A FORTIFIED CITY

Wise is the man who fortifies his life with good friends.

I read that quote and thought "wow"  How true, but then I did a dictionary study on the word FORTIFIED and I had an even deeper understanding of what it  means to fortify our lives. making sure we fortify it with the right things and how God fortifies us.

Fortified and Fortify:
1. having something added to increase the strength (God is our refuge and our Rock our mighty fortress and our shield) he increases our strength and even BECOMES our strength in weakness) the definition says something ADDED. My personal thought is obviously if you're not saved that you have to get saved in order for Christ to fortify you. If you are saved that being filled with the Holy Spirit is what can be "added" (I use that lightly) to add strength to you. and of course by adding the Word of God and pray to our daily routine will add strength.

2. military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare (I believe its important to fortify ourselves with strong christian friends that can surround us during times of warfare. To make sure that those who stand with us are for us and not against us. To make sure that motives of people within your camp are pure. so often we walk into relationships blindly and in the end we find that those we thought were for us were truly working against us. leeches who suck up all your goods, use you for what you can give them. Tap into your sphere of influence, and then when they have no use for you they cut you off.   Fortify yourself with healthy people full of strength so they can be a defense to you in warfare instead of always an offense. If you're in a leadership position this is especially important so you can have accountability and maintain a level of humility and teach-ability. (There's nothing worse than someone who thinks they know all there is to know a subject and can't receive constructive criticism or correction from others)
To fortify ourselves with the word of God and to wear continually our armor. *Ephesians 6:10*

3. to add nutrients to;  the addition of an ingredient for the purpose of enrichment - I think of this like small groups (if your church has them) or other ministries within your church that you can get involved in. I believe its those extra ministries that I get involved in that enrich my life. I'm able to meet and connect with people on a more personal level that Sunday morning church alone doesn't allow.  

4. on a label (as with a breakfast cereal) tells you that nutrients have been added that weren't in the original ingredients- Hilarious! How many things do we allow in our lives.. to fortify our lives that weren't in the ORIGINAL ingredient? you know... those extra added preservatives and sugars that "taste" good but are bad for us! You know those sins, those thoughts, those friends, that man, that woman, those habits... the list can go on and on, but Hebrews 12:1 tells us to lay aside those weights that easily beset us.
Now I don't know about you, but that right there.. Is GREAT substance LOL!

We can have something added to our lives and that 'something' be it the Word of God, prayer, relationships, church, physical exercise, healthy eating.. can add strength to us!
I was singing the song: A mighty fortress is our God a Bulwark NEVER failing and I thought what exactly is a bulwark?  it's a DEFENSIVE WALL God is our defensive wall. our strength in weakness amen!

Now when I read about fortified cities in the Bible it was a bit overwhelming cause there's so many parts to it, but I was led to a scripture in Jeremiah 1:17-19 and I am so bubbling over even right now with excitement for the Word that God has spoken to my spirit. he says "THIS daughter, is for you"

¹⁷But you [Jeremiah], gird up your loins! Arise and tell them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed and break down at the sight of their faces, lest I confound you before them and permit you to be overcome.
    ¹⁸For I, behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar and bronze walls against the whole land--against the [successive] kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land [giving you divine strength which no hostile power can overcome].^{(A)
    19}And they shall fight against you, but they shall not [finally] prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.

HALLELUJAH!

You are a fortified city in which God is using to deliver His message. He has blessed you within divine strength to carry out your individual GOD given task on this Earth!

Blessings!

Alisa