For Wisdom Regarding Strongholds

Struggles of the Mind – how to pull down strongholds

Today I would to briefly touch on the subject of strongholds, through out this article I will  explain what strongholds are , how you can identify them and lastly I will guide you in a proven way of pulling them down.

Many people struggle on a daily basis with attitudes and emotions that they have absolutely no control over or feel powerless when facing these life issues. Does this sound something you experience? Then you have what is known as a stronghold, no need to get scared about it, many people even Christians faces this very issues in many areas of their life.

What are strongholds?

The Oxford Dictionary describes Stronghold as “1: a place that has been fortified against attack. 2: a place of strong support for a cause or political party”.

In lay man terms strongholds are basically thought patterns that over a period of time has become so engraved in your soul(you mind) that they become part of you, molten iron poured in a cast, it solidifies to form a permanent shape.

Same way your thought patterns determines who you really become. Proverbs 23:7 says “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

” This thought become so establish in you that it has the power to resist any thing that is contrary to it and it seeks more and more to fortified itself against any form of attack.

How can you identify a stronghold in your life?

The process of identifying strongholds in one’s life may range from easy to very difficult since strongholds at their optimum has already engraved itself in your mind , thoughts and way of life, they have become you!. There are hundreds of strongholds which can exist in people life’s e.g. greed, lust, stealing, fear, low self worth, lying, unbelief, ungodly thoughts and many more.

Strongholds can be identify by their destructive habits; you end up doing things that you yourself does not approve off or feel compelled to do things against your own will always giving into the will of what we call in the Christian circle “the flesh”. You know clearly the right thing you ought to do but every time you are faced with those circumstances you end up failing again.

Some stronghold cannot be identified by you, others see it clearly in you but you just don’t see it, that can be a very difficult state (since you need to first understand and admit that you are actually under a stronghold) but if you cannot see it yourself it can be difficult for you to see as others may notice.

There are many strongholds that can exist in one’s life and they all have one thing in common they destroy your life and steal from you your joy and peace of mind and ultimately your relationship with God.

By now you may have identified a few strongholds in your life that have been rubbing you of your relationship with God, the greatest may be unbelief (if you have not received Jesus in your life),that you may to know how to pull down and even destroy? Great! Now go to a priest of a pastor and let them anoint you and pray for you right?

Sorry to disappoint you, the fact is you may go to many priests and many pastors (maybe some of you already have) and notice that you still struggle with that strongholds. You ask, is there any hope? The answer is Yes!

To rid yourself from a strong hold you first need to identify the strong hold as we said earlier, by identity I mean genuinely know and understand that that this is the hindering force in your life. This is the Admit ion stage.

Upon admit ion we now move to a new level the place of Action. In 2Corinthians 10 3-6 Say “… We do not war after flesh” it also says that “… the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (natural) but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations” .

We have already establish that strongholds are setup in your minds, they can neither be seen or touched ( they exist in a different realm the spirit realm). So that means we cannot fight them with conventional weapons but we can fight back using spiritual weapons.

Establishing the base of truth to pull down strongholds

Why is this important? To fight you must have a base a place to launch your attack from. This base has to be secure beyond any shadow of doubt. That base is the truth of God Word and the weapons are his word(his word is as a double edge sword).

Using the truth of God word as your base or basis of judgment you need to pass every thought and ever imagination of your mind through this base for examination.

When the ungodly desires come you need to say “are these good and wholesome thoughts according to the judgment of the word?”, or are they canal thoughts (selfish and destructive).

You can say “You thought of lust I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” then ask for the Lords strength “ Father in the name of Jesus I plead the blood of Jesus over my mind and I submit my will to the will Lord Jesus. Long before you know it, you are delivered walking in freedom from that stronghold. Why is that so? Because you allow in the truth of the word in your mind and you stifle the voice of the enemy.

Keep in the word since your mind is a battle ground you must continue to fill it with the ammunition for the moment you stop replenishing your supplies the enemy will start closing in and take you captive back it is stronghold.

If you enjoyed this article please take some time and send me your comments and share it with your friends.

Photo credits: www.cacgm.org

Identify strongholds, Inspirational, pulling down stongholds, Struggles of the Mind

Источник: //dominicaexplorer.com/inspirational/breaking-strongholds/

Pillars of Eternity Stronghold Upgrades, Hirelings, Adventures, Prisoners, Bounties

The Stronghold or Caed Nua in Pillars of Eternity is the game’s main hub that you will use to carry out different operations. It is essentially your ‘safe haven’, and a place you can call your own home and rule over.

Pillars of Eternity Stronghold

The Caed Nua isn’t available from the get-go – it has to be found and taken charge of by completing a quest relatively early on in the game. However, that’s merely the begin; managing the Stronghold is a task that requires time and effort, as the place is massive, and has a lot to offer.

Quickly enough, it becomes one of the most intriguing and absorbing game mechanics in the game. This guide will help you get acquainted with all the requirements and necessities of the Stronghold, its upgrades, and the different key options that these upgrades provide to make your Pillars of Eternity experience better.

Restoration

The Stronghold is located in the Eastern Reach north of Defiance Bay, directly above the Endless Paths of Od Nua.

You’ll be able to access it by completing the Stewards quest fairly early in the game. Once you complete the quest, the Stronghold will basically be your rally point and hub. When you gain possession of the Stronghold, it will be old and shape.

You will need to work with the Steward to get it into working shape. This is primarily done through Upgrades, and there are plenty of them (see the Upgrades section). These will open up new activities and quests for you to take participation in, making the Stronghold a very large part of the game.

Additionally, Stronghold will unlock specific quests and rare items that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

Stronghold Upgrades

Stronghold Upgrades are of wide variety, and are extremely important if you want to take maximum advantage of the place.

In addition to adding prestige, they will also fortify the Stronghold and will allow you to fend off any potential attacks from foreign invaders and hostiles.

Stronghold upgrades will also allow you to acquire resting bonuses; have additional quests for idle companions; increase the land you own, hence increasing the amount of tax you collect; grant you specific ingredients, and grant additional storage.

All the upgrades in the Stronghold, along with their description, pricing, and Prestige/Security bonuses are listed below!

Hirelings

When you acquire the Barracks upgrade, you will be able to recruit Hirelings.

Hirelings are NPCs that will help in protecting your Stronghold and will maintain the upkeep of your Prestige and Security bonuses. This is a great investment if you want to keep your Stronghold as a prospering place.

There is a standard set of Hirelings available, each with their own set of offerings for Prestige and Security. Additionally, there are also guest Hirelings that can be recruited and will produce variety of unique benefits to your Stronghold.

Standard Unlockable Hirelings

Korgrak

• Ogre 7th Level
• 50cp/5 Days
• +12 Security
• -10 Prestige

Unlocked by traveling to the Ogre cave in Dyrford Crossing. If you speak with the ogre instead of killing him, you can convince him to come work for you at your stronghold for a fee

Crucible Knight

• Paladin 5th Level
• 20cp/5 Days
• +4 Security
• +8 Prestige

Unlocked by completing Winds of Steel for the crucible knights.

Dozens Mercenary Captain

• Fighter 5th Level
• 20cp/5 Days
• +6 Security
• +4 Prestige

Unlocked by completing The Bronze Beneath the Lake for The Dozens.

Avenger of Skaen

• Priest 7th Level
• 65cp/5 Days
• +7 Prestige
• -5 Security

Unlocked by siding with Wymund in the quest Blood Legacy.

Doemenel Thug

• Rogue 5th Level
• 20cp/5 Days
• +8 Security
• +2 Prestige

Unlocked by completing The Changing of the Guard for House Doemenel.

Brothel Hirelings
These Hirelings can be found in the Salty Mast in Defiance Bay. Only one can be recruited in a given play through of the game. You can only hire them if you make an attribute check of Constitution 19 and Dexterity 19 after sleeping with them.

Aldwyn

• 10cp/5 Days
• +3 Prestige
• + 0 Security

Big Durmsey

• 10cp/5 Days
• +3 Prestige
• + 0 Security

Gjefa

• 10cp/5 Days
• +3 Prestige
• + 0 Security

Iqali

• 10cp/5 Days
• +3 Prestige
• + 0 Security

Lyrinia

• 10cp/5 Days
• +3 Prestige
• + 0 Security

Orico

• 10cp/5 Days
• +3 Prestige
• + 0 Security

Guest Hirelings
Guest Hirelings are hirelings that will visit the Stronghold from time to time looking to be hired.

Glanfathan Soul Hunter

• Cipher 6
• 50 cp/5 Days
• +3 Security
• +5 Prestige

Fellow of St. Waidwen

• Paladin 6
• 90 cp/5 Days
• +6 Security
• +1 Prestige

Aedyran Noblewoman

• 250 cp/5 Days
• +0 Security
• +12 Prestige

Vicious War Criminal

• Fighter 9
• 350 cp/5 Days
• +8 Security
• -8 Prestige

Brutish Warrior

• Barbarian 6
• 50 cp/5 Day
• +6 Security
• +2 Prestige

Dunryd Psion

• Cipher 5
• 100cp/5 Days
• +4 Security
• -2 Prestige

Stronghold Attacks

Your Stronghold isn’t a safe haven unless it’s made so by adding Hirelings and other personnel to boost security. The reason you’re doing this is because the Stronghold will be periodically attacked by monsters and foreigners.

You can negate these attacks if you clear the various floors of the Stronghold as well. Below is the list of the enemies you would encounter for every level you clear:

Level 1
Wood Beetles and Spear Spiders

Level 2
Xaurip and Wurms

Level 3 & 4
Trolls and Oozes

Level 5 & 6
Skeletons

Level 11
Shades and Forest Lurkers

Level 12
Vithrack – Level 12

Level 13
Caen Gwlas and Spectres

Stronghold Adventures

Stronghold is a great place for idle companions that you may have. They will be allowed to take part in Adventures here.

Each adventure has its own specific time duration and unique rewards, and you’ll be informed every time one is available. This is a great way to make use of some of the companions you are not taking along with you.

Adventure Types
There are various types of adventures available. The larger adventures take much longer, but also bring much better rewards.

Minor Adventure

• 1 Turn
• +15% XP
• 150-300 cp
• Random Item (Minor)
• Faction Reputation Bonus (Minor)

Average Adventure

• 2 Turns
• +15% XP
• 150-300 cp
• Random Item (Minor)
• Faction Reputation Bonus (Minor)*

Major Adventure

• 3 Turns
• +25% XP
• 500-1000 cp
• Random Item (Average)
• Faction Reputation Bonus (Average)

Grand Adventure

• 4 Turns
• +35% XP
• 750-2000 cp
• 2 Random Items (Average)
• 1 Random Item (Major)
• Faction Reputation Bonus (Major)

Legendary Adventure

• 5 Turns
• +50% XP
• 1000-3000 cp
• 3 Random Items (Average)
• 2 Random Items (Major)
• 1 Random Item (Grand)
• Faction Reputation Bonus (Grand)

Stronghold Prisoners

You can take in Prisoners in your Stronghold, which can have a variety of Lore and gameplay benefits for you. Initially, the Caed Nau dungeon contains 9 cells, but by purchasing the relevant upgrade you can take certain NPCs as prisoners after defeating them.

The following are the NPCs you can hold captive in your Stronghold:

Nyrid
Found in a house in Copperlane, north of the Forum.

Eorn
Found in the southwest corner of the Catacombs in Defiance Bay.

Naelde
Found after defeating the Leaden Key Agents after the Riots in Defiance Bay.

Gramrfel the Wayfarer
Once you reach Copperlane, return to Magran’s fork to have an encounter with a high level band of bandits. After defeating the group, Gramrfel can be taken as prisoner.

Aefre
Found in the ‘Supply and Demand’ quest in Defience Bay.

Mercenary Captain Esmer
Found alongside his crew in the Glanfathan lands of Twin Elms. Spare his life to capture him.

Kestorik
At Level 12 of the Stronghold, you will encounter her.

Warden Bounties

Once you acquire the Warden’s Lodge upgrade, you can begin receiving bounties after speaking to the Warden in his lodge.

There are various tiers of bounties available, and you need to complete one tier to unlock the next one.

Tier 1

• Warchief Iklak
• Nalrend the Wise
• Sly Crydel
• The Dweller

Tier 2

• Songsmith Roska
• Daroth Grimault
• Thorfen
• Glasdial

Tier 3

• Devwen
• Captain Muarumi
• Foemyna
• Galen Dalgard

Tier 4

• Naroc the Prophet
• Sserkal
• High Arcanist Ysly

Источник: //segmentnext.com/2015/03/30/pillars-of-eternity-stronghold-upgrades-hirelings-adventures-prisoners-bounties/

SWTOR Galactic Strongholds Tours and Unlock Pricings

SWTOR Galactic Strongholds unlock prices and tours for each of the four apartment introduced with Galactic Stronghold expansion. Updated August 2 with guild stronghold unlock prices.

Unlock Prices compared

Personal Strongholds

Max hooks is the maximum number of decorations you can place with all expansions. Max occupancy is the max number of players that can be in your stronghold at once.

Guild Strongholds

Legacy Bank

Kaas City Apartment

Personal Stronghold Unlock Prices

• Price to Unlock: 5000 credits or 50 cartel coins
• Total cost to unlock all 9 expansions: 1.44 million credits or 3500 CC for all expansions or 1.445 million and 3550 CC with apartment unlock price.
• Default occupancy: 5, Expansions: 9. Max Hooks: 300. Max Occupancy: 50.
• By default you get 2 rooms on the first floor and a hallway. You can add 9 more expansions (5 rooms, 2 staircases, a garage and a balcony) for a total of 7 rooms, 2 staircases, a garage and a balcony.

Guild Stronghold Unlock Prices

• Price to Unlock: 50k credits
• Total cost to unlock all 9 expansions: 4.32 million credits for all expansions or 4.37 mil with apartment unlock price.
• Default occupancy: 5, Expansions: 9

Video Tour

Maps

Coruscant Apartment

Personal Stronghold Unlock Prices

• Price to Unlock: 5000 credits or 50 cartel coins
• Total cost to unlock all 9 expansions: 1.44 million credits or 3500 CC for all expansions or 1.445 million and 3550 CC with apartment unlock price.
• Default occupancy: 5, Expansions: 9. Max Hooks: 300. Max Occupancy: 50.
• By default you get 2 rooms on the first floor and a hallway. You can add 9 more expansions (5 rooms, 2 staircases, a garage and a balcony) for a total of 7 rooms, 2 staircases, a garage and a balcony.

Guild Stronghold Unlock Prices

• Price to Unlock: 50k credits
• Total cost to unlock all 9 expansions: 4.32 million credits for all expansions or 4.37 mil with apartment unlock price.
• Default occupancy: 5, Expansions: 9

Video Tour

Maps

Coruscant and Kaas apartment shares identical layout so I used the Kaas layout to save time.

Tatooine Homestead

Personal Stronghold Unlock Prices

• Price to Unlock: 2.5m or 2500 CC.
• Total Cost: 7 m or 7600 CC for all the expansions. 9.5 mil or 10100 CC with homestead unlock price included.
• Default Occupancy: 10, expansions: 7. Max Hooks: 500. Max Occupancy: 100
• By default you get a free balcony and a free hallway on the second floor. Most of the open areas on the ground floor are free too. You can add 6 more rooms and a docking bay.

Guild Stronghold Unlock Prices

• Price to Unlock: 15 mil
• Total cost: 16.6 mil  for all the expansions. 31.6 mil with homestead unlock price included.
• Default occupancy: 5, Expansions: 9

Video Tour

Maps

Nar Shaddaa Sky Palace

Personal Stronghold Unlock Prices

• Price to unlock: Free for subscribers who are subscribed by a certain date. If you missed it, you need to pay 250k or 500 CC to purchase it. 
• Total Cost: Subscribers who were subscribed by the defined date and get 5 expansions for free still need to pay 6.5 mil or 6825 CC to unlock everything.
• Default Occupancy: 5, Expansions: 9. Max Hooks: 425. Max Occupancy: 75
• Subscribers who subscribed by May 11 get 5 expansions (Northwest, Northeast, Vestibule, Main Room, East Staircase) for free. Subscribers who subscribed by July 15 get 3 expansions (Northwest, Northeast, Vestibule) for free. Rooms in the lower level and balcony still need to be unlocked.

* Subscriber by May 11 or July 15 to get them for free

**Subscriber by May 11 to get them for free.

Guild Stronghold Unlock Prices

• Price to unlock: 2 mil. 
• Total Cost: 25.75 mil for all expansions, or 27.75 mil for all expansions and the unlock price.
• Default Occupancy: 5, Expansions: 9

Video Tour

Maps

Special thanks to Haruss for these maps with prices.

Источник: //dulfy.net/2014/07/25/swtor-galactic-strongholds-tours-and-unlock-pricings/

Strongholds – deliverance and spiritual warfare teachings

Home > Strongholds

The process of deliverance often consists of three main parts: Tearing down strongholds, removing legal rights and then casting out the remaining demons.

If you try to cast out demons without taking away the strongholds or legal rights that they are holding onto, then you can't really expect to achieve a complete successful deliverance.

Removing these two blockages is vital in going about a complete and successful deliverance.

There is a teaching specifically on Legal Rights too that you may want to go through as well.

What is a stronghold?

A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern lies and deception. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God's best.

For example, if you think you have to confess all your sins to everybody you've ever wronged, you'll feel just awful and guilty until you do all that, and even then, you'll probably feel guilty, because you probably forgot many people that you didn't confess your sins to.

All unnecessary, and a waste of time, all because you were deceived and thought that you had to do something that you really didn't have to do.

An example of a stronghold at work: A common scene is somebody who is scared of God, and has a hard time feeling His love and presence.

If you saw your spouse as a rude and cruel dictator, you probably wouldn't be as apt to snuggle upto Him and love him as you would if you saw him as a loving and kind person who loves you and cares for you.

If you see somebody as mean, it's hard to receive their love, isn't it? That's how our perception of God can hinder us from feeling His love and presence in our lives. It is VERY important to have a correct perception of God if we want to live victorious lives in Christ Jesus!

Two very destructive and common strongholds

The first one, where you see God incorrectly: One of the most popular and devastating strongholds to have, is an incorrect image in your mind of who God is, and how He sees us. People who see God as a taskmaster, live their lives with an unhealthy fear of God.

There's a good kind of fear of God, which is more a holy respect for Him, but there's another kind of fear that is very unhealthy that the enemy wants us to have, and it's the kind of fear where we see God as a taskmaster, cruel, cold, distant, uncaring and would snap the whip at us the moment we step line. People who are afraid they've committed the unpardonable sin are almost guaranteed to have this stronghold. People who find it hard to feel God's love and presence, often have this stronghold too. If you feel God is distant and cold, or question if God loves you, then you need to get this stronghold torn down.

One awesome book that will help you break down this stronghold is Blessed Beyond Measure by Gloria Copeland. It talks about the goodness of God, and it's impossible to read that book and be the same person when your done seeing the love and goodness that God wants to bless us with!

The second one, where you see yourself incorrectly: People who suffer from this have a hard time seeing the new person that they are now in Christ Jesus, and often suffer from low self-esteem. They don't understand what Christ did for them, and how it applies to their own life.

Common symptoms of this stronghold are guilt feelings (questioning if you've really been forgiven of your sin(s)), low spiritual esteem (they feel sinners, not saints), they lack spiritual confidence that we are supposed to have in Christ Jesus, they may still struggle with sin (Jesus said that if you keep in His Word, which tears down strongholds, you will be free from the power sin has over you – John 8:31-34), and overall you don't feel 'worthy' spiritually and lack the joy of the Lord in your life. If you even remotely struggle with this stronghold, the teaching Forgiven sinner or saint? is an absolute must-read!

One of the best books I've seen for tearing down this stronghold is Victory over Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. It will teach you of the new person you are now in Christ Jesus, and help you be victorious over the darkness through an understanding of your identity in Christ.

I mention common other strongholds over on the Three Stages of Bondage teaching.

How to tear down a stronghold

2 Corinthians 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”

Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene.

You debunk the lies of the enemy, with the truth, which is in the Word of God! The Bible says that our weapons are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”).

This is where it's important to grow in God's Word, is because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been feeding you.

In John 8:31-36, Jesus tells us that we can be held in bondage due to strongholds in our lives. And His solution was to, “continue in my word… and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (v. 32-32) Strongholds are torn down as we meditate on God's Word, which is truth!

A great list of Bible verses you can meditate on, which will help you tear down strongholds in your life can be found on the anti-stronghold Bible verses page: //www.greatbiblestudy.com/bible_verses.php

Another great list of anti-stronghold confessions can be found in the Blessing Confessions list.

Источник: //www.greatbiblestudy.com/strongholds.php