Hosanna Restoration Church

I do not believe that there is anyone anywhere, who does not like times of refreshing. Everyone has their version of what refreshes them but unless the refreshing comes from the Lord it is only a substitute for the real thing. Refreshing from God is the only one that lasts and can come in any situation or circumstance. The New Living translation says, “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.” Yes, there are conditions that bring about His refreshing.

Our lives and our world need this type of refreshing. I was reading a letter from a man who mentioned that judgment is not emphasized as much these days as it once was, and I must admit that I do not preach judgment as a continuous diet. I think that is mostly because I believe all people know that judgment is a real and understood thing, even if they hate to consider it. I know I always knew it could be and probably was real, but not thinking about it kept me from any action. I believe it was awareness of the reality of it that broke the ice and I fell into the living water of the Lord.

The fact is that if we do not turn to the Lord in a big way, judgment is going to come to our nation and the world in ways we do not want. The good news is that it is not what the Lord really wants either, but without great changes it is inevitable. When it comes, it will not be fun for those who are not in love with Jesus. It probably will not be all roses for those of us who are in love with Him either, but we have God’s promise that He will take care of us no matter what and that is what we must prepare for, stand on, and expect.

I do not know what or how everything will come, but I do know that God has promised that He will take care of his own. What we need to do is be prepared to take care of others and to show everyone the goodness of God in the land of the living.

For many years I have been preaching that the time is coming when we must be prepared to drop anything we are doing and speak the Word into people lives, telling them of the greatness of God.

If we want to escape judgment, then we must stand on the Word of God. If we want to help others to pass out of judgment and into the Kingdom of God when these times come, then we must know and love God more each day. We must be refreshed so that we can refresh others. Refreshing comes from the presence of Lord, so we carry refreshment in us. We must be confident of this and generous with this treasure that we carry in our earthen vessels.

I absolutely do not like the thought of judgment, but ignoring it will not make it go away. In everything, let us be found turning to God and drawing refreshment from the presence of the Lord.