Times of Refreshing | Rochelle Benton | Ep 142

iRefresh, where we talk about the impact of prayer in God's Word. Good to see you here. And I tell you, Cheryl said it was an honor for me to be a part of their group. I'm telling you, it's an honor to be around these ladies. These ladies are such a blessing. And I'm so grateful and thankful to have the opportunity to be part of such a phenomenal group. So welcome here to an evening of refreshing. How many of you could use some refreshing? How many of you will say, I can get all the refreshing I need and then some? Well, let this be your night. Let this be the night that the Lord just comes in and refreshes you. No matter what situation may be transpiring in your life right now, know that God is here and And he is here to bring refreshing unto us tonight. So I am going to start off by reading a story. And I know it's a story that we are familiar with. If you have your Bibles, you can turn with me to Acts chapter 3. And I want us during this time of refreshing to begin to just lay aside anything that may be a distraction. Lay aside anything that may try to get in your way from receiving from God on tonight. And set ourselves in order to be refreshed by our Lord on tonight. I'm going to begin to read at Acts chapter 3, verse 1, and I will be reading all the way down through verse 19. You ready to be refreshed? I'm telling you, get ready. Acts chapter 3, verse 1. Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man, lame from his mother's womb, was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple. Amen. Verse three, who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter fastening his eyes up on him with John said, look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up. Now I'm going to pause right there for a minute because here we see this man whose parents brought him daily and laid him at the gate beautiful. And while he was there, he was asking alms. And Peter and John showed up. And Peter said, look upon us. We don't have what you're asking for, but what we do have, I'm going to give to you. So sometimes in our situations in life, we're looking for a temporary fix for a permanent problem. This man had a permanent problem and he wanted a temporary fix, which was alms, because the alms was not going to solve his lame problem. He needed someone else. to step in and give him what he really needed. So sometimes in the midst of a situation, we may ask for things that we think we need, but God is the one who really knows what we actually need. He's asking for alms and God said, I have something greater. So when we're in these situations, these temporary places of life, because this too shall pass, we need to know what it is that God has for us or better yet what he wants for us. The word of God tells us not to lean unto our own understanding. It says, trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean to your own understanding. Well, Lord, I need arms. Do not lean to your own understanding. Well, Lord, I need do not lean to your own understanding. But acknowledge me in all of your ways. All means all. Acknowledge me in all of your ways and I will direct your path. So here's this man laying at the gate, beautiful, asking for something he didn't need to fix a problem that needed to go away. And Peter said, I don't have it. But I could tell you what I do have because God sees what you really need. So in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And some situations in our life may look a little lame. We may think that we have a lame life, an impediment. He had an impediment. Our walk may be a little off. Our talk may be a little off, but I'm telling you, God, Jesus can fix it. So let's read on and see what happened. Verse seven, and he took him by the right hand and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. It happened immediately. I mean, the Lord fixed it immediately. Now, there are times when I want to say this very carefully. There are times when we may think. That when we pray or ask for something, that God doesn't fix it immediately because we with our physical eyes don't see the remedy yet. We don't see the answer yet. But that doesn't mean that God didn't do it immediately in the spiritual realm. I'm reminded of Daniel when he was praying for Israel and he prayed and there was nothing happening. And then 21 days later, Gabriel came and said, look, Daniel. Now this is Rochelle's version. Look, Daniel, let me tell you something. The minute that you prayed, God answered. But there was the prince of the power of Persia that came and was running interference and it delayed me, but I'm here now. But I want you to know the moment you prayed... He answered. And here's the manifestation. So we have to be willing to wait on the manifestation that we don't see by walking by faith and not by sight, knowing that the God that we pray to when we pray according to his will, he hears us. And the word of God says that if he hears us, we can have confidence in knowing that he has answered. So don't be moved when you don't see with your own physical eye something. I went on a trip. I want to throw this in there with my son last week to Colorado. We were 8,647 feet above sea level. Okay. That's high. Okay. But let me tell you something. The word of God in Second Corinthians 418 says looking not at the things that are seen because they're temporal. Remember, he had a temporary. He was asking for a temporary fix for a permanent change. So when we see stuff, you got to look at it and say that's temporary. If I can see you, you temporary. If I can see you, you're subject to pass. OK, so I want to let you in on a little secret for everyone in here who is born again and has the Lord living in their heart as their Lord and personal savior. It's time for us. Just like I was above sea level or no, the water sea level as we're walking through this life with God. Little impediments. We have to rise above sea level, what we can see. And the way we do that is how? Because we're already above sea level. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places. So we have to stop looking at stuff from this level and start looking at it from that level. Don't look at it from earth up, but from heaven down because we are situated above sea level. The S-E-E level, right? So just tuck that in your belt and, you know, that's just, that's free. Go ahead and take it. So immediately this man, the word of God says he leaped up. He couldn't walk. He was lame. When God comes on the scene in our situations, if we don't leap up sometime and just give him some praise and, And let him know that we recognize that he moved in this situation. I was lame in this area. I was weak in this area. I had an issue over here in this area. I was feeling broken in this area. I felt like I couldn't make it over here in this area. I'm wondering what is my life all about in this area. God, I don't feel like I can go on much longer in this area. But when God shows up, we need to leap up. We need to leap up and let the Lord know my walk is on now. That might have held me down for a season, but you brought me a permanent change. And I'm leaping up for you, Lord. Praise be to God. All right. And he leaping up, stood and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. That could be a song walking and leaping and praising God. So he was walking and leaping and praising God. Let me tell you something. I looked up refreshing because this is after all the evening of refreshing. So I'm going to share a couple of definitions. Right. Refreshing, having the power to restore freshness, vitality. energy, pleasingly fresh or different. It brings a feeling of renewed energy, comfort, or clarity. It reinvigorates you. It's new and exciting. It sounds like this man had just been refreshed to me. Doesn't that sound like refreshing? He just experienced some refreshing. So people of God, Experience the refreshing that God has for you when he brings it on the scene. Recognize what it is and give him the glory. Don't ask for alms when Jesus wants to give us a permanent fix. Verse 9, and all the people saw him walking and praising God. These are the same people that seen him sitting at the gate asking for alms. Now he's up and jumping and leaping and praising God. And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the beautiful gate of the temple. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. Verse 11, and as the lame man, which was healed, held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. They're wondering what has happened. See, they're looking at Peter and John and Cheryl said early, don't. Look at us because when people call you into the other rooms, I'm going to call it the inter-sanctums. When they call you into the other rooms and they're praying with you, don't look up on them. Don't look up on man because man is not doing anything for you. We are just vessels for God to move through and operate through while we're here on earth. So we always want to point back to him. So they're wondering what happened to this man. He was lame. Just when I walked past the temple or past the gate or went into the temple to worship and he was out here asking for alms. And now he's leaping and jumping and praising God. He knew who to give the credit to. He knew who to give the honor to for his refreshing. He had gotten refreshed. He knew who refreshed him. Verse 11, and as the lame man was healed, helped Peter and John. All the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man walk? And that's so beautiful to me because when the Lord chooses to use us, we must give him the glory. Because if people don't understand and they think that what just happened to them or for them has come from you and we don't point them back to Jesus. We have to give honor where honor is due. Verse 13, the God of Abraham and Isaac, this Peter talking, the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers have glorified his son, Jesus, whom he delivered up and deny him in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let him go. And we know the story there. Pilate didn't want to crucify Jesus, but the people crying out, we want Barabbas and the murderer. And so anyway, Jesus got crucified, but ye denied the Holy One and the just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you and killed the prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses. Verse 16, and his name through faith, In his name hath made this man strong. In his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know. Yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of all. So, again, they're giving credit back to God because he's the one that did it. But listen to this. And now, brethren. I want that through ignorance, you did it, screamed out, crucify him, give us Barabbas. We don't want Jesus. We don't want the deliverer. We want the murderer. You know, it's something wrong with the world when they would rather have murderers set free and an operation in the world than a deliverer. Look at what's going on now. But those things, verse 18, which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets that Christ should suffer, he has so fulfilled. So now here is Peter. You call for Barabbas. instead of Jesus, you probably didn't know what you were doing. But what I'm suggesting to you now is this in verse 19. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out. When the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Now, this is the evening of refreshing. But we don't want it just to stop there. We don't want to just have an evening of refreshing. We want to have a life and a lifestyle of refreshing. And refreshing comes from the presence of the Lord. So in order for us to be refreshed, in order for us to get refreshed, in order for us to maintain the refreshing we receive, we must position and posture ourselves in the presence of the one who gives the refreshing. God. So anytime we find ourselves feeling a little bit off or like we need a little boost, stop running a quick trip, getting those energy drinks. Just go ahead. You don't have to get in your car. You don't have to take a prescription. All you have to do is enter yourself into the presence of God. And let me tell you something, those caffeinated drinks boost you up just a little bit and then you're crashing down. But let me tell you about Jesus. He will have you leaping and dancing and praising the Lord when we enter into a time of refreshing with God. And I'm telling you, it's so easy to do. So I'm from the city. I'm from the hood. I'm from St. Louis, Missouri, and we used to do stuff like I double dog dare you, I triple dog dare you, whatever that means. Knock this chip off my shoulder and all that. So I'm going to double dog dare you tonight. I'm going to triple dog dare you tonight. But I'm not going to ask you to knock anything off my shoulder. But I must say this. Whenever you find yourself in a place where you are not feeling like yourself, where you are feeling doomy and gloomy and like something got hold to you and you don't know the reason why these emotions are going through you. And you don't know the reason why you may be feeling that certain way. I submit to us. Enter into the presence of the Lord. Psalm 1611 say you have shown me the path of life. Right. That in your presence is the fullness of joy and at your right hand are pleasures evermore. I know, you know, Cheryl was saying how we do have these obligations and we're busy. We can't be too busy to not spend time with God. How can we leave the house and behold someone else's face without first beholding the face of the Lord? That should be a no-no because there's something about the presence of God that will settle you, that will soothe you, that will comfort you, that will energize you and make you feel like you can walk a hundred miles. I'm telling you, I've been there and I love it. And the beautiful thing about the presence of God, you can enter it anytime and any place. You don't have to call and make an appointment. You don't have to send an email. And who would not want to be in the presence of someone who never leaves us or forsakes us? I'm telling you, y'all, it's a powerful thing. And I want to read this to you. Now, we know God is always present with us, right? He's omnipresent. He's omnipresent. So there is nowhere we can go that he isn't. So why would we not want to acknowledge and pay attention to that presence? Hebrews chapter 13, verse 5, part B says, from the Amplified Translation. I will never under any circumstances desert you, nor give you up, nor leave you without support, nor will I in any decree leave you helpless, any degree, leave you helpless, nor will I forsake or let you down or relax my hold on you, assuredly not. So God is saying he will never loosen his grip on us. And as I was thinking about that, I started thinking, what if we in our own lives and what would our lives look like if we made that same promise to God and follow through? Getting refreshed in his presence. He just said he'll never let us go. He'll never leave us nor forsake us. So what if we said, Lord, I will never under any circumstances desert you. Now suppose we grace God with our presence the way he graces us with his. And we maintain that refreshing. So in other words, I will remain steadfast in the faith, never give up on you, even when things are really challenging. And I see no way out. I will not forsake who you are when circumstances or situations get the better of me. And try to dictate to me this is all there is to life. I will trust you. Keep my eyes on you. My heart fixed towards you. My words pleasing to your ears. My mind stayed on you. My life in service to you. No, Lord, I will not relax my hold on you. Assuredly not. I will remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work, knowing that what I do in you is not in vain. I will never leave you, Lord. Nor forsake you. Suppose we said something like that to God and meant it. And I want to leave this with us on tonight. And I'm not, I'm going to go through it a little briefly. So your ears have to be anointed to hear this right now. It's an acronym for refreshing. How can we maintain and stay refreshed? And I'm talking about in the midst of any and every storm. And in those positions, we have to pay attention to the attention that God is giving us and give him back that same attention. So refreshing the R, rejoice, rejoice always in the Lord. And again, I say rejoice. And that's regardless of what may be going on E, enter. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise and bless his holy name. F, face. Face him. We must turn our face towards Jesus. And you can, in Psalm 27, 8 says, my heart says of you, Lord, seek his face. Your face, Lord, I will seek. The next R, rehearse the many blessings God has already given you and the times he's delivered you from places where you thought... How am I ever going to get out of this? When am I ever going to get out of this? And God delivered and brought us out. Rehearsed those moments and remembered that he is the same guy. E, the second one, exalt. Exalt him above anything and everything else. Make him bigger. And sing a new song. Get in that secret place and just begin to let melodies flow from your lips unto the Lord. He rejoices over us with singing. Can we do the same? Can we do the same? H, honor the Lord, reverence him. I, incline your ear to his voice. The word says my sheep know my voice. They hear me as strangers. They will not follow in. Notice, notice his activity in our life, especially in the hard stuff, because so many times we have an issue looking at what's going on as opposed to. Fixing our eyes on Jesus. And then the last G, have gratitude. Be grateful and give thanks in everything for that is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us all. Let us be refreshed and go out and refresh others with the same refreshing that we ourselves have received. And I want us to know something. This last point as I'm closing out. Remember that the battlefield, the battle starts here in the mind. But Colossians tells us to set our affections or our mind on things above. Set your affection, your mind on things above and not on the things of the earth. My mindset is mine to set. Your mindset is yours to set. Set it, fix it, keep it on the Lord. God bless you all.