Divine Restoration

God sure has a sense of humor, doesn't He? During one of my recent quiet times, and as I reflected on the believer being "under construction", it occurred to me that some of us were restoration projects. At one time or another, the love of God flowed through us and we were so in love with Him that every waking moment was spent with Him on our minds. We cherished the times we spent in His company, the times we talked, fellowshipped, unloaded our deepest fears and concerns while embracing His peace over our minds and hearts. We loved the intimacy.

Yet, as time progressed, something changed. Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living, we became pressed for time and before we realized it, the moments with Him became fewer and farther between. The relationship that needed to be nurtured and watered to remain vibrant started to suffer. Like a building showing signs of continued neglect, spiritually, cracks appear in the foundation of our faith, dust and cobwebs cover our perception of truth, our convictions go to and fro like broken shingles caught in the wind, and our witness to the world became dulled like the building's weather-worn paint. Do you recognize yourself in that picture? Not appealing to look at, but the perfect situation for a God who specializes in restorations!

While our salvation is by grace and God alone, our restoration to our rightful place in the kingdom is a cooperative effort. We need to recognize and acknowledge the emptiness of life and it's experiences outside of Christ, and like the prodigal son, purpose within ourselves to return home. In relating the parable as told by Jesus, Luke tells us that after looking at where he was, and remembering where he belonged, "he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him" (15:20, KJV).

It really didn't matter what the son had done, or how damaging his actions were to the relationship. With sincere repentance, in his father he found not condemnation and judgment, but forgiveness and restoration. For those of us who have drifted away from God, He offers the same today. With that in mind, isn't it time to come home?

Under Construction

In my neighborhood is a fenced lot dotted with some fairly large holes, mounds of dirt, and some construction equipment. Among the other commercial buildings in the area, this plot of land is a bit of an eye sore and undoubtedly, were it to be left that way, the protests would be loud and many. In big bold letters however, were the words "Coming Soon", and above it, an artist's rendition of a beautiful structure showing what the finished product would look like. The holes in the ground were the start of a process, which, along with numerous construction activities over time, would eventually result in a building that complemented those around it.

As I drove past the lot, the Spirit of the Lord reminded me that the process for the believer is no different. Spiritually, there is not much about some of us that look like representatives of Christ. The world looks at us and scoff at our lack of appeal. Some point fingers at our mistakes, our failures, and often we struggle with seeing ourselves as children of God because we seem to fail Him so many times, in so many areas of our day to day lives. Yet it is worth remembering that we are under construction; a process that as long as we yearn for God and the things of God, He will continue to shape us to conform to the image of Christ.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears" (1:6, The Message). God will finish what He started. The way we are is not the finished product, but as with the artist's rendering to remind us of what is to come, we look at Christ as representing what we will eventually be. It is no wonder Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him" (Romans 8:29).

If you are nowhere close to what you should be in Christ, take heart. You are under construction, and God isn't through with you yet. At times in the process you may seem "ugly", but the finish will be beautiful. Yield yourself to Him, and allow Him to "Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ" (Hebrews 13:21, KJV). He can be trusted. As the Master Builder, He knows what He is doing.

"I Then Shall Live"

I first heard this song while watching to the Gaither Gospel Hour, with Bill Gaither and his wife Gloria talking about the circumstances around which she wrote the lyrics. What was most moving was when she said she hasn't yet reached the spiritual level the song speaks of. Once I heard the words, I could relate to that feeling as I am sure you will too.

In the video below, the Gaither Vocal Band & Ernie Haase singing - to the tune of Be Still My Soul - "I Then Shall Live". As the words scroll, please sing along and share in the desire of the seeker's heart.

I then shall live as one who's been forgiven
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid
I know my name is clear before my Father
I am His child and I am not afraid
So greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother
The law of love I gladly will obey

I then shall live as one who's learned compassion
I've been so loved I'll risk loving, too
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges
I'll dare to see another's point of view
And when relationships demand commitment
Then I'll be there to care and follow through

Your kingdom come around and through and in me
Your power and glory let them shine through me
Your Hallowed name, oh may I bear with honor
And may Your living Kingdom come in me
The Bread of Life, O' may I share with honor
And may You feed a hungry world through me

Amen, Amen, Amen



Please note: If you are on a corporate network and see seeing white space instead of the encoded video, your company's internet policy may be preventing you from seeing it.

"I Am The Door"

I had done it countless times before, but this time was different. As I inserted the key in the lock in the door, the words of Jesus broke through in my spirit: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9, KJV). I got the message immediately. In the very same way going through the front door was the only way to get into my house, without breaking any of the windows, going through Jesus was the only way to salvation.

The word "saved" used in the text is the word "sode'-zo" in the Greek, and is best understood as "to save, deliver, or protect; to heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole" (Strong's, G4982). This understanding, when applied, gives us a richer perspective of our position in Christ. When we enter our homes, we enter a place of safety. Closed windows and doors keep us safe not only from those who would steal, kill, and destroy, but as we go about our business in our world of anxieties and uncertainties, the comforts of home also offer us a place of refuge; a place to rest, be refreshed, and to be restored.

It is no different when we are in Christ. As Bible Scholar Matthew Henry stated, "By faith in him, as the great Mediator between God and man, we come into covenant and communion with God....True believers are at home in Christ; when they go out, they are not shut out as strangers, but have liberty to come in again; when they come in, they are not shut in as trespassers, but have liberty to go out. They go out to the field in the morning, they come into the fold at night; and in both the Shepherd leads and keeps them, and they find pasture in both: grass in the field, fodder in the fold. In public, in private, they have the word of God to converse with, by which their spiritual life is supported and nourished, and out of which their gracious desires are satisfied; they are replenished with the goodness of God's house."

Those benefits are only realized by those who come in through Christ. Just in case we're tempted to think there is some other way, He stated quite emphatically, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). One door, one way, and He is it. For those of us who have found Him, what a comforting thought! If you know someone still looking, why not tell them about Him today?

In The Center of His Will

In her book, "The Hiding Place", Corrie Ten Boom, Nazi concentration camp survivor, wrote the prayer: "Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will. Don't let me go mad by poking about outside it." This after she said: "There are no 'if's' in God's kingdom. His timing is perfect. The center of His will is our only safety. His will is our hiding place."

This powerful prayer reminded me of a question posed by author Charles (Chuck) Swindoll, who, in a section of his book "Growing Strong In The Seasons of Life" titled "Appraising Life", encouraged readers to ask themselves some tough questions including "Can I honestly say that I am in the nucleus of God's will for me?" It is a very sobering question, and one that we may have refrained from asking ourselves because the answer may be more revealing than we are willing to confront. Yet, whether it is in our choice of career, a mate, a business opportunity, or any other area of our lives, can there be any doubt that there isn't anywhere safer?

As His disciples wondered if Jesus would join them to eat, He said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me" (John 4:34a), The Message). His clearly defined passion was the carrying out of God's will (Hebrews 10:9). As His disciples, shouldn't that be our passion also? Knowing the will of God isn't always easy, but we can find direction in His Word. It speaks of His desire for every area of our lives, and as long as we follow that road map, His directions, we should be fine (Psalm 119:105). As someone once said, "the will of God is not so much an itinerary as it is an attitude. Be willing to walk in the way that He wants you to."

"Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will. Don't let me go mad by poking about outside it." Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living, are you allowing His Word to be a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path? There really isn’t any other way to know His will, and once we are walking in it, there really isn’t any safer place to be.