BROKEN? GOD CAN FIX IT!
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). God promised us a life with Him that is far superior to a life without Him. The words “abundant life” denote a super abundance of life beyond the norm. We experience a new love, joy, peace, and excitement from His Spirit within us. As we face life’s problems, we realize the only way to keep the “joy of our salvation” is by fully having faith and trust in Jesus Christ, regardless of our feelings or circumstances. “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13).
God tells us that in this life we will face tribulations, but He also tells us “Fear not, for I have overcome the world!” He promises rewards and promotions to those who “overcome” all the trials and tribulations through faith in Christ and His overcoming power. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith” (1 John 5:4). “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
In the book of Hebrews we are told to build on the foundation we have in Christ and go on unto “perfection.” Only by living in and through Christ can we reach perfection. Most of us do not see or know our imperfections. We cannot judge our own hearts! “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Sometimes the only way we know there is sin in our lives is through the sorrow and stress we “reap” because of our sins. “Do You have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:22-23).
As an intercessor, I receive many prayer requests from Christians with totally broken lives; most of the time, they are blinded to their own sinful involvement in their problems. We often look at the problem as though it has no cause! We like to say, “satan is the cause,” but the truth is that our sins open the door for satan to enter. It is so easy to point a finger and blame someone else for the whole problem. I know this is true because I have been guilty of blame and condemnation. God taught me that He cannot answer my request to change others or show them their sins if I am a sinning participant in the relationship. “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from Your own eye, and then You will see clearly to remove the speck out of Your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5). When our sins are cleansed and we have received mercy, we can pray in love instead of condemnation.
We must begin our quest for truth and divine help at the feet of our Lord. Christ will show us our own sins and lead us to repentance when we ask. He will show us things about ourselves that we do not know. The truth sets us free and after repentance we are in a position of power with God because our sins are no longer blocking our prayers. And He can lead us to victory over sin and evil.
Many times we have a marriage or other relationships in our lives that are so fragmented it is impossible for us to know where to mend them. If we belong to Christ we know “All things are possible!” We must begin the re-creation process through Christ. God alone knows all the mistakes, the sins of omission and commission, and all the hidden sins we are unaware of even in ourselves. Again, we are not good judges of our own hearts or our own actions. When we are praying about relationships, we should always start by asking God to point out are own failures in that relationship. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Many of us are spiritually lazy and we allow satan to take a foothold in our lives. If we do not resist him, he takes every foot of ground he can capture. It is heart-breaking to see marriages broken (especially with children involved) when God could fix them. Many are too willing to throw away their marriage vows, which God has blessed and holds in high esteem. Many say, “I am sick and tired and I want out of the situation!” Instead of asking God to help us change and put away our own sins, we turn and blame others for our problems. God commands us to be over comers! Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and we must do our part in that destruction. God holds the blueprint for restoration but few seek Him to restore that which is sacred and broken through our own sins.
God gives us the rules of divorce and separation. We should follow His rules. We should never allow another to force us into sin or ignore the existence of sin in our own marriage. “As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive You. I will be a Father to You, and You shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty’” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18). Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
There is almost always enough blame to go around, and yet no one sees their own mistakes. Restoration must have a starting point and a strong desire for the Lord of all perfection to change us. It requires a steadfast belief and trust in God’s love to change the vilest sinner and in the worst circumstances. As long as we are followers of “God and His life-giving instructions” we will triumph. “And who is he who will harm You if You become followers of what is good? But even if You should suffer for righteousness’ sake, You are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” (1 Peter 3:13-14). When you can’t find your answers, ask God for wisdom and He will give to you liberally.
I am writing all of this to say, “There isn’t anything too large for God.” If it isn’t in God’s will to fix it, then it isn’t worth fixing. Change and re-creation must be placed in God’s hands and we must be willing to cooperate with the Spirit. It is His truth that sets us free from bondage. God is always willing to share His truth with us. When we hear from God we must walk in obedience to His truth. When we are free from the sins that take us captive, we experience the joy of liberation and our faith in God increases to include everything that pertains to life and Godliness. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!” (Psalms 84:11-12).
Do you have a desire to overcome every evil in your life? You overcome by taking everything to God, obeying His directions, and doing well instead of evil. All around us we see evil winning, but that should tell us we need to resist satan steadfastly and pray and work until we receive victory. As Christians, we need to take a stand against immorality and not allow satan to rob the lives of our loved ones. Prayer changes things! We are to occupy until Christ appears in the air to take us home with Him. I want to be looking and ready for His appearing. It is our responsibility to live like the Lord and help others be prepared for His return.
My prayer:
The days are dark! Fill me, dear Lord, with Your light! Help me to walk uprightly before You and before all men. I want to be filled with Your love. Father, help me to fix my mistakes and correct my sins toward others. Make me aware of my short-comings. I desire to win the battle over evil in my own life. Let me be a living example of “Christ in me, the hope of glory.” I thank You Lord because I know nothing can separate me from Your love! Give me greater faith and knowledge of the work You have for me. May I be faithful to You in all things. I desire to walk in Your blessings and carry Your love to others. Amen.
