Times of Refreshing

Acts 3:17-23

“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.  But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.  Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.  For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.  Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’

Are you a fan of Country Music Friend? Well Luke Bryan has a song titled “Rain is a Good Thing” It gives the perspective from farming about the blessing of rain.  After filming on Monday, it was nice to just sit in the barn and listen to the rain fall on the tin roof.  There are few things as calm and as soothing as that sound.  One of my struggles is that I tend towards workaholism.  I go from one task to the next, one job to the next.  But on Monday God sent a little perfect storm for me.  A day off, a cold and a long-drawn-out period of rain.  The rain was an answer to prayers sent up by many farmers in the area and those who love them.  And though we could use a little more it was a blessing.

 But even with the rain I could have found something to do, and almost half tried.  But the head cold left me feeling drained and without energy or motivation.  As I relaxed, I heard the Holy spirit whisper in my ear.  “Times of refreshing from the Lord” From Acts 3:19.

God knows what you need, God knows what I need.  I’m not saying that every illness is a way for God to get us to slow down, to take a pause.  But for me in this Moment, I think it was.  That’s the beauty of our loving God; He deals with each of His children uniquely.  He will work in your life much differently than He works in mine because your needs, your personality and your experiences are different.  And he is that Big, that multifaceted, that creative.

Too often we try to understand God like a mathematical formula instead of just experiencing him in all His wonder Moment by Moment.

So Friend, is God telling you to slow down?  Is he asking you to stop and listen to Him that He might give you “Times of Refreshing from the Lord”?  I hope you are willing to give Him at least a moment of your time.

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Prayer: Jesus, in all the busyness of life, in all the things on my agenda, please teach me to slow down, to experience your presence and your blessings.  I confess that I tend to fill my day with tasks, I let worries and wonders fill my mind.  Forgive me and help me to live at the pace of life you are calling me to as I remain in the yoke with you.

Amen.

Point to Ponder: In my schedule, with my agenda, who am I ultimately working for?  Is it for myself, or is it for God?  If it is for God, what should my pace of life and work really be? Peaceful, or hurried?

Verse to Memorize and Meditate on: Mathew 11:30 (Jesus said) “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Application: Whatever you have to do today, and this week, determine and commit to working diligently, yet with balance.  Remember you are working and living for God.  If that is the case, then do what he commands, when he commands it.  At work be about work, at home be about home, at the proper time be all about Him. And when he says rest, rest.  Listen to Him, He is your Lord (Boss).

Leave a comment below to share what God spoke to you specifically in this passage.