Restoration and Resurrection

Mark and Adena Delaney, center, surrounded by neighbors. (Photo used with permission).

A couple weeks ago the sound of the cell phone vibrating on the head board jostled my senses, waking me up. The same device which hours before had lured me to watch one more thing, now seemed like such an annoyance. The unwelcome sound resonating so close had the same effect as the alarm clock. I picked up the phone and looked at the screen. Spam. Who calls at 5:30 in the morning? Curious, I read the transcribed voicemail.  

“This is an important message from Rogers County emergency management…”

Tornado warning. Seek shelter immediately.

This was not on the agenda for today.

Soon enough the tornado sirens were blaring a tone of urgency, but in a different mechanical dialect than any alarm clock or cell phone.

How do you respond to the storms when everything within is sending alarm signals? Are you more mindful of what’s going on around you, instead of Who is with you?

Matthew 14:29-32 is a beautiful illustration of where to keep our attention, and why we should amplify God’s word and let it take precedence over any situation.

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat the wind ceased. (NKVJ)

Regardless of what the circumstances are shouting, be mindful to listen to what the Lord is whispering.

Early that morning a tornado did do damage a few miles away from us.

Mark and Adena Delaney a couple we know, had the side of their home and part of their roof torn off. Their family is all safe. Their neighbors all safe. After the storm neighbors were helping neighbors. Adena expressed how they have so much to be grateful for. Mark said, “There was such a spirit of joy, and love, and service. Our home may be surrounded by damage, but our lives have been surrounded by love.”

I’m not at all surprised by their thankfulness. And the peace that has governed them through all of this.

Being centered in Christ is the knowledge that Jesus is in the business of restoration. He brings things to life that the destroyer has touched. He can clean up any mess.

Most significantly is how Christ has restored each of us to fellowship with our heavenly Father through his death on the cross, burial, and resurrection on the third day.

In Luke 24:46-47 (NKJV) we read, Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Also in John 14:6 (NKJV), Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Perhaps you may be going through a storm and need to experience restoration in a relationship, finances, or maybe healing in your body. If that’s you I would like to lift you up.

Father, I pray for each person reading this.

I ask you shine the light of your Holy Spirit into every dark place in their life.

Let the light of your glory expose every lie that their mess is too big to fix. The lie that you don’t see them. Unmask and expose every message the enemy has baited them to believe.

You said in your word that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens them. I ask in your holy name, Lord. Equip, comfort, bless, and perform a restorative work in their life so your handiwork is evidenced and seen by all. Turn the impossible or improbable, into the possible.

And may you receive all the glory for this transformative work. In Jesus name.   

Consider, April is a time of growth.

The buds on the trees.

Sprigs of green blossoming under a canopy of rain showers.

Green grass co-mingling with the brown, defining a new season.

A season of change.

I urge you to let the familiar become unfamiliar. Have an expectation of discovery.

Jesus told his disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat. The anointing was released for them to haul up a catch in a moment, after working all night and catching nothing.

Rise above. Put the heaven-sent Word from above in your mouth and co-labor with Christ to speak those things that be not as though they are. Plant the seed in good ground. And water with the living water.

And may you receive restoration and experience resurrection in those areas God Himself is wanting to touch.

Blessings, my friend.