SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

RESTORATION

 

John 10:10.....The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Hebrews 4:16.....Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Philippians 4:6-7.....

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 16:16-18....There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Isaiah 54:17......

No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD.The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Proverbs 16:9.....In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Proverbs 20:24.....

A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Galatians 5:6......

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. What a man desires is unfailing love.

Philippians 2:12-13.....

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Hebrews 11:1....Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."

Matthew 21:22....

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Isaiah 41:10-13......"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them–Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you."

Hebrews 10:35-36....

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

 

'Restoration', by Mike Bullock

Peace has fallen on this person
In a static place, no less
It's a lull before the storm breaks
Restoration time, I guess
To the state that He created
Undefiled by human touch
Like an onion, we've gained layers
Some a few, but many much.

Take a painting, sad and lifeless
Vibrant colours dulled by time
You can damage hidden beauty
As you scrub away the grime
So He takes His time about it
Lovingly He cleans away
Years of dead and poisoned foliage
In our cesspit of decay.

So I offer up my secrets
Some remembered, others not
Like a time lord reaching backwards
He is in a land forgot
But I know that when He's finished
I will be His child renewed
Thankful that He loves me dearly
Restored, refined,

no longer crude.

 

 

God's plan for restoration in the Church is not to return it to some original condition of the Church, but to the original intention for the Church in the exalted Christ.

 

The restoration of the Church is not about going back to Acts 2 (this was the Church in seed-form), but onwards to the perfection of the holy city of Jerusalem which is (even now) "coming down out of heaven from God,"