heaven is not taken in passivity, rather activity. Although we should wait and be partly passive as we wait on the Lord. We are active, however, when we tear down the strongholds of the enemy.

Stronghold - we build a stronghold by collecting thoughts (though they are lies, they will hold an element of truth).

How do we build a stronghold of fear? As we gather ideas of fear, we build a stronghold of fear.

How do I bring down a stronghold of fear?

1. You must identify the stronghold (a stronghold that is demonized, is hidden). Some of the things used to build a stronghold are built over time.
2. Ask yourself, "why do I believe what I believe?" You have to take the stronghold down, not denying the truth, but taking down the fearful elements.

If you think that you have a fear (or any stronghold), make a two column list, one of lies and one of truths. The truth should include verses that state truths. Whenever you come up against that fear (or stronghold) declare that verse.

What does this have to do with the demonic?

When we build strongholds, they are not simply errors. Many strongholds become demonically occupied. When we rebuild the stronghold, we must be ready to be active in the spiritual.

When we can find verses that can address the specific issue, then we are enabled to be effective against the enemy. Praise is another way that strongholds are brought down.

Pick your battles, but plan to win them.