Times of refreshing

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How does God view those who sin, who do wrong things and want to return to Him? Does God stand with crossed arms and a scowl waiting to punish?

In the fifteenth chapter of Luke, Jesus gave three parables about a lost coin, a lost sheep, and a prodigal son, as examples of how God views those who are lost or those who have turned from Him and want to come back.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7, ESV)

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’  Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:8-10, ESV).

The next parable is of the youngest son demanding of his father his share of the inheritance. The young man went to a foreign country, and squandered his fortune in wild living. When a famine came, the only work he could find was feeding pigs, and he was so hungry he longed to fill his stomach with pig slop. He finally came to his senses and realized even his father’s hired hands ate better than he did.

The son, destitute, ready to beg for forgiveness, rehearsed what he would say to his father. “I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.’ He got right up and went home to his father. When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’ But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time” (Luke 15:11-24, MSG.)

One of Jesus’s disciples, Peter, had been in His inner circle of disciples. And, although Peter had promised Jesus he would be there for Jesus and even fight for Him, however, in Luke 22:32, before Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus had warned Peter that Satan was demanding to sift him like wheat and Peter would deny Christ. Yet, Jesus let Peter know He was praying that his faith wouldn’t fail, and told him when he turned back, to strengthen his brothers. Peter did fail, many times failed. Peter ran when Jesus was arrested and then denied Him three times.

After Jesus’s death and resurrection, Jesus appeared several times to the disciples. One stands out in John chapter 21 — Peter had gone fishing with some of the disciples. Jesus, the risen Christ, stood on the seashore, and when Peter knew it was Him, he threw himself in the water and swam to Jesus. Peter is a man who knew who Jesus was – the Messiah – and he knew God is a forgiving God and Jesus Christ is a loving Savior.

Peter later shared with others (many of who had demanded Jesus be crucified), to “repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]” (Acts 3:19-20, AMP). I love these verses. I really love them because Peter understood and knew there is nothing more refreshing than being refreshed by a loving, forgiving Savior. Peter personally knew amazing grace.

That refreshing, God’s amazing grace, is also available for you. Don’t ever be afraid to come to God or come back home to God. Your Heavenly Father is always watching and longing for the return of His lost children. God and all of heaven rejoice at those who are lost and then found. For forgiveness, mercy, grace, cleansing, restoration, times of refreshing, joy and celebration, please turn back to your tender, compassionate God.

“’Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18, NASB).

“I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free” (Isaiah 44:22, NLT).

“Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness” (Isaiah 55:7, MSG).

“For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (Psalm 103:11-13, NLT).

 

Emphasis added on scripture.

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Held down

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I’ve been held down by attackers. I’ve been held down by those who tormented me in the past. I’ve been held down by those who I thought were friends but weren’t. I’ve been held down by horrific memories. I’ve been held down by illness. I’m tired of being held down!

Throughout my life Satan attacked me in far too many ways, thankfully God has redeemed and restored. God truly turned what the enemy meant for evil and used it for good. My books both non-fiction and fiction point to God’s saving, recreating grace. I can write and speak of God’s wonderful unfailing love. I refuse to be held down by the past or the attacks of today.

We don’t have to be held down! We aren’t held down because we need to remember we are raised up. As Christians we are seated in the heavenlies with Christ.

For “…God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-6, NASB)

The truth is we are more than conquerors through Christ. Nothing can separate us from Him. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39, NIV)

No power is greater than God’s power. The devil may prowl around and roar, but God wins, and we are on the winning team. Nothing can hold down a soul secure in Christ.

If you are held down by despair and hopelessness, if the enemy seems too big and there doesn’t seem a way to move forward, remember God fights for His children. Nothing can separate you from God and His saving grace, saving power and rescuing love. You are not held down. Rise up in the truth of who you are in Christ.

Read the verses to help you rise in the truth of God’s love and protection. Rise up, friends. Rise up!

“The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.” (Deuteronomy 28:7, NASB)

“He delivers me from my enemies; surely You lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man.” (Psalm 18:48, NASB)

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10, NASB)

“So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).” (2 Corinthians 12:10, AMPC)

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, NIV)

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Be a miner

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When a person works in a coal mine, they dig out what they find in the earth, and coal dust covers their bodies. If you stood outside a mine at quitting time, it would be very obvious who had worked in the shaft. Every step the workers took, everything they touched, even their very breath, would leave behind particles of coal dust.

As we read and dig in, and meditate on God’s word, we are given heavenly truth, wisdom, guidance, and soul-food sustenance for our lives. God’s word is pure, alive and active, full of power, touching our very joint and marrow, accomplishing God’s will and fulfilling His mission.

Let’s mine deep in the beautiful treasure of God’s word, and as we move forward in life, may every step we take, everything we touch, leave behind a trail leading back to our wonderful God.

“As the snow and rain that fall from heaven do not return until they have accomplished their purpose, soaking the earth and causing it to sprout with new life, providing seed to sow and bread to eat. So also will be the word that I speak; it does not return to me unfulfilled. My word performs my purpose and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish.” (Isaiah 55:10-11, TPT)

“Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5, AMPC)

“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, AMPC)

“Every Scripture has been written by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, TPT)

“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32, NASB)

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