February 8 “RESTORATION” Acts 3:19
** Due to technical difficulties, the Daily Devotion is being posted later than usual. I apologize for any inconvenience! **
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
On Monday, January 31, 2022, I lost the use and control of my left leg and experienced the reality of my left arm feeling heavy and difficult to control. There were so many thoughts, at the same time, cascading through my mind, and I thought about the possibilities that I might never “get back” what I had lost. Since that day, I stand in gratitude and awe for the amazing power and Grace of my God. In the light of this experience, I thought about salvation and the reality of sanctification, and I understand that sanctification is truly, about “getting back” that which was lost! Sin entered the human experience, when Adam disobeyed God’s command, and, at that moment, we lost the relationship and fellowship with God, the Creator! PRAISE GOD! He loved us enough that He desired to reestablish what we had lost, and He sent Jesus to be the “Refreshing” power necessary to reestablish the Holy Relationship with Him. Friends, Peter, and John, in the Name of Jesus, had just healed the lame man, who was near the gate that is called “Beautiful!” This lame man “got back” that which he had lost, the strength in his legs! On that Tuesday morning, back in 2022, I “got back” the strength in my left leg and I recognize the miracle in the reality of restoration! The doctors were amazed and glad that I had made, in their words, a miraculous recovery! Hear this please! The healing of the lame man gave opportunity for Peter to preach a sermon, and he did just that! His sermon is reality for us today! He said that we are to REPENT! He declared that we should turn from our sins and, through the shed blood of Jesus, stop our sinning! He went on to instruct the Jews that REDEMPTION was the result of their REPENTANCE, and that they would be converted and would turn from their sin and would follow Jesus! His sermon concluded with the fact that, when we REPENT and we are REDEEMED, then RESTORATION occurs!! Hear me right now! My God had the power to heal the lame man’s legs, and He has the power to heal our sinful hearts and He has the desire for you to be RESTORED, so why not ACCEPT His GIFT OF REDEEMING GRACE through JESUS CHRIST and RESTORE your RELATIONSHIP with GOD! From a personal perspective, I am grateful for my RESTORATION and RELATIONSHIP with my God, and I am excited and humbled by his restoration of the strength and control for my left leg. I pray that I will forever recognize His Power and Provision and that I will constantly be in a state of Praise and Gratitude for “Getting Back” that which I had Lost! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!