FROM: Banbury, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
ABOUT ME: Living the highs and lows of life in the adventurous pursuit of God Himself and of who I'm meant to be as the Bride of Christ.
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Monday, August 03, 2009,9:31 p.m.
TIMES OF REFRESHING
This scripture has caused me to think tonight (not that I don't think at other times, too.....):
It was spoken to unbelievers - a call to an initial repentance for the salvation of their souls. But tonight it reminded me that times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. Psalm 16:11 says that in God's presence there is fullness of joy. The precursor to experiencing those times of refreshing, that fullness of joy, is the repentance of our sins.
I know that once turned away from, our inherited sins hold no more sway over our lives - there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8). But I was convicted tonight to ask the Lord what sins I may have committed that might be holding back His presence and His refreshing for my life. He answered - there was stuff of which to repent.
Sometimes I think we get used to our sins. What an awful thing to say! But we, like anyone else, can feel justified in certain bouts of unforgiveness of others, or certain selfishness, or pride or whatever. But they are still sin. They are still abhorrent to the heart and Spirit of God. For my part, I would rather take the rougher road of hearing the most precious voice in the world tell me that I have sin of which to repent than feel justified in hanging on to it and be far from the refreshing presence of God.
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be
blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from
the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the
Christ appointed for you, Jesus....
(Acts 3:19-20a, ESV)
It was spoken to unbelievers - a call to an initial repentance for the salvation of their souls. But tonight it reminded me that times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. Psalm 16:11 says that in God's presence there is fullness of joy. The precursor to experiencing those times of refreshing, that fullness of joy, is the repentance of our sins.
I know that once turned away from, our inherited sins hold no more sway over our lives - there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8). But I was convicted tonight to ask the Lord what sins I may have committed that might be holding back His presence and His refreshing for my life. He answered - there was stuff of which to repent.
Sometimes I think we get used to our sins. What an awful thing to say! But we, like anyone else, can feel justified in certain bouts of unforgiveness of others, or certain selfishness, or pride or whatever. But they are still sin. They are still abhorrent to the heart and Spirit of God. For my part, I would rather take the rougher road of hearing the most precious voice in the world tell me that I have sin of which to repent than feel justified in hanging on to it and be far from the refreshing presence of God.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalm 16:11, ESV)
