Colossians 1:14 – In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
DAILY READING; • 2 Peter 1; Jeremiah 41-42; Psalm 139
John Sung was perhaps the most influential Chinese evangelist in the early 1900’s. At that period he played an instrumental role in the spread of Christianity in China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.
John Sung was the son of a Chinese pastor and as a young man he helped his father in church duties and sometimes even led the sermons.
In 1920 he was sent to America for his higher education and was a brilliant student, earning a doctorate in chemistry in five years.
However, while in America, he was exposed to wrong friends. This led him to set aside much of his Christian faith and began dabbling in other religions. He chanted Buddhist sutras, studied mysticism and became deeply lost in sin.
However, during Christmas break in 1926, John Sung came across a fifteen year old evangelist who was preaching. As he listened to the preaching of this young girl, something awakened within his soul and he became repentant.
At first it seemed that there was no way to get rid of his sins. But as he read the story of the crucifixion in Luke 23, so vivid was the sight of the Savior dying for him that he seemed to be there at the foot of the Cross, pleading to be washed in the precious Blood… Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Son, thy sins are forgiven.’”
From that moment, he rededicated himself to serve God and zealously pursued the preaching of the Gospel.
Eventually, God greatly used John Sung in China to initiate one of the major revivals of the 20th century. He came to be called the ‘Billy Graham’ of China and was instrumental in bringing many souls into God’s kingdom.
In Jeremiah 18:2 God asked prophet Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house. When the prophet got there, he saw how the potter worked with the marred clay and turned the broken jar into a beautiful vessel.
The potter didn’t just throw out the broken vessel or break it, rather he made it again!
From this chapter, we understand that God is able to restore us no matter how broken or marred we may become in His sight.
God is the Potter and we are the clay. No matter how we may sometimes stray, as we return to our maker, He is able to restore us again.
2 Timothy 2:20 says that in a great house there are vessels of gold, silver, wood and earth; and some unto honour, and some unto dishonor.
The vessel we eventually become in life depends on how willing we are to allow God refine us for His highest service.
To be greatly used by God we need to continually submit to the cleansing flow of the Blood of Jesus.
The truth is that, as believes, we sometimes stray from God’s purpose.
Though we may not have committed major sins, but we are not always where we ought to be with God.
We may be serving in Church but there is no fire in our bones. We sing songs and lift our hands, but there is no edge to our worship. It all has become just dull routine and ritual.
Many of us can no longer sense the intimacy and sweet fellowship we used to have with the Spirit. We meander from day to day, not pursuing any divine purpose, but rather becoming more and more entangled with the affairs of this life.
In these last days, it is very important that we understand the times we are in and do everything necessary to become spiritually fervent because of the days ahead of us.
Ephesians 5:16 tells us to make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.
We really need to examine our hearts and cry out to God for fresh fire. It is time for us to seek revival and spiritual restoration and return to our first love.
The good news is that no matter how far you stray, you’re not beyond the reach of God’s grace! His arms are open wide and His love and mercy know no bounds.
Our value in God’s sight is not diminished by our flaws, or how many times we fail. No matter how far we may fall; the grace of God can pick us up, dust us up and restore us.
The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 tells us of how he rebelled against his father’s authority, left home and lost everything. But when he returned back to his father, he was received back and restored.
Indeed God sees our destiny beyond our falling.
Though Peter denied Jesus three times, he found restoration and eventually became the leader of the New Testament church.
Anyone who comes before the throne of grace with a penitent heart and asks for cleansing by the Blood shall receive mercy.
Today as we sincerely return to God and recommit our lives to Him, we will indeed find restoration, wholeness and healing. God will give us ‘beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:3).
PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for igniting my heart afresh today with Your divine fire. Thank You Lord for destroying every spiritual laxity in me. Today, through the power in the Blood, I reclaim my passion and zeal for Your kingdom in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
God is preparing you for the season He prepared for your breakthrough WORDBITE 222.