PRotecting your assets

Sometimes we believe everything has a price. We breed Newfoundland dogs. They have a price and are for sale. As much as we strive for exceptional homes for them, it is interesting that animals end up losing their price. My dog Snoopy was a phenomenal companion. He guarded the farm and our children. He used to make me laugh when he would jump the fence and chase off a coyote, only to return a short time later, and jump back in the yard. It was as if nothing had ever happened.

Though I trained snoopy, there were many things I did not train him to do. For instance, at one point I was walking to the end of our lane to retrieve some mail. I came across a five-foot rattle snake. I called for my wife to get me a bucket. My daughter Lilly came running. She was around 3 years old and was excited to see. Snoopy ran in front of her and knocked her over. She was upset and got up to come near me again. Once again, he knocked her over. Finally, I realized that he did want her to get any closer to danger. I told her not to come any closer and she didn’t. He sat in front of her and would not let her go any direction around him. Now put a price on him.

Parents with children get it. Though our children make us frustrated from time to time, we can’t ever imagine putting a price on their head. Our children cost us a lot of money, with medical bills, house and car damage not to mention everything else. I’m never contemplating or wonder what the girls would bring at auction so I can clear up some bills or keep things just so. 

More importantly we must defend our peace, joy, happiness and anything that restricts the path of our God given purpose. 

Mark 5:21
“When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.

35-36
While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

38-43
When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” ). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.”
Mark 5:21-24, 35-36, 38-43 NIV

You must take authority over that which you oversee. You don’t have to sell it. Your authority has only one price which is covered by the blood of Jesus. You are in charge of you. One day at work I overheard coworkers talking poorly of me. I knew the comments weren’t true but it devastated me. I had decisions to make. Suddenly found myself at the auction. I bid 5.....

Wait a minute. You have authority over that. You are in charge. You never have to go to the auction. God already bought you. Parts of our life are priceless. They aren’t for sale. You have to plant yourself in the Lord.

“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
Psalms 92:13 KJV

Take the authority you have In Christ. It doesn’t mean you are a jerk. It means you are assertive. Courteous but firm. Just as Jesus kicked those people out of the house, he used His righteous authority to do so. Kick the bad influences out of your life. Being nice is sometimes being firm. You have authority over your life. You influence your outcome.  Your joy isn’t for sale. Your peace isn’t for sale. Your happiness isn’t for sale. Your purpose isn’t for sale. Take it off the market.

Put your eyes on your purpose. Set in your heart to fulfill it. Pick your lane and drive in it. Drive for survival. Protect what God has given you. I know you can do it!
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Claim it, keep it, protect it!