Restoration! It Can Happen.

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

Restored relationships with friends, a parent, a sibling, or a spouse are indeed possible. Different things drive wedges in relationships and sometimes human nature takes over and forgets the 'God nature' and gets selfish. Often times other factors enter in that we can speculate about but have no true knowledge of. Recently I had a friendship restored with a long time friend who I knew in one of many places I have lived. Out of the blue this friend wrote me through messaging on Facebook and asked for forgiveness. Oh my goodness what an extreme surprise and joy this was.

I know of people waiting for healed relationships between siblings. This might be healing of a step family situation. Being rejected hurts no matter who it is that has done it to you. If a family member, I can imagine the wound would be very deep. Once again, hope is held out for restoration. Many situations can separate people and if you have been hurt, you need to keep praying and to also be willing to forgive.

Start today and give your painful situations to the Lord. Don't ever hate or seek revenge. Just keep praying and wait and see what God does. 

PRAYER: I am thankful for the gift of love. I am thankful for people who choose to forgive and love when treated poorly. Help me Lord to keep looking to you for restoring relationships that may have gone bad. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God of Restoration

“I 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.Joel 2:25

This verse above in some versions says "I will RESTORE to you the years the locust has eaten." The bad junk Job endured, for instance, God restored it over and above. At times stuff goes on in life we just can't understand why but we have hope because of the promises in verses such as this. We need not think all is lost because our faith keeps us going and our hope for eternal life. 

You probably have heard the saying "He turns our mess into HIS message." That is what it is all about anyway, glorifying God. He does big things to bring restoration. We only need to trust Him and be patient. 

PRAYER: Lord I know you hear my prayers. I know "this too shall pass" for you have a hope for my future. Lord I resist the attempts Satan throws at me to discourage or depress me for I stand on your promises. In Jesus' name. Amen.

          Click link below and worship the Lord in song before heading out the door this morning:
          http://youtu.be/6QvX4CwSmwY