God's Love at Work- Week of August 18
Restoration
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of August 18, 2013
"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." -Luke 6:38
When God restores, He does so better than our original state. Big or small, God knows what’s important to us, to our heart, to our body and to our mind. He cares about every detail. And He knows just how to position us to receive His abundant restoration.
Early this morning, I received a text from a dear young woman who was delighted to inform me that she had just received two scholarships to attend college. From where she was to where she is now is as different as night and day. She is on her own, and the journey had been a struggle for years in many ways. But now, she has received her much needed breakthrough, and she doesn’t even have to pay for textbooks. Oh, the guidance and favor of God!
A dear relative of mind recently had his hope restored. After several decades of hardship, condemnation, rebellion and diminished faith, God used a pastor to reach him through a gentle approach. This family member’s faith and trust in God was consistently increased little by little over time. He also experienced a physical healing that was unexplainable by any other means except supernatural intervention. His faith was so boosted that he finally shared with the family that he wanted to return to church—the same church he attended as a child. God is a full-cycle restorer!
One of the tasks around my home that I enjoy is polishing metal hollowware. Every time I hold a piece of metal in my hand and patiently polish it to a super shiny finish, I am reminded of God caring enough for His creation to take time to patiently polish us to shine for Him.
Jesus died to redeem us from sin, curses, sicknesses and diseases. Father God’s desire is for us to receive His full redemption and restoration. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever.” Beth Moore recently said that we make the most grievous mistake when we dumb Jesus down. She’s right. God’s word is living. It is truth. He is who He says He is. He hasn’t changed. Let us embrace His love and power in every form He desires to demonstrate.
Just today, I spoke with a dear friend, whom I’ve known for many years. A few years back, I prayed for her to know more of God’s love and for her to understand that He heals just as He did when Jesus walked on earth. My friend had a need for physical healing, and, for the first time, she asked for prayer in that regard. I believe the Lord will soon turn her test into a testimony through His healing power, just as He did for so many in the Gospels. I believe God will grow her mustard-seed faith into a knowing.
All around, God is moving on our behalf and through us. Do we take time to see His amazing answers to our prayers and the prayers of others? Are we sensitive to the Holy Spirit promptings? When the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray for someone, it’s because He wants to answer that prayer! He desires to co-labor with us to bring about miracles.
In what areas do you need to be restored? Emotionally? Financially? In your relationships? God is big enough. Nothing is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37). We either take God at His word, or we do not. Are you ready to elevate your faith? Ask Him to help you, and then watch what He does for you . . . simply because He loves you.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
