April 26th, 2009
REPENT TURN AND RECEIVE COMPLETE HEALING
Let’s eavesdrop on a conversation between some church people and the apostle Peter. First, let’s set the scene. The people of Israel are coming to the Temple for prayer. Having just witnessed a crippled man being healed, they stand dumbfounded wondering how this man, an ordinary fisherman, had the power to make a crippled man walk.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit points to Jesus as the true healer:
“Why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3: 12-16).
He continues with some very harsh words:
You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate… You disowned the Holy and Righteous One… You killed the author of life…
Feeling compassion, he then softens his words:
“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.”
And tells them to REPENT, TURN, and RECEIVE COMPLETE HEALING
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”
The words Peter spoke to those early worshippers are not just for them – they are intended for us too. We too, because of our sin and sinfulness, stand guilty of being the ones who handed Jesus over to be killed, who disown him, and who killed the author of life.
BUT when we REPENT and TURN to God – our sins too are wiped out and we receive COMPLETE HEALING and TIMES OF REFRESHING from the LORD.
So… let us, with the writer of Hebrews,: “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” (Hebrews 12:2)
And be, like the Psalmist, “filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace” Psalm 4:7
Trusting that, “you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
So that with confidence we can say: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are” 1 John 3:1
And know for sure that: " repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations” Luke 24:47
ALLELUA!!!
Monday: Acts 3:11-21
Tuesday: Psalm 4
Wednesday: 1 John 3:1-7
Thusrday: Luke 24:36-49
Friday: Be still and listen - what does God want to reveal to you?
Saturday: Reread, reflect, and share
Sunday: WORSHIP THE LORD
