The Thief

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)
 
Forward motion depends on previous building—layers of diligence, dedication, and sacrifice. Yesterday, the day before, and the day before that, effort accumulates building blocks for an outcome envisioned in your heart.  For example, study and learning access higher levels of the same to gain subject mastery; or in business, we thrive when solid groundwork is followed by the next level of growth-producing increase and profit. 
 
The thief John speaks of is Satan. As enemy to the dream in your heart, Satan works against you, even questioning what you’ve built or attacking it outright, setting you back on your heels in confusion. Faith that brought you this far is now arrested. In the process, your greatest vulnerability is the adversary’s determination to take God’s Word away from you, stealing hope simultaneously. Specifics of the plan you began by faith, you now doubt, fear calling into question absolutes earlier trusted. 
 
The enemy is a thief—first! As thief, he comes to steal God’s word, leaving you ordinary, as those not familiar with the covenants of Almighty God. The process of wrangling God’s Word away from you is subtle. The very thing you’d never question now tempts you; faith was the speaker earlier, but now you are beset with increasing voices of contempt and suspicion. Many around you differ from your trusted beliefs, at the ready to fuel the confusion. 
 
Today, put your foot down. Surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and RESIST him. He will flee (James 4:7). He will not conquer. You have all of heaven’s authority—what you say matters (Matthew 16:18-19). For the person building with vision and a dream in their heart, for the one blessed, this is a lifestyle—daily. 
 
A thief comes to steal. Close and lock the door. 
 
Amen. 
John 10:10,ESV | Luke 19:10-24, ESV | Ephesians 2:12, AMP | | Matthew 16:18-19, NLT | James 4:7 | Verses@Once