Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Time of Refreshing

Pooped... do you feel that way?  In all the hustle and bustle of this season, we ladies can get so overwhelmed and worn out with all we have to do.  Shopping for just the right gifts for those special people in our lives, cooking that perfect meal, keeping up with our housework, taking care of our children, and continuing to work whether it be at home or in the world.  There's so much to be done and sometimes our attitudes become less than Christ-like.

Tonight as I finished up a project and met a deadline, I sat back to reflect on all I had accomplished and all that still  needed to be done.  In no time at all, God brought a scripture to my mind.... "Be still and know that I am God."  Be still.  How?  When?  There's so much to do!  But without quiet moments with Him, it doesn't matter what I accomplish, my attitude and demeanor will not be reflective of Christ.  I won't find joy in the things I do, they will all just be mundane tasks to complete and roles to fill.

Amazingly, God sent a devotional my way tonight via an email from "Our Daily Bread".  I am reposting it for you to read.  I needed to read this tonight and remember to take time to be refreshed during this busy time of the year.  What about you? 

Repent . . . , so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. —Acts 3:19


What do you find most refreshing? A cold drink on a hot day? An afternoon nap? Listening to praise and worship music?

The biblical theme of refreshing has a variety of physical and spiritual meanings. In Scripture we read of refreshment by resting on the Sabbath (Ex. 23:12), with cool water after physical activity (Judg. 15:18-19), by soothing music (1 Sam. 16:23), and with encouraging fellowship (2 Tim. 1:16).

The apostle Peter describes a time of spiritual refreshment that took place on the Day of Pentecost. He exhorted his listeners to repent and respond to the gospel “that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). The apostle’s statement was especially meaningful to the Jewish audience with its reference to the millennium when Messiah would rule. But the good news of spiritual life would also be extended to the Gentiles (Acts 10).

Even now as believers we can experience a time of refreshing by quieting our hearts in a devotional time of prayer and Bible reading. When we spend time alone with the Lord, we can experience His peace and joy which renew us in spirit. Aren’t you thankful for these daily times of spiritual refreshment? —Dennis Fisher

A Prayer: Lord, I need my spirit refreshed and
renewed today. Speak to me through Your Word that I
might hear Your heart, and help me to share my heart
with You in prayer. Amen.

When we draw near to God, our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed.

Thank you, Lord, for this timely reminder!
Blessings and refreshing to each of you,
Mandy



4 comments:

Keisha's Giveaways and Things said...

You know what THAT WAS RIGHT ON TIME FOR ME!! I MEAN IT. i have to testify right now i hope its ok but The LORD truly loves his children. And i have to give him praise. I am a single mother of 4 girls and 8 months pregnant with my 5th girl. Last year me and my children were homeless we lost our home to a fire in Nov 20 2009 so thanksgiving we had nothing Christmas we had nothing. new years we had nothing. It hurt my heart as a mother that i could not be a blessing to my girls with any holiday cheer. But i stayed trusting in the Lord and i shared and prayed with my girls.On Jan 15th 2010 we found a new home and we were able to move in NOW my girls have a home they have beds they have a dinner table to eat at and this was our first thanksgiving sitting at a table together since 2008. God has brought us so far he carried us in our times of need and this year we wont have a Christmas like most but we will eat together and pray together and just be thankful. God shared his word with me during this time of tragedy and i need to share it because it truly means everything to me. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord Plans for good and not for evil to give you HOPE and A FUTURE. Jeremaih 29:11... That verse carried me. and i will hold true to it for all the days of my life. But now I got a verse from MANDY and it is siting well in my spirit.. BE WELL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD..PSALMS 46:10..I jsut felt the urge to share becasue i guess alot of people do get caught up and miss the true meaning of christmas. Please hear my story and be thankful look at your children look at your home and your life and your family and REST and know you are safe and warm and you are truly blessed and give GOD thanks Because it could be worse.

THANK YOU LORD FOR THE WORD THAT MANDY SHARED WITH ME AND WITH EVERYONE I PRAY THAT YOU KEEP ALL OF US FOCUSED AND I PRAY THAT WE LOOK TO YOU WHEN THINGS GET HECTIC I PRAY THAT IN THE RUSH OF THE HOLIDAYS THAT WE STAY THANKFUL FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE POURED UPON US AND I PRAY THAT WE KEEP THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS ALIVE WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GRACE AND ALL YOUR MERCIES IN JESUS NAME I PRAY AMEN

Keisha's Giveaways and Things said...

O MY WAS IT TO LONG TO POST?? I HOPE MY WORDS POSTED.

Mandy from Burkett Blessings said...

Keisha, your sweet words posted and I am so thankful you shared. You have blessed my heart. I am so thankful for where God has brought you and it's wonderful that you're giving Him the glory for it all. I will be praying for you, my sweet friend! I'm so glad we've had the opportunity to meet through this blog. :-)
love,
Mandy

Keisha's Giveaways and Things said...

Mandy, Thank you so much!!!! i truly mean it thank you I am grateful to have linked to you as well. you have brought tears to my eyes. God links like spirits together I truly believe that. I Thank him for that and I will pray for you and your lovely family as well.
God Be with you
Keisha

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