Blessed by turning
7.31.10 7:33am
This morning I read Acts 3:12-26. This passage is the continuation of Peter and John's healing of the lame beggar at the Temple. After the healing, an amazed crowd gathered around the two Apostles to find out what happened...
This is where the passage picks up and Peter recognizes his opportunity to proclaim Christ. Verse 12 states, "Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd." I love the fact that Peter took his opportunity. This reminds me that God is giving me opportunities everyday to be Christ's witness. I have to ask myself two question: Am I recognizing them? and Am I taking them?
I also love what Peter says in verses 19 and 20, "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and He will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah." To me this is such a simple and profound truth- God is not found or experienced when I am seeking my own way. When I turn from pursuing my own will (sin) to pursuing God and His will, I will experience the presence of the Lord. I will also experience "times of refreshment." These times are a natural by-product of the presence of the Lord. I know that I will never experience times of refreshment a part from the presence of the Lord. In fact, most of my sin (going my own way) comes about because I am seeking some form of refreshment; however, when I go my own way, refreshment is never the final outcome. Only by seeking God do I also experience His benefits.
Peter ends his sermons saying, "When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways." Again, this can't be missed. People want God to bless them...to make it "good" for them. Generally, we think being blessed is equal to being given what we want. This reminds me that true blessing is found in turning from what I want and receiving what God wants. I need to grasp the fact that God's greatest blessing for my life is turning me from my sinful ways- from living for my own desires.
Jesus, thank you for forgiving my sins, but for also giving me your presence in my life. Continue to bless me by turning me from my sinful ways so I can truly experience your presence and refreshment in my life.
This is where the passage picks up and Peter recognizes his opportunity to proclaim Christ. Verse 12 states, "Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd." I love the fact that Peter took his opportunity. This reminds me that God is giving me opportunities everyday to be Christ's witness. I have to ask myself two question: Am I recognizing them? and Am I taking them?
I also love what Peter says in verses 19 and 20, "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and He will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah." To me this is such a simple and profound truth- God is not found or experienced when I am seeking my own way. When I turn from pursuing my own will (sin) to pursuing God and His will, I will experience the presence of the Lord. I will also experience "times of refreshment." These times are a natural by-product of the presence of the Lord. I know that I will never experience times of refreshment a part from the presence of the Lord. In fact, most of my sin (going my own way) comes about because I am seeking some form of refreshment; however, when I go my own way, refreshment is never the final outcome. Only by seeking God do I also experience His benefits.
Peter ends his sermons saying, "When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways." Again, this can't be missed. People want God to bless them...to make it "good" for them. Generally, we think being blessed is equal to being given what we want. This reminds me that true blessing is found in turning from what I want and receiving what God wants. I need to grasp the fact that God's greatest blessing for my life is turning me from my sinful ways- from living for my own desires.
Jesus, thank you for forgiving my sins, but for also giving me your presence in my life. Continue to bless me by turning me from my sinful ways so I can truly experience your presence and refreshment in my life.
