Thursday, September 18, 2025

Lesson in Preparation: A Sunday School Reflection

A recent Sunday School lesson offered some valuable insights worth remembering.

A young man, Allan Richards, shared a thought that struck a chord with me:
"You will fall to your highest level of preparation."
As a project manager, that resonates deeply. I spend my days preparing—vacations, work projects, menus, kids’ clothing, day trips, groceries. Planning is second nature. But it made me pause and ask: How much preparation do I put into my spiritual life? That’s something worth considering.

Sis. Vernella added,
"Depending on how prepared we are with our faith, we will be more prepared for life’s challenges."
Her words reminded me that spiritual readiness isn’t just about belief—it’s about resilience.

Julie Swain offered a sobering reminder:
"Remember, there is a devil trying to destroy us, so we need God's help."
We can’t face life’s battles alone. Our relationship with God is what equips us to endure and overcome.

Let’s be mindful of our need before God, and intentional about preparing our hearts, not just our calendars.


What does the Enemy want to Steal?

Protecting What God Has Given Us
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The devil is after the things that belong to God, and that includes what God has gifted to us with salvation.

What Does the Enemy Want to Steal?

  • Moral clarity
  • Time
  • Trust in God
  • Zeal and desire for the Lord
  • Focus
  • Satisfaction in God (tempting us to seek pleasure elsewhere)
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Harmony
  • Blessings
  • Sense of approval
  • Love for our neighbor
  • Sense of freedom
  • Praise and worship
  • Gratitude
  • Hope
  • The hearts of our children
  • Contentment
  • Humility
  • Courage
  • Health
  • Prayer life
  • Security
  • Confidence
  • Sound mind — “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
  • Conscience, convictions, and our standard of right and wrong
If you had a treasure, what lengths would you go to protect it? Would you lock it in a vault? Hire security?  We have a spiritual enemy who is actively trying to steal our greatest treasures.

How Do We Protect What God Has Given?

  • Build good habits that reinforce your faith
  • Spend intentional time with God
  • Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
  • Put on the full armor of God
  • Stay alert and guard your spiritual inheritance

God has given us abundant life. Let’s be vigilant in protecting it!