Days of Refreshing #30

We conclude our series on Days of Refreshing with the closing of the book of Jude:

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jude was writing to a group of believers in the early church who were struggling as they strived to remain faithful to Christ, while many around them were falling away from the faith.  After describing the nature and history of these apostates, he gave them a brief call to 20 build  yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So this benediction that follows really is a good summary of much of what we have said this month. Come away and be refreshed, but don't try to do it alone. Learn to listen better to the Holy Spirit. Come closer to Christ. Don't abandon fellow believers, but invest in one another, seeking to serve each other. Fully entrust yourself to God. Not it's time to get back up and run to race again, with joy only God can give, knowing that as we do we are running for, and before, our great and living Triune God. To Him be the glory. 

Days of Refreshing #29

We return today to I John, this time reading from chapter 3:

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

God gave the apostle John a distinct style than that of the other Gospel writers, Paul, or other writers in the New Testament.  When we read passages like this there is a calmness - almost as if our Heavenly Father is putting us up on His lap and gently talking to us: "I know you have had a rough day: I understand that you are beat up from life and the bullies on life's playground; I saw and heard those things you did and said that you wish now you would not have.  But guess what: you are still my child; I still love you: I still have great plans for you. No matter how rough it's been, you know what you need to do. Come to me to clean up your wounds and wash your sinful hands. Get cleaned up and refreshed, so you can jump off my lap and get back out there and do the right thing. It's going to be okay.

Days of Refreshing #28 Corrected

In I John 1 we have one of those statements that we love to cling to as a promise. But as we look at it in the flow of it's context, ir really is more a statement of fact about being refreshed.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Notice what we have here are 5 consecutive "if/then" statements. The first, third, and fifth are negative, while the second and fourth are positive. The negative three statements say this: Don't live a lie; don't say you are sinless, because you are not; don't try to hide your sin from yourself, God, or fellow believers. The two positive statements say this: Live honestly: confess your sins; be real with fellow believers and yourself, and you will be cleansed and refreshed. Simply put, there is no refreshing without cleansing, and there is no cleansing without honesty, confession, and receiving forgiveness. Take the time to do that today.

Days of Refreshing #27

Today we want to look in the little letter of Philemon.  After his traditional greeting, Paul says:

4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

We've already talked about the need to be thankful and appreciative of those through whom God brings us refreshing.  Here Paul is refreshed by seeing others refreshed- he has been the recipient of joy and comfort because Philemon is doing what Paul cannot do while in prison. Philemon had a reputation for his great faith in and love for Christ and fellow believers.   I love the way Paul puts it in verse 5: because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. Philemon had love, and he also had faith toward Christ and for the saints. It's like faith in Christ and love for fellow believers is so wrapped up together you cannot separate them into two strands. And that's the way it should be, right? Philemon had a refreshing way of including his faith in relationships. That's my prayer for us today.

Days of Refreshing #26

We noted the other day that Paul often named names in the closing of his letters to the churches. In II Timothy 1, which many consider to be Paul's last letter written, He concludes the opening chapter this way:  

15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

In this letter, Paul is calling Timothy to be faithful - faithful to Christ, faithful to his calling, faithful to the people God had given him to serve.  Here he contrasts this with this who have been unfaithful, turned away, and abandoned Paul and the faith.  But he also finds a positive example, someone who had not abandoned him, someone who refreshed Paul while he was stuck in jail: Onesiphorus. He was a fellow believer who came to Rome while Paul was in prison, and sought him out. He was not afraid or ashamed to claim Paul as a friend and fellow believer. He was consistent; he was the same in Rome as he was at home. It's refreshing to find people like that in a world full of the other. Cherish them. Pray for them. Do all that you can to refresh them in return, and be like them in how you treat others. . 

Days of Refreshing #25

Philippians 4:13 is one of those verses often quoted and put on posters and plaques. But how often do we skip over the verses between Philippians 4:4-9 and verse 13? Let's begin in verse 

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul had been refreshed; the church at Philippi had send him aid, as well as sending one of their best brothers in the Lord to bring him that aid and encourage him. Having been refreshed he had a new sense that there was nothing he could not go through because Christ was with him, strengthening him. But in order for this all to happen, Paul needed to learn something we all need to learn: contentment in Christ. Sometimes we are not refreshed because we do not take the time to pause and reflect on all God had done, given, and is doing and giving in the present. Sometimes we are not refreshed because we have not learned to listen to the Holy Spirit or God's word.  Often we are not refreshed because we refuse to be content with God's plan and His provision. Is Christ enough for you?

Days of Refreshing #24

I had forgotten what our passage for today would be, and found it interesting that it is the closing passage for this Sunday's message I just completed yesterday: II Corinthians 5:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Indeed, a parallel thought to refreshing is that of reconciliation: setting the record in order, making sure the accounts reflect reality, taking time to check that our relationship is in order.  Christ the great reconciler; He came to help us check our records and get our relationship with God in order.  The result is the greatest refreshing: making everything new - both how we see things, and how things really are. His righteousness made up the difference in what we owe to God. He took away that sinking feeling that we would never be able to pay our debts on our own.  Since Christ has reconciled us to God; we in turn are called to share with others this gift of reconciliation, forgiving as He has forgiven us, and helping them be refreshed with the greatest refreshing possible: New life in Christ. 

Days of Refreshing #23

As Paul concluded his letters to the churches, he would usually do a customary section of greetings and final exhortations, naming names of people they knew in common, or that he wanted them to receive if they came their way.  The closing of I Corinthians has a paragraph very pertinent to our topic of refreshing:

16:15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.

Paul says: Recognize those who Refresh you, those who have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. The word "service" here is the typical deacon type of service - seeking to help another believer in the service of Christ.  Their response was to be one of submission - putting themselves underneath their example and their needs.  It is not like being "subject" to the king, but willingly recognizing the proper place these people have in our lives.  Paul says "we both know how much they refresh us, they give us rest." Appreciate them.  Many times in ministry with people you can get worn out, but then comes along a precious saint who cares about you, who encourages you, who inspires you by their faith, joy, and peace in God, who reminds you it is all worthwhile. Be that kind of refresher, and appreciate those who refresh you. 

Days of Refreshing #22

We saw yesterday in Romans 15 that Paul encouraged his readers, including us, to be refreshed by taking our eyes off of ourselves, and focusing instead on how we can serve others, especially fellow believers. After a few more thoughts he closes the chapter this way:

30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.

Paul asks that they pray for him for a series of requests: first, that he be delivered from his opposers and be free to carry on his ministry; second, that he could complete his assignment of taking offerings to Jerusalem, and ultimately, that he could come and be with them. And why did he want to be with them? So he could be refreshed in your company. Paul knew there is nothing more refreshing than gathering together with fellow believers who love and encourage one another, helping prepare one another to go back into a hostile world.  Notice that times of refreshing are not the same as the typical modern vacation. Vacations can be refreshing, but they can also be the opposite. We can try doing so much we only get more worn out. We can focus so much on our pleasure we leave others out. We can think that vacation means we skip everything in our normal week, including gathering together with other believers.  If we really want to be refreshed, don't leave out the company of believers. 

Days of Refreshing #21

In Romans 15, Paul continues to exhort these believers, and us, about the kind of mindset we need to have in order to get the most out of our days of refreshing: 

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Notice where Paul is going with this: God wants them, and us, to be filled with joy, peace and hope; He wants us to experience refreshing by the Holy Spirit. Now, notice where he begins the paragraph: looking at Christ's example as a servant. Paul wanted these Jewish and Gentile believers to receive and serve one another, to have this perspective that as followers of Christ, they were to praise God together as one. This was God's plan from the time of the Patriarchs through the Prophets - the whole Old Testament. Remember, again that times of refreshing include stepping back to see the big picture. Finally, we need to notice what the context is of this paragraph. Paul began the chapter saying: We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. We are refreshed when we need take our eyes off of ourselves and our woes, and look instead to those around us, looking for ways we can build them up and refresh them. A key ingredient in days of refreshing is to stop being so self-focused. 

Days of Refreshing # 20

In Romans 13, Paul is seeking to give us a different perspective on life. Rather than viewing government as evil, look on the good side of the things God provides for us through it.  Rather than seeing resting as a waste of time, look upon it as an opportunity to refocus your life. He says in verse

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. 

Times of refreshing lead to a new view. We wake up and realize that our lives have become wrapped up in and characterized by sinful behaviors: medicating our hurts with substances or shopping, looking upon others as our problems and blaming them for our woes; living to fulfill our desires rather than like Christ. Maybe the reason we are so worn and weary, needing refreshing, is because of all the baggage we are trying to carry on the journey. God says: give it up; lay it down; leave it behind; walk forward in freedom. 

Days of Refreshing #19

Today we consider another well-known passage in Romans 8:

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

We've talked before about how important it is to include the Holy Spirit in our times of Refreshing - to tune in our listening ear so He can reveal to us things we have missed and show us new things we need to know to continue on our journey. He not only helps us listen; He helps us talk - not only telling others about Christ, but in talking with God. But there is something else here too: the Holy Spirit reminds us over and over again that God is Good, and has our good in mind; He is to be trusted. Times of refreshing, during which we open ourselves anew to the Holy Spirit, working with God's Word, deepening our trust in God, and that is what we really need as we prepare to continue on in the journey. 

Days of Refreshing #18

Core to our series of studies on Days of Refreshing is this passage in Acts 3:

 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

These words were spoken by Peter and John as they gave a defense for preaching about and healing in Jesus' name.  The people had witnessed a lame man being healed, which is the refreshing that he needed. But Peter and John wanted to make sure they pointed them to Jesus, the one foretold throughout history as they Great Refresher, Whom God had sent to be God on earth. For now He is in heaven, where we can call upon Him for refreshing, until someday He will come back and restore all things, giving a final refreshing.  Times of refreshing look in all directions: back to what God has done and said for us and to us in the past; now to the present, at the ways we may need to be refreshed, and possibly repenting for getting off track; and finally to the future, where we are living life in light of that direction: when Christ restores all things, making all things new.  At every point, Christ is there. May we be refreshed in Him today. 

Days of Refreshing #17

We talked yesterday about Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit would help us step back and see things we had been missing on life's journey. That happened to Thomas in John 20, the first time he saw the risen Christ:

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Thomas saw Jesus for Who He really is: The Lord, God the Son. At this point in the conversation, he was on his knees in front of Jesus. But these "aha" moments did not happen just when people physically saw the risen Christ.  John points out that scripture contains enough evidence, that as we read it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can see more clearly Who Jesus is, and that we can be spiritually refreshed, changed in our perspective and how we live. So just as we said yesterday we cannot neglect or forget the Holy Spirit in our times of refreshing, we cannot forget Scripture. We are refreshed not simply by kicking back, doing nothing, and going braindead. We are refreshed when we quiet ourselves from all the distractions of life and simply listen to God speak through His Son, His Word, and His Spirit, to help us see What He is doing, what He has done, and What He wants to do through me and you. That's what John was doing as he wrote these words. 

Days of Refreshing #16

As Jesus was sharing with His apostles in the upper room on the night He was betrayed, He had shared a lot of hard truths with them. He then says in John 16:

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

We can only handle so much truth at one time.  We live in a world of mega-information bombarding us faster than we can take it all in. We need times of refreshing to step back and sort everything out. Christ has given us His Holy Spirit for just such times.  Yes, He is always with us to guide, comfort, and convict, but sometimes we just need to step back and tune in our listening to the Holy Spirit, to make sure we are hearing Him loud and clear. During these times He will point out to us those things we have been missing along the way, and He will help us see new things we need to know as we continue on life's journey. So as we take time out to refresh, don't leave the Holy Spirit out of the process. He is the Spirit of Life Who refreshes, revives and renews. 

Days of Refreshing #15

Today we begin with words anyone who is reading or hearing has probably heard many times: John 3:

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

When we think about these words our minds may automatically think: "salvation", which is true. Verse 16 and 17 form a kind of parallel thought: God "gave" and He "sent" His Son, so that through Him we would not be "condemned" and "perish", but instead "be saved" and "have eternal life". The refreshing thought is found in the word in verses 16 and 18" "Whoever". It is a word full of hope and change. There are options. One does not need to perish, be lost, die - a word used especially for an eternal loss. We can know and spend the rest of time getting to know the God Who made us, loves us, dies for us. What a refreshing thought to carry us through the day.  

Days of Refreshing #14

Again today we look to the Prophet Jeremiah for words of refreshing. This time from chapter 31:

 23 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Once more they shall use these words in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I restore their fortunes:
“‘The Lord bless you, O habitation of righteousness,
    O holy hill!’
24 And Judah and all its cities shall dwell there together, and the farmers and those who wander with their flocks. 25 For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”
26 At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.

Interspersed with all the messages of coming judgment and exile, God also gives these promises of hope and restoration. First and foremost, worship is in its proper place: the temple will be back on its holy hill. Secondly, everything will be in its positive normal: cities will be bustling with activity; farmers will have productive land; shepherds will quietly guide their sheep on the hillside. Finally, everyone will be renewed from their weariness and suffering; everyone will wake up after a good night's sleep refreshed.  Now that is a picture of refreshing is it not? Waking up in the morning after a restful sleep, excited to see what a new day holds.  Notice, the situation really had not changed in Jeremiah's life; he was still doing to witness the fall of Jerusalem, but the promises of God, and assurance of His plan gave Him a good night's sleep and a refreshing perspective to go on with what God had called him to do. May God refresh us today.

Days of Refreshing #13

What kind of hope can we find when we know that the mess we are in is our own fault? That is the picture in Jeremiah 29:
10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 

Jeremiah mourned the fact that his people were headed to exile for seventy years for their failure to keep their relationship with God. They had lived as if they did not need Him, as demonstrated by their failure to keep the times of refreshing He offered. They were getting what they deserved. Yet, God promised them He would bless them. He was not totally abandoning them. He would be waiting for them to call out to Him, to seek Him with all their heart, and to depend upon and trust Him for what they needed. God had a plan that included them.  He is the same God. He promises refreshing and strength and renewal and hope to those who seek Him with their whole heart. May that be us today. 

Days of Refreshing #12

We continue to look at God's promises of refreshing to His people through the prophet Isaiah. He says in chapter 44:

 “But now hear, O Jacob my servant,
    Israel whom I have chosen!
2 Thus says the Lord who made you,
    who formed you from the womb and will help you:
Fear not, O Jacob my servant,
    Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,
    and my blessing on your descendants.
4 They shall spring up among the grass
    like willows by flowing streams.
5 This one will say, ‘I am the Lord's,’
    another will call on the name of Jacob,
and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord's,’
    and name himself by the name of Israel.”

One of the thoughts that hit a people or a person the hardest is this: "Who am I? Why am I here? Does it even matter? Would anyone even miss me?"  Thoughts like that rushed through the hearts and minds of the people of Israel as they were told their nation would be taken from their land into exile, and become the scorn of all their neighbors. So what is the refreshing thought God gives to replace that? Their identity. God says: "Listen, you are my servant.  I chose you. I made you. I will help you." He then promises this help: 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. God promises to Refresh them. He then reminds them who they are, as He says: "You have my name. You belong to me. Never forget Whose you are."  For those of us who are God's children through faith in Christ, who have His spirit, Remember: "I am the Lord's." 

Days of Refreshing #11

We looked yesterday at that great promise of refreshing and strength at the end of  Isaiah 40. God gave his people yet another promise in the next chapter: Isaiah 41:

 8 But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
    I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

In the opening verses of this chapter, God is chiding the nations surrounding Israel - those that were finding pleasure in watching her being chastised - for trusting in their own strength and in their alliances with one another. They need to realize all people should call out to God for refreshing and strength. God then turns back here to address his failing servant, Israel, whom He had called and chosen. He was not done with them.  Though we realize verse 10 was a direct promise to Israel, it represents well His love and character toward His people at all times: He is faithful; He will renew and strengthen; He will help; He will continue to extend to us His powerful right hand, reaching out to keep us in our relationship with Him. Let's reach our hand back toward Him today.  

Days of Refreshing #10

 

After giving a number of pronouncements of judgment against Israel, Isaiah's tone changes dramatically in chapter 40, as he focuses on the Hope to be found in the coming Servant of the Lord.  At the conclusion of that chapter he says:
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;

  they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah reminded his people, and he reminds us about the true character of God.  He knows all about our situation, and He has not cast us aside. When He was done creating this world, He did not sit down from exhaustion. When mankind fell, He did not give up and walk away. He is watching and waiting to give strength, to restore, to revive to refresh whoever will wait for Him.  He is waiting for us to wait for Him. Waiting requires patience, hope, and a desire for what is best for the other. God has been more than patient with us; He has not given up on us; He wants what is good for us. What right do we have to be so demanding to want everything right now? What right do we have to give up on Him and walk away? Do we really want what is best for the Glory of God? If we do, we will trust in Him, we will come to Him for refreshing and strength, so we can refocus on the big picture only Everlasting God can see. 

Days of Refreshing #9

In Psalm 68, David is lifting up a song of praise to God, for not only providing our daily needs individually, but lovingly leading His people as the great King, leading us on this processional through history on this journey to His Palace. 

7 O God, when you went out before your people,
    when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
    before God, the One of Sinai,
    before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
    you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it;
    in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

Along this journey, we have and will pass through some barren, parked wilderness. David here inserts that word Selah - "lift up" - stop and meditate on how God has brought you through some very difficult times. Now, remember how in that desert experience God poured down rain upon you.  The other day during dinner a long heavy downpour came, and I watched with thanksgiving, as I had just gotten our garden all weeded and in order. David then once again brings up that shepherd imagery - God's flock has found a place of rest and security in God's sovereign providence over us. God is good. He provides what we need. He gives refreshing to those who follow Him on this journey. Are you on this journey? Or are you straying away? Do you need refreshing? God says: "Come back into the flock". He will restore and refresh you for the journey. 

Days of Refreshing #8

Yesterday we looked at the first half of Psalm 23, in reference to our topic of Refreshing. The second half of the Psalm says this: 

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Last night as our grief group met, we were reminded about the fog, the cloud that seems to come over us in times of great loss, in particular the death of a loved one. It's a scary place with unstable footing; you have difficulty functioning and making decisions. But notice David's response: You are with me, Lord. You are comforting me. In David's heart and mind this causes Him to change imagery from being a sheep to being safely in the protection of the Great King in His palace. There he has not just daily food, but a feast. The host would have refreshing oil rubbed in the scalp of his weary guests. His cup was overflowing - there was no end to the supply.  Such a guest was not just there for a moment, but often for a lifetime. David, though going through dark times, was greatly refreshed by God's presence, provision and protection. May we be able to say with David today: "Lord, You are with me, so I am refreshed."

Days of Refreshing #7

No consideration of Refreshing would be complete without considering the 23rd Psalm: 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

As we have seen, no true refreshing takes place without the Lord. He made us to need refreshing, and after the fall that need only increased. Like a good shepherd, every day, day after day, He gives us time to lie down and rest. He also knows that as sheep, we do best when the waters are calm, so He scoops out water, putting it into some trough or other place where it will be still.  He restores the soul - deep down to the core.  We saw yesterday in our sermon study that the opposite of refreshing is distress, fear, and mental anguish.  God offers to calm our fears and heal our souls. When we get stubborn and say we do not need refreshing, we are rejecting God's love and care for us; we are saying we do not need him.  Sheep desperately need their shepherd. Finally, as we saw yesterday, God helps us deal with our relationships and make them right. Much of the disturbance and distress in our lives has to do with unrighteousness - things not being right between us and God and/or others. He invites us to join Him to walk and talk, so He can show us our part in making things right.  May we let the shepherd do His restoring work in us today.

Days of Refreshing #6

The last two days we have talked about where NOT to turn for refreshing. Today we turn to Psalm 19 which tells us where we can turn. David tells us first to look to God's creation and let it speak to us, then in verse 7 he says:

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

David gives us six pictures of what God's Word is like: It is the Law; it is a reliable testimony in court; it has proven precepts; it is His command; it brings reverence; it is the rules for the road. Notice in verse 7 that first and foremost God's Word revives the soul; it refreshes, renews, restores us. It gives us wisdom to make good choices; it brings joy in discouragement; it cleans out our eyes, gives us s solid foundation, and helps us set our relationships with Him and others correct.  God's Word is our stabilizer, sanctifier, and sweetener in an unstable, fallen and sometimes bitter world.  So David says "come and taste; sit down at the table with God and find out what you need to know, what you need to remember, so you will be refreshed, and refocus on life to see the big picture, what is really true, and what God wants you to do next. 

Days of Refreshing #5

In Job 32, after  Job's friends have given him all sorts of reasons for the sorrow in which he finds himself, another, younger man, Elihu unleashes his attack, both against these other three, and Job Himself. Verse 2 says: 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.  

The New King James translates this phrase: the wrath of Elihu was aroused against Job. We get a glimpse of how angry he was in verse:

17 I also will answer with my share;
    I also will declare my opinion.
18 For I am full of words;
    the spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;
    like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I must speak, that I may find relief;
    I must open my lips and answer.

Why is he entering the conversation? Possibly he was there at the city gates listening to them debate - sort of like stumbling on a Facebook conversation. As he listens, he feels the others are stupid and unwise, and he has all sorts of wisdom they need to hear. But why? He tells us in this last verse: I must speak, that I may find relief; Elihu does it for his own selfish reasons - not to help Job.  Sometimes, with the stresses and struggles that we face in life, we think that "letting someone else have it" will give us the relief and refreshing that we are looking for. We think it will "make us feel better", as well as making others give us the respect and attention we deserve.  This is NOT true refreshing. Refreshing for us does not come at the expense of others. It comes when we stop, step back, and allow God to show us all the good He has given us, where we have gone astray, and how He wants to help us refocus on where we need to go from here.  God may use others to help us in this refreshing process, but not by our dumping on them or jumping on them to find relief.  Our refreshing should be contagious and help others find refreshing too. 

Days of Refreshing #4

In I Kings 13 there has just been a split in the nation of Israel, with Jereboam taking the majority - ten of the twelve tribes - to establish a new nation, and along with it, a new system of worship, complete with an altar for sacrifice. When a man of God interrupts Jeroboam's dedication service and announces God's curse on the whole system, Jeroboam points at the man and says "Arrest him". But Jeroboam's hand withered up, and the altar fell apart. Here's what happened next.
6 And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” And the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before. 7 And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” 8 And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’” 

Jeroboam asks for another sign -the healing of his hand, which the man of God asks for, and God gives. The king then says: “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” He offers the man of God royal treatment and a hefty reward. Think how inviting that would be: he had just gone up against the king and dared to oppose him, and lived to tell about it. He deserved to be refreshed, rewarded. But he refused. Why? When we need to be refreshed - and often we do - there are right and wrong places and ways to do so.  Refreshing is not simply what makes us feel good; it is a renewal of spirit in doing the right thing, even when it is hard. This man of God was to have nothing to do with Jeroboam's religion or his rule; the whole thing was bad apples. You can be sure, when you are tired and worn down and spent, that there will be offered to you what seems like the easiest and best ways to be refreshed and renewed, which are in fact paths away from what you actually need - shortcuts to cheap substitutes for refreshing from God.  Refreshing is not just a party or a vacation or you splurging on yourself to feel better. It's far deeper. Like this man of God, say "no." Hold out for the real thing, the right way, and God will refresh you.

Days of Refreshing #3

I Samuel 16 is an interesting chapter. It begins with David, son of Jesse, being anointed as King, but ends with serving under King Saul as his armor-bearer, and to sing. In between we are told that the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and a harmful, distressing troubling spirit had come upon him,  It says:

21 And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

When David would make music for Saul, he was refreshed.  As we go on in I Samuel, we find eventually even this did not give Saul relieve - his issues were much deeper, but something about David's ministry to Saul was refreshing. David himself was growing closer to God; his music was in praise to God; he was a refreshing person.  As we seek refreshing, nothing beats seeking and obeying God. But He also provides for us other, supporting means to refresh us: music that glorifies Him, other people who draw close to Him.  Whether or not we experience refreshing on an ongoing basis will depend on our receptivity to God and His supporting cast.  Eventually Saul sent David and his music away; he chose to stop listening, just as he chose to stop listening to and obeying God.  Don't be that person. Accept God's refreshing today. 

Days of Refreshing #2

Sometimes it is not only the first words off our lips, but the last ones that are extremely important. In Exodus 31, these are the last words God spoke to Moses before handing him the two tablets with the Ten Commandments:

12 And the Lord said to Moses, 13 “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. 16 Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

God had already told Moses that they should keep the Sabbath and the Sabbatical Year, but He reminds him here how critically important it was - He says above all you shall keep my Sabbaths. He even says it's a matter of life and death.  We might think that is overkill - pardon the pun - but God means business here. Why such the big deal? Why is it so "holy"? It is a sign of their covenant relationship. Circumcision was not THE sign of the covenant: the Sabbath was. Circumcision was not in the top ten laws of God; Sabbath was. Why was this day of refreshing so important? It is acting like God. God did it; so should we. As we said yesterday, God did not have to; it was not like He was tired out, like we get tired out.  He chose to stop, step back on His creation, then refocus on His plan for human. God wants us to have this time of refreshing to helps us remember Who He is: our Creator. It reminds us everything comes from and belongs to Him. It  reminds us to stop, look at what He has made, including us, the refocus on what His plan is, and recommit ourselves to that. Otherwise our lives are no longer about Him.

Days of Refreshing #1

Today we begin a series of devotionals on being refreshed.  I know it's something I need to think about: taking time to renew and restore my mind, body and soul.  For me, it seems almost selfish, but it's not. In fact, knowing that is how he made us, instructed the people of Israel this way in Exodus 23:

10 “For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard. 12 “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

I like to stay busy - too busy, but God needs us to take a sabbath - even a sabbatical year - not just for ourselves, but for others.  God told the people their land needed to rest; their vineyards and orchards and fields needed to rest; their families and servants and animals needed to rest. And God used their rest to provide for the needs of others. Not planting meant they expected no crop, so they would be willing to let the poor and alien and the animals glean anything that did happen to crop up from last year's seed. Everyone would benefit from the rest and refreshing. In fact, it would be selfish not to rest. Remember that, self. Let's make the next 30 days a time where we let God refresh us, renew us, revive us - not only for our own good, but for all those around us.