RESTORE 'EM

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Do you have some folks in your life that “just make you a little crazy”? Folks who never seem to “get it”? Folks whose mistakes and decisions have negative repercussions?

Come on now, be honest.

I know we are to espouse that whole “love one another” command, but sometimes even our best friends get under our skin or put us in a bind.

Yet GOD calls us to be “restorers”.

Just what does that mean?

It means GOD expects us to pick each other up, have each other’s back, and bear each other’s burdens even when we have been negatively impacted.

That isn’t an easy task sometimes is it?

Friends let us down. We watch folks derail. People disappoint. We even make a mess of things from time to time on our own don’t we?

And yet we are charged to pick each other up, dust each other off, and help each other overcome and move forward.

Galatians 6:1

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

So even when others do US wrong, we are to tenderly point men and women in the direction of God’s forgiveness, saving our “critical comments”, and our judgment for ourselves.

That is a tall order some days isn’t it?

It sure would seem easier to play the revenge card, criticize or repay in kind when others “blow it”, but GOD’s ways are not our ways you know…

Isaiah 55:8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

Perhaps you know someone who has “blown it” and could use a little restoring today. Maybe they even caused a mess for you.

Get creative!

Reach out. Lend them a hand. Offer them restoration from Jesus. You might be surprised when you do.

Proverbs 11:25

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

Have a blessed day.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney