by Derek Murphy

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”” —‭‭Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“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

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”” —‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I spoke with the youth group last night. One of the middle school youth wondered why everyone is not the same religion. It was a good reminder to me that we do not follow a set of rules, the aim of the Christian faith is not to produce good people. Good people are the byproduct. We aim to know God, the one who God who wants to know us, who wants to walk with us, we follow a personal God. Jesus Christ.

Jesus is always ready to meet us wherever we find ourselves in any moment, he wants to be there. Whether we are full of joy, fear, pain or shame. He wants us to invite him into those moments. He does have a path, a way of life, but its something that flows from being filled by him and his love. Acts makes it clear that the Jesus is the source for any good thing we might do. We must return to the source and receive times of refreshing.

Do you need refreshing today?

Jesus is ready to meet you. We are told in Acts 3:19 before we experience times of refreshing we must Repent. Repentance means we need to return to God. Take a moment and search your heart. Where have you strayed away from God? What areas of your life are you trying to hide from God? What parts have you places yourself squarely in control?

Speak to God and tell him where you have strayed away from Him.

Allow God to wipe out any sin, to save you, to pick you up. Anything you have taken on yourself he is willing to come and carry with you.

Now receive from God. in your moment of need. Let God restore you. Ask Jesus to speak into your moment of need. When we create space in our souls, God always fills it if we allow Him.

“Lord, bring life and peace into your people. Do not hold back your time of refreshing. I pray each person starts their week in the center of will. Lead and guide, speak and refresh. Amen”