6 Minute Read + Scripture readings

Today’s Bible Reading:

Joshua 23
Acts 3
Jeremiah 12
Matthew 26

Today’s Bible Verse(s):

Acts 3:19-20 (CSB): “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.”

Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):

As we read through Acts 3 today, we cannot help but realize that the Apostle Peter made the comments in “Today’s Bible Verses” while in the Temple area. He had spoken about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection and how the Jews he was addressing were complicit.

So, when the words that are recorded in Acts 3:19-20 were spoken, Peter was specifically referring to the return of Christ. He was ready for Jesus to return and to restore earth to it’s perfect, pre-Genesis-3 condition.

Yet, there is a secondary meaning in Acts 3:19-20. “Seasons of refreshing” is simply referring to the New Earth. It could also refer to times of revival and renewal that foreshadow the time when Christ will reign upon the earth as His followers willingly obey Him and passionately enjoy Him.

Acts 3:19-20 (CSB): “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.”

While we look at those verse as a distant future event, we can also see it as a potential, present reality.

Do you want to enjoy seasons of refreshing? Do you want to experience a time when your soul is renewed and restored? Do you want to experience Jesus in a way that you never dreamed was possible in this life?

Then, “repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out.” Simply put, make it the resolute passion of your heart to acknowledge sin in your life, develop a hatred for it, confess it to the Lord and turn from it never do do it again, and receive the cleansing forgiveness that God desires to give you.

But remember that your walk with Jesus isn’t a microwave. It’s a crock pot. Things almost certainly don’t happen immediately. They take time. And they take intentionality – doing the hard work of finding every last sin in our hearts and removing that sin from our life.

I am seriously considering taking First Baptist Church through the book, “Seeking Him: Experiencing The Joy of Personal Revival” by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Tim Grissom. It is by far the best workbook that I’ve discovered that can take you by the hand and help you to discover and weed out sin in your life as you develop a craving to enjoy the Lord more. There will be more information to come.

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Lord Jesus, I need a time of refreshing. I sometimes feel like the lyrics of Keith Green’s song, “My Eyes Are Dry,” sometimes describes me when it says: “My eyes are dry, my faith is old, my heart is hard, my prayers are cold. And I know how I ought to be, alive to You and dead to me.” Lord Jesus, I want to experience and enjoy You as You have always intended. Please help me on this journey. Amen.

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