Proverbs 2:7 He holds success in store for the upright; He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.

      Jeremiah 30:17a For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.
      Back in August of 2014, I suffered a stroke and was saved by a miracle of God’s goodness. I was delivered from the destruction and after-effects that often occur after a stroke. I am so blessed in the Lord’s goodness to not have suffered any ill effects of the TIA, Transient Ischemic Attack. The TIA caused me to lose control and use of my arm, tongue, facial muscles, cognitive functions and vision. A very frightening experience, but thank God for His goodness toward me. Psalm 103:4 Who redeems thy life from destruction; who crowns thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.
      The short version and reason for the TIA is that I have Atrial Fibrillation, and my heart skips a beat here and there. Norvel Hayes says, “All these different names of diseases are names given to devils by the medical establishment.” Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Thank God there is healing available for our soul, mind, and body, no matter what we come up against in life.                                     I have had to put everything I know of faith into real practice and have been blessed to learn the difference between sustaining faith and delivering faith. Prov. 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. By faith in God’s goodness, I’ve come a long way in the healing of my heart and am grateful for the new lease on life plus a revised vision for life that God’s word has led me in. Psalm 107:20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. The lesson I have come to understand the most is that the number of my days is in God’s hands. The Lord has guided me to take better care of His temple (who I am) so that I can continue to exalt the righteousness of God. Something else I’ve learned is what Joel Osteen said, “You were not defined by your past, you were prepared by your past.” The events of the past year could have had an ill effect on my life if I had let it, but I have a mighty God who fights my battles for me and with me. 2 Chron. 20:15b This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
      The word of the Lord promises that there is restoration for our lives. Through faith in God’s word, we can walk out our faith to obtain the blessed promises of God for our lives. The Lord will restore our years. Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. Our God will also restore our minds and souls. Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Our heavenly Father will restore our health and the health of those who believe with us. Isa. 57:18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
      Our Lord is in the ministry of restoration, and He will restore our lives. Jesus will even come looking for you to restore faith, assurance and blessing if our hearts are open to Him. It says in the book of John that a blind man who had been healed by Jesus on the Sabbath had been cast out of the synagogue because of a broken law. This man had been healed and cast out because the healing he received had been done on the Sabbath. The Word says Jesus went and looked for him. Jesus searched him out to be a blessing and bring restoration to his soul and assurance of his healing. John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?  
      Saints! What a God we serve who looks for ways to restore our faith, love and healing. So I say, “Be restored in the Lord this day!” May there be even more restoration in the years to come for my life and all who read this. Thank you, Jesus, for your goodness.