Written by Mark Driskill:
Friday December 24, 2010
Read Acts 3:17-20
“I know that you acted in ignorance…repent…that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
This Christmas finds me reflecting on my life. I guess when you’re close to fifty you start thinking about such things. Sometimes I look back on how I have lived my walk with the Lord I find myself saying, “Oh God why have you put up with me?” So much of my walk has been focused on me and my concerns. I look back at things I have done and said, or left undone and unsaid and I thank God that his mercy is greater than my failures. Why God didn’t kick me out of his ministry over some of the foolish ways I have grieved him is nothing less than sheer grace. I suppose we all have times when we look back at mistakes made and opportunities missed and realize just how great our fathers love for us is.
We have all acted in ignorance during this walk with Jesus. That is what I love about the passage we read today. Peter tells the onlookers how they crucified the one God sent to save them. “You killed the author of life” He tells them. He tells them they acted in ignorance. They messed up, missed the boat, royally blew it! Just like you and I have done so often. But what comes next gives me great hope.
Peter says,
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus Christ appointed for you…”
What is God’s response to our ignorance ? A chance to be refreshed and renewed as we simply turn again by faith and forsake our sins. This is the response of a loving father to his children. In our worst moments of rebellion his grace and mercy are waiting in abundance. Don’t waste another second regretting the mistakes you have made in the past. Turn to the one who’s outrageous love never dies.
Today someone is heavy hearted over some great failure. You feel totally cut off from God. You are grieved over what you have done recently or even years ago. Your life seems like a hollow shell of regret. You are weary from kicking yourself. You hear a voice in your head telling you God will never take you back. “You’ve gone too far.” it says. That is a demonic lie! If God can send refreshing from his very presence to the hearts of the ones who murdered his son, then he can take you back and send Jesus to refresh your soul and give you a new start.
Don’t listen to those prosecutors posing as prophets who want to condemn you for the past. They are only speaking out of their own sense of shame. Listen to the one who denied Christ three times as he stands with a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes calling the people who heard him deny his Lord, “Brothers, I know you acted in ignorance (boy do I know)…now turn again (because I did) that times of refreshing may come (I’m living proof of that) from the presence of the Lord.” This morning before you log off bow your head and turn again to the one who was born in the manger for you. Drop your guilt and shame of the past. Accept his love for you and begin walking in his power… and be refreshed!
Pastor Mark Driskill
Web Minister of Begotten by the word web ministry
Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky. They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy. Mark is web minister for Begotten by the Word , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources. Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program.
Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.
Contact information:
Email: driskill@hillbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.
