[Acts 3, Proverbs 8]

H – Acts 3:19–20a, “[19] Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, [20] that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,……”

E – Refreshed!

After the great Pentecost moment in Acts 2 Peter continues to press forward with the Gospel. As he enters the local temple he encounters a lame beggar. This beggar wants alms, but Peter gives him something else. He gives him healing from the Lord. People were amazed, however he boldly lets them know that this healing did not come from him, but from faith in and through Jesus (3:16). The One they had delivered to be judged (3:13), denied before each other (3:14), and killed (3:15).

Yet, Peter shows grace for their ignorance (3:17). However he again boldly proclaims that their ignorance in failing to understand that Jesus was the Messiah does not absolve the responsibility for their actions, nor their eternal state. 

They like everyone who desires forgiveness must believe upon the Lord, repent of their sin, and turn to God. Only then will they experience the presence of the Lord and the refreshing that comes from His presence and forgiveness. 

It is also something that must take place daily in the life of those that have put their faith in Christ; continual repentance and seeking after the heart of God.

A – Keep seeking after the Lord. Respond to any conviction by repenting. Turn to Him anew each day. Walk in His presence. Be Refreshed. 

R – Lord God, thank you for giving me your spirit. Lord, thank you for forgiveness and the joy that it brings. It is truly refreshing. Lord, lead me in conviction through your Holy Spirit. Help me to see when and from what I need to repent of. Lord, thank you for burdening me to seek after you. I want to know you more. So Lord, pour your Spirit out on me anew. 

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 2, Proverbs 7]

H – Acts 2:21, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

E – Never Getting Over It!

I tell my testimony all the time. One reason is because I never want to get over it. I know what the pangs of death feels like. I know what lostness feels like. I know what hopelessness feels like. And, I know what salvation feels like. Therefore, I never want to get over it. 

Acts 2 is one of the most amazing moments in Christian history. Jesus had just completed the will of God to take on the wrath of humanity by being crushing to the point of death, buried in a borrowed tomb, and victoriously resurrecting three days later. And Peter, along with those in one accord, filled with the Holy Spirit of God, had to tell somebody. God miraculously allowed them to speak in native languages that all people may hear; “This Jesus whom you crucified is God.”

Then Peter begins to address this truth through the words of the prophet Joel, who had professed over 600 years before this moment what was to take place and what would be offered through this Christ; Salvation. 

From one end to the other the Bible points to our one need; Jesus. And, when God is drawing someone to himself (2:39) and they call upon Him (2:21), they can have the hope of eternal salvation.

But, this calling is more than just a verbal acknowledgement. It’s a calling of full surrender and transfer of ownership. This calling leads to a new devotion (2:42-47). This calling, even according to Joel, involves giving the Lord all of our heart (Joel 2:12–13). Quit simply my calling on the Lord leads to a calling on my life to be transformed daily into His image. 

My calling for HELP has lead to a calling of devotion, and I never want to get over it. 

A – Remember my Salvation. Devote my time, talents, and treasures to the One that Saved me. Proclaim The Real Gospel to all who the Lord allows – Jesus Died, Was Buried, and Rose Again.

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you for drawing me to yourself. Thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for your steadfast love, mercy, and grace. Thank you for the Joy of Salvation. Lord, I never want to get over it. Help me to daily surrender in devotion and proclaim the Gospel through my words and with my life. Lord, I pray I see others rescued. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 24. Proverbs 3]

H – Luke 24:45–48, “[45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things.”

E – Open the Eyes of My Heart!

True understanding of the Scriptures, so that one understands how all of redemptive history fits together, is a gift of God. This Gospel is a mystery (Col. 2:16). This mystery is hidden to those that truly do not know the redemptive purpose of God, through Christ. 

This Gospel is life to the Christ follower. The totality of the Gospel is of first importance. Paul stated, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, “[3] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,……”

It is the Gospel that is first importance and only when it is of first importance will we begin to understand the Scriptures, which is Christ suffered to the point of death, was buried, and rose again on the third day so that any who call on Him will be saved. For those that believe and repent will be forgiven. And, when we truly know forgiveness, we remember (24:8) the “peace to us” (24:36) that comes from a genuine belief of the Gospel, that has now lead to a changed life. 

When my life has been changed I can’t help but proclaim The One that has changed me. I am a witness of the Gospel. For I was once dead in my sin, but now I am alive in Christ. 

Therefore, I should continue to desire my heart to burn for Him, The One who changed me, and continues to change me, as I walk through the Scriptures (24:32). 

A – I want my heart to burn as He opens up the Scriptures before me. Allow The Gospel to have continual transformation in my life that I would proclaim His name to all He allows me to. 

R – Lord God, thank you for changing my life. Thank you for suffering for my sins and defeating death and hell by rising on the third day. Lord, would you allow my heart to continue to burn for you as I read your Word? Breathe life change into my life anew each day. And Lord, allow me the opportunities to be UnAshamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16) and proclaim your name to any you see fit to put in my path. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 22, Proverbs 1]

H – Luke 22:31b–32, “[31] ……., Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

E – Failure Is Not Final!

There is no denying the enemies desire to bring a Christian down. There are so many instances throughout Scripture that point to this truth. John 10:10 describes the Enemy as a thief who only comes to kill, still, and destroy. 1 Peter 5:8 describes the Enemy as a roaring lion seeking to devour. The imagery used against the Satan could go on and on. We know who the enemy is, what he is like, and what his desire is for the Christian. 

And here is the truth – Sometimes we fail to his stinking schemes. But notice this, temporary failure does not have to be eternally final.

Jesus prayer for His disciples is that their faith would be greater than the deception around them. He prayed that their faith would not fail them. Imagine being completely clothed in Him and His armor, withstanding the schemes of the enemy. That’s Christ prayer for His. 

But remember the persistence of the Enemy. I can’t help but think of his temptations against Jesus himself. Luke 4:13, says, “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” The enemy consistently looks for an opportunity in which he can wreak havoc and sift us like wheat. Moments of weakness to pounce and destroy. 

However, there is Power given to us that the Enemy cannot overcome. Here is it – REPENTANCE.

Notice what Jesus says, I have prayed that your faith may not fail, but when it does TURN AGAIN. The word “turn again” means walking away from what has lead to the failure. It’s turning from sin and turning anew to Jesus. It’s reestablishing our Faith in Christ and surrendering to His primacy in our lives again and again and again. 

The life of Peter teaches that The Lord is truly a God of countless second chances. From denying to testifying, yep there is power in repentance and that makes failure not final. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). 

A – Live a Life of Repentance. Strengthen my faith in Him through daily surrender and learning from my failures. Testify of Christ and strengthen others. 

R – Lord God, thank you that my failure is not final because of my faith in you. Thank you for forgiveness. Lord I pray my faith would grow. I pray that I would allow your discipline to guide me in wisdom (Proverbs 1). Lord, help me to see the beauty of Repentance. Help me to know that my need for you is great than anything that deceives me away from that truth. Lord, help me to live today in light of your abundance and everything I do I would do it in remembrance of You. 

In Jesus Name!

[Luke 21, Proverbs 31]

H – Luke 21:34, “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.”

E – These words have stuck with me all day and I’m just getting a chance to journal about it. 

Jesus is Coming Again!

This truth is undeniable. It will happen. There is coming a day that Jesus will step out of Heaven, we will stand before Him, and He will act upon everything prophesied and promised. His admonishment to His disciples was: watch yourselves (v.34), stay awake (v.36), and pray for strength (v.36). 

The reality is not everyone will be ready for His return or stand justified before Him. Rather, there are those that will stand judged because they were eternally distracted from proclaiming, Jesus is Lord. There are two things that Jesus proclaims could be issues in distracting ones attention away from His return. 

1) The first of these is drunken parties in which you dull your mind with alcohol until you have no capacity to think about Jesus and his coming. 

2) The second is the stress of life so that you concentrate so much on worldly matters and your position in the world that you forget that this world is not eternal and that your eternal life depends on your readiness for the next world.

Jesus has given signs. We have no excuse not to be ready. He has warned us of ways that will keep us from being ready. Do not get caught up in drunkenness or in this world’s stress.

Keep your eye on the signs of the times and avoid the trap.

A – Live each moment watching, waiting, and anticipating Christ’ return.

R – Lord God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for fulfilling your promises and giving us everything we need to stand before you in Victory. Your love for us so great. Lord, give me strength to keep pressing!

In Jesus Name!