Embracing Restoration: Faith, Healing, and New Beginnings
Summary
In our journey through the "Prepared Series," we delve into the profound theme of restoration, which is intrinsically linked to healing and hope. The foundation of our discussion is the promise found in Isaiah 43:19, where God declares He is doing a new thing. It is imperative that we position ourselves to be active participants in this divine movement. To be oblivious or inattentive is to risk missing the transformative work God is performing in our lives and our church community.
The process of embracing God's new work necessitates releasing the past, as instructed in Isaiah 43:18. Past hurts, grievances, and bitterness can act as burdens, hindering our spiritual progress. It is essential to seek God's help in forgetting these past wounds to move forward unencumbered. The Passion Translation poignantly advises us to stop dwelling on the past, a sentiment that echoes throughout the scriptures.
God's restorative power is not limited to our spiritual well-being; it extends to all facets of our lives, including the restoration of lost time, as seen in Joel 2:25, and the assurance of divine health, as promised in Jeremiah 30:17. We must constantly remind ourselves of Christ's sacrifice, which has paid the price for our healing, and declare the healing word over our lives.
It is crucial to understand that faith and medical intervention are not mutually exclusive. While we trust in God's healing, we also acknowledge the role of medicine. When healing manifests, the need for medication will naturally dissipate.
Our faith is not passive; it requires action. We must actively claim the promises of God, for if we do not, the enemy will attempt to steal them from us. We are called to enforce God's will, much like law enforcement officers uphold the law.
The scriptures are replete with examples of restoration, and it is our responsibility to replace, renew, revive, and return to God. Through Christ's sacrificial work on the cross, we are reconciled to God and must maintain constant communion with Him.
The story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 is a testament to the power of faith and the tangible experience of God's touch. Her persistent declaration, "If I only touch His Garment, I shall be restored to health," led to her miraculous healing.
In summary, we must believe in God's power to heal and save, as demonstrated by Jesus' ministry. We are empowered to do greater works through faith, as promised in John 14:12. Our belief is the criterion for these works to manifest in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- God is actively working in our lives, and it is our responsibility to align ourselves with His new work. We must be vigilant and attentive to His presence and actions, ensuring that we do not miss the opportunities for transformation and growth that He provides. [49:33]
- Letting go of the past is not merely a suggestion; it is a command from God. Holding onto past hurts and bitterness can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God's restoration. We must seek God's help to release these burdens and embrace the new thing He is doing in our lives.
- Restoration is a holistic process that includes the recovery of lost time and the assurance of divine health. We must stand firm on the promises of God, declaring His word over our lives, and trust in the healing that comes from Christ's sacrifice.
- Faith and action are inseparable. We must actively enforce the promises of God in our lives, refusing to allow the enemy to steal what has been freely given to us. Our role is to uphold God's will and ensure that His promises are manifested in our lives.
- The power of faith is exemplified in the story of the woman with the issue of blood. Her unwavering belief and declaration of healing led to her restoration. We, too, must have faith and confidently declare God's promises over our lives, expecting tangible manifestations of His touch.
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
2. Joel 2:25 (ESV)
"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you."
3. Jeremiah 30:17 (ESV)
"For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’"
4. Mark 5:28-29 (ESV)
"For she said, 'If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.' And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease."
Observation Questions:
1. In Isaiah 43:18-19, what are the people of God instructed to do regarding their past? What new thing is God promising to do for them?
2. How does the promise of God in Isaiah 43:19 to make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert contrast with the command to forget the former things?
3. Reflecting on Mark 5:28-29, what was the woman's declaration of faith before she was healed, and what was the immediate result of her action?
4. Considering Jeremiah 30:17, what does the LORD promise to restore, and how does this reflect His care for His people?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What might "making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert" symbolize in our spiritual lives today, as mentioned in Isaiah 43:19?
2. How can the act of forgetting the past, as instructed in Isaiah 43:18, be a necessary step toward experiencing God's new work in our lives?
3. In the story of the woman with the issue of blood, how does her faith exemplify the connection between belief and receiving God's restoration?
4. How does the promise of restoration in Joel 2:25 provide hope for those who feel they have lost significant time in their lives?
Application Questions:
1. Identify a past hurt or grievance that you may be holding onto. What practical step can you take this week to release this burden and embrace the new thing God is doing in your life?
2. Reflect on a "wilderness" or "desert" experience in your life. What specific prayer can you offer to God this week, asking Him to make a way where there seems to be none?
3. Think of a situation where you need restoration or healing. What declaration of faith can you make, similar to the woman in Mark 5, and what action will you take to demonstrate your trust in God's promise?
4. Consider an area of your life where you desire to see God's restorative power at work. How can you actively claim and enforce God's promises in this area, starting today?
5. If you have been hesitant to seek medical help for a health issue due to a lack of faith, how can you reconcile the role of faith and medicine this week, and take a step towards healing?
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning with Divine Movements
God is constantly at work around us, orchestrating a divine tapestry of events and opportunities. It is crucial for believers to remain vigilant and attentive to the movements of God. This attentiveness is not a passive waiting but an active positioning of oneself to be in sync with God's transformative work. By doing so, one can catch the waves of spiritual growth and transformation that God provides. It is about cultivating a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's prompting and being ready to move when God says move. This alignment with God's work ensures that one does not miss out on the blessings and the growth that come from being a part of God's plans. [49:33]
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: How can you become more attentive to God's work in your life and what practical steps can you take to align yourself with His movements today?
Day 2: Releasing the Past for Restoration
Holding onto the past can be a significant barrier to experiencing God's restoration. It is essential to let go of past hurts, grievances, and bitterness, which can act as burdens that hinder spiritual progress. This release is not just a suggestion but a command from God, who desires His children to live in the freedom of His new work. Believers are encouraged to seek God's help in forgetting these past wounds to move forward unencumbered. By doing so, they can embrace the new things God is doing in their lives without the weight of past baggage. [49:33]
Isaiah 43:18 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old."
Reflection: What past hurt or grievance is God calling you to release, and what steps can you take today to begin this process of letting go?
Day 3: Standing Firm on God's Promises
Restoration is a holistic process that encompasses every aspect of life, including the recovery of lost time and the assurance of divine health. Believers are called to stand firm on the promises of God, declaring His word over their lives with confidence. Trusting in the healing that comes from Christ's sacrifice is paramount. This act of standing firm is not passive but involves a dynamic declaration of faith that acknowledges the power of God's word to bring about change in the natural realm. [49:33]
Joel 2:25 (ESV): "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you."
Reflection: What promise of God do you need to stand firm on today, and how can you actively declare that promise over your situation?
Day 4: Enforcing God's Promises Through Action
Faith without action is incomplete. Believers are called to actively enforce the promises of God in their lives, much like law enforcement officers uphold the law. This enforcement is a proactive stance against any attempt by the enemy to steal what God has freely given. It involves not only believing in the promises of God but also taking steps to ensure that these promises are manifested in one's life. This active faith is a demonstration of trust in God's word and a commitment to seeing His will done on earth as it is in heaven. [49:33]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to enforce in your life, and what action can you take today to uphold that promise?
Day 5: Faith's Power in Tangible Restoration
The story of the woman with the issue of blood is a powerful example of faith's tangible impact. Her unwavering belief and declaration of healing led to her restoration. This story encourages believers to have faith and confidently declare God's promises over their lives, expecting to experience the tangible manifestations of His touch. Faith is not just a mental assent but a deep conviction that moves one to action, and it is this kind of faith that brings about real change and restoration. [49:33]
Mark 5:28 (ESV): "For she said, 'If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.'"
Reflection: What area of your life do you need to touch with faith today, and how can you express that faith in a tangible way?
Quotes
"God is doing a new thing in our midst as individuals, as a church family. God is moving in our midst. Are you going to be part of it? Make up your mind to be part of this new thing that God is doing." [00:40] (Download | )
"Let go of the past, that is what is holding a lot of us back. You remember what somebody said to you 17 years ago, but do you remember the word of God that you read last week? Meditate upon the word of God, that is how we can grow." [11:41] (Download | )
"God is able to restore lost years. Joel 2:25 says, 'I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.' So don't be worried about where you should have been in life by now. God can bring restoration." [12:56] (Download | )
"Christ has paid the price for our healing, and so when we're not well, we speak the healing word over our lives. When you are healed, you wouldn't need the medication anymore." [13:36] (Download | )
"Christ has made so much available unto us; let us not allow the enemy to steal from us. There is a divine exchange that happened, and we need to declare the promises of God over our lives." [15:22] (Download | )
"Through the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross, we are reunited back to God, and so we have to stay constantly in tune with Him. We've been reconciled back to God and that's why we have to stay constantly in communion with Him." [09:46] (Download | )
"This woman kept saying, 'If I only touch His Garment, I shall be restored to health.' When you receive a touch from God, there is a tangible manifestation. You will know that you've been touched." [28:18] (Download | )
"Jesus said in John 10 that 'I have come that you have life and have it more abundantly.' If you're not living an abundant life, that means the enemy is stealing something from us. We have to keep declaring the promises of God." [09:08] (Download | )
"Restoration is a process, but you have to allow yourself to go through that process. Allow God to help you, and as I read about four Rs of restoration: replace, renew, revive, and return." [03:04] (Download | )
"Jesus was able to accomplish all that he did because he stayed in constant communication with God. We have to keep coming back to the word and prayer; there's no magic formula anywhere." [23:47] (Download | )
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