Collision Repair Service

Our car had a dent and a scratch on the side panel and we had to take it for repair. On arrival at the site, the signage caught my attention 'Collision Repair Service'. The Holy Spirit began to reveal things to me as I sat in that lounge while my husband and son attended to the car.

Our souls need to be similarly serviced whenever we 'collide' with each other on our journey on earth! Don't our souls get damaged on such occasions? Our mind gets confused and our peace is disturbed. We are emotionally shaken. We find it hard to get our mind off what has happened and how we have been treated by someone or some organization. It becomes difficult for us to get through our day to day task well. Your whole life may seem to be affected by just one person, just like the damage to a small part of the car!

The LORD JESUS taught the following:

 "You have heard that it was said, 

'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, love your enemies, 

bless those who curse you, 

do good to those who hate you, 

and pray for those 

who spitefully use you and persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; 

for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, 

and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, 

what reward have you? 

Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brethren only, 

what do you do more than others? 

Do not even the tax collectors do so?
Therefore you shall be perfect, 

just as your Father in heaven is perfect. 

Matthew 5:43-48

The other thing that caught my attention was the red and white furnishings of the office and lounge of this center. The LORD reminded me that the red blood of the LORD JESUS is what repairs the soul! When we are convicted of any transgression or trespass by colliding with or crossing the boundary line with someone, causing hurt and being hurt, we must repent and ask the LORD for forgiveness. 

 

 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

Psalm 51:7

 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, 

"Though your sins are like scarlet, 

They shall be as white as snow; 

Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, 

we have fellowship with one another, 

and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son 

cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 

and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, 

He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

1 John 1:7-9

Although repair service is available, it is very costly. So also is the repair of the soul. It cost our Savior His very life to pay for it, although He offers it to us free of charge! Besides, collision is painful! It can be long drawn and costs our joy and spoils relationships and the quality of our life.

We come across many vehicles damaged to various extents on our roads. Most individuals are living their lives with damaged souls! Some have got a quick fix with panel beaters with no guarantee that it will stay fixed. So are souls that live on sedatives, avoid those with whom they have issues, divorce, and depend on physiotherapy and massage to relieve stress. They are not made whole. They live in fear and bondage rather than in liberty and joy!

It is therefore good to avoid collision by being careful, keeping to the laws of the LORD and by 'giving way' to those who are reckless and hasty, even when we have the 'right of way'!

Owe no one anything except to love one another, 

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 

Romans 13:8

 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, 

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:8

 This is My commandment, 

that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, 

than to lay down one's life for his friends. 

John 15:12-13

By this we know love, 

because He laid down His life for us. 

And we also ought to lay down our lives 

for the brethren. 

1 John 3:16

However big the damage following unpleasant confrontations and disputes, thankfully, restoration is possible.

When we give ear to the voice of the Holy Spirit and yield to Him and humble ourselves and are willing to deny our self and correct our attitudes, we are restored in our relationship to the LORD and then to those with whom there is offence. Our joy also is restored!

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; 

He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; 

He leads me in the paths of righteousness 

For His name's sake. 

Psalm 23:1-3

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, 

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 

Psalm 51:12

 Now may the God of peace Himself 

sanctify you completely; 

and may your whole spirit, soul, and body 

be preserved blameless 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Come to the LORD JESUS 

to be repaired and restored 

so that you may live your life victoriously and joyfully!

 

SOUL

My spirit is made alive and activated, the moment I receive the Holy Spirit into my life and am born again into the Kingdom of GOD of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

My soul is then converted over a period of time as I feed on GOD’s word, the Bible.

My soul is saved, revived, restored and refreshed by the Spirit of GOD and it is nourished and strengthened by the word of GOD.

"Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:4

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

Psalm 19:7

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 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 107:4-9

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 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

Psalm 16:10

 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.

Psalm 116:7-8

 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

Psalm 85:6

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Like the Psalmist David, I must constantly cause myself - my soul to turn to the LORD.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

Psalm 42:5

Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation.

Psalm 62:1

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.

Psalm 35:9

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My soul is influenced by my relationships and affected by the attitudes of others and happenings in this world. Hence the importance of turning constantly to GOD, Whose Spirit restores and refreshes my soul.

Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorn of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 123:4

My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Psalm 34:2

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Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.

Proverbs 6:32

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death."

Proverbs 8:36

 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

Psalm 23:3

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Physical death is when the spirit and soul leave the body.

Spiritual death is when the soul is separated from the spirit which returns to GOD Who gave it. The soul, which is separated from GOD, is in torment eternally.

 "My soul loathes my life; I will give free course to my complaint, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 10:1

Yes, his soul draws near the Pit, And his life to the executioners.

Job 33:22

Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me.

Psalm 119:175

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The LORD JESUS, the Son of GOD, paid the price for the salvation of our whole being, spirit, soul and body, by suffering in His Spirit, soul and body.

 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:10-11

 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you-- The sure mercies of David.

Isaiah 55:3

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Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

Proverbs 19:2

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:14

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Like physical food to the body is the word of GOD to the soul.

A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Proverbs 27:7

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Isaiah 55:2

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 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord."

1 Chronicles 22:19

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Psalm 103:1

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And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 10:28

"Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.

Ezekiel 18:4

Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

Matthew 22:37

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Relationships among GOD’s people should be spiritual and healthy in CHRIST.

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

1 Samuel 18:1

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

Acts 4:32

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My soul should be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, Because you have heard, O my soul, The sound of the trumpet, The alarm of war.

Jeremiah 4:19

 I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul's place. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you;

Job 16:4

"Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

John 12:27

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So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, "As the Lord lives, who made our very souls, I will not put you to death, nor will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life."

Jeremiah 38:16

GOD made us - spirit, soul and body.

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 10:39

Believing is necessary for the saving of the soul.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21

GOD’s word planted in the heart, brings salvation to the soul.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3 John 1:2

When the soul prospers, there is healing to the body as well.

 The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of the Lord-- For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, And they shall sorrow no more at all.

Jeremiah 31:12

The Lord satisfies the soul with His Spirit, even in drought.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

The process of sanctification of an individual is by the Lord Himself and it involves complete restoration of the spirit, soul and body in perfect union and peace in submission to the Lord, thus preserved at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:20

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

Proverbs 11:30

A fruitful soul wins souls.

JIG-SAW PUZZLE

The picture has been shattered and needs to be restored.
Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." - Mark 13:1-2 
Sin shattered the beautiful relationships GOD had put in place.

The picture cannot be complete if one little piece is lost.
"for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." - Luke 19:10 
GOD sent JESUS to seek and to save the lost.

The first step in fixing a puzzle is getting the corner pieces together and completing the boundary. 
O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. - Psalm 16:5-6
GOD works through life's situations to bring you within the borders of His plan for you.
He teaches you from His word  the boundary lines that He has set in your relationship with Him and others.

Starting on a puzzle, you want to make sure each piece belongs to the same puzzle.
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.  - 1 Corinthians 12:27
When you accept the LORD JESUS into your life you become a part of His body, that is the Church.

Sorting the pieces of the puzzle according to the various colours and fixing them together is the second step towards completing the picture.
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. - 1 Corinthians 12:28
You would then bond with those who have a similar desire and calling in the work of the Kingdom. 

Each piece of the puzzle has to give up its independence and become interdependent with the other pieces around it. The purpose of the piece is found in taking its right place in the puzzle.
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. - Mark 8:35 
You find true purpose in life when you give up your selfish goals and for CHRIST'S sake take your place and do your part in GOD'S Kingdom.

 Two pieces of the puzzle connect perfectly when the colours and the picture have continuity and the projection of one piece fits snugly into the indent of the other and vice versa.
submitting to one another in the fear of God. - Ephesians 5:21 
One's lack is perfectly supplied by the other and vice versa, making strong connections that hold us together. We become interdependent in the Body of CHRIST.

Your self-centred mind becomes CHRIST-centred. Anxiety and worry would leave. peace, joy, love and hope will fill your heart as you start thinking of and living for a higher purpose. Your life will be hidden in CHRIST as you blend with GOD'S people. CHRIST-in-you is the hope of your glory!
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. - Colossians 3:1-4
This is the victorious life of a true disciple of the LORD JESUS who has decided to take up his cross, deny self  and follow Him.

While working on a puzzle it is necessary to have the complete picture before you and often look at it.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2 
The LORD JESUS is the complete picture. Each believer, every Church, denomination and para-Church organisation is a part of the body of CHRIST. We should constantly lift up our eyes to look at Him to make sure we are 'IN HIM' - in right relationship with others in the Body.

When the puzzle is completed it is sealed with a glue.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. - Colossians 3:14 
The love of JESUS is the glue that bonds His people together revealing His glory!

"By this all will know that you are My disciples,

 if you have love for one another." 

John 13:35 

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9 

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." So He spoke this parable to them, saying: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." - Luke 15:1-10 

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. - Ephesians 2:19-22  

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. ... till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. - Ephesians 4:1-6, 13-16