The other day, I was playing racquetball with some friends. I hadn't played in months, so my endurance was not so enduring. Afterwards, my mouth was so dry. I desperately needed some water. I went over to the water fountain and took a few drinks. Ahh, it was so good! Each sip was so refreshing, so renewing. My strength was back, and I was ready for some more action.

God's refreshing is very similar. When we are refreshed by God, we are regenerated, revived and renewed. We are alive again and ready for some more action.

How do we receive refreshing from the Lord? How are we renewed and revived?

"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).

Repentance opens a door for spiritual refreshment.

What is repentance? How do I repent? Is it a confession of my failures and my weaknesses in life? Is it acknowledging your sins before God and asking him to forgive you? It all that plus more. It's action. It's actively turning away from the things that you know are wrong and not going back to them.

When I was held in the grips of alcohol, I learned this principle of repentance. After a binge, I would run to God and say, "Please forgive me. I repent. I'm sorry Lord." Yet, a few days later, I would give in and drink some more. The cycle of confession and sin would continue on and on.

I was waiting for God to somehow zap that desire to drink out of me. Then one day, I experienced a wonderful victory. I said, "Lord, today I choose not to drink." It was a decision not to drink. I acted on that decision. When I did that, I experienced true repentance.

Repentance goes hand-in-hand with faith. You may not feel strong enough to repent. It may seem impossible. But I promise you, God's grace will give you the strength to experience true repentance.

 Repentance is...
 	...confessing
 	...trusting
 	...deciding
 	...and acting.
 

Are you discouraged because of fear and anxiety in your life? Are you worn out with worry and doubt? Do you need some spiritual refreshment? Would you like to take a cool drink of God's goodness?

I encourage you to ask your Father one simple question: "Lord, is there anything in my life that I need to repent of?" Listen carefully to the Holy Spirit speaking through your conscience. Then, receive God's forgivenss and mercy. And most of all, act.

Blessings!

Russell

o-----------------------------------------------
|  Russell Pond     <><
|  Season of Peace
|  email:  ponder@season.org
|  web:    http://www.season.org

© Russell Pond 1999
Reprinted with permission