The Perfecting Church

Today, we recognize Pentecost and celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit that was given to the Church. When this was done in Acts 2, the Church also received the ability to prophesy, but many of us don't realize the power we have in the Spirit to do this. The first step is to pursue love.

There’s a study resource that lists over 950 names and titles for God found in the first and second testaments of the bible. Of all the names, there’s only one that God didn’t give to Himself. This one name is given to God by an immigrant, a woman who’s an enslaved surrogate mother. This is a person who considers herself invisible. It’s not likely any of us have experienced being an enslaved, immigrant who’s carried a child for someone else. But we’ve all experienced feeling invisible, alone or painfully unappreciated in our lives. There are times and sometimes extended periods of time, where we feel invisible — nothing more than the assignment that’s due, the money that’s needed, the hands that fix the meal or the car, or the ride that get’s them to practice. Today is the day we come to know El Roi — The God who sees you.

Jesus is the God of the comeback. He comes back for us over and over again throughout our lives, resurrecting us into the joys and realities of our place in the heavenly realm. Jesus will ultimately return at a pre-appointed time, known only by the Father, to resurrect creation into a new heaven and a new earth. That day is one we look forward to when we’ve experienced Him coming back for us many times before, that great and dreadful day — When Jesus comes.

While none are immune from trauma as a result of the fall of mankind, the very fall of mankind and the consequences it yields in our lives were inspired by the enemy’s attempt to thwart the plans and promises of God. God not only comes back for us or even in spite of us; He comes back because of us and the plans and promises He has for us.

Jonah thrown overboard into the sea… Mary pregnant out of wedlock… Paul watching and holding coats as Stephen is stoned to death. There are traumatic accounts throughout the bible. Our attention is often on the miracles, the deliverances, the hand and plan of God in those moments. But we need to identify with the human experiences. Seeing the accounts from the eyes of those portrayed, provides a window to see God in a new light. The God of the Comeback, resurrects us from life’s traumas, restoring our souls and giving us His new life.