Joel 2:23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
This recent Christmas season my family and I had the opportunity to visit the nation’s capital. Block after block are large historical monuments and relics of history. The world’s greatest museums are found strolling the streets of DC.
On the second floor the National Air and Space Museum you will find such antiquities as Lincolns top hat, Edison’s light bulb, and Jefferson’s Bible. Across the street you’ll find the National Archives that house the original Declaration of Independence and our great Constitution.
Some of the greatest artistic masterpieces can be found in the halls of the National Gallery of Art. You’ll see Rembrandt’s depiction of the Apostle Paul, Van Gogh’s self-portrait, Da Vinci’s only painting in American Museums- the Juniper and numerous works from Picasso.
It was in this visit I found myself intrigued with the thought that some of these masterpieces survived decades of time, weather and handling to now be placed in these renowned galleries. The vibrancy of the color, the smoothness of the marble, the beauty that was represented in each work, it all told a story. As the curator began to give the history it was only then that one realized the fact: What we saw housed behind glass cases was not what they truly found.
No the colors weren’t as brilliant, the sculptures were not without flaw and fracture but they had been RESTORED!
YES THE MASTERPIECES HAD BEEN RESTORED!
The paint originally placed upon the canvass has now lost its luster. The sculptures now show the cracks of aging and time. So a pain staking process of cleaning, remolding and polishing and restoring the initial beauty begins. The desire is to bring back the original image, the original picture that the artist intended to be on display. To turn back the clock that time has played upon the masterpiece.
Yes, Man was created as a masterpiece without flaw.
Created in the Image of the Creator.
But yet the serpent entered into the plan and corrupted the creation.
He caused the Masterpiece to become less than what it originally was.
Sin carries its consequences.
Sin Thrills and than it Kills
Sin Fascinates and then it Assassinates.
We all carry the evidence within our spirit that we have been damaged by LIFE!!
Life has damaged us- I did not say people although they may have contributed
BUT LIFE- DAY AFTER DAY YOU LIVE ONE MOMENT AT A TIME
WE HOLD THE ACTUAL WHILE GRASPING FOR THE IDEAL
WE WALK IN VALLEYS WHILE SEARCHING FOR MOUNTAINTOPS
WE LIVE IN TRIALS LOOKING FOR TRIUMPH
LIFE HAS BUILT LAYERS UPON THE CANVAS OF THE MASTERPIECE- CAUSING IT TO LOSE ITS BEAUTY AND LUSTER
LIKE WALLS STAND BETWEEN WHAT YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU SHOULD BE!!
Decisions were made and Life has left its effect
You were took advantaged of as a young child and life left another mar upon the masterpiece
Things did not go the way you expected and Life tore at the canvas
Valleys, discouragements, trials, tribulation, Yes Life has left the masterpiece of the Almighty TARNISHED!
YET I AM CONVINCED THAT GOD IS NOT CONTENT WITH HUMANITY IN THAT CONDITION
HIS DESIRE IS FOR YOU TO BE WHOLE- COMPLETE
AND THERE IS NOBODY THAT CAN PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
THERE IS NOONE THAT CAN RESTORE THE JOY WITHIN YOUR HEART
THERE IS NOONE THAT CAN PUT DREAMS BACK IN YOUR SPIRIT
ONLY THE MASTER CAN RESTORE THE MASTERPIECE
I’m told that the Mona Lisa is covered with layers of varnish, dust and soot. Its original beauty can barely be seen. Yet it is allowed to remain in this condition because are accustomed to seeing it this way. A fear of changing it and losing the image that we see!
Deep down under it all I believe there is a cry that says I HAVE TO CHANGE!
GOD HAS SOMETHING GREATER FOR ME!
I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CONDITION THAT I AM IN!!
FORGIVENESS- JOSEPH
GOD NOT ONLY ONCE TO RESTORE YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL
HE WANTS TO RESTORE YOUR DREAM- YOUR FAMILY- YOUR VISION
IM TOLD THE FIRST THING AN ARTIST DOES WHEN RESTORING A MASTERPIECE IS :
THEY CLEAN IT:
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized…
Acts 2:38
Romans 6:4 You are buried with Christ in baptism
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
JESUS NAME:
Acts 8:16, 10:48, 19:5, 22:16
Acts 4:12 neither is their salvation
CORINTHIANS BAPTISM MOSES
GOD WANTS TO RESTORE SOME FAMILIES
Throughout the scripture we read about a principle of restoration.
When a thief steals something it must be restored …but with interest double-7 fold
Mephibosheth II Samuel
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New Life Apostolic Church
Naples, FL
Pastor Paul L. Getter
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