Rendered Useless (John 10:10)

John 10:10 says that "...the Thief's only purpose, (his primary objective in increasing intensity) is to STEAL (what belongs to you; what is valuable in your life; and what defines your existence); KILL, (or more properly, render your life like a blood sacrifice of first fruits to him; honoring him; demonstrating his "creative" handiwork of destruction and perversion, for all to see and bear witness to, that he has caused this distorted result in our existence); DESTROY ( render our lives useless for their intended purpose)..."

HOPE

Though the origin of the saying is lost, it has been said that "...a human person can live 40 days without food; 3 days without water; and about 30 seconds without hope". In the wisdom literature of the holy scriptures, Proverbs says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life" (Prov.13:12). Nothing can be more devastating, more crushing, than expectations and dreams shattered into seemingly nothingness, especially after focus; time; and energy has been expended for perhaps years, in hopes of some crowning achievement.

DESTROYED

The compound word translated "destroy", is (apollumi). It is a compound of (ollumi), which means "to destroy", and (apo), meaning "away from" something, or "wholly". The idea is that something is completely "destroyed" away from it's intended purpose. It is not "destroyed" in the sense that we may think, of ceasing to exist, for even those who are "destroyed" or "perish" in the suffering of eternal hell fire and damnation, do not cease to exist, but their eternal purpose and destiny is lost forever.

In the illustrative use of the parable of the "lost" sheep; "lost'' coin; and "lost" son, the sheep was not dead, or annihilated, but no longer functioned as part of the fold, or for the purpose of the shepherd; the coin still existed, but was no longer in the possession of the owner to fulfill it's intended use; and the son, though still a son, no longer enjoyed his place and position, serving where he was an asset and benefit to all.

LOSS OF PURPOSE

A derivative of the root, is the Greek word (Apollyon), a personification of the Hebrew (Abaddon), meaning "ruin", referring to the Destroyer (Rev.9:11). It is by no means the devils intention to cause us to cease to exist, but rather, as John 10:10 demonstrates, in increasing intensity, he steals from us; renders our lives a praise of his achievement and, in finality, renders us useless for the destiny we were born to fulfill. A loss of purpose results, seemingly never to be retrieved or captured again. There is a loss of all that gives value or worth to existence, rendering us incapacitated; useless for service.

In military strategy, it does not matter that the enemy exists, but if their effectiveness can be diminished, or rendered inoperable, then they are of no threat to their opposition. Both corporately and individually, if the devil can succeed in denying us purpose, floundering in mediocrity, wheels spinning, but making no progress for the kingdom, then it does not matter that the "church" exists in a community, if their presence is never felt, and they have minimal impact on the lives they come in contact with every day.

ZOMBIES

Pop culture has created a fascination with "zombies", the living dead, that attack those that have not succumbed to their condition of gruesome existence, to which their is a parallel of those lives the devil has ruined. Many have been devastated by the enemy; robbed; sacrificed for his pleasure; and cast aside on the spiritual junk heap. Fortunately, their is hope, and NOTHING and NO ONE is beyond the supernatural power of the Almighty God, our Father, to turn tragedy into triumph; defeat into destiny; ruin into riches, of the highest worth.

TURNED for GOOD

What the devil has meant for evil, God can turn for good. There is a quote from a famous evangelist of days gone by, that, "Hell has no hurt, that Heaven can't Heal!" Be encouraged, that whether in your church or personal life, Jesus heals; Jesus restores; Jesus redefines your existence and gives beauty for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness. God is Good! Be blessed in who you are, and who God is, in you, because the Saviors primary purpose is to give you a life of abundance beyond your wildest expectations!

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours