Scripture

“Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your promised Messiah.”

Observation

Peter seizes the opportunity to preach to the crowd. He tells them the lame man was not healed by the power of John and himself. No, this is the living God, glorifying the name of Jesus whom they, the Jews had crucified.

All these things happened to fulfil all the prophets had foretold. Therefore they, the people, needed to repent and turn from their sins to receive forgiveness and refreshment from the Lord.

Application

The same Jesus whose name can heal a lame man brings forgiveness to all who will receive it.

“Repent of your sins,” the Bible says over and over. We love to hear about miracles and signs of God’s love. But first we need to leave our self-centred life behind.

We must turn to God and put Him at the centre of all things. Repentance is not just leaving sins behind but turning to pursue God.

When we do this, God promises that, because of the death of Jesus on the cross, our sins are wiped away. No more sacrifices; no religious activity; no thought of paying our own way. Forgiveness is freely given to all who repent and trust in Jesus.

Then times of refreshing come. There is something invigorating about walking with God. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So if we walk with Jesus we experience His Life in all its fullness. Why? Because we are living according to God’s design for us,

You can drive a car in first gear all day, but it will only reaches its full potential when driven in accordance with the designer’s intention.

Many people are living life in the fast lane with their car stuck in first gear!

Walking with God does not mean everything is always roses and sunshine. I have been though some very dark places at times, but always God has been there. Always there has been refreshment in the desert.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you that you are Life. Thank you that when we walk with you, times of refreshing always come. Amen.