Thieves

This weekend I experienced three different thieves. I woke up at 5:30 am to take the dogs out. When I returned to bed I looked out the window and noticed that the door of the work suburban was open. After reviewing the security camera I saw three people walk by the vehicle and then one stopped in front of it as a look out and the other two opened the doors and began to rummage through it looking for things to steal. Fortunately there was nothing of value in the suburban and they moved on.

Later that morning I received a text alert that my debit card had been fraudulently used for two Uber charges in San Francisco. The card was immediately cancelled and I will need to dispute the charges.

The third thief was more stealthy than the rest. He stole my peace. Several times throughout the day and then into the night I would look out the window checking for strangers walking by.

As I laid awake in bed I prayed. First thankful that the situations weren’t worse than they were and then asking for God to restore my peace. A couple of bible verses quickly came to mind.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

“Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now. Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.” Matthew 10:27-30

That’s what thieves do, they intimidate. Their actions have the potential to create fear and keep us from the life that God intends. That life includes peace in Him.

These verses also reminded me that material possessions and money can be replaced but our souls – our eternal lives are priceless. God has given us the way to experience a full life on this earth regardless of what the enemy throws our way. Remember Job, the enemy took everything he had and his whole purpose was to get Job to curse God. But Job remained faithful and in the end God blessed him more than He had in the beginning.

Today is the anniversary of a time when this nations’ peace was stolen by terrorists. Many lives were lost and many heroes stepped forward. For a time we experienced great fear. The churches were full and we were a nation in shock.

His words were just as timely then. What really matters is our souls and our faith in Christ. The enemy will try to steal them, but God is faithful and He will shed light in the darkness. He will restore our peace and He will give us life to the fullest. Praise God!

My Prayer

Father, thank you for Your words of peace and truth along with the reminder of who the real enemy is in our lives. I pray for the thieves that they will find their way out the darkness that they live in. That they will choose to live a better life and I pray that You will shed light in their lives. I also pray for our nation that it will remember Your faithfulness after the 911 attacks; the hope and peace that You restored and the comfort that You gave throughout. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Where does my help come from?

Ephesians 6:10-12

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”