John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
There is something that you need to know, because whoever you are reading these words, it applies to you: There is a real enemy that comes only to bring destruction and devastation to the plans God has for you. The thief is relentless in his attempts to keep you from the path of life and he often does it by whispering lies of doubt, fear, and defeat to our hearts and minds.
These lies lead to confusion, frustration, disbelief, and ultimately the death of purpose. It’s heartbreaking to think that countless people live ruled by the tactics of the enemy, and many don’t even know it.
Could it be that they haven’t grabbed hold of the hope introduced in the second half of John 10:10?
Yes, there is a thief that has come only to steal, kill, and destroy, but there is also a Savior who has come that we may have life and life abundantly (or to the very fullest)! Without Him, our destiny would be a life without hope, but He intervened, and changed the ending of the story for those who come to Him. Those who accept Him are delivered, set free, and made new.
Freedom from every lie is found in the truth of God’s word, and in it, the path of life is revealed.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
Each individual has been given an invitation to surrender to Jesus, and if we do, the ashes of defeat are exchanged for something unexpectedly beautiful. He can redeem any part of our story - even the parts we thought were too messy. What was once meant for evil is turned around for good and we are left with a story of His goodness to tell to a broken world.
What was once meant for destruction becomes an opportunity to tell others about the faithfulness of God. That is our purpose.
Too often, we dwell in the ashes and remain surrounded by the wreckage that the enemy caused in our lives. We live bound by lies, doubts, fears, and allow ourselves to be convinced that our journey will end in disappointment. We don’t take the way out that has been provided to us through the love of a Savior.
An example of this in my own life has been fear. I have, at times, lived crippled by fear. I have allowed it to control my decision-making, to steal my peace, and to keep me from stepping fully into all that God has called me to and all that He has called me to be. I found freedom from fear in God’s presence. I began to read His word, apply it to my life, and continually ask Him to help me in surrendering my fear.
I still have moments where I am afraid, but fear no longer has authority over my life. I don’t allow it to steal from the abundance Jesus came for me to have.
The only way to take back what the thief has stolen is to grab hold of the truth. Everything changes when we grab hold of the promises God has written for those who accept His love. We can remain in the defeat of lies or claim the victory found in the truth alone.
The reality is, where you dwell will determine your days. We can walk in the path of life or the path of death, there is no in between. Will we be led by the enemy who has come to steal, kill, and destroy or walk with the Savior who has filled us with purpose, poured out His promises, and will guide us into a life of abundance?
There is fullness of joy in His presence and it is available to all who choose to spend their time there. The joy found in Him is not determined by our season, circumstance, or situation, but by who He is.
We haven’t been left to journey alone. The path of life has not been hidden from us. He longs to walk with us, talk with us, and to reveal His goodness to us along the way. When we walk with Him, we are met with an overflow of abundance.
The fullness of joy is our portion despite what we face in the journey.
When we choose Jesus, we exchange a destiny of defeat and destruction for an everlasting hope. We become recipients of all that He promises to those who love Him and participants in introducing others to the abundant life we have found in Him alone. The more you spend time in the presence of Jesus, the more you long for others to know Him.
Once you experience the joy being in His presence provides, you will come to an understanding that there is no better place to be.
Receive His love, remain in His presence, and receive the fullness of joy.
That is abundance.
For Deeper Study:
What is a lie that you have believed that has kept you from living in the abundance Jesus came for you to experience?
Spend some time in His presence and write down a promise found in the truth of His word that will help you to overcome the lie and experience joy in a new way.
Example: I have struggled with believing the lie of fear over my life. God’s word assures me that I do not have to fear because He is with me always. I will walk in freedom from fear because I trust that I am not alone.
Key Verses:
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
Verse of the Month Details:
This month’s bundle includes a perfect pullover for spring, a ring from our promises collection, and a pretty floral notepad.
Click here to see the bundle + visit the store!
Comments
Love this so much!!!
I need reminders like this to stop and remember to hand over my worries and fears to Jesus. This was just what I needed, thank you!!
Wow, this was so good! It is completely changing the trajectory of my day because I have to choose to step into all He has for me and not let the enemy take over! My walk doesn’t have to be filled with doubt and disappointment because there is hope and true joy for those who are in step with Him!
I love this company and hope to order something soon ♥️
Needed this reminder that we should live our lives with the intention to live it in the fullness of joy! Thank you for sharing ❤️
I was very happy to learn that your design for March, my daughters birth month, is based on text from Psalm 16:11, her life verse! I couldn’t think of a more perfect birthday gift for her this year. It will be a reminder of Gods love for her and a witness to her faith in Christ all year long. Thank you!
Love this store so much, and what God is doing through your store! I wear one of your necklaces everyday and get so many comments on it and people absolutely love it!
Excited to do business with you! Found you through IT..
There is complete joy in knowing Jesus and living for Him. He satisfies our souls! So encouraged by this truth
He desires for me to spend time with him and in doing so, no matter my circumstance, he will give full joy. Grateful!
Love these modern, stylish, and relevant designs that help to spark great discussions while looking cute!
I wear my 1 Corinthians 16:14 necklace everyday! Not only has it served as a daily reminder to be intentional with my actions, it has allowed me to start conversations about Jesus with people I normally wouldn’t. I’m thankful that Dear Heart has helped strengthen my relationship with Jesus.
Thank you for sharing this today! I too struggle with worries and fears. Sometimes if I let it, it those little worries can get a hold of me. But this I know is true: set your heart on Jesus so when you wallow in worry, you know to rehearse the good gifts of God that come from our Heavenly Father. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Powerful writing. Thank you for these beautiful words of encouragement you shared with us.
What a beautiful reminder of His power and faithfulness!
Such a beautiful reminder I needed today!🤍 The truth I need to believe with Jesus’ help is that I am a new person in Him! (2 Cor. 5:17)
I am so so thankful for companies like yours that do not shy away from speaking Truth and Jesus’ name. Thank you for being a light!!
This is so good! Love this!
I love that spending time with Him directly combats the lies that we start to believe — that the enemy starts to convince us are true. Thank you for sharing your testimony and thoughts; it ministered to my soul.
So good!
This was wonderful and needed. Thank you!
Such a sweet reminder. There is fullness of joy in his presence while wiping bottoms or calming talking to an angry toddler. Thank you.
“Without Him, our destiny would be a life without hope” – so incredibly powerful. So grateful for this truth, and so thankful you shared it with us🤍
Thank you for the reminders. Diving into the Father’s arms, His word, and His promises truly allows him to make beauty from ashes. The devil is so good at lies, getting us to doubt, remembering there is a constant spiritual battle helps us be on guard and put on the full armor of God!
I needed this today. Fear often keeps me from trusting God completely. This was a much needed reminder.
So fitting to me right now as I’m currently reading the study “don’t give the enemy a seat at your table”. The world is a tough place and fear can so easily sneak into our lives and take over. Sometimes we may not even realize the enemy has already started to take over. Keeping a focus of Jesus and all of his promises definitely helps keep the enemy away!
So much truth 🙌🏼
Thank you for sharing your purpose and encouraging others to walk in theirs!
Wow this is a good word, and a timely one for that matter too! It’s so important to remember that “in this world we will have suffering” BUT GOD! I so appreciated the tension you wrote about, the destruction the enemy brings but the redemption and healing over that by Christ himself! Love that reminder!
This feels like it was written just for me. Thank you for sharing!
I love being part of a community of women to still pray and seek God. Thank you for exiting 🙏💕
Thank you so much.
Thank you for sharing these encouraging and heartfelt truths from God’s Word! In light of your discussion and reading “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11…God’s truth spoke directly to my heart that joy in God’s presence exists despite negative circumstances. Just like peace that passes understanding is possible during trialing times. This is what sets us apart from the world, that through faith in Jesus we can have true peace and joy despite circumstances. Thank you, God, for the freedom to have peace and joy in your presence – no matter what is going on in our lives or around us!
Love this so much 💗 thanks for sharing
It is always good to call the enemy out and to remember his tactics are to kill, steal, and destroy. Through remembering that there is a spiritual battle being fought, and that I have angels fighting on my behalf against demonic forces is so reassuring. Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
Thank you for sharing God’s word and love through your business! What a fantastic way to honor Him, encourage others, and grow the Kingdom!
Everything I’ve been needing to hear in these recent days. We are free indeed
What great encouragement! Thank you for the reminder.
Abundance of joy from the Father indeed! Thanks for the reminder to be encouraged!
This made me think about the lie that I sometimes buy into — that I can’t live beyond my emotions. The Lord has been showing me how when I accepted Christ, I also died with Him, and how I really am a new creation. The old man has passed away, and something new entirely has come. (2 cor 5:17) I have a new nature, and though, yes, there is a refining process, I really do have access to all that He is. I don’t have to live tossed around by my emotions, I can come up higher with Him, receive His love, gain His perspective, and access the very thing I need of who He is — His love, His patience, His joy, His kindness. It’s all available. (John 14:20, Gal 2:20) And when something just seems so beyond me to change, well that okay. It’s not my striving that works it out. It’s Him working it out in me causing me to desire to do His will and what pleases Him. (Phil 2:13) I just need to surrender, trust, and bring it all to Him knowing and trusting that He is working it out in me.
Growing up I believed only a select few people were “good enough” to be saints. And I thought this until I heard about the brokenness of each one. We aren’t called to be perfect, we are simply called to be His. I am beloved and I find continuous comfort in that. God is so good!!!
GOD IS SO GOOD! I came across your email today, and it was as if God answered my morning prayers! I am struggling with Fear, Fear of what the future holds, fear in so many ways takes over me, so this was Absolutely PERFECT! Your site and all you are doing/offering is a TRUE BLESSING! THANK YOU! You are a Perfect Example of God’s Grace!
Sometimes, it’s easy to focus and be in fear of what the enemy is doing. It’s true, he only comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I love what you said here, that we can put our eyes on Jesus, who has come to give us hope and freedom. Greater is HE who is in us than he who is in the world! It’s good to know and be aware of what the enemy is doing, but to move from that place to a place of hope! Thank you for the reminder!
God’s presence is the reward!
Where He is, there is joy. Thank you for this wonderful reminder to cling to my faith, for there is peace, stability and reassurance there. Always.
Thank you for the reminder of these truths! May I surrender my lies and trust His truth and be transformed
I love this verse! I have been battling postherpetic neuralgia from the six outbreaks of Shingles I have had over the last five years. This verse. It has become my life verse. In His Presence there is Fullness of Joy!!!! Spending time with Him, in His word, worshiping, praying, He is what gets me through each day. He has been my strength at my weakest moments! Love all the merchandise you all have made, beautiful!
help us Lord to fight this war in Your strength.
let Your joy truly be our strength
Recently my friend had an abortion, she is not following Jesus. In fact she is from a different country and hasn’t heard the gospel before I met her. Today she’s depressed, ashamed, and regrets many choices. This blog showed up in my email at a moment ordained by the Lord — for in Christ there IS fulness of joy. So I wept with her. I prayed over her. And I covered her in words of the Gospel, the good news of the Kingdom of God. For He is near to us. In the most painful moments of life, He LOVES us. He covers our shame in Jesus perfect sacrifice. Please pray over my dear friend to experience Jesus today and for her eyes to be opened to the heart of the Lord.
This is what I have actually been pondering on later. I’ve been taking a firm stance to not allow the enemy have any open door to come and steal, kill, and destroy things in my life. It’s a practical application using the authority that we have been given! Love this.