Winter season is upon us. The season of the year that is cool and sometimes cold, cloudy and rainy. Winter is my least favorite season of the year. It seems that cold moves into my bones and the clouds are just dreary. My mother would tell me that she used the winter season to regroup and refresh. She would spend time reading and getting prepared for the busiest times of the year. Winter was her season of refreshing.
Acts 3:19-20, HCSB, “Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that He may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah.”
Given the Opportunity to Refresh
Peter was preaching after the lame man was healed in Acts 3. People were amazed as Peter explained that it was not he or John that healed, but through Christ this man was made whole. He tells them that they had killed the source of life, but Jesus was raised from the dead just as God said through the prophets. Peter gives them an opportunity to have a season of refreshing.
God’s Word Refreshes
God’s word gives us an opportunity to have seasons of refreshing. First, Peter said for us to repent. Repent not only means seek forgiveness for the sin in our lives, but to change and sin no more. When we repent, our sins are wiped away. God remembers them no more. We are clean before the presence of the Lord because we are washed by Jesus’ blood.
Refresh in the Presence of God
Peter also says the seasons of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord. We are to spend time in His presence. Time in prayer, worship through song or just praises to God. Take time from the busyness of life and spend time at His feet. It is only by repenting and spending time with God that we will find the seasons of refreshing. Seasons of refreshing signifies times or periods in your life to breathe and just enjoy the closeness of God. It is not just once, but as often as you repent and draw close to him.
Refreshing Gives Us Joy and Peace
Once we are experiencing the season of refreshing, God gives us blessings. He gives us joy and peace even though the circumstances in our lives are not joyful or peaceful. He fills our hearts with love for Him and for people even though people around us may not be lovable. He also gives us this period of time to commune deeply with Him.
What season of life are you in today? Do you need refreshing? Repent and spend time at Jesus’ feet. Let Him refresh your soul!
The Martins In the Presence of the Lord
Paula Wallace
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I am needing that refreshing!!! Great message ! God Bless!