Times of Refreshing

There’s a Bible verse I’ve always loved:

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord… Acts3:19

As someone who travels full-time in ministry, one would think that the guys and I are refreshed all of the time. We get to listen to some dynamic speakers, some learned speakers, some who are story-tellers & some who, to be quite honest seem like they are flying by the seat of their pants. I digress…

One would think that we get ‘refreshed’ every time we leave. As we’ve traveled over the last few months, we’ve learned something so valuable to our own walks with Christ. (I can include them because it’s been the topic of conversation going on 5 days now.) If times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord, then one must know the Lord in a personal way- have a relationship with Him. And if one is to have a relationship, one must hear the Gospel & receive the message of salvation… and then comes their times of refreshing as they enter into the presence of the Lord… daily.

Point being, to know refreshment is to know the Gospel & the the power it holds. However, to experience refreshment, one must believe, confess, & receive; thus, having a fruitful relationship with Jesus.

Something God has been reminding us of in all of this is the urgency of the Gospel message and how it’s not reserved for a Saturday night crescendo but for as soon as we begin embarking for His presence in not only corporate worship but our own personal times with Him. The central refreshment is the Gospel… to remember what He’s done for you through His gift of the cross and how much He loves you… Friends, this is refreshment.

May we never forget the power of the Gospel, & that it is refreshing.