Wednesday, October 30, 2013

We Were Robbed




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Last Saturday, we found out that my husband's debit card numbers were stolen. Let's just say I was more than a little upset when I found out someone had been shopping at Macy's on our dime and it wasn't me.

I was mad, I did my little ranting post on Facebook about how they deserved to be in jail, which is a natural emotion after something like that happens. Let's just say that the words found in Philippians 4:8 were ashamedly not lived out at that moment in my life. 



"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."




However, I was stopped in my tracks when God spoke to me two times, the first was from a friend, who commented on my post on Facebook,

"I can't help but wonder the life circumstances of the thief that would lead them to this action. We all need to be praying for this person and that just possibly, in some "God Way", God could be using this as a way for them to come to Him."

Wow! I was taken back because I realized how absolutely right she was and a little sadden by the fact that I had not thought of this earlier. 

Then, God spoke to me a second time as I was scrolling through the news feed on Facebook. Much to my surprise I read this post from Matthew L. Jacobson.... 

"PLEASE PRAY FOR THE THIEF

A few hours ago, Lisa's Ipad was stolen at the library. It was a major blow to her as it contains all her writing for Club31Women including the manuscript for a book she was working on. 

But these are small matters compared to the soul of the person out there, somewhere, who doesn't fear God and spurns His Law. What a petty victory compared to falling into the hands of the living God.

Will you join me in prayer for his/her soul and that God would have mercy and redeem this person? Of course, we are praying for the return of the computer, as well, but God is our strength and refuge. There is no safe harbor for this sorry soul, having chosen the fleeting pleasure of theft.

Thanks for praying with us."

I could not believe it when I read it. It was as if God was specifically speaking to me.

Sisters, there will be times in this life when we are placed in difficult undeserving situations. Situations, where prayer may be the last thing on our minds, but in reality it should be the first.

"bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." - Luke 6:28

Satan tries to knock us off course when these things happen. He plants seeds of doubt and anger in our minds and tries to sway us away from God's Word and will.

When situations such as these arise, lets take a step back, and before we do anything lets take it to the Lord in prayer.

Ask God to give you His eyes to see with during these times, as well as His strength to act in such a way that would bring glory to His name.



All for Him ~


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Today we are so excited to have our W2W Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments. Use the hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday!

Three rules to this link up:
  1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
  2. You must link back to W2W somewhere in your post. {check out our cute button!}
  3. You must visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.

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13 comments:

  1. Pray first! This is such a great reminder and message today. I know there are still too many times I'm not first going to Him in prayer and my reactions end up being far from Christ-like. Thank you for writing and sharing. Many blessings.

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  2. My husband's card had to be replaced just last week, but the bank caught the activity and didn't let it go through. This is the second time this has happened. We live in such a fallen world. It is awful that people are driven to steal. Thanks for the great link up.

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  3. Sometimes the right thing to do can be difficult, especially when we are hurting. However, God will not only hear our prayers for the person who offended us, He will comfort our hearts in the process. Great post!

    Blessings, Joan

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  4. Such a wonderful reminder to pray first. It is so easy to get upset, your reaction would have been mine too, but we should pray for their soul first. Still praying your bank works everything out in your favor!

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  5. I am so sorry that you were robbed :( What a bummer!! I will pray that God would grant you amazing favor and that He would bring justice to the robber. And of course in the process save his soul.

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  6. We read in 1 John 3:8 that the people keep on sinning are doing so through belonging to the evil one. He is the one who steals, kills and destroys and he takes pleasure in misusing those whom our Lord Jesus loves so much. Perhaps your honest heartfelt prayers might just be what is needed to break Satan's hold on this person. Please, I am not saying stealing is acceptable and we do need to get angry at how we as humanity as a whole has been deceived by the evil one while we were still in the first Adam.
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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  7. Amen! I love the reminder to make sure we are honoring God with our words, thoughts, actions, etc. I pray that we all can step back in such situations and instead of reacting without thinking we turn to God for the strength and understanding that only He can give to us. Thank you for this today!
    Mary

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  8. Love your honesty and need these reminders myself. Thank you!

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  9. I had my purse stolen, after leaving it in m cart in the parking lot once. It is very upsetting and difficult to see the thief through God's eyes! Ironically, the thieve (a man and woman) were caught a few weeks later...they hadn't realized that Walmart has video cameras in the parking lot. The cop on our case recognized the car and pulled them over. They still had my wallet in the center counsel of their car. They both had a history of small-time convictions. The judge didn't want me to be in the courtroom when they went to trial, but they wanted my opinion on what I thought should happen. I prayed about it and basically said that I didn't want retribution for what they took nor to go to jail for a long time. I just wanted them to realize how it affected me and that not only is this wrong, but it hurts others. I pray that they learned a lesson and chose to not make such a choice again. Maybe in showing them some grace they realize they have another chance to be honest and kind to others if they find something that's not theirs again. Thanks for sharing your story.
    Ann @ Christ in the Clouds
    http://christintheclouds.blogspot.com/

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  10. We been robbed a couple of times. Its never fun. Sorry about your loss.

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  11. Sorry! Getting robbed is no fun. :(

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  12. okay. I am having trouble getting my name to attach. John Ogden is actually Tammy Ogden but google is not cooperating! ug.

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  13. Hi Shari,
    I am so sorry this happened to your family. Thanks so much for sharing this thought provoking message. Joining with you in prayer. May you all know God's comfort and strength through this difficult time.

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