Protect Yourself From the Thief

Aug 5, 2021 | Dennis Heppner, Lifestyle

Protect Yourself from the thief

Jesus said, “The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but I come…. to bring life…

Several years ago we experienced a thief in our house. The real frustration with this situation was that I let the thief in. Here’s what happened.
I had advertised a laptop computer for sale and someone came to see it. He brought along a troublesome 4-year-old who ran around our house making trouble.



That child was a planned distraction. Then the prospective buyer agreed to buy it but asked for a receipt. I left the room and printed a receipt. Upon returning, the buyer said, “I am short on some money—I will run to the ATM and get some more.” However, what he had done while I was printing the receipt was place the computer in his own bag and filled my computer case with cardboard! And he never came back. Imagine my feelings to find my computer bag was empty. Right there, in front of me, the thief got away.

Jesus said the thief does come around—that is a fact. His purpose, Jesus said, is to steal, kill and destroy. The thief is the devil. He will try to take your peace, your joy, your security, your relationships: in fact, he comes for every good thing you have in your life.

To stop the thief, you must be alert, aware, and awake. The Apostle Peter told the believers to “be alert.” That means “be mentally self-controlled”. Peter also says, “…you have an adversary…” The word for adversary describes an appointed prosecutor or complainant in a lawsuit. Peter names the adversary—he’s the devil. Remember, he comes and brings with him trouble.

When trouble comes, take your authority as a Christian and stand up to the devil’s work. Peter told the believers to ”resist” or withstand him. The thief is deceptive. Jesus called him a liar. Don’t listen to the thief’s words of discouragement and condemnation. Stand up to him.

The devil “walks about like a roaring lion.” He wants you to be in fear. But remember that God never puts fear on you. No matter how bad it looks, God is not finished yet.

I could have stopped my thief if I had been alert. You can stop the thief in your life by being alert and remembering the Lord has His hand on your life to protect you and keep you in all your ways. We can stop the thief. The only way the thief gets away is when we are not alert.

The promise of Peter is that in resisting we overcome. Courage wins the day and you can win too. The thief will come—but a greater One comes—the Lord Jesus. And with Him comes abundant, overflowing life.

MEDITATE

Are you alert, meaning mentally self-controlled? Are you able to take authority as a Christian and stand up against the work of the devil? Have you been able to resist the devil’s schemes?

STUDY

1 Peter 5:8-9, Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Reading Plan: Leviticus 9-15

PRAY

Heavenly Father, thank you that through Jesus I have the power to overcome. I know that I am under your protection and that you keep me in all my ways. Help me to not doubt when the devil comes. I choose to stand my ground and be alert.

LIVE
Always be alert! Remember that you are an overcomer. Feed your mind with the Word and remember your identity in Christ. The thief may try to steal what you have, but with an alert mind, you will stand your ground!

#Faith #SelfControl #Overcomer

Dennis Heppner grew up in Canada and was called to ministry as a young boy. Dennis and his wife Denie, who was also called to missions as a child, pastored 4 churches in Canada, but in 1987 the door opened to come to the Philippines as missionaries. They brought their 4 eldest children with them and the kids grew up here. In 2006 they adopted Emma Rose, a special Filipino treasure and a gift from God to their family.

Dennis has been a missionary evangelist in Asia for 25 years. He was the director of LIFESCHOOLS of ministry and pastored 3 churches in the early years of his ministry based in the Philippines. He is currently the founder and President of Developing Effective Leaders (DEL), superintendent of Church of God West Asia, and the founding and lead Pastor of the vibrant, growing Church of God Makati.

Dennis and Denie and their whole family, including Josh and Melody who live in Canada, are committed to missions, leadership, and the call of Christ.

Read more of Ptr. Dennis’s articles HERE.

Extended Bio HERE.

Computer photo created by jcomp – www.freepik.com

Help us REFRESH others with the life-giving Word of God today!


Adsense

You may also like…

We Talk Too Much!

We Talk Too Much!

This could be a problem. Consider this. You have seven holes in your head. (Interesting - the number of...

Set Free by Love

Set Free by Love

The Bible sets a very high standard for love by saying it keeps no record of being wronged. ... Love never...



Share This

Share This

Share this post with your friends!