REPENT

 

TIMES OF REFRESHING :

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19, NIV)

God promises in His Word to bring you times of refreshing. He doesn’t want you to live overwhelmed, in despair, or weighted down by burdens in this life. Scripture says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. That means He wants you to live without pressure. He doesn’t expect you to figure everything out because He already has a plan for your good, and whatever He asks you to do, He equips you for it.

One of the ways people feel heavy and overwhelmed in this life is by carrying unnecessary burdens or taking on responsibility that God never required. When we get out of step with God, when we go against His Word, things become more difficult. Condemnation and guilt can creep in and cause us to try to “work harder” the next time.

If you’ve found yourself in this cycle of works, or if you know you are out of step with Him, today is great day to find your new beginning! He wants to refresh you. He wants to empower you with His strength. Why don’t you turn to Him with an open and humble heart? Repent, let go of the past, and start moving forward. Receive His love and grace and enjoy times of refreshing with Him!

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS US TO "SEE HIS GOODNESS IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING". HE WANTS US TO EXPERIENCE AND RECEIVE EVERY "PROMISE" TO HIS BELOVED CHILDREN. YES, WE CAN REJECT THEM. YES, WE CAN CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THE LIES OF THE ENEMY. YES, WE CAN CHOOSE NOT TO BELIEVE HIS PROMISES. BUT THAT IS NOT THE INTENTION OF OUR FATHER'S HEART

HE'S A GOD OF RESTORATION 

'...You shall surely...recover all.' 1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV

One day the Amalekites swept down on King David's home town, burning it to the ground and taking its families captive. In this scene of devastation, David and his men '...lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.' (1 Samuel 30:4 NKJV) Now, God will let you grieve your losses because that's healthy, but He won't allow you to stay there too long. So God said to David, 'Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.' (1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV) Did David and his men get back everything they had lost? Yes, and much more besides, for our God is not only a God of restoration but a God of abundance. You say, 'I feel so ashamed of the years I have wasted.' The God Who created time can give you more of it. 'I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten... the consuming locust...You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame.' (Joel 2:25-26 NKJV) Notice the word, 'plenty'. When God blesses you, it will not come from an eyedropper or from a rationed supply. No, you'll be able to sing, 'His love hath no limit; His grace hath no measure, His power no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.' Ever since Adam and Eve 'blew it' in Eden, God's desire and plan has been to restore to us all that we have lost. So come to Him today and let the restoration begin.

'Your God will come with...recompense [restoration].' Isaiah 35:4 NKJV

What you give up in order to serve God is nothing compared to what you will get back. 'Peter answered and said to Him, See, we have left all and followed You...So Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you...you who have followed Me...and...left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.' (Matthew 19:27-29 NKJV) That means God can give you back a hundred times more than what you've sacrificed in order to serve Him. Are you feeling weak and ineffective today? Read these words and stand on them: 'Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense [restoration]...He will come and save you.' (Isaiah 35:3-4 NKJV) You say, 'But I have lost my joy.' God can give it back to you in overflowing measure: 'And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.' (Isaiah 35:10 NKJV) You say, 'But I have so little to show for my efforts.' Then stand on this promise: '...And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly...' (Isaiah 35:1-2 NKJV) Rejoice; your God is a God of restoration, so your best days are ahead of you!

HE WILL DELIVER YOU!

“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19, NIV)

No matter what “troubles” you may be facing today, God has promised to deliver you! Notice today’s verse doesn’t say He’s going to deliver you from “some” of your troubles as long you say and do everything perfectly. No, if you are righteous today, then God promises to deliver you from all of your troubles.

How do you know if you are righteous? When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, when you accept His forgiveness and choose to believe that He is working in your life, then you are righteous. The Bible says in Romans 4, that “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Your faith in the goodness of God is His righteousness at work in your heart!

If you are facing troubles today, expect that God has a way of escape for you. Expect that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Meditate on this verse and let it sink down deeply into your heart. Know that God is good, and He is your Deliverer today!