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John 10:10 – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (NKJV)
My wife and I, along with her dad, decided to visit her mother in the hospital following her surgery. Before I left home, I pulled out a couple of frozen prime steaks and placed them on the kitchen counter to thaw while we were away, thinking that I would cook up a nice dinner for us all when we returned.
After our visit, her dad offered to take us out to a local restaurant, so I rushed home to put the meat in the refrigerator. As soon as I entered the kitchen, I immediately noticed that the steaks were no longer on the counter. In fact, there was no trace of them, except for the cellophane wrapper on the rug below. My dog had pulled the rack of meat off the counter and had herself a huge raw steak dinner. To add to the insult, she had also urinated on the rug.
I could have strangled that dog because, not only did she steal our steaks, but then she went on to dispose of it on the floor at various sites in the house throughout the night and the day afterwards.
Now you may wonder what possible analogy this experience might have to our spiritual lives. However, if we leave our Christian life unattended, the devil can steal our enthusiasm for the Lord. This can result from not reading God's Word or praying or fellowshipping with other Christians. The enemy can then have access to abscond with blessings that we had previously obtained from the Lord. Just like the yucky mess left by my dog, we could then, enticed by the world's moral standards, leave behind some messy life situations.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (NKJV)
Staying in touch with the Lord can prevent us from losing valuable things in our lives. Let's guard our hearts and stand strong in our devotion to the Lord. Then, we will be less likely to lose what we have gained.
Prayer: Father God, help us to be diligent to maintain our walk with You, so that the enemy cannot steal Your anointing and blessings from us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Monday, February 10, 2025 – In the Americas — Give thanks for those called to lead worship with the vulnerable and lonely in long-term-care residences. Pray that God's Word and music may bring comfort and peace to all.
fractures: "Update February 7: Jacquie had another fall while in the hospital. She has broken her collarbone so..." 
Interesting analogy Allan.
Good one Allan, one I will remember. I have a new fur person living here with me since Nov. and I guess I understand your analogy well.
A great devotional I know it wasn’t meant to be funny but it reminded me so much of my little dog — she has done the same sort of thing. It struck me as funny and that is good because I was having a low day and needed the laugh.
Dear Allan Smith,
“All things work together for good for those who are called according to his (God’s) purposes.” “Together,” that is.
Your dogs did a good work for you and for us in getting you to write this devotional teaching us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV).
Thank you. Keep writing.
But how about thawing your meat in the non-freezing part of the fridge?
Dear Allan,
I am right with you on this one!
Years ago I left the fridge open a smidgen and found the dog had managed to open the door enough to pull out our Sunday Roast!
Bless him, he was a rascal, and had a real “I been caught” look when I entered the kitchen and hit the roof!
Now long gone, but not forgotten.
A very humanised dog, but still a rascal. We unfortunately do not have that excuse, we are guilty.
Praise God for His mercy and salvation.
Blessings.
Well I never leave steaks to thaw on the counter and I do not have a dog or cat. Maybe I started doing this when I did have pets. I take steaks out leave them wrapped put them in my cast iron fry pan put the lid on and leave that on the counter until supper time. Now could the dog still get it from the covered fry pan?
Really sorry your dog messed up your life even if you compared it to the devil.
We were having a neighbourhood bbq — the usual hot dogs and hamburgers but one neighbour brought a steak we all gave him a hard time he got his steak cooked plated and turned for something and turned back and the steak is gone and over in a corner of the yard was his dog enjoying the nicely cooked steak. The rest of us all enjoyed in a way because we had been jealous that he could afford steak and kids.