Are we in need of any of these three? Do you remember the original three R’s? They used to be, reading, [w]riting and ‘rithmetic.
Now, the three R’s are restoration, revival and renewal. All are similar in meaning and all are components of the favor of God.
Check out the definitions for each:
Restoration=the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.
Revival= an improvement in the condition or strength or something.
Renewal= an instance of resuming an activity or state after an interruption.
Yes, we as the people of God, need to be restored, brought back to our original call in Him. One word that was repeated in both of the definitions was the word condition.
The condition of our world is in need of a God-breathed revival. Renew us O God, for we have been interrupted in our call and purpose. The Psalmist cried out,
“Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.” (Psalm 85: 4)
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85: 6)
There are ingredients that this may occur through. They are:
- Let His love release salvation. “Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.” (Psalm 85: 7)
- Learn to listen and obey, it brings forth peace. “I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints–but let them not return to folly.” (Psalm 85: 8)
- Let His love and faithfulness merge. “Let love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. (Psalm 85: 10) (Shared from Psalm 85, Modified)
Purification Process
Hezekiah was now appointed king and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He was a good and righteous king who brought back the temple. “He opened the doors of the temple of the Lord and repaired them.” (2 Chronicles 29: 3)
Ahaz, the king before him, shut the doors of the temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem. He defiled the holy temple and the city.
Hezekiah knew that there was a purification process needed to restore, renew and revive the temple.
He brought in the priests and Levites and he instructed them to “Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your fathers.” (2 Chronicles 29: 5)
- Cleansing is part of restoration.
The priests and Levites purified themselves and went into the temple to purify it, as the king ordered. They brought all the idols that were inside, and everything unclean out. “For eight more days they consecrated the temple of the Lord itself.” (2 Chronicles 29: 17)
The priests then gathered all animals within the city of the Lord and sacrificed to the Lord. Then the whole assembly bowed in worship, while the singers sang and the trumpeters played. They continued in worship until all the burnt offering was completely burned. Then they came with a thank offering.
These people didn’t mess around. The number of animals for just the burnt offering were 70 bulls, 100 rams, 20 male lambs.
Their sacrifice of praise was accepted unto the Lord. So the service of the temple of the Lord was re-established.
God wants to re-establish and put some things back into order in His house to bring forth restoration, revival, and renewal. Will we cooperate and let Him?
(Shared from 2 Chronicles 29, Modified)
Jesus Sentenced, We Are Rewarded And Set Free
“Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.” (John 19: 1) As if that wasn’t enough. Pilate then brings Jesus out saying to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” (John 19: 4)
- Jesus came to bring us out of our sin.
He then is positioned in front of everyone, beaten, bleeding with a crown of thorns placed upon His head. The officials and the chief priests, yell, “Crucify Him!”
Pilate still did not want Him crucified. The Jews insisted saying, “We have a law, and according to the law, He must die.” (John 19: 7)
- The law of sin and death has set us free. “Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8: 2)
I am so thankful for the new law that has been written. Pilate, still wanting to set Jesus free, “Finally, handed him over to them to be crucified.” (John 19: 19)
In His death, there is life!
- He was injured, and we are restored!
- He was broken and we are revived.
- He became weak, and we are made strong and renewed.
Lord, bring forth restoration, revival, and renewal to us, your people, your church, I ask, in Jesus name!
“He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.” (Isaiah 53: 5)
(Shared from John 18: 38-19: 16, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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