When you look back in time, what you’ll usually find, is HISTORY repeating itself in one way or another. The world is in this constant cycle of building up & tearing down, only to repeat again–RE… It’s kind of like the biblical principle of sowing & reaping-you PLANT something & work to make it grow only to harvest it & replant again–RE… you work to Build something, needs change or it gets run down, so you tear it down-only to rebuild again-RE … same thing happens in people’s lives–you get raised up–but through the difficulties & challenges in life-you get broke down–only to get back up…and start the process all over again – RE … the cycle happens in empires… Empires rise and empires fall…only to rise from their ashes again – RE.
God created a plan for the earth and all its inhabitants, only to have mankind fall in the garden – God makes a way “again” – RE… through sacrifice for mankind to continue on their journey through life – only to have them continually rising and falling away again – RE.
Finally, God in His mercy REaches down again – RE… through His one and only son Jesus Christ, whom the Prophet Isaiah called the “RE:pairer of the Breach and RE:storer of paths to dwell in”, to RE:deem us back to Himself.
Isaiah 61: 1-3
(NLT) 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be (RE:leased) and prisoners will be freed.(RE:deem) 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies(RE:venge). 3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes(RE:juvinate), a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair(RE:joice), (Msg) (RE:name) them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory.
One of the most amazing things about God is that He RE:cycles. He doesn’t throw anything out: no matter how useless it seems to be, or how much pain it has caused Him.
He RE:stores places and situations that have been destroyed.
He RE:deems people who have been willingly enslaved.
He RE:news His creation that has been forsaken.
And He invites us to step into this beautiful story of God’s People,
hold onto all that is good from the past, and RE:mix it for people today.
2 Corinthians 5:19 (Amplified Bible)
19It was God [personally present] in Christ, RE:conciling and RE:storing the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to US the message of RE:conciliation (of the RE:storation to favor).
Jesus came to RE:store us back to God’s original plan – so that we will then carry on the plan: the RE:Storation of His kingdom upon this earth.
Isaiah 61
(NLT)vs.4 -They will RE:build the ancient ruins, RE:pairing cities destroyed long ago. They will RE:vive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.
(NIV)vs.7-Instead of your shame you will RE:ceive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will RE:joice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
You see God is in the [RE]–in a world system of deception and destruction –Don’t let the RE:petition RE:move you BECAUSE God uses the RE:petition to: ReMold us, to ReMake us, and to ReForm us… again, again, and again – He desires us to be: a body of believers, a family, sons & daughters of God, who will rise and rise again from the challenges of life because we RE:cognize the cause and we’re on a RE:mission to:
Bring God’s plan of RE:storation to the world around us… by:
RE:deeming, RE:building, & RE:leasing:
RE:deeming - people back to God (reaching out & evangelizing) Spirit RE:Storation
RE:building by RePenting for selfishness (will restoration)
RE:building by ReNewing the mind (mind restoration) Soul RE:Storation
RE:building by ReLeasing the captives (emotional restoration)
RE:building by ReForming through Physical Healing & Healthy Living Body REst
RE:leasing the ReStored to ReProduce – (keep an open hand)
I believe when we are properly bringing RE:storation we will RE:ceive a double portion, and be able to RE:joice in our inheritance.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) Final Greetings (Paul’s final words for the church)
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, RE:joice! Strive for full RE:storation, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Do you want the God of love and peace to be with you?
My challenge for you is to RE:thinkChurch…RE:church
