Guarding Your S.T.U.F.F.

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied.  “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.  But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

Job 1:9-11

 

 

We know that the enemy of our souls is a thief.

He comes to rob, steal and destroy what is of God in us.

He certainly has no regard for us so if we are in the midst of a crisis guess when he is likely to come calling?

That’s right.

Just when you may be most vulnerable.

Let’s define – using an acronym – what we mean with the word S.T.U.F.F.

 

Salvation through Christ

Testimony of Christ

Unity with Christ

Focus on Christ

Future in Christ

Of course it is Christ which is common to each of those things we are calling stuff.

The enemies purpose, while you are in the midst of a crisis, is to separate you from Christ.

“Well”, you say, “isn’t that his plan all the time?”

Sure it is.

But you may be more accommodating to his plans when you are struggling.

None of us enjoys a struggle and it is in those places of conflict and crisis that we are most prone to ‘throwing in the towel’.

The enemy comes along and says’:

 “If God really loved you and if you really were united with Christ, you wouldn’t be in the predicament you are in!”

At these moments, focus on Christ.

What did he do when the tempter came?

He reminded the enemy of what the Word of God declared concerning Him and His situation.

He did not surrender His S.T.U.F.F. to the enemy.

When you are going through a crisis, guard your S.T.U.F.F.