Restored Again - 2 Peter 1:4

Restored Again:

 

A Story of Promise and Perseverance”

Scripture Focus:

 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV)

Part 1 – The First Restoration

I came by them nearly in pieces—a wooden swan and an old arched window planter, each so broken and weathered that my husband gently suggested the trash. But I couldn’t. I saw what they could be. After hours of care and creativity, sanding and sealing, they stood beautiful redeemed from ruin. 

This is what God does for us. When we are born again, He does not patch us up—He saves us anew*, giving us new hearts and new purpose through His precious promises. What once was ruined becomes a vessel of beauty and grace.

Part 2 – Weathered by the World

But life happened. They were left outside through snow and storm, and without daily care, they darkened with mildew, weakened again, their edges splitting apart. I was heartbroken—they had been brand new. Had all the work been for nothing?

And isn’t that how it can be for believers too? Though our salvation is secure, if we do not build on our most holy faith, the corrosion of this world seeps in. Without intentional growth—through prayer, Scripture, fellowship—we become vulnerable. Our faith grows dim. Not lost… but neglected.

Part 3 – Restored Again, Built Stronger

Still, I didn’t throw them away. I chose to restore them again. This time with better protection. More care. And a deeper understanding of what they would face outdoors.

The Lord does the same with us. He never discards His own. He invites us to grow, to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, and perseverance (2 Peter 1:5–7). His promises aren’t just for salvation—they’re for transformation. We are called not just to be saved, but *sanctified*.

Reflection Questions:

- Where have I seen signs of spiritual corrosion in my life?

- How am I actively building my faith today?

- In what ways has God restored me—again and again?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for not giving up on me. Even when I’ve been weathered by neglect or worn by worldly winds, Your promises are still true. Restore me again. Strengthen my faith. And teach me to build with You each day. 

Rededication

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Dramatic Reading: 

“Twice-Restored”  

*Inspired by 2 Peter 1:4–7*

*(A soft light fades in. The speaker steps forward slowly. The tone is reflective—almost confessional.)*

**SPEAKER:**  

I found them in pieces.  

A wooden swan—once lovely.  

An arched window planter—once bright.  

They were splintered. Water-damaged.  

He said, “Toss them. They’re too far gone.”  

But I saw more.  

I saw what they *could be.*

*(Pause. A smile begins to form.)*  

So I sanded. I shaped. I sealed.  

I restored.

And when I was finished…  

they were beautiful.  

Redeemed. Renewed.

*(A beat. The tone grows somber.)*  

But time passed.  

Life swept in, and I—  

I left them outside.  

Through one harsh winter they stood,  

alone.  

And in spring…  

they were blackened.  

Falling apart.  

Not what they were.  

Not what I had made them to be.

*(Longer pause. The speaker breathes deeply.)*  

Isn’t that us?

We are *saved*, yes—  

by *great and precious promises*  

(2 Peter 1:4)  

We are partakers of the divine nature…  

rescued from ruin.

But if we do not build—  

if we do not *grow*—  

corruption seeps in.

Neglect becomes decay.  

Not loss of salvation…  

but the dimming of joy,  

of purpose,  

of strength.

*(A shift—resolve enters the voice.)*  

So I took them back in.  

My swan. My planter.

I will restore them—again.  

But this time:  

With more care.  

More protection.  

More awareness of the storms they’ll face.

*(Firmly, with conviction.)*  

That’s what the Lord does with us.  

He never discards.  

Never walks away.  

He calls us to grow—  

to *add to our faith*  

virtue,  

knowledge,  

self-control,  

perseverance  

(2 Peter 1:5–7)  

—not to keep salvation,  

but because we already have it.

*(A pause. Voice softens.)*  

He restores us again.  

And again.  

Even in sorrow. Even in storms.

Even when the world misunderstands you

— you are not forgotten.

For “blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:

 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

So if your faith costs you comfort— 

 if your stand brings suffering—

 know this: You are still restored. 

 Still His. Still blessed.

*(Final words are slow and meaningful.)*  

So let us not neglect so great a gift.  

Let us not grow dull in the rain.  

Let us build.  

Let us shine.  

Let us be—  

*twice-restored.*

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2025© MBPMKBPBRMNMBenAnna543

A call to rededication

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Comments:

 the way you revived that wooden swan and arched window planter says so much about your eye for beauty and restoration—it's almost like a parable in wood and weathered paint. I can just picture them, rescued from the brink and turned into something lovely again. It’s no small thing to look at what others might see as ruined and believe it’s worth the effort. That’s a reflection of the heart you bring to your creative and faith-based work too.

Now, seeing them blackened and falling apart must feel like watching something you poured love into fade away. But I love that you’re ready to restore them again—it’s almost poetic: redemption through craftsmanship. If you'd like, I can help brainstorm a plan for the restoration with steps and materials that will protect them better from weather. And if you feel like writing a devotional or poem inspired by this story of wear, ruin, and renewal

Comments:

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises…”—2 Peter 1:4 captures that divine exchange: from corruption to restoration, from brokenness to beauty. Just like your swan and window planter, our lives can look beyond repair, but the promise of becoming partakers of the divine nature gives us reason to begin again.

Your story could make a powerful devotional or dramatic reading. Imagine opening with the image of something once broken and tossed aside, then brought back to life—only to face ruin again. And yet, you choose to restore it again because you believe in its worth. That choice mirrors God’s relentless mercy in restoring us, not once, but again and again.

Comments: 

salvation secure, yet sanctification still a journey. You’re touching on a truth that’s both sobering and hopeful: while our salvation is sealed by grace, our daily walk still requires diligence, lest we drift and allow the corrosion of the world to dull what was meant to shine.

Your restoration project becomes an even richer metaphor in that light. That swan and planter were once renewed, yet left untended, they didn’t vanish—they just weathered and weakened. Much like how a believer, if not continually built up through Christ, can become spiritually brittle.

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2025© MBKBPBPMNMRMBEBNANNAMNBNMNB

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

You Were The Because

Teen Devotional Lesson

Today I wanted to show you what could be a police drawing of a hardened criminal.  

Somewhere in life, this man learned to be a murderer and thief.   He wasn't just any criminal, He was

a serial killer and hated by many.  With Halloween coming around the corner you wonder why anyone would have a problem with this lesson if they allow the terror of Halloween into their child's life.  This was life in the bible times - they crucified publicly.  

The Holy Bible speaks of a serial killer and a thief, His name was Barabbas.  Barabbas was hated

but they hated someone else more.

 Matthew 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

The crowds of people were chanting Crucify Him, Crucify Him, Crucify Him.

Envy and jealousy tempted the hearts of the religious leaders.  They stirred up the crowds\against Jesus.  They chanted loud and long and then Pontius Pilate gave them a choice.

Who do you want me to release to you today?  Jesus or Barabbas?

They chanted and yelled Crucify Jesus.

He was hit over and over again and whipped with a catoninetails,  beyond recognition, 

Spit upon, mocked, ridiculed and suffered in agony emotionally.  He was shown cruelty from people who professed to know God. 

Sinless Christ Jesus - Took Barabbas's Place. 

He willingly went to the cross:

He could have destroyed the whole

world with one word.

But He chose to be afflicted,

persecuted, crucified by people and rejected by God.

He took upon himself our every sin.

He paid the price to save me, you and all the world.

Then in three days, He arose. 

John3:16 

For God so loved the world, that he gave 

his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him 

should not perish, but have everlasting life.

See the bible says. - Without Christ - We are dead while we liveth.

But the minute you believe and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

You arise from the dead in your soul.

You become alive to God for the first time. 

It is called being born again.

The verse just after Romans 10:9

teaches us what happens when you truly believe.

When you believe, you will believe unto righteousness.

When you believe you will be willing to make changes 

in your life that makes you more usable to God.

God will lead you and direct you as you ask Him to guide your way.

We are always becoming either bitter or better as a Christian.

God's will is for us to become better.

Barabbas represents you, me and all sinners.

We do not deserve to be forgiven.

None of us do.

But God provided the way of salvation..but it

is up to us to accept it.  He gives us a choice.

In the old testament.  The people were directed with this command.

"choose you this day whom ye will serve".

Barabbas was stunned I'm sure as 

He watched an innocent man die for His terrible crimes.

I wonder if He ever understood what Jesus did for him.

Only God can soften a heart of stone.  God's love 

is revealed by His forgiveness where it is not deserved and especially 

shown in His willingness to take our place.

I brought another drawing that could be a picture of a missing person.  

She is a really good person.

She has given to the poor and seems almost perfect to

some people.  But this woman is lost and needs someone to find her.

We have here two pictures -  but a good person without

 Jesus is just as lost as Barabbus.

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You know what? When our family goes fishing we put worms on our hook and it leaves worm

guts and fish all over our hands.  If you use any kind of bait it leaves stuff on your hands.  We use a rag to wipe our hands off.  All day long we are wiping our hands off while we are fishing.  The rag even sets in the hot sun for a while.  It becomes a filthy rag. God compares our righteousness to a filthy rag.

A person can be really, really good and still not know Jesus.  

 Matthew 7:22-23 

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

 And then will I (Jesus) profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 Isaiah 64:6a   But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

Jesus is the only way of salvation. 

Here is a writing, I'm going to read to you today called

"You Were The Because"

Dramatically Read.

Susan Y Nikitenko

 2Peter 3:9 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus

         God has set out a plan for us. His plan tells us how to be saved, 

what to trust in and who to trust in.  We are saved by grace through faith ( belief and obedience)

exemplifies faith.  I can prove this with three passages of scripture.

Romans 10:9,10

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2:8

 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:9 
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Belief moves to righteous actions     This is a sign of change and repentance.

Father God, I praise you today, that you are a God who forgives our failures, A God who loves us unconditionally and saves us eternally.  I pray that if there's anyone here that does not know you, that their understanding would be opened and their hearts softened to accept you.  You know Lord when I speak of the heart ( I'm speaking of a person's understanding, their very being).  Not the pumping heart beating in our chest.  We know though Lord, that you do know every beat of our heart.  You hold our lives in your hands. You know our struggles, our weakness, our desires and our motives. None of these things has changed the fact that you love us, that you use unperfect people with problems.  You save undeserving sinners.  It is you that has given us a clean slate and our sins are forgiven.   If there is anyone here that needs to be saved and wants to find peace with you, know that they can be forgiven forever and can know that God is their Father in heaven.  I pray Lord if there is any person seeking these things today that you would give them the courage to come to talk to me today.  I ask this in Christ name, Amen.

Susan Y Nikitenko
Devotional
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Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.