Because we live in a fallen world, good things as well as bad things happen to all people.  Whether you are a good or bad person makes no difference. Often when something bad happens, like the loss of a loved one or loss of property, sympathizers gather around to express their support. The sound of “I am so sorry for your loss” is everywhere. This type of loss is tangible in nature and essence, and we are thankful to God for support during these times.  However, the “loss” I am referring to is the intangible, yet they are very real.  Ignoring this type of “loss” will have us in a state of despair.  I am talking about the loss of joy, passion, energy, interest in anything, just to mention a few.

According to dictionary.com, loss is defined as detriment, disadvantage or deprivation due to failure to keep, have or get. In other words, this is the type of subtle loss we experience when we fail to keep, fail to possess, and when we fail to get. Finding yourself in this situation is proof that a thief is at play in your life and it doesn’t seem so apparent.

This reminds me of a couple who made it back from vacation to discover all their jewelry and other valuables have disappeared. The police arrived and found no evidence of an illegal or forced entry. In their amazement they asked the couple if they shared their home’s key with anyone and they replied, “Yes.  Our housekeeper has a spare key to check on the house whenever we are gone.”

They called the housekeeper, but she did not respond and was nowhere to be found. Maybe she allowed herself to be talked into bringing someone into the house.  No one was sure what happened. Even though there was no sign anyone broke into the house, the fact that valuables were missing from the home was proof that a thief was involved.

Many times, we suffer loss that is beyond our control.  Loss comes when we least expect it.  But there are times when, if we are aware, we can stop it before it happens.  Think about this for a moment.  You hear a knock at the door.  You look out the window to see who it is and you and see someone standing there wearing a mask and holding a gun.  Are you going to allow them to enter your home?  Absolutely not!  You are not even going to open the door!  You are going to do everything you can to keep them out.  You are going to make sure all of your doors and windows are locked and call the police!  

There is no possible way that you or I would knowingly open the door to a thief or anyone who is there to bring harm!  However, what if the one at the door isn’t so obvious about their agenda?  What if they don’t “look” dangerous?  Remember this, friends.  The Lord clearly warns us in      I Peter 5:8-9 (TPT) Be well-balanced and always alert, because our enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour.  Take a decisive stand and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith.”  

Loss can come in many different ways.  And some loss can be directly related to who or what we have allowed to enter.  We must always be mindful about who and what we listen to.  Loss can come quickly and out of the blue.  However, loss can also come slowly and more discreet.  

There are many times that we experience loss and there is nothing that could be done or can be done about it.  It is beyond our control.  There are also times we will experience loss due to what is called a “slow fade.”  This happens when we are not “alert.”  

Sometimes what we consider as “small things” can lead to big loss!  This can start with 3 small words…”Just this once.”  Like “I’m going to sleep in on Sunday, JUST THIS ONCE.”  Or “I’m going to put off my prayer time, JUST THIS ONCE.” Or “I’m not going to read my bible, JUST THIS ONCE.”  Or “I’m going to skip my exercise routine, JUST THIS ONCE.” Saying “JUST THIS ONCE” often times will lead to a next time and a next time, and so on.  Then before you know it, you realize you are no longer experiencing the peace, joy, or passion that you ONCE had.  You have experienced a “slow fade” in your life.  

Ephesians 4:27 (NIRV) says “Don’t give the devil a chance!” When the words “JUST THIS ONCE” come into your mind, you can quickly recognize that it is the devil starting his plan to cause loss in your life.  

Who or what have you inadvertently allowed to enter your life? Any loss is evidence that a thief has entered.  

What is the unique loss you feel in your life?  Loss of inner peace, finances, joy, energy, health, passion, dreams, or the Word of God can bring greater loss than any physical loss can bring.  Don’t ignore any loss that you experience.  Look into your life and evaluate where the loss came from and why.  Regardless of what your experiences might have been and what losses you might have suffered, I want to assure you that you do have hope of a better tomorrow beginning right NOW!

In Jeremiah 29:11 God said,” For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

The word translated peace in this scripture means, “Shalom, nothing broken and nothing missing.”  So, the idea of LOSS and us participating in it is not from God. He said, “I know My thoughts towards you, they are of peace…nothing missing and broken in your life.”  This is good news. Further, in John 10:10, the word of God reads, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Despite all the efforts of the enemy to rob us, the scriptures made it clear that the reason Jesus came is to ensure we have a full life. A full life is an indication that all of the thief’s activities are curtailed.

Think about what God says about the areas of your life where you have suffered or experienced loss.  Everything Jesus came to the world to accomplish is for you and me.  If we are in Christ, we can lay claim on them and live victoriously like he intended us to.

Before you can walk in true victory, it is imperative that you get a true revelation of who and Whose you are!  Once this truth is established and settled, the devil will have no chance because you will know how to respond when the thief comes.   It is only through the blood of Jesus that we the right and authority to stand against the enemy.  It is only after you BELIEVE that you will experience victory. 

Ephesians 2:12-13, 19 says “Before you believed in Christ, you were separated from Him.  You were not considered to be citizens of Israel.  You were not included in what the covenants promised.  You were without hope and without God in the world.  At one time you were away from God.  But now you belong to Christ Jesus.  He spilled his blood for you. This has brought you near to God.”

“So you are no longer outsiders and strangers.  You are citizens together with God’s people.  You are also members of God’s family.”

We have to know, understand, and believe that when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, we become a part of His family.  God is our Abba Father!  Just as a child goes to their earthly father with any need or desire and the earthly father grants it, we can take full assurance that we can go to out heavenly Father the same way.   When we come into the family of God, we come into a righteous relationship with Him.  This is where we find peace, joy, passion, hope, health, and every other good thing! 

Psalm 84:11 says “The Lord God is like the sun that gives us light.  He is like a shield that keeps us safe.  The Lord blesses us with favor and honor.  He doesn’t hold back anything good from those whose lives are without blame.” What does this mean?  When we come into a right relationship with Jesus, because of what He did for us on the cross, the Lord promises to bless us with favor and honor and will withhold nothing good from us!  

You may ask how you live a life “without blame.”  It is only through the blood of Jesus that this can happen.  Jesus went to the cross and shed His blood for each of us of His own free will.  There is nothing we can ever do to earn it.  We just have to believe that because of what Jesus did, we are in the family of God.  There is nothing we can ever do to work towards this privilege, it is a free gift.  Romans 5:8 (TPT) tells us “But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly.”  Because of God’s great love for us, Jesus went to the cross, while we were still lost and ungodly.  This tells us that even before we choose to accept this, He still chose to die and shed His blood for us. 

Romans 3:21-26 (TPT) says “But NOW, independent of the law, the righteousness of God is tangible and brought to light through Jesus, the Anointed One.  This is the righteousness that the scriptures prophesied would come.  It is God’s righteousness made visible through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.  And now ALL WHO BELIEVE IN HIM receive that gift.  For there is literally no difference between us, for we have all sinned and are in need of the glory of God.  Yet through his powerful declaration of acquittal, God freely gives away His righteousness.  His gift of love and favor now cascades over us all because Jesus, the Anointed One, has liberated us from guilt, punishment, and the power of sin!”  

When we gain the true revelation of what Jesus has done for us and called us to, the devil can no longer steal from us and we can legitimately stand against him and declare NO MORE LOSS!

There are four “C’s” that we have to remember about what Jesus has done for us to bring us into right relationship with God.  This will give you a beautiful understanding of justification and redemption.  

Court – Romans 3:24 

Justification – Meaning we did nothing – it was free – Jesus was our substitute.  In Christ Jesus, we have been justified – just-as-if we did nothing wrong

Justified – to vindicate and declare righteousness.   Jesus’ act of love at the cross put us in right relationship to the heavenly Father

2 Corinthians 5:21 (TPT) says “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with Him.”

Stand in your righteousness and declare to the enemy “THERE IS NO MORE LOSS!” in Jesus name!

Commerce – Ephesians 1:7 (TPT) “Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given treasures of redemption by His blood – the total cancellation of our sins – all because of the cascading riches of His grace.” 

Redemption means ransom or release.  Jesus has already redeemed us out of the sin in our lives.  If you feel powerless or burdened by sin in your life, remember that Jesus has already paid the price for that! All we have to do is believe and receive it! Remind the devil that he is a liar and Jesus paid the price to position you to walk in victory!

Currency – Romans 28:1(TPT) “So now the case is closed.  There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.  

It is because of the price Jesus paid with His blood that we are free from the condemnation of sin.  So when the devil comes to you trying to remind you of your past, you can quickly remind him that you have been forgiven and the price was paid with the holy blood of Jesus.

Communion – Romans 8:14-15 (NIRV) “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  The Spirit you received doesn’t make you slaves.   Otherwise you would live in fear again.  Instead the Holy Spirit you received made you God’s adopted child.”  

Jesus has made it possible for us to come into communion with God.  We can boldly go to our heavenly Father and talk to Him.  We can take a seat at His table and partake in every good thing.  

4 STEPS TO “NO MORE LOSS”

1. Take an inventory of your life and write down the list of the things you are deprived of or you need in your life

2. Find out in Scriptures what God said concerning these things, has he promised them to you?

3. Meditate of those scriptural promises until you can see them and see yourself in the light of those scriptures.  Don’t pray until you believe what the Word says.

4. Pray a prayer of faith, based on the promises of God, and obtain what is yours. You pray once and begin to thank God for the answer.

Once you have begun putting the steps into place, meditate and confess these promises of God over your life.  

1. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus II Corinthians 5:21  “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with Him.”

2. There is therefore now no condemnation to me because I am in Christ 

Romans 28:1(TPT) “So now the case is closed.  There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.  

3. In him I have been redeemed through his blood from sin shame and any kind of bondage 

Ephesians 1:7 (TPT) “Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given treasures of redemption by His blood – the total cancellation of our sins – all because of the cascading riches of His grace.” 

4. I am a child of God

Romans 8:14-15 (NIRV) “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  The Spirit you received doesn’t make you slaves.  Otherwise, you would live in fear again.  Instead the Holy Spirit you received made you God’s adopted child.”

5. Thank God for all He has done 

Psalm 103:1 (NIRV) “I will praise the Lord.  Deep down inside me, I will praise Him.  I will praise Him, because His name is Holy.”

 Position yourself to experience all that Jesus has done for you! It is important for us to have this truth is our hearts so that when the enemy comes we can remind him of what God says about us.  

I pray for you in Jesus name your LOSS days are over!