In a little less than two months, my family and I are doing something we’ve never had the opportunity to do. We will take a four week sabbatical from September 13 – October 10. During this time I will have the opportunity to participate in ministry in different contexts, worship with my family in different settings, and experience some much anticipated rest and relaxation. Bro. Phillip Day will be preaching in my absence. Phillip and I served on staff together at my former church and he has preached in my absence twice while I was in Ecuador with our mission team. In addition, my other ministerial responsibilities will be covered by the staff and church leaders. We are so grateful to you, our church family, for giving us this opportunity.
In preparation for my sabbatical, I’ve been thinking about Acts 3:19 which says, “Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord.” This is a familiar verse that I see and hear used often. It takes on a deeper meaning when placed in its context. In Acts 3, Peter is preaching the gospel to Jews who had rejected Jesus while He was on earth. He is encouraging them to turn from their unbelief and accept Jesus as the Messiah who died for their sins and was raised form the dead.
When we look at verses 19 and 20, Peter says, “19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus.”
True refreshment is only experienced in a relationship with Jesus. He paid the price for our sins and, if we turn from our sins and receive His gift of forgiveness, we will experience the refreshment of being cleansed of sin along with the joy living in relationship with HIm. In addition, we can look forward to the day we will experience perfect refreshment when Christ returns and we are in His presence for all of eternity.
I look forward to a “time of refreshing” while on sabbatical, I thank God for the “times of refreshment” that He allows me to experience as I walk with Him each day, and I anxious anticipate the “time of refreshment” that will come at His return.
Have you been refreshed?
Sincerely,
Pastor Allen