Freshen Up
People have often asked me how I have been able to keep my fire. There are a number of things that help me maintain my zeo and one of them is found in Acts 3. It is easy to get caught in the trap of thinking sin isn’t that bad. It starts small and before we realize it our lives become stuffy. We no longer boil hot for Christ we turn lukewarm. After Peter convinces the people they are guilty he instructs them, 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. I stay refreshed in my spirit by consistently repenting when the Holy Spirit reveals sin to me. I make no excuses, I own up to my sin and confess it to God. Repentance is one way I keep the heat turned up in my life. Its how I freshen up!
Thanks for that reminder. I never want to lose this fire either.
It is either have your sins “wiped out” or be
wiped out. That is why most of us, at times, are
weak. We don’t take our sin, we call them
“weaknesses”, seriously. So, we don’t really
repent – we are sorry and commit our pet sin again.
To change the subject, I like verse 6, “but what I have I give you.” We look for the spectacular or big thing to do. Jesus said, in Matthew 10:42, a cup of cold water is enough. We need to do what we can, when we can and to whom we can every time we can. That’s all.
We are such prideful people that it is hard for us to admit our shortcomings and humble ourselves to the Lord. For myself it is really hard for me to admit when I am wrong but when I humble myself and repent I feel such a weight lifted off that I dont understand why I did not listen to the Holy Spirit in the first place.
Acts 3 shows the fire in Peter’s heart gives him courage. I pray that we all are filled with fire. That we will have courage to grab opportunities and spread the Word. Healing the lame man begging was a perfect way to show God’s grace and mercy. Peter took that opportunity and allowed God to use him to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Let us not be blind to opportunities right in front of us, give us courage, step up and let the world see our fire.
Hey Jimmy!
We are reading in acts right now..
Its very interesting, We’ve only made it to chapter 4 but we will be reading a chapter every day in class until we’re through. Thanks for the encouragement and great sermon on Sunday:) – Lindsey Lachance
Hello Jimmy
My favorite verses from Acts 4:8-14 when they recognized how brave Peter and John actually are.
Hey Jimmy! We want to thank you for encouraging our Extreme Warriors go beyond and shoot for excellence. We Pray our Warriors set their town on fire and head to the world with a match in hand [God's Word] running and screaming.
It is in our transformation from the crippled beggar sitting at the gate to the healed, joyful Christian praising God that brings wonder and amazement, along with questions of opportunity, from the world around us. I pray that I will continue in this transformation process.