"But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." (Jeremiah 18:4)
The God of Restoration
Perhaps your life has been shattered, damaged or even destroyed, either recently or in the past. If that's the case, I have some inspiring news for you: Our God is a God of restoration. Another word for restoration is "mending," as in the mending of a broken net – or even the strengthening of a net by adding new cords. This is what our relationship with God can do for us when we are in need of healing.
Commercial fishermen seldom throw away a damaged net; instead, they mend it or add new cords to reinforce it. In much the same way, when a broken life needs 'mending' we must use the healing oil of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to reach out with the unconditional love of God to restore, to mend and to heal the broken spirit.
It's like the broken pottery spoken of in Jeremiah. The Lord does not throw away the marred clay. Instead, He warms it and places it back on the wheel to be shaped and molded again. Genuine restoration assists in the mending of that which has been broken.
Another aspect of restoration alludes to the resetting of a bone that has been broken or is out of joint. I know firsthand that this is an exceptionally painful experience, but one that is required for a subsequent healing process to take place. God does not tell us we should take a dislocated member who has been hurt or bruised and amputate him; rather, He encourages us to restore him, to put him back in place so that the body can function normally again.
God's way has always been to remove the sin, not the sinner. We, as Believers, must lovingly receive and restore those who return to God in humble repentance for their failures. (Photo via Max Pixel)
There are a handful of lost souls who are searching for something to fill a void, and that void is their missing relationship with God. The prostitute is looking for a church that will open its doors with a message of rescue instead of an attitude of disgust. The pregnant teenager is looking for a church that will open its arms with compassion instead of humiliation. Those whose lives are wrecked because of adultery are looking for a church that will open its heart with forgiveness and healing instead of disdain. The sanctuary must become a place where people can come as they are and be loved and restored. It must become a place where we can be real.
Molded Into Vessels of Honor
Wounded warriors everywhere are looking for a church that offers compassion, deliverance and healing. Child of God, maybe you're in need of God's loving restoration. Maybe your life is broken and needs to be mended by the Holy Spirit. Because of His great love, He desperately wants to strengthen you and to help you 'reset' your life! Every place where your life has become 'out of joint' – out of sync with His Spirit – He is more than willing to bring healing and restoration, making all things brand new. It only requires that we come to the end of our own abilities and ask Him to take control.
Restoration includes forgiveness, compassion, protection, covering, correction, discipline and deliverance. All of these, my precious one, are available to you if you ask. Your net may need mending, or you may be shattered like a broken pot, but God has not forgotten you! In fact, Scripture says you're always on His mind, and He anxiously waits for you to come to Him so He can put your life back together again. Once you run back to Him and truly repent, the Master Potter molds you into a vessel of honor.
Trust Him to do what you can't, to give you a future and hope you've never dared to imagine, because He wants that for you even more than you do. And once you let Him take control, I promise you'll never be the same again. For the Lord shall strengthen thine heart, my friend.
A Special Word for Many Today
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." (Psalm 27:14)
Hear the word of the Lord:
My Tender Child,
"Calamity of heart," you cry! "All is lost and my heart is weak and broken. If you could peel the skin back to expose everything underneath, the world would plainly see the damage afflicting my soul."
Right now, My word to you is alive and powerful, if you will respond to it. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. This word has quickening power. You are to wait on Me...yes, wait on Me. Hold your wounded heart out to Me and I will strengthen you. As you hold still and allow My Spirit to calm your fears and worries, I will pour over you healing oil. (Photo via Unsplash)
Be of good courage, for I am gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. I will show myself faithful and powerful in mending your heart – only come and wait on Me to touch you. "Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)!
Do not rush this process. Let rivers of living water flow over the scarred places of your heart, until I fill your heart with My tender love that heals and restores as nothing else can.
When I begin to blow My healing breath upon your heart you will feel like you are coming alive, and will be tempted to run back out to the battlefield prematurely. Hold steady and refuse to budge from that secret place of waiting until I give you the signal. Then you will be a mighty warrior – ready, eager and empowered to win!
As you wait and hold still, I will do a deep work in you. Like a skilled surgeon who cuts away the infected parts, I will cut away all anger, bitterness, resentment, and carnal works of the flesh. I will remove every harmful thing from within your soul while cleansing you with healing waters. "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart" (Ezekiel 36:26), so [that] you more closely reflect the heart of your heavenly Daddy.
The healing process is critical, so let me stress again: Do not rush Me. Only wait and watch your Great Physician and Healer restore you to perfect health. You will become My masterpiece! I am not through with you; so stay put and patiently wait for My healing water to saturate and restore you. My water will purify you and set you apart for Myself, giving you a heart of flesh for a heart of stone so [that] you can work in unity with Me, and together we can change the world!
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Steve Porter
Refuge Ministries
Email: G524walk@yahoo.com
Website: www.findrefuge.tv
Steve and his wife Diane founded Refuge Ministries and a presence-driven publishing company, Deeper Life Press. Steve is a regular contributor to many prophetic publications, including the Elijah List, Spirit Fuel, and the Identity Network. His writings have been read worldwide by hundreds of thousands of people. Steve's books, maturity pamphlets, articles, and videos have touched countless lives around the world. The Porters reside near Rochester, NY.
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