The apostle Peter had just stood with the apostle John near the Temple gate in Jerusalem, and, in the name of Christ Jesus, healed a man who had been lame from birth. It caused a sensation, as the man was well known as a beggar at the temple; and so Peter and John attracted a group of people wanting to hear about the miracle that had just occurred. Peter took this occasion to inform the gathering listeners of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and what it would mean for them: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” (Acts 3:19) The “times of refreshing” enter every soul who does repent in Jesus’ name. It’s not an intellectual exercise, but a revelation of our own sin that comes from the Holy Spirit. The “times of refreshing” will follow all repentance, for the Spirit gives us insight into our own behavior in the view of our risen Christ.

Peter knew what it was to be “refreshed” when he met Jesus on the shore of the sea of Galilee after the resurrection. (John 21:15) Eventually it came to all the disciples.

“The times of refreshing” come to us today when we follow Peter’s urgent call to repent, and turn to God. We actually live in the time of refreshing because true refreshing is available only in one place, and that place is our own soul. Because of all the things St. Peter announced to the people, over two thousand years ago, spiritual refreshing is available with every breath we breathe in the twenty-first century. The man who had been healed by Jesus through Peter could hardly bear to leave Peter and John. He not only walked, but leaped and ran with joy. The times of refreshing are the times for every Christian to rejoice. (Acts3:8,9)

In 1945, on the day of his execution in a concentration camp, Dietrick Bonhoeffer walked past the cells of prisoners who were weeping for him. Bonhoeffer responded, “This is the end—for me, the beginning of life.” He had been in prayer and was already experiencing the times of refreshing. A fellow prisoner lived to report his words.

(History.com)

The times of refreshing can come while walking, while working, while praying, or even while talking. Peter experienced it while talking to the risen Jesus on the beach.

Love in Him,

Prue