HOW REFRESHING

Repent therefore and be converted,

that your sins may be blotted out, so

that times of refreshing may come

from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 3:19

It must have been an exciting time in those beginning days of the church as we see the book of Acts. It's a special time seeing Peter who for the time was doing most of the preaching. The Holy Spirit had come into his life and he was a different guy. In a sermon, Peter gave the people the above words as to how to stay on good terms with God, and thus know spiritual refreshment like they had never known.

Folks were observing Peter and John at that time and despite their lack of education, those with questions couldn't deny there was something very different about both men. In fact, the people credited these two men's spiritual enthusiasm in the fact that they had been with Jesus.

There is a need in this culture of ours to see in us something that is very different from the norm. The answer those noticed in Peter and John is really the same for us in our day. Folks should see in you and me that we have been with Jesus. We've not been with Jesus in person like the disciples but we still have access to Jesus..

On a hot day, there's nothing like a glass of cold water. That is good for our physical selves, but spiritually, we have the water of the Word of God that refreshes us beyond expectation. In the Hebrew language, refresh means to breathe freely. Refreshment can give us new strength in every way. Spiritually speaking, the Bible I hold is even better than a glass of water. We need consistent hydrating of God's Word. With no pretense, folks hopefully will sense we've been with Jesus.

Thank You Father for Your Word and for You Holy Spirit as You so willingly teach us from it. May we come to know refreshment from the Word like never before, all for Your glory. In Jesus' name....Amen