Times of Refreshing

Did you know that we are in the Times if Refreshing?

There is a cool verse tucked away in Acts 3 where Peter let it rip after the healing of the lame man and urged people to:

 “Repent and return so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that Times of Refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the Period of Restoration of All Things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” Acts 3:19-21 

Check out what “times of refreshing” means from the Greek. 

The Greek word for refreshing is ‘anapsuxis’ and comes from the word ‘anapsucho” which is a compound word –

  ‘ana’ which means again or repetition + ‘psucho’ which means breathe.

 So ‘anapsuxis’ literally means:

a recovery of breath,

a revival of fresh air,

to cool again,

to refresh,

to recover from the effects of overheating,

to have breathing space,

experience relief. 

Does any of those spark something in your soul?

Are you seeking such refreshment? 

This refreshment is an ongoing experience. 

It is not a one time thing.

It is available every moment of every day. 

There is no end to the refreshing.

You can’t use it all up. 

It’s like the verse in Lamentations states: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness” Lam 3:22-23 ESV

Here it is in the Message: ” God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning, How great is your faithfulness!” 

From the verse in Acts 3 – what is our source of such amazing refreshment?….the presence of the Lord.

That is our source of recovery, where we can go to have breathing space in our day. How do we access such times of refreshing?

When we have repented and returned to the Lord.

Is it time that you did that today? 

Action steps:

1. Spend time this week, returning back to the Lord in every area of your life. 
2. Be brave and ask the Lord – where have I not returned to you? Which area of my life and soul have I kept for myself?
3. Recognise the presence of the Lord in each moment. Practice turning your focus and attention to him
4. Receive the refreshment, again and again. Breathe.