Building

“They shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.” [1]

Who are the “they” in the above Bible verse? They are the people who have been touched and changed by the ministry of the Messiah. The Spirit of the Lord anointed our Lord Jesus to preach good news to poverty-stricken souls. As a result, they now have beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, and garments of praise instead of spirits of despair. [2]

“I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [3]

Peter had just declared of Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” [4]

We confess Jesus as Lord to rebuild what sin has ruined. Our Lord Jesus is the One who repairs what is broken. The gates of Hades cannot prevail against the Church that confesses Christ in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus holds the keys to lock evil up and to loose goodness. He holds the keys to enslave poverty and set prosperity free. He shares these keys to those who proclaim Him.

But wait, the victory involves self-denial. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [5] The intent of rebuilders, repairers and kingdom advancers is to save others. We cannot serve the Selfless One with selfish motives. Messiah took up His cross and so must we. Advancements spring forth as we, like Jesus, lay down our lives for the eternal salvation of others. We must trust that self-denial works because God blesses it.

“For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” [6]

The Lord God causes righteousness and praise to spring forth before ALL NATIONS. He makes the seed that appears to have died to produce an abundant harvest. That seed is Christ and all who follow Him.

“Dear God, Heavenly Father, so much is broken today, please anoint us to preach Your Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please graciously, continue to release the revelation of Your Son upon this dark world so that the restoration of joy and praise springs forth. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Isaiah 61:4
[2] Refer to Isaiah 61:1-2
[3] Matthew 16:18-19
[4] Matthew 16:16
[5] Matthew 16:24
[6] Isaiah 61:11