THE GOD OF THE “RE” PREFIXES

On Sunday in worship Rev. Wes Olds, the pastor of Grace Church where we are attending while in Florida, suggested that the God we worship is a God of the “Re” prefixes. The sermon series is on “Rebuilding” which is a timely theme for the area of Fort Myers following the devastation of Hurricane Ian last September (2022). This church also has a huge “Recovery” program with a worship service dedicated to “finding freedom from your addictions, afflictions, and compulsive behaviors.”

It got me thinking about all the “Re” prefixes that God is involved in. In addition to Rebuilding (Nehemiah 2:4-5) and Recovery (Isaiah 6:1) here are others that came to mind, in no particular order, with Scripture references: Redeeming (Ephesians 1:7), Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20), Return (Zechariah 1:3), Rebirth (John 3:3), Relationship (John 17:3), Release (Galatians 5:1), Revive (Isaiah 57:15), Renewal (Romans 12:2), Restore (Psalm 51:12), Reunite (John 20:20), Repent (Mark 1:15), Respond (Matthew 4:19-20), Rescue (Psalm 31:5), Remember (Isaiah 49:15-16), Receive (John 1:12), and, of course, Resurrection (John 11:25).

I am sure there are other words of faith that begin with the prefix “Re”. But you may find that one of these listed here, along with its Scripture verse, is just what you need to hear today. 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#5522

STARVING FOR CHRIST

“Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:41-42)

People by the thousands became Christians because they saw Simon Peter's commitment to the church.  Peter was devoted to the church, and with good reason.  There is no institution in the world that serves people better than the church does.  There is no institution in the world that helps families more than the church does.  There is no institution in the world that redeems lives like the church.  There is no institution in the world that teaches love like the church.  There is no institution in the world that lifts God up and inspires righteousness like the church does.  There is no institution in the world that cultivates goodness like the church does.

But even more than that, the church has Jesus Christ!  The world is starving to death for Jesus Christ, and we have Him.  We are here to share Jesus Christ with a needy world, and everything we do is for that purpose… so that we can share the love of Christ; so that we can tell people about Him.

--  James W. Moore in “When You're a Christian, the Whole World is from Missouri"

#5039

GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PLAN

God has no orphans -- only family. He has provided for every child of His through the unlimited resources of heaven. No matter what mistakes we have made, God cares for those who have chosen to enter a love relationship with Him. Our world is full of hurting people who have no hope, but God made provision for their every need through Jesus Christ. He then made Christ the head of the churches He has established, in order that He might bring healing through His people who have come to know His saving grace. That is the strategy of God’s redemptive plan to touch the world. 

Local churches, the gathered people of God, are crucial to God’s eternal purpose in salvation and world redemption. If you are a member of a local church, by the direction and will of God, you are most fortunate. You are exactly where God wants you and where God will unfold to you the fullness of salvation. And it is here where God will cause you to reach out to a lost world for His glory.  

-- Henry Blackaby and Melvin D. Blackaby in “Experiencing God Together: God's Plan to Touch Your World”

#4904

GIVING GOD THE BROKEN PIECES

“But the Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

My prayer is, “God, take my broken pieces and remold them into what seems best to You.”

The question is whether or not we are willing to let the cracks show. For some of us, nothing could be more unthinkable. We want to airbrush any mistakes or flaws or scars.

But God looks at our brokenness much more like something called Kintsugi. This is a ceramic restoration process developed in Japan in the fifteen hundreds. Broken pieces are sealed together, but instead of hiding the cracks, the cracks are boldly highlighted and traced over with gold.

Normally anything broken that has been refurbished sells at a discount, but not Kintsugi pottery. Most often, the ceramic piece actually turns out to be more beautiful and more valuable than before it was broken. In fact, many collectors have been accused of deliberately breaking prized ceramics so they could be made whole with gold. That sounds a lot like the economy in the kingdom of heaven. The broken are the most valuable.

This is the redeeming power of God through Jesus Christ. When we finally come to the end of ourselves and give God the broken pieces, He can make us whole.

-- Kyle Idleman in “The End of Me: Where Real Life in the Upside-Down Ways of Jesus Begins”


#4616

REDEEMING THE TIME

“Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD's will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV)

I find that those who are waiting for the great revelation from on high before they attempt to do anything for God seldom accomplish much for the kingdom.  On the other hand, people who are into redeeming the time (Ephesians 5:16) by getting on with whatever good for God they can do in the present end up being persons whom we see great evidence of God's guiding hand.

-- Tony Campolo in “Following Jesus Without Embarrassing God”

#4374