January 4: Beauty from Ashes

-

 Beauty from Ashes

Author: Bonnie Bodden, Kings SDA Church

Theme: Healing and restoration after brokenness.


Beauty from Ashes - Healing and restoration after brokenness
We all occasionally endure periods of brokenness. This is because brokenness is a result of sin. However, even in brokenness, something is refreshing about the revelations we discover and, most importantly, the breakthroughs we receive. It’s incredible how close we feel to God when we are at the lowest points in our lives. Brokenness is a catalyst for a breakthrough in Christ. It allows us to acknowledge our sins and repent. With God at the center of our lives, we can see the blessing of brokenness.

In Job's story, we see that Job was abundantly blessed. He had 10 children, many servants, and thousands of livestock. Job 1:1 describes Job as a “perfect and upright man, and one that feared God and eschewed evil.”

In a turn of events, Job lost everything. His children died, he lost his property, and he suffered physically from his skin condition. However, even in his period of loss, Job gave thanks and worshipped God. But as his suffering continued, he began to challenge God’s justice. God answered Job, confirming that Job did not have enough understanding of the complexity of the earth and even inviting Job to take up the divine throne and run the universe for a day. Job repented for overstepping and was restored. He had 10 more children, his livestock was multiplied, and he was blessed with a long life. This is a clear culmination that God will heal and restore us when we repent and keep him at the center of our lives.

We must learn to be thankful through all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says that “in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ concerning you.”

Beauty can come from ashes and blessings can come from brokenness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the reminder that even in our brokenness, You are near, ready to heal and restore. Teach us to trust Your plans, even when we do not understand them, and to give thanks in every circumstance. Help us to see the beauty You bring from ashes and to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that You are the God of restoration and breakthroughs. May we keep You at the center of our lives and draw closer to You each day.

In Jesus' name, Amen.


Photographer: Shaqueena Shanuel Danvers

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 11: Help! I Am A Worrier.

-
Image
Help! I Am A Worrier. Author : Sharon Campbell-Danvers, Shepherdess, Educator Theme : Contentment in Christ. Finding peace and joy in God regardless of circumstances Peace of mind is a valuable commodity that cannot have a price tag placed on it. If worrying was a product, I would be rich.  Peace of mind is precious and closely aligned with our mental health and well-being. Truth be told, so many things seek to distract us from what is truly important and what gives us true peace. This is a struggle for me. I need a piece of peace! A big slice. Whopper version, supersized. Women are confronted with many issues that impact their peace of mind. The woman with the issue of blood was in a deep place for twelve years (Mark 5:25-34). Mary and Martha watched their brother die and wept (John 11:1-44). The woman at the well was searching for deeper meaning in her life without even knowing it until she came in contact with Jesus (John 4:1-26). Hannah was troubled at home and could find no ...
Read more

January 3: Trust the Plan

-
Image
Trust the Plan Theme : Trusting God's timing and purpose in your life. Author : Dr. Terry-Ann Robinson, Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church   For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11   I must admit I don't like waiting or uncertainty. I am one of those people who make a list for everything, and then I have a list to keep track of my list. I work very strictly with time, and I mentally take quite a few "chill pills" to control my emotions when things don't go according to plan. I have gotten better over the years, but my "chill pills" are still needed. For some time now, I have been asking God to show me His plan for my life. I want a glimpse of the plan. Instead of showing me the details of His plan, God responds with Jeremiah 29:11, saying He knows the plan.   But Lord, I want to know the plan too.   Why can't you just tell me the ...
Read more

March 16 Anxious but Anchored

-
Image
Carol Nyack Shepherdess Cayman Islands Conference of SDA Theme: Trusting God when anxiety creeps in . It was a cool February evening, and I was reaching the end of my rope in more ways than one. I was partially laid up with a broken ankle, having just shattered my beautiful flowerpot. At the same time, vacuuming, and then, minutes later, discovered that my unlocked car had been ransacked during the night. I glanced at my husband resting on the sofa. He remained unbothered by my recounting of events. I then contacted our older son. While on the phone, my husband calmly said, "Ask him to come take me to the hospital." There was no complaint of pain, no urgency in his voice—just a quiet request. At this point, I knew prayer was more important than questioning.  Our son arrived, and just as my husband turned to kiss me and leave, I grabbed him to pray. On the way to the hospital, things took a drastic do...
Read more