So as we come to the conclusion of our look at those R's that are so important to our Heavenly Father, we need to stop and think....what R's are missing from our list?
Let's start with one that takes us all the way back to 1929; a time of hopelessness, despair and depression. In fact, it became known as the Great Depression. And one American company took to heart the desire to lift the lives and spirits of the great masses with their cleverly designed catch phrase...."the pause that refreshes...Drink Coca-Cola...Delicious and Refreshing!"
Yes, Our God is in the refreshing business and He says so in His Word in the Old Testament,
I will fully
satisfy the needs of those who are weary and fully refresh the souls of those who are faint. (Jeremiah 31:25 NET) I think we all
know what it means to be weary or frazzled; out-a-sorts and on our last legs.
After a long hike in a sweltering sun; pulling weeds from our garden or just
sweating as we push our lawn mower across, what we once thought, was a small
yard. WE NEED A GLASS OF COLD WATER/LEMONADE; BEADS OF COLD CONDENSATION
RUNNING DOWN THE OUTSIDE OF THE COOL, LIQUID REFRESHMENT THAT WAITS FOR US TO
TAKE THAT FIRST SIP AND BE REFRESHED. Yes, when we are weary, but take the time
to seek the Lord...He stands ready to give us a drink of His Eternal Living
Water and we are REFRESHED! God also tells us in His Word, "Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, so that
times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord, and so that he may send the
Messiah appointed for you—that is, Jesus." (Acts 3:19-20
NET) Yes, sometimes when sin in our life has been riding us relentlessly,
we need to seek the redeeming power of God's Grace and REPENT; so that His times of refreshing will come from His presence
in our lives. Remember this...God's will cannot THRIVE when SIN IS ALIVE in
your life....Repent and be Refreshed and Restored to once again walk in His
ways so that His will, not yours, will be done; so that once again, you may
experience His refreshing ways. So don't let the devil mislead you into
thinking more highly of yourself than you ought. God's Word reminds us
continually ..... "Do not be wise in
your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be
a healing for your flesh and a refreshment
for your body. (Proverbs 3:7-8 NRSVU)
And lastly, not only do we need to be refreshed, but we also can be the refresher when we allow God to use us as encouragers, helpers, guides, confidants and "a friend that sticks closer than a brother." And if someone plays a part in refreshing you, lifting you up, dusting you off and setting you on the righteous path of reconciliation with your Heavenly Father....then why not be the last "R" in God's arsenal of His many "R's"....BE A RECOGNIZER! Once again, we find in God's Word, the apostle Paul's call to action, " For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people." (I Cor. 16:18)
Yes God is in the redemptive, restoring, reviving, re-igniting, refreshing and recognizing business....and He is just a prayer away when you need to experience any of His "R's"
Renewed
each day....Ready for His call to ACTION,
WPQ
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