ROI Fully Vested
I have tasted grace
That cannot be explained
I am now washed clean
Never to be the same
I have tasted love
One so pure and undefiled
as it washes through me
It cleanses my insides
No more doubt or unbelief
No more guilt and shame
Only knowing I was different
And called a brand new name
Jesus called me by a name
One I had never heard
Never once did I expect
To me it could be inferred
Looking directly at me
And speaking face to face
“Redeemed” He declared,
My past sins completely erased
Now I know the depth
Of a love so strong and pure
That no matter what my past
My future is secure.
He said repent and change your mind
For the kingdom of God is at hand
And you can hear this too
Heard only on the willing band
To confess all of my wrongs
Seemed so dirty and so strange
But it is the only entrance
Into His great exchange
My debt wiped out, forgiven
With a love I’d never known
His investment is for ROI
This is not on an installment loan
He invested in forever
It is paid for with His blood
Repentance was the currency
That unlocked all of His love
So when you feel convicted
Unfamiliar and unknown
Just know that there is One
Who loves you as His own
You can put your trust Him
Jesus came to give us life
So Repent and be baptized
In Him, we are fully vested to be bride of Christ
Poem written by laurette laster © 2018 August
Teshuvah is God’s transaction. When thinking about the sin of the golden calf and Moses “shattering” the first set of tablets, God then requires something from Moses. We see that God said you carve out two stones and I will write my words on them.
How many of us have thought previously that we had blown it with God. Have you ever wondered if God blotted your name out? Do you remember when you knew that your name is written in the Lambs book of life?
I do. It was 2002. I was accepted Jesus into my heart and was baptized at twelve but I didn’t understand completely all that meant. I had an encounter with the grace of God and met my Savior face to face through His unmerited grace in 2002.
I was self condemned and others condemned for poor choices I had made. I was loaded down with truck loads of regret and shame. But there were some who were praying for me and interceding for me. A man by the name of Reverend Gaither Day came to my job one Sunday. I was a general manager for a local Steak House, and he came for lunch after church. I do not know who told him about me. I do know that He found my name on the church registry listed as a member. He came through the door, looked at me and said, “There is my sheep.” He came several Sundays after that. He would bring me the church bulletins and other timely information. Each time he saw me he would say, “There is my sheep.” This man with his wise council and love ushered me back into the fold. I know God sent him at just the right time of my life. It was the time that God was beckoning back to Him.
God has someone praying for you too. Teshuvah is a season that crosses every barrier to get to you. He wants a ‘RETURN’ ON HIS INVESTMENT (ROI).
In business we want to make smart investments that will pay huge dividends and interest. After a set amount of time you can become fully vested in a company. Meaning you will not lose your reward or the funds that they have added to your account. Where do you think we learned this from? God is CEO, CFO, and Creator of this great spiritual system called the kingdom of God. Remember Jesus said, “Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” Or where He said, and he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:49). The kingdom of God is indeed big business. God invested ALL He had for us and He is looking for a return on His investment.
Many years ago The Lord opened a door to my returning back into the restaurant world. I began to receive promotion after promotion until I became the General Manager. After working 6 years for the Steak House, God opened another great venture for me in the corporate world for Applebee’s Grill and bar. I learned so much about the Kingdom of God from studying my bible and working as a General Manager for Applebee’s. The couple that owned the franchise I worked for was a wonderful Christian family who poured into their employees to make better leaders so we could then advance the company. They owned 45 stores when the eventually sold their franchise. I wonder if God calls this OJT, (on the job training).
God had a purpose for mankind and redemption plan a long time before the sin of the golden calf, about four hundred years before this sin, so scripture tells us. God invested ALL He had in this deal. We can get in on the wonderful venture and it is free, yet is requires all we have. God thinks you are worth His investment and He wants a return on His investment.
God made a covenant with Abraham. God told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous the stars in the sky, (Israel) and as the sand on the sea shores (the Gentiles). We see a picture of Christ in the story of God and Abraham. God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. We also see a picture of Jesus as our great deliver and the one who makes intercession for us in the story of Moses leading the children out of Egypt. We see Moses returning (Teshuvah) to make intercession for the children of Israel before God. Yesterday we talked about Moses telling God, to blot out his name from His book also, if He were going to blot out the Children of Israel’s name.
After a break of covenant there are consequences followed by reconciliation. Moses didn’t wink at the sin; three thousand were killed that day. There was work to be done to rectify and remove people who were not going to serve God.
God’s intention was never to blot out our name. Actually we read that our sin is what God blotted out. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19).
It is a repentant heart our Father is after. I pray we turn and return to the plan of God.
Pray this prayer
Dear Heavenly Father. I see Your great love for me and Your love for my family and my extended family of brothers and sisters in Christ. Show me how to love them Father as Your love them. Lord give me a heart to discern Your hand in their lives and Your will for their lives. Lord you have given me people that you desire I pray and intercede for. I repent for not understanding my call to pray for others. Show me Lord how You would have me pray and intercede for them. Amen
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 