So 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 AMP
The Inspiration:
A man who was lame from birth had just been made whole. He was a man the whole community knew as lame, but an encounter with the power in the name of Jesus changed the man's story. Just as it was then, so is it now; that same power is still as active and potent now as it was then. Time has done nothing to limit its reach or scope. The man who had been made whole was jumping, leaping and praising God. For me, I must also seek to come to the realization of who God is, so I can relate to and praise Him the right way. The story of the lame man has already been written; mine is currently being written. How is the story of my life progressing at the moment? Does it look like a life that God is pleased with? If my life will please God, there are three things that must be settled, and these are: REPENT, RETURN and BE REFRESHED.
The Contention:
The first step is to repent. Until a man knows and admits that he needs help, he cannot be helped. Repentance is first internal, before its evidence is seen on the outside. Too many times, we want the outside to dictate terms, but for God, the outward has no use for God if the true change is not first inward. The world would have me focus on the outside, but God's greatest work is always first on the inside. Repentance means being sorry for past sins and making a decision never to return to sin anymore by God's help. It is repentance that leads to return. The prodigal son was sorry, then he went back home to his father. God will not turn his back on anyone, but why waste your time by holding on to the comforts of this world if you do not want to truly return to God? You can't combine both; you have to let go of one and then hold tightly to the other.
The Conclusion:
A return is a change of direction. I cannot hold on to the old way, or keep a longing eye on the attractions of the old way, and still claim to be returning to God. Recall that God sees the heart, and He cannot be deceived. God does not move until He can trust my heart: He will not commit great treasures into my hand if he cannot trust my heart. Times of refreshing are His promises, and I note that the times are in plural, so that I can be assured that God is not a one-season wonder, who bamboozles with magic tricks once and can't repeat them. He is the Source of the water which becomes a spring of water flowing continually unto eternal life. The days may be hot, but God's grace will always provide refreshing. Remember, the key to access these times lies in true repentance and return. God waits for you and I. God's time of favour is here.
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