Repaired and Restored

Repaired and Restored

1 John 3: ⁷ Let no one deceive you, my children! Whoever does what is right is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. ⁸ Whoever continues to sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the Devil had done.

 

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Walking up to my car, I noticed I could see in one window better than others. As I walked a little closer, I reasoned that I must have left the window down. But when I reached the car, I found my window had been broken out and my tapes were stolen. Yes, I said tapes.

 

• I wondered why did this happen to “me?”
• I felt a sense of loss that I could not reconcile, so I became angry.
• I had spent years collecting the right music for my moods and now they were all gone!

 

John makes an implied appeal to stay firm in doing what is right according to the LORD. He gave a strong reason, namely the Devil came to steal GOD’s people away from HIM. John explains that JESUS appeared specifically to repair what Satan broke and restore humanity.

 

My Observations:

• At times, the difficulties in life cause me to lose my hope, BUT GOD knows what I go through and always provides a way.
• Troubles in life are placed in front of me and I have to make a choice to continue to serve GOD or fall to my own sins.
• JESUS knew I would choose sin, BUT HE died for me anyway and gave me a way to live forever, in spite of my sins.

 

Being repaired and restored is exciting! I mean, when something that is damaged or stolen is repaired or returned, it is exciting to be the benefactor. Unfortunately, we have an adversary who will not give up as easily. He will keep trying to make you and me lose hope in CHRIST. But there is hope.

 

JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me so I would not lose hope. HE opens my eyes to see beyond the trouble of the day, so I can keep doing “what is right” for GOD. CHRIST did not die so mankind would be weak, sick and hurt, rather HE was raised from the dead to repair and restore you and me. I am grateful for HIS love!

 

Challenge

• What deception could the writer be talking about?
• Have you ever been tempted to lose hope in JESUS and follow the recommendations of the world?
• Will you keep doing “what is right” as GOD has laid out HIS plan to you so you will remain in union with HIM today and forever?

GOD delivers the right person at the right time

2 Kings 25: ²⁷ In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He did this on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. ²⁸ He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. ²⁹ So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. ³⁰ Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived.

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My first job had one amazing person who took me under his wing and decided to train me instead of firing me. But after him I had a string of bosses who were reckless with their people. One would yell at people in public! “Is this what work is about?” I thought to myself.  

When the position was moved over to another division I sat at my desk thinking, “here we go again. I wonder how horrible this boss will be?” One year after that thought I received the highest award in the company because he went out on a limb for me. He restored my faith that there are some good people out there.

• Just when I think all is lost GOD delivers the right person.
• Just when I think I have to remain in a pitiful situation GOD delivers the right person.
• Just when I think my situation couldn’t better GOD delivers the right person.

Walking into an elevator, a person smiled at me when I was having a bad day. When I was a kid, GOD delivered people into my life who’s words ring in my mind saying “I can do it.” These strangers seem to come from nowhere but they always had a word of encouragement.

• Can you be the right person for someone?
• Can you encourage someone today?
• Won’t you take time to praise GOD and build someone up today?