Salvation --> Restoration --> Redemption

Recently I found myself overwhelmed by the restoration God's doing in my life. For a long time I looked forward to a season of restoration and here it is... so why am I so dissatisfied?

At first I came down pretty hard on myself for being so ungracious. But a few weeks ago I was at an event in St. Pete worshipping with Don Potter and Jason Upton (and Michael!). I wept for 2 and a half hours. I didn't really know what was wrong, until Holy Spirit dropped a word in my heart... "redemption" and I've been thinking about that ever since.

What's the point of all this restoration if I don't allow God to use it to bring redemption for other's lives?

Now, don't misunderstand me. I don't believe that my life is salvation to anyone. However, I do believe that God has promised me to use the things I have experienced to prepare me to help others who are living through the same experiences. That's the redemption part. He's not restoring me just so I can camp out at restoration.

There is a kingdom purpose that I am only just beginning to see and understand. Like Jesus had a hope that sustained Him through His sacrifice - we have a hope before us as well.

Mostly I wanted to encourage you to look at the redemptive qualities of your life and testimony. What has He done in you and for you that could bless the people in your sphere of influence?

Selah.

Amey

A New Perspective on the Loaves & Fishes

I was reading John 6 the other day and Holy Spirit whispered something to me.

Do you think the boy was the only one who had any food with him that day?

That's all it takes to get me on another bunny trail... ;)

I can't imagine that of 5,000 men and uncounted thousands of women and children, only one boy brought lunch. Only one boy shared what he had.

How often do I keep my "little bit" to myself because it can't possibly be enough for the situation? Could it be that God doesn't need "enough for the situation" from me - just all I have?

For so long I've been afraid to share my "little bit" because of religious voices or my own insecurities - The Voice of Judgment - as Kent Henry teaches.

God thank You for Your freedom. You don't require more than who we are right at this moment. You work divine miracles with our human lives. I repent for holding back from You. It's never been about me or even my "little bit" - it's all about You.

Amey

Whose Side Is HE On?

One of my best friends, (you know who you are), called me last week with a question about something he'd read in Joshua 5. He'd come upon the story of Joshua overlooking Jericho before the Israelites began their marching war campaign.

Joshua notices a Man standing nearby who is holding a sword in His hand. He approaches the Man and asks, "Are You on my side? or my enemy's?" The Man replies that He's the Captain of the Hosts and He's not on either side... oh, and by the way, Joshua, you're standing on holy ground - remove your sandals!

Like any smart man would, Joshua obeyed and began worshipping the Captain of the Hosts.

My Bible's commentary states that this Man was Jesus. Their reasoning is two-fold - He calls Himself the Captain of the Hosts and He allows Joshua to worship Him. There is no instance in the Bible of an angel receiving the worship of a man - the angel always tells the man to stop worshipping and proceeds with his intended business.

I have to say that I agree with the commentary. This must be Jesus.

The most interesting thing, though, and my friend's question brought this to light, is this one question. "Why wouldn't the Captain of the Hosts be on Israel's side?" Israel is God's chosen nation and was taking Canaan as God ordained.

As I started thinking about this and asking Holy Spirit for help it became so clear to me that I often approach God with my desires for Him to be "on my side" rather than humbly approaching Him to find out what His side is and to get in line with Him. If Jesus always looked to the Father to see what He was to do here on earth, then I don't know what makes me think it's the other way around for me.

I've often wondered how God chooses sides when I have a disagreement with my "brother" - is it right to ask Him to be on my side? How could He choose between two of His children? Even if I'm "right" and the other is "wrong" I can't possibly begin to fathom God's plans - not His Kingdom plans.

Jesus learned obedience through His suffering. Will it be any different for me? Maybe it's in God's plan for me to suffer an injustice, and, if that's the case, doesn't it make more sense for me to go ahead and align with God's plan instead of fighting against Him? Do I really trust Him - that His plan for me is to give me hope and a future and an expected end?

Daddy, please forgive me for being so selfish. Help me to grow up and work for Your Kingdom plans.

Amey

My IMPENETRABLE Shield

Today I've been thinking about the impenetrable nature of God. More specifically, the scriptures in Psalms that refer to Him as our Refuge and Strong tower and promise us safety and peace.

Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.

No matter what the enemy is throwing at me... He is my IMPENETRABLE shield! Nothing will get through Him to me. I am safe. I see a picture of a little boy hiding behind his big brother... no way the bully's coming through the big brother.

Psalm 29:11
The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

It gets better... not only is His strength impenetrable - He's giving me unyielding and impenetrable strength of my own. To top everything else off, He's blessing me with peace... fullness, wholeness, with nothing lacking or missing in my life!

Psalm 46:1
GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

When I turn to Him for refuge and strength He's right there. He's present in my life and situations and has proven Himself time and time again. TEMPTATION can't get to me either!

Psalm 62:7
With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!

My salvation rests on Him. I'm not founded on sand - I'm founded on the Rock that can never be broken. My future is secure. I am secure.

Thank YOU DADDY!!!

Be encouraged,
Amey