The Thief

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."

And its opposite:

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Most people don't know that they are from the exact same scripture: 

John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Don't ever forget that there is a thief coming at you, bro. Always remember that Jesus came and conquered and now he lives within you. [1 Peter 5:8-10]

Don't ever forget that satan will try and steal all that is good and make it evil. Always remember that the fullness of the life, love and goodness of Christ dwells in you, and no one can take that away from you. [Romans 8:28-39]

Don't ever forget that satan wants to kill you, to kill your hope, to kill your dreams. Always remember that death has no hold on you because the life of Jesus always wins. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]

Don't ever forget that the world will try and destroy you. Always remember that your life is bound securely in the everlasting life of the Almighty God. [1 Samuel 25:29]

Why Not Both?

Is it time to wait on the Lord [...],or time to do something for him? 

"Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God,went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body." 

[Mark 15:43]

Joseph was not just chilling until God's kingdom came, nor was he just going off and doing bold things. He was waiting and acting at the same time. Praying and doing. This shows us that can simultaneously wait on the Lord and live for him boldly.

Find your refuge and rest in Jesus as you fight for him.

Be still before the Lord, and bold before the people.

Wait on God as you walk out your faith.

Equations

2 Corinthians 5:21

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Sin is not something we can catch like a cold. Sin doesn't enter our systems by over-exposure to bad people. Sin is in us. It has been deep within us since the day we were born. Sin will kill us, because sin = death.

The only remedy for our certain death? A perfect life must be sacrificed in our stead to cancel out the sin-death equation. The best news you'll ever hear is that the perfect sacrifice was made for you by the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He took the weight of our sin upon him and his death cancelled out our death. If you accept Jesus as your Saviour your equation is transformed: the righteousness of Jesus = eternal life.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."   [*

]

Which equation will you choose?

"I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now CHOOSE LIFE, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life."   [**]

*Romans 6:23

**Deuteronomy 30:20-21

Fight

1 Samuel 25:28

"...for the LORD will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master, because he fights the LORD's battles."

Who are you fighting for?

Some battles will have a lasting effect, and some won't. Pick the fights whose victories will echo into eternity.

Fight the good fight of the faith. [1 Timothy 6:12]

Fight as though your life and the lives of others depend on it, because they do.

Fight for Jesus, because He fought for you.

Others

Proverbs 5:9

"Lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel"

This is written about the adulteress, the woman of sin, but I'm pretty sure there's so much more than that. 

Unforgiveness.

Bitterness.

Impurity.

Sin.

Hatred.

Jealousy.

There is no end to the cruel “others” who are more than happy to use up your strength and take your years.

We only have a few years on this earth. Be careful what you give them to.

Proverbs 5:8

"Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house."

How?

Proverbs 5:7

"Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say."

Give your best strength and all your years to following the One who is good.

Times

I hear You say:

My Love is over, it's underneath
It's inside, it's in between
The times you doubt Me
When you can't feel
The times that you question
'Is this for real?'

The times you've broken
The times that you mend
The times you hate Me and the times that you bend
Well My Love is over, it's underneath
It's inside, it's in between

These times you're healing
And when your heart breaks
The times that you feel like you've fallen from grace
The times you're hurting
The times that you heal
The times you go hungry and are tempted to steal

In times of confusion and chaos and pain
I'm there in your sorrow,
Under the weight of your shame

I'm there through your heartache
I'm there in the storm
My love, I will keep you by My power alone

I don’t care where you've fallen
Where you have been
I'll never forsake you
My Love never ends, it never ends


Listen to the song by Tenth Avenue North