By: Sarah Geringer
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
Acts 3:19-20 NLT
In March, I hosted a spiritual retreat for several Christian women writers. We enjoyed great fellowship and conversation. We swapped ideas, inspired one another and prayed for each other. The retreat was a time of refreshment for us.
On Sunday morning, one of the ladies led us through a repentance exercise. We knelt at a station with a large bowl of water and slips of dissolving paper. One by one, we quietly confessed a sin to the Lord, wrote it on the paper, and dropped it in the water. When we swished the water with a bamboo stick, the paper dissolved to represent our sins being washed away.
After this powerful exercise, we rejoined at the long dinner table for a fruitful discussion. The Holy Spirit rested on us and refreshed us with his presence. We were inspired to start something new in the months to come, and it was amazing to see how God led us as a group after the repentance exercise.
Perhaps you need to repent about something so God can refresh you today. Maybe it's an attitude of the heart no one else knows about. It could be doubt, stubbornness, or unforgiveness. It may be an active sin against someone else, or simply a matter that is blocking your relationship with God.
I encourage you to meditate on Acts 3:19-20 today. Confess any sin that the Lord reveals to you while you meditate. Imagine swishing this sin away in a bowl of water. Then ask God to refresh you with his presence while you consider what your Savior Jesus did to make forgiveness possible.
Here's a prayer to encourage you today:
Heavenly Father,
I come to you with an honest and open heart.
I confess the sin that is blocking me from a deeper relationship with you, Lord.
Thank you for offering me forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice.
Refresh me with your loving presence in this new season.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Acts 3:19-20 NLT
In March, I hosted a spiritual retreat for several Christian women writers. We enjoyed great fellowship and conversation. We swapped ideas, inspired one another and prayed for each other. The retreat was a time of refreshment for us.
On Sunday morning, one of the ladies led us through a repentance exercise. We knelt at a station with a large bowl of water and slips of dissolving paper. One by one, we quietly confessed a sin to the Lord, wrote it on the paper, and dropped it in the water. When we swished the water with a bamboo stick, the paper dissolved to represent our sins being washed away.
After this powerful exercise, we rejoined at the long dinner table for a fruitful discussion. The Holy Spirit rested on us and refreshed us with his presence. We were inspired to start something new in the months to come, and it was amazing to see how God led us as a group after the repentance exercise.
Perhaps you need to repent about something so God can refresh you today. Maybe it's an attitude of the heart no one else knows about. It could be doubt, stubbornness, or unforgiveness. It may be an active sin against someone else, or simply a matter that is blocking your relationship with God.
I encourage you to meditate on Acts 3:19-20 today. Confess any sin that the Lord reveals to you while you meditate. Imagine swishing this sin away in a bowl of water. Then ask God to refresh you with his presence while you consider what your Savior Jesus did to make forgiveness possible.
Here's a prayer to encourage you today:
Heavenly Father,
I come to you with an honest and open heart.
I confess the sin that is blocking me from a deeper relationship with you, Lord.
Thank you for offering me forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice.
Refresh me with your loving presence in this new season.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings and God's peace to you,
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Reflection questions:
1. When you read this scripture, what did the Lord stir up in your heart?
2. Which next step will you take to find spiritual refreshment?
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