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
My husband and I have been walking together and sometimes alone what seems to be a super dark valley in our marriage and life for some time now…the enemy has definitely robbed and stripped us of joy and energy in so many areas and battles we’re facing on a day to day basis. Thank you for the wise biblical insight and encouraging reminds that there is joy to be found in His presence…and that there is an everlasting hope when we choose to walk with Christ. Thank you from the bottom of my weary heart for your heart and ministry and business reflecting Christ so brightly.
This has been this most grueling season I have been under as a believer. I literally had to come to the end of myself as the Lord took layer by layer of all the lies the enemy had over me. This message gives me so much hope as this new beautiful season begins for me as He has refined me in the fire last season. The best is surely to come! Exceedingly abundantly more than I can ask of! The Lord is currently renewing my joy and filling me up once again with HIS fullness of joy! Thank you for your word as it is so timely to where the Lord is leading me….to the fullness of HIS JOY!
Just what I needed!🙌🏻
Thanks ❤️
One of the best way to defeat the lies: spend time in His presence. Thank you!
This Psalm has been a big one for me this past year. I love how abundant life and joy are the promises we hold in Christ. As the Psalm says, indeed we have a beautiful inheritance!
So good! He showed me that just this week. I lost my dear Grandmother unexpectedly this week. In the midst of my sorrow and weakness he held me close. He was enough and I experienced the fullness only he can provide. Thank you for writing this truth.
Love this shop! When Jesus lovers meet marketplace ministry.. ❤️
Thank you for your obedience!
Fear is something that sneaks up on me often – especially lately as new transitions are in the horizon. Thank you for this timely reminder!
Psalm 16 is my favorite Psalm! The promise of pleasures forever more reminds me to live in light of eternity, while also knowing that God intends fullness of joy in His presence for us here in this life, before we meet Him in heaven.
What an amazing reminder! God is always with us and we don’t need to fear! There is so much love and joy when we can let go of fear. Love this ❤
Thank you for the reminder that because of Jesus, fear has no authority over our lives!
So grateful for a God that keeps loving us.
Amen!!! Love the ways The Lord is using Dear Heart to Impact so many lives. I know they have impacted my life!
Because Jesus lives, I am free to live a life of joy! His living water swells up in me and overflows!
John 10:10 is my life verse. It is such a good reminder to step into all Jesus for me. Step out bondage, captivity, and lies and live freedom and abundance!
Thank you for that encouragement this morning. <3
I needed to read this today. Fear has been winning lately. I’m going to save this to reread over and over. I’m never alone, thank you for this 💕
Powerful message! I love your mention of ‘continually ask him to help me in surrendering my fear’, this is a daily practice and hard at times but I’m excited where God will lead me!
What a sweet reminder. He is where are joy comes from.
I ordered the bundle and can’t wait to get it ♥️
Thank you for your encouragement!
Great truths!!!
This was a powerful thing to read first thing in the morning—a great way to start my day!
Love this. That Psalm has gotten me through a lot of tough times in life. ❤️
It was so awesome getting to see your pop up at If: gathering this weekend! I love you new mug and I will definitely be sending it to a friend. She has recently been going through some trials and this blog post would be perfect for her. I am sending it her way, thank you for your worlds of encouragement!
*blog post 🤦♀️
And I’m so sorry the comment posted 3 times! 🤷♀️😂
Thank you for sharing this blind post and this truth. So encouraging! I’m currently reading a book called “ winning the war in your mind“ that has also helped to reflect on lies I have repeatedly believed and replacing the lie with God’s truth. What He has spoken is what is true!
Thank you for sharing this blind post and this truth. So encouraging! I’m currently reading a book called “ winning the war in your mind“ that has also helped to reflect on lies I have repeatedly believed and replacing the lie with God’s truth. What He has spoken is what is true!
“When we choose Jesus, we exchange a destiny of defeat and destruction for an everlasting hope.”
Love this! ❤️
I am reminded daily of God’s promises as I think of a family member who recently passed away. He was not a believer and lived his last two years in constant fear over COVID. It saddens me to know that is how his life ended. I feel so blessed to be able to cast my fears onto the Lord and know he has it under control and that he can block out the devils lies.
So grateful he is with me, working in me and through me. What Joy!!!
So thankful we are gifted with God’s hope and joy rather than destruction! Thank you for your company’s encouragement!
Love learning so much more about this ministry!
This is just the inspiration that I needed for today! Oh, how much love I have for God’s abundance of joy and love. Thank you for your brand and your team!
I love how intentional your brand is!
So thankful He brings all things to a perfect completion, for His good and glory! ❤️
What a post for such a time as this … it’s been quite a season for me lately. Ministry seems lonely. Community seems scarce. Through your post I am reminded of the faithfulness of the Father! ♥️ Thank you!
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Thank you for your ministry and your wise words. I have given countless products through your ministry to others. But this time I am actually purchasing this set for me. I am going to wear it as a reminder that I am continually to stand in the gap for our lost daughter. She had such a call on her life and Satan stole it and her away from us! It’s been over half a year that we have heard from her. We keep praying that the Lord will break every chain in her life…. Fear, lies from Satan , deep wounds and bring her into the very place of abundance of joy and the fullness of life Jesus intended for her from the beginning of time!! Thank you for joining us in prayer.
As someone who is going personally through a spiritual attack from the enemy I needed this. Thank you for these verses, thank you for this post.
As someone who is going personally through a spiritual attack from the enemy I needed this. Thank you for these verses, thank you for this post.
So very thankful for your ministry!
Thank you for sharing, such an encouragement! Sometimes we live with the enemy’s lies for so long we don’t even realize it until we are prompted to stop and think about the thoughts we have.
Great entry! A good reminder for everyday!
There was a time when the enemy declared his victory over my family. His well-planned attack to steal, kill, and destroy our marriage worked. We bought the lie and believed there was no hope. But God had a better Word: He promised beauty for ashes if we would only believe. He promised restoration and to redeem what was shattered. Ten years later we now listen to the voice of Truth. Nothing is too hard for God; believe it and see what our God can do!
What a wonderful encouragement and reminder! This is exactly what I needed to hear, thank you! 🤍
There are so many examples in the Bible, and so many examples I’ve seen in my life, of God making beauty from ashes. A friend told me one time, “Trials are not enemies of faith, but an opportunity to prove God’s faithfulness.”
Such a sweet reminder! 🤍🤍
Great blog!
I also struggle with fear and satan can even trick me into disguising my fear into something else, like lack of desire or interest in a particular move in my life. Them when i spend time with the Lord, find fullness of joy in Him, the scales come off and I see Satan’s trick.
Such wise words! With the war going on, it’s def easy to get carried away in worry, but why should we worry? cause it’s all in His hands. Just what I needed, thank you! <3
Love this! 🤍🤍
I love this company and what they are doing/stand for. Your merchandise and website bring so much joy and hope in a broken world! Thank you for this sweet reminder that hope is in Christ alone!
In the past several years there has been a lot to be fearful about from the World’s viewpoint. I’m so thankful that we have a Savior that gives us peace and the One who is the Author of Truth. When I keep my eyes focused on Him I experience that fullness of joy in spite of my circumstances. Thank you for pointing us to keep our eyes on Jesus!!