And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10
Are you in need of restoration? Has the previous season left you weary and broken? I have great news for you! God is in the restoration business! This past very long season has been one that has shaken, refined, strengthened, and increased our faith.
On Sunday, our pastor taught a message on Relief vs Restoration. His message was focused on helping the needy in our community. It was a great message and I encourage you to listen to it here. https://vimeo.com/eldochurch. (Permission given to use).
He defined Relief as an immediate and temporary assistance.
Here’s Oxford Dictionary definition:
re·lief
[rəˈlēf]
NOUN
a feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress:
"much to her relief, she saw the door open"
synonyms: reassurance · consolation · comfort · solace
"much to her relief, she saw the door open"
synonyms: reassurance · consolation · comfort · solace
assistance, especially in the form of food, clothing, or money, given to those in special need or difficulty:
Here’s what needing relief looks like to the one in need as I can honestly say this has been our situation for sometime.
Needing Relief:
Barely getting by,
skimping,
feeling trapped
fear of lack,
doing without,
always wondering how bills will get paid,
looking for work at every opportunity,
praying to God to meet the needs,
attempting to sell personal goods,
not being able to put aside savings,
asking the doctor to fill your prescription without visiting his office,
completely depending on God to fill the deficit,
trusting God to sustain your health
On the other hand, restoration looks very different.
Joe, our pastor quotes " Restoration is an ongoing effort to restore people to their God-given potential.”
Oxford Dictionary defines it as:
res·to·ra·tion
[ˌrestəˈrāSH(ə)n]
NOUN
the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition:
"the restoration of Andrew's sight"
synonyms: repair · repairing · fixing · mending · refurbishment · [more]
"the restoration of Andrew's sight"
synonyms: repair · repairing · fixing · mending · refurbishment · [more]
the reinstatement of a previous practice, right, custom, or situation:
"the restoration of capital punishment”
"the restoration of capital punishment”
According to reference.com, the Bible has a very different interpretation.
“The biblical meaning of the word "restoration" is to receive back more than has been lost to the point where the final state is greater than the original condition. The main point is that someone or something is improved beyond measure.”
Years ago when we were first being trained in the prophetic, in hearing God’s voice, we would notice a “theme”. Often God speaks to others with the same or similar message. It is always encouraging as it’s great confirmation that what I’m hearing is on the right track.
I want to share what I felt the Lord spoke into my spirit this week. Every January, I seek the Lord for a word, a scripture that I can stand on. Typically, it gives me hope and courage to continue to contend for the promises He has spoken to me. Last year, He spoke a year of surprises and Ephesians 3:20. Well, those were definitely the case. He surprised us in letting us know of “new plans” He has for us and He absolutely blew us away with His grand provision that brought “relief” in immeasurable ways. If you’ve been following the blog, you know many of the ways He showed up and blessed us. We are beyond thankful for your prayers, support and encouragement.
As I was sitting with the Lord, I sensed that we had shifted from one season to the next. I sensed that in 2017 was a year of “relief.” And that it was!
This year, however, 2018 is a year of restoration for us and many others! The verses that the Lord brought to mind is:
Psalm 126
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of[a] Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.[b]
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
we were like those who dreamed.[b]
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes,[c] Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Joel 2:25 will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten- the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm- my great army that I sent among you.
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| It's time to step into the John 10:10 abundant life! |
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12
Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. Isaiah 61:7
Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. Zecheriah 9:12
Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. Jeremiah 33:6
And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10
For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares! Jeremiah 30:17
I end with a few prophetic words that have been posted recently. These words have such confirmation that restoration is coming to many. I pray for you as well!
http://www.elijahlist.com/index.php
2018 Will Be a Year of Divine Recovery, Restoration, and Recompense!
by Angie Stolba
“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In My faithfulness I will reward My people and make an everlasting covenant with them.” (Isaiah 61:8)
“2018 will be a year of divine recovery, restoration, and recompense,” declares the Lord! “Expect to see My swift justice in the very areas of extreme loss and hardship that you had experienced in your previous season. As it is written in the book of Isaiah,
“‘Here is My servant, whom I uphold,
My chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put My Spirit on Him,
and He will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise His voice in the streets.
A bruised reed He will not break,
and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.
In faithfulness He will bring forth justice’ (Isaiah 42:1-3).
“My Bride, I have been purifying you for such a time as this. Even as you have gone through the fire, I have been burning off the dross and molding. I have been shaping you, even as the potter does with his clay. You have allowed Me to have My way with you, and you have endured the process. Now, My Beloved, you have come forth pure and restored, as only what I desire in you has remained.
“‘By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work’ (1 Corinthians 3:10-13).
“Watch now, as I open the floodgates and pour out a blessing upon you that you will not be able to contain! I am turning the bitter waters of the previous season into My sweet waters of refreshing, renewal and restoration! As I bring my restoration, things will not be like they have been before, but rather you will experience even better. I am restoring your joy, and you will laugh again! For out of your belly shall flow My living waters (John 7:38).
“Such healing and transformation are taking place right now, both physically and spiritually. Your health and vigor are even being restored in this very season! You shall rise up with wings like eagles, and you shall run and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
“I am releasing a new-found freedom in you, even now as you enter into My rest. Allow me to rejuvenate and refresh you, My Bride!
“‘My beloved spoke and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone’’ (Song of Songs 2:10-11).
“Arise and shine! Your light has come, Beloved, and My glory rises on you in this new season (Isaiah 60:1).”
“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (Psalm 126:1-3).
Angie Stolba
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