CALVARY CHAPEL OF JONESBORO
  • HOME
  • Basics
    • Announcements
    • Giving
    • Who We Are
    • Just for Fun
  • Proverb a Day
  • Ministries
    • Children
    • Missions
    • Worship >
      • New Song Page
    • Youth
  • Biblical Stuff
    • Services
    • Articles
    • Apologetics Studies
    • A Call to Revival
    • Discipleship >
      • 1 - The Gospel
      • 2 - The Word
    • The Gospel
    • Links
  • Sign Up Area
  • Psalms For Life
  • Prophecy/News

 

​Articles

Times of Refreshing

1/27/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Times of Refreshing

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  May God bless you this week with a sweet visit that warms and revives your heart as He graciously grants you Himself in a time of refreshing of your spiritual life.

One of the sweeter promises in all of Scripture for the saint of God who is struggling with a coldness and hardness of heart, is the one given to us in Acts 3:19.  It is there where we read the following:  "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord . . .”  The reason that this promise is so sweet to us is because there is not one of God’s people that does not periodically need for God to refresh us. 

In the book of Revelation we read in chapter 3 that Jesus says to the Laodicean church that He wants them to be either hot or cold.  Either they needed to be for Him or against Him – passionate about their walk with God or not walking with Him at all.  These two descriptors – hot and cold express God’s desire that we either be saved and all in – or lost.  What Jesus says sickens Him is when we are “lukewarm.”  That state describes those who have at one time were hot – but who have had their love for Christ cool considerably.  They would recoil at the thought that they were cold and lost – but in spite of this they do not grasp that their cooling was as great as Christ described.  This is the coolness that desperately needs a time of refreshing (or reheating as this passage would state).

I am going to admit to a problem that has been with me for the past 32 years I’ve been a Christian.  There are times when my time alone with God seems flat.  There are times when I am not fired up about the Great Commission – and the lifestyle that embraces the Great Commandment doesn’t thrill me either.  My passion for Christ “cools” over time.  This can be due to sin that comes to me due to direct disobedience – or from little compromises that I become blind to that are building up in my life.  The final result is always the same – my love and passion to worship, follow, learn, witness, etc. – dies down.  My heart cools off and as a result my walk with the Lord needs refreshing.  I am also going to admit to a solution that I’ve experienced time and time again when I experience “spiritual cooling” in my life.  This experience is one that God has used to refresh me and revive my flagging devotion to Him.  I’ll share the stages of it so you can estimate whether you might need a similar work as well.

First, as the cooling begins, I am pretty much oblivious to it.  More often than not, I am making little compromises when this happens.  One very common theme here is that I continue having a quiet time – but it becomes something I do as a duty.  I don’t realize, at first, that I’m not truly connecting with God.  I read – and record that I did, thinking that the reading is the key.  God, on the other hand, notes that, where I used to come to hear from Him, now I come to fulfill some sort of religious duty.  Whether I hear from Him or not no longer dominates my thinking.  Instead, I am focused on being a good boy – doing my religious duty by reading so many chapters a day.  Before long I’ve missed a day – then maybe two – and then at times I can miss several and not be concerned.  God allows this – even retreating from our times together so that I see that reading alone is not the key.  Note here that what He is doing is bringing me to a stale-ness so that I begin to miss Him.  It is His presence that warms my heart – not necessarily just my reading material (even when it is the Bible). 

Other scenarios include times when I think I’m smarter than God is, and as a result I know how I should live (which usually means in some sort of sin or mild compromise of His values).  God, being Sovereign God and everything, does not take kindly to this arrogance on my part.  Because His Spirit is grieved, He will allow me to try to live without His nearness and fellowship.  Finally, there is that scenario when I just rebel – and know His immediate withdrawal of fellowship.  My response, because I’m either angry, bitter, or honestly, just dumb – is not to deal with it and let it sit until it becomes a rancid “disobedience stew” that stinks up my heart and life. 

Take your pick because in over 30 years of seeking to follow the Lord I’ve done a little of all of these.  What I find amazing is not the cooling that takes place in my heart.  That is a given.  God warns of such things.  What I find truly astounding is that God pursues me again and again.  He often allows me to experience the Proverb, which warns me that, as a backslider in heart, I will have my fill of my own sinful ways.  He may even allow some serious consequences to begin to manifest themselves due to my sin.  Whatever the case, after a while, He begins to draw me back.  It may begin just as whispers in the wind – or a distant echo of the sweetness of fellowship in times past.  Whatever He chooses – He begins to draw me, and I begin to feel an ache in my spirit.  Oh the sweetness of such moments as I become alerted to the souring of my soul. 

The passage in Acts 3 is very instructive.  The counsel in it is similar to that of Revelation 3.  Repent and return to God!  That is the whole of the counsel He offers – and truly it is all that we need.  Repent – change your thinking.  Consider your current situation and realize the spiritual insanity you are allowing to guide your thoughts of God and spiritual things.  Sin, religion for religion’s sake, and compromise (no matter how small) will never lead to a hot heart for God.  These are the frigid winds of the flesh!  Radically change your thinking and reject these things.  Return – the direction you are currently heading is the WRONG ONE!  Turn around so that you begin heading toward God’s will and God’s way.  The repentance will have you confessing sin and compromise.  The returning will have you choosing obedience to God and His Word as your new path.  This is the whole of God’s counsel to you and to me when we have hearts that are cooling toward Him.

The promise God gives when we respond in repentance and return is truly awesome.  He promises that times of refreshing will come from His very presence.  Here is something that we have to see.  When the refreshing comes – the refreshing is Him!  It is not some experience – nor is it some “thing.”  The refreshing comes from the “PRESENCE OF THE LORD.”  It is as we turn from everything and everyone – and run to Him – that we are revived.  We only need remember that the blessing was not in connection with some “thing.”  It was not a feeling – a gift – a provision – or anything else other than Him.  It was when we experienced Him again that the feeling came.  He was the one behind the gift, the blessing, or the provision.  When we had Him (and I mean by this His manifest presence) we had whatever we needed.  The Word becomes sweet again when we realize that the Word directs us to Him – so He can give us life! 

So how goes it with you?  When was the last time you met with Him?  Can you remember when it was all about Him – fellowshipping with Him – experiencing Him – walking with Him – being empowered for ministry by and for Him and His glory?  If it has been a while, and if you’ve been troubled by “spiritual cooling” in your life, repent and return.  But as you do – seeking that time of refreshing – know that you are not in search of some “thing”.  What you long for and miss so dearly is . . . Him.  It will be when His presence once again floods your life that refreshing will come.  So, dear saints, seek Him – call out to Him – long for Him.  He IS the refreshing!


0 Comments
    Picture
    Picture

    Biblical Articles

    Most of these articles are taken from the Calvary Courier, a weekly newsletter that is sent to the folks who attend Calvary Chapel Jonesboro.  Due to the response to these articles, we've decided to print some of them which proved to be very helpful to God's people at the fellowship.

    Picture


    ​Thank you for visiting our website!  Everything on this site is offered for free.  If, however, you would like to make a donation to help pay for its continued presence on the internet, you can do that by clicking here.  The only thing we ask is that you give first to the local church you attend.
    ​Thank you!

    Archives

    August 2024
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    November 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    1 Chronicles 10:13-14
    1 Chronicles 21
    1 Corinthians 10:31
    1 Corinthians 13
    1 Corinthians 5:4-4
    1 John 1:9
    1 John 2:15-17
    1 Kings 11-12
    1 Kings 14
    1 Kings 19
    1 Kings 22
    1 Peter 4
    1 Samuel 15
    1 Samuel 17
    1 Samuel 19
    1 Samuel 22
    1 SAmuel 24
    1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
    1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
    1 Timothy 1:18-20
    1 Timothy 2
    2 Chronciles 16
    2 Chronicles 15
    2 Chronicles 34
    2 Corinthians 4:6
    2 Corinthians 5:1-5
    2 Corinthians 5:21
    2 Corinthians 7:9-12
    2 Kings 19
    2 Kings 2
    2 Samuel 16:23
    2 Samuel 23
    2 Samuel 23:34
    2 Timothy 3:16 17
    2 Timothy 3:16-17
    2 Timothy 4
    50 Shades Of Grey
    Abortion
    Abraham
    Absalom
    Accountability
    Actions
    Acts 3:19
    Adoption
    Agendas
    Aging
    Ahijah
    Ahithophel
    A Lot To Learn
    Amalekites
    Ambitious
    Amen
    Ananias And Saphira
    Angels
    Animal Sacrifices
    Answers From God
    Anxiousness
    Arguments
    Arrogance
    Astronomy
    A Theology Of Aging
    Atonement
    Attitude
    Authority
    Awe
    Awesomeness Of God
    Azariah
    Bathsheba
    Battles
    Bears
    Beautiful Fight
    Besetting Sin
    Bible
    Bible Difficulties
    Bible Overview
    Biblical Confrontation
    Biblical Fact
    Biblical Identity
    Biblical Morality
    Biology
    Bitterness
    Blacklivesmatter
    Blameless
    Blessed
    Blessing
    Blind Prophets
    Bondage
    Book Of Ruth
    Books Of The Bible
    Brain
    Bridle
    Brokenness
    Burnt Offering
    Can God Change
    Census
    Change
    Character
    Childish Things
    Choices
    Christ-Centered
    Christian Music Industry
    Christians And Political Involvement
    Church
    Civil Government
    Class Warfare
    Clothing
    Coarsening Of Society
    Colossians 1:9-12
    Comfort
    Commandments Of God
    Commitment
    Comparison
    Compassion
    Compassionate Ministry
    Complaining
    Compromise
    Computers
    Confession Of Sin
    Conflict
    Conscience
    Conscious Uncoupling
    Consumer Church
    Consumerism
    Conversation
    Conviction
    Core Values
    Couraged
    Creation
    Creation Out Of Nothing
    Creation Science
    Creator
    Crucifixion
    Cursing
    Cussing
    Dark Night Of The Soul
    David
    Death Penalty
    Decisions
    Dedication
    Definitions
    Delight In God
    Democrats
    Demonic World
    Dependence On God
    Despair
    Destruction
    Deuteronomy 23:12-14
    Devotion
    Difficulties
    Difficult Times
    Digital Identity
    Discerning Spirits
    Discernment
    Discipleshhip
    Disciples Journey
    Discipline
    Discouraged
    Discouragement
    Dishonor
    Disobedience
    Disrespect
    Divinity Of Christ
    Divorce
    Doctrine
    Doeg The Edomite
    Donald Trump
    Drifting
    Ecclesiastes 12:1
    Ecclesiastes 12:1-8
    Ecclesiastes 7 :2-4
    Eleazar Son Of Dodo
    Election
    Election 2016
    Election 2020
    Elijah
    Elisha
    Emotional Moments
    Emotions
    Encouragement
    Endurance
    Enemies
    Ephesians 2
    Ephesians 2:4-5
    Ephesians 4:29-32
    Ephseians 5:3-6
    Erotic Liberty Vs Religious Liberty
    Eternal
    Evangelicals
    Evangelical Vote
    Evengelism
    Evil
    Evolution
    Evolutionary Theory
    Exalting God
    Existence Of God
    Existential Experience With God
    Exodus 20:7
    Exodus 29
    Expectations
    Expecting God
    Experiencing God
    Eyes
    Facebook
    Failure
    Faith
    Faithfulness
    Faith Over Feelings
    False Doctrine
    False Gods
    False Prophets
    False Repentance
    False Security
    Fear
    Fear Of God
    Fear Of Man
    Feelings
    Fellowship
    Fighting The Good Fight
    Flood
    Foolishness
    Forgiveness
    Foster Parenting
    Fowl Language
    Frankincense
    Freedom
    From Milk To Meat
    Frustration
    Genesis 1:1
    Genesis 12:4
    Genesis 13:10-13
    Genesis 14
    Gentleness
    George Washington Carver
    Glorifying God
    Glory
    Glory Of God
    Goals
    God
    God In The Whirlwind
    God Is Infinite
    God Is Initnite
    Godly Counsel
    Godly Men
    Godly Morality
    Godly Perspective
    God On Trial
    Gods Character
    God's Discipline
    Gods Gifts
    God Shows Up
    God's Immutability
    God's Judgment
    Gods Judgment
    God's Love
    God Speaking
    God's Power
    God's Promises
    God's Providence
    God's Purposes
    God's Questions
    God's Sovereignty
    God's Stories
    God's Wisdom
    Gods Wisdom
    Gods Word
    Going To God With Problems
    Goliath
    Gospel-centered Living
    Gossip
    Government
    Governor Mitt Romney
    Grace
    Gracious
    Gracious Words
    Grain Offering
    Gratefulness
    Graven Hands
    Greatness Of God
    Groaning
    Gun Violence
    Hardship
    Hard Work
    Harsh Speaking
    Hearing God
    Heart
    Hebrews-113
    Hebrews 1:3
    Hebrews-134
    Hebrews 2138d0c82289e
    Helpful-words
    Helping Others
    Heterosexual Immoraltiy
    Hezekiah
    Hide-and-seek With God
    Hiding
    Hiding From God
    Hillary Clinton
    Holiness
    Holy Spirit
    Homosexuality
    Homosexual Marriage
    Hope
    Humility
    Hurt
    Hurtful Words
    Hurting People
    Hymns
    Idolatry
    Inadequacy
    Inner Posture
    Insight
    Instagram
    Insults
    Integrity
    Intimacy With God
    Isaiah
    Isaiah 55:9-10
    Is There A God?
    James 1:13-16
    Jealousy
    Jeremiah 33:3
    Jeroboam
    Jesus Christ
    Jesus Is Lord
    Job
    Job 12:12
    Job 26:4
    Job 38:1-2
    Job 38 42
    Job 38-42
    Job 38:4-7
    Job 38:8-11
    Job 4
    Job 9:2-15
    Joel Osteen
    John 14:12
    John 16:23-24
    John 16:7 11
    John 16711cf464073ef
    John 3:3
    John 4
    John 5:24
    John 5:25
    John 6:47
    John 8:34
    John 8:51
    John 8:56-58
    John Stuart Mill
    Joy
    Joy In Weakness
    Judah
    Judges 21:24
    Judges 9
    Judgment
    Justice
    Kindness
    King Asa
    King Josiah
    King Saul
    Kirk Walden
    Knowing God
    Knowing God's Will
    Lamentations 4:12-16
    Language
    Leadership
    Leaving
    Letting Our Light Shine
    Leviticus
    Life
    Lifestyle
    Light
    Listening To God
    Living Daily
    Living For The Gospel
    Living Near Sin
    Lordship Of Jesus Christ
    Lot
    Love
    Luke 6:44-45
    Madness
    Man's Ignorance
    March
    Marriage
    Matthew 5:16
    Matthew 6:33-34
    Mediums
    Meeting God
    Mega-love
    Memphis
    Men
    Men's Exhortations
    Mentoring
    Mercy
    Moral Authority
    Morals
    Mortality
    Motivation
    Murder
    Music
    Muslim Evangelism
    Nahum 3:6
    Name Calling
    Naturalism
    Nature Of God
    Need
    Nerves
    Neuroscience
    NFL
    Nose Rings
    Obedience
    Occult
    Offensive Speaking
    Offerings
    Old Fashioned
    Old Testament Law
    Olympics
    Omnipotence Of God
    Omniscience Of God
    Osama Bin Laden
    Our Amazing Body
    Our Part And God's Part
    Out Of Season
    Overcoming Discouragement
    Overwhelmed
    Pain
    Passivity
    Peace
    Peacemakers
    Peace Offering
    Peace Of God
    Persecution
    Perverse Mouth
    Perversity
    Philippians 2:12-13
    Philippians 2:3-8
    Philippians 4:13
    Philippians 4:4-7
    Philosophy
    Physical Body
    Plague
    Police Director Mike Rollings
    Political Discourse
    Political Shopping
    Politics
    Pornography
    Post Abortion Trauma
    Post-modernism
    Praise
    Praise And Worship
    Prayer
    Pregnancy Help Centers
    Pregnancy Resource Center
    Presence Of God
    Presidential Election
    President Trump
    Pride
    Pride Of Man
    Private Worship
    Problems
    Pro Choice
    Pro Life
    Pro-life
    Prophecy
    Prophets Of God
    Protests
    Proverbs 10:31-32
    Proverbs 17:20
    Proverbs 19:1
    Proverbs 24:10
    Proverbs 6:12
    Proverbs 8:13
    Psalm 101
    Psalm 119:99-100
    Psalm 13
    Psalm 2
    Psalm 32
    Psalm 56
    Psalm 75
    Public Worship
    Punishment
    Purpose
    Questions
    Questions In Evangelism
    Quiet
    Quiet Time
    Quitting
    Rabshakeh
    Race Relations
    Racial Conflict
    Racism
    Reading The Bible
    Real Change
    Real Strength
    Rebellion
    Receptivity
    Reconciliation
    Redemption
    Refreshed
    Regret
    Rehoboam
    Rejecting God's Word
    Rejoicing
    Religious Liberty
    Repentance
    Representing The Gospel
    Republicans
    Resignations
    Responsibility
    Responsible
    Restoration
    Resurrection
    Revelation Of God
    Revival
    Revolution
    Rhema
    Richard Dawkins
    Righteousness
    Rights
    Roman-empire
    Romans-11823
    Romans-11832
    Romans-11920
    Romans-121-2
    Romans-1212
    Romans-13
    Romans 3212407c2dbb58d
    Romans-58
    Romans-6
    Romans 7
    Romans 8
    Root-of-bitterness
    Running The Race
    Sacrifices
    Salvation
    Samuel
    Sanctification
    Sanctity-of-human-life
    Sanctity Of Human Life Day
    Sarah
    Satan
    Saul
    School Shootings
    Science
    Scientific Method
    Scripture
    Seeing
    Seeing People Properly
    Seeking God
    Self-life
    Self Reliance
    Self-Reliance
    Sennacherib
    Servanthood
    Sex
    Sexual Intimacy
    Sexuality
    Sexual Revolution
    Sharing Christ
    Sharing The Gospel
    Shininglightmatters
    Sickness
    Sign Posts
    Simone Biles
    Sin
    Sinfulness
    Singing
    Slander
    Small Businesses
    Sober Minded
    Social Media
    Sodom
    Soothing Aroma
    Sovereignty Of God
    Spirits
    Spiritual Battles
    Spiritual Beat Downs
    Spiritual Beat-Downs
    Spiritual Doldrums
    Spiritual Dryness
    Spiritual Exhaustion
    Spiritual Focus
    Spiritual Posture
    Spiritual Power
    Spiritual Stale-ness
    Spiritual Strength
    Spiritual Warfare
    Stumbling Blocks
    Suffering
    Supreme Court
    Surrender
    Swearing
    Sword Of The Spirit
    Taking A Stand
    Temptation
    Tenderhearted
    Terrorists
    Thankful
    Thanksgiving
    The 10 Commandments
    The Amen
    The Body Of Christ
    The Extremes Of God
    The Extremities Of God
    The Flag
    The Godly Man
    The God Of Amen
    The Gospel
    The Holy Spirit
    The Home
    The Mind
    The Mouth
    The National Anthem
    Theocracy
    Theology
    The Silences Of God
    The True And Living God
    The Water Cycle
    The Will Of God
    The Work Of God
    The Wrath Of God
    Thinking Greatly Of God
    Time Alone With God
    Tired
    Treachery
    Trees
    Trouble
    Troubles
    True Influence
    True Spirituality
    Trust
    Trusting God
    Truth
    Truth In Love
    Turned Over To Satan
    Twitter
    Types In The OT
    Ultimate Questions
    Umqua Community College
    Unchurched
    Unconfessed Sin
    Understanding
    Unfaithfulness
    Unfathomable
    Unforgiveness
    Us Vs Them
    Vacations
    Vanity
    Venting
    Verbal Wars
    Victory Over Sin
    Voting
    Walking With God
    Warnings
    Water
    Weakness
    Weariness
    Weeping
    What Matters
    Why Understand Theology
    Wisdom
    Women's Issues
    Wonder
    Word Of God
    Words
    Work
    Worldliness
    Worldview
    Worry
    Worship
    Worthless Things
    Wrath
    Zephaniah 3:17

    RSS Feed

Join Us
Sundays: 10:45am - Morning Service
Community groups Times Vary

Wednesdays: 6:30pm - Adult Bible Study, Youth Worship and Bible Study, & Children ministry 

411 Calvary Cove
Jonesboro, AR  72401


Connect with Us
Phone: 870-277-0500
Email: [email protected]
Copyright 2024 Calvary Chapel Jonesboro | all rights reserved
Photos from Darren Baldwin, symphony of love, lululemon athletica, geckzilla, qthomasbower, slightly everything, snow0810, JeepersMedia, spbpda, flamesworddragon, stockicide, Daquella manera, Raymond Bryson, ProvidentialLiving, Kurayba, CircaSassy, KimManleyOrt, Max Goldberg, Ben+Sam, matt.h.wade, toridawnrector, juliejordanscott, monophonic.grrrl, Graham Cook, kleuske, wuestenigel, ccPixs.com, heartbeaz, Marcus Frödin, Bilal Kamoon, hatcher10027, Rody09, wuestenigel
  • HOME
  • Basics
    • Announcements
    • Giving
    • Who We Are
    • Just for Fun
  • Proverb a Day
  • Ministries
    • Children
    • Missions
    • Worship >
      • New Song Page
    • Youth
  • Biblical Stuff
    • Services
    • Articles
    • Apologetics Studies
    • A Call to Revival
    • Discipleship >
      • 1 - The Gospel
      • 2 - The Word
    • The Gospel
    • Links
  • Sign Up Area
  • Psalms For Life
  • Prophecy/News