1. Strongholds in our minds
  1. Mind not renewed
    1. Romans 12: 1, 2
  2. Insecurity of not knowing who  we are in Christ.
    1. 2 Peter 3: 18 Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
  3. Comparison Seeing our lack in comparison to others.
    1. Haggai 2: 9 Glory of new temple greater than the former
  4. Helplessness I am powerless and lost all control
    1. We are always dependent on the Holy Spirit for everything
    2. Come unto me all who are weak and I will give you strength Matthew 11: 28
  5. Denial excusing my failure on others
    1. Jeremiah 17: 9 The heart is deceitful above all things. Desperately wicked who can know it.
  6. Contempt not seeing good in anyone else
    1. A spirit that you know what is good and everyone else is falling short.
    2. Corporate pursuit of Jesus and how we are the body of Christ.
  7. Fear I am going to be overwhelmed
    1. 1 John 4: 18 there is no fear in love.  Perfect love drives out fear.
    2. Stepping into fear is where courage comes from.
    3. Daughter Hannah A head full of fear has no space for dreams.
  8. Poverty I have nothing to offer or what I have to offer is not enough
    1. I have learned to be content in every situation Philippians 4: 11 – 13
    2. When we are not content, we are always reaching for something new.
  9. Self Pity always focusing on ourselves and the negatives in our lives
    1. We have huge egos that have been bruised.
    2. Micah 7: 8 Do not mock me oh my enemy.  Though I have fallen, I am getting back up.
  10. Unforgiveness. Refusing to let go of hurts that have happened to me.
    1. Matthew 6: 14, 15 If we forgive those who hurt us our heavenly father will forgive us, but if we do not forgive others who sin against us our heavenly father will not forgive us.
  11. Despair thinking our circumstances are bigger than God and we give up
    1. Psalm 43: 5 Why so downcast oh my soul.  Put your hope in God.

2. Joshua”s Promise

  1. Every place you set your foot Vs 3
    1. Same promise was given to Moses Deuteronomy 11: 24
    2. Taking others promises an claiming them as our own can be a challenge.
    3. We like to bring these into our lives, but there are always issues that would stop them from happening in our lives.
  2. There was an enemy contesting every foot step that Joshua took
    1. It took them five years to conquer the promised land
    2. Some people even died fighting for the promises to take place.
  3. How do you keep hold of the promises until you win the battle?

3. Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit

  1. Numbers 14: 24 Caleb has a different spirit than the others have.  He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored.
  2. Already tasted the fruit of the Land?
    1. Some saw enemies that made them look like grasshoppers in their sight. Numbers 13: 32 – 33
    2. Who were the real grasshoppers? Joshua 2: 8 – 11
    3. Why are we afraid when it is really the enemy that is afraid.  Does the enemy know our God better than we do?
  3. Joshua spent extra time in the presence of the Lord Exodus 33: 11

4. Enemy is real

  1. The giants in the land were fearful, but they had no intention of moving.
  2. They had to be moved
  3. Joshua thought they were already defeated.  Numbers 14: 8 – 10
  4. When it came to  his own battle and Moses was no longer there to help him, he needed the Lord to tell him to be courageous.
  5. Contend for victory Colossians 1: 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerful works in me.

5. Have to realize that we are going to have to contend.

  1. If God doesn’t do something in 5 minutes, we are depressed
  2. If there is any effort required on our part, we are depressed.
  3. Paul
    1. Take gospel to every part of the earth
    2. Be imprisoned, beaten, and ridiculed.  Contend
  4. Joshua had a promise
    1. Wandered for 40 years because of others
    2. Fought for 5 years to attain it.
    3. God wasn’t a waiter who was at our beck and call, but one worth fighting to see the promises come true
  5. God doesn’t mind us bringing up our promises to him

6. Promises

  1. Promise of a future Jeremiah 29: 11
  2. Find rest Matthew 11: 28, 29
  3. Given strength to do what God says Isaiah 40: 29 – 31
  4. Supply all our needs Philippians 4: 19
  5. Give us wisdom in times of trials James 1: 2 – 8
  6. Promise of eternal life to those who trust in Christ as Savior Romans 6: 23
  7. Promise of peace John 14: 27
  8. Promise of forgiveness of sins Romans 8: 1
  9. Nothing can separate us from His love Romans 8: 37 – 39

Contend for these promises in our lives and the lives of others as strongholds are broken down.