9-9-2017

Good Morning All,

           Psalm 51:10; “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

    My wife is an avid “Fixer-Upper” fan.  We watch Chip and Joanna Gaines whenever they are on.  She loves how they remodel the houses and how they turn out.  She loves the way that Joanna does the decorating in the houses and she loves the reaction of the people who get the house.  She laughs at Chip and “awws” over the kids.  I watch it as well, not quite the level of fan that she is; I tend to point out that just before the commercial, Chip is going to find something that will present a great problem, fortunately he solves it and the show goes on.

    What fascinates me the most is how they truly renovate and improve the quality and appeal of the houses.  They apply a lot of talent to what they do.  They take homes that most would pass by and give them new life within the neighborhood.  Suddenly eyesores are the best in the area.  Now, instead of drawing down the local values; they are enhanced by the house’s appeal.  It is now desired among the other houses.  All because talented people applied their talent and improved the so-so to wonderful.

    We can speak of God doing the same for us.  While Chip and Joanna take “the worst houses in the best neighborhoods” God takes us, the worst in the worst and renews us.  He restores us to be his children.  He does this, not by painting over the cracks but by repairing the cracks so that we are made new.  This is done by the all availing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  Jesus took all our faults, broken windows, cracked foundations; all the sin that we possess and forgave them by paying our debt with his death. 

     By doing this, we are now renewed in order that we may go forward in service to Him.  We are not to wallow back in the sins that caused our pain and suffering but to move forward in a renewed purpose for life.  Our purpose has always been to be an outward looking people; seeking to show love to those around us, caring for the creation to which we belong.  This was our original purpose and it continues to be our purpose for being on this earth; to take care of creation.  This is what we are called to do; to love one another and to care for what God’s creation is. 

    So go forth with the renewed spirit that is yours because of Jesus’ blood.  Go forth and serve the Lord with the renewed heart and soul.  Help your neighbor, help the areas of the country that are experiencing such destructive events, try to bring about healing where you can.  Serve your purpose; love one another.

Father of all grace, you renew us through Jesus.  Use us to serve you in whatever capacity that you have need of.  Use our hands, our voices, our hearts and our lives that we may bring your healing to the world, one person at a time.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret