In the late-70’s+ there were a series of commercials by Nestea, advertising their instant tea. The commercials were called “The Nestea Plunge” showing that people who drank this tea would be refreshed. It was accomplished by them falling backward into a (supposedly) cool swimming pool – refreshed from the stress and the heat of life.

I want to focus on one line out of Acts 3:19 (TPT)   And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence. 

While Paul was talking about repenting and coming back to God, there are several other places in the Bible that talk about refreshing; here are three:

Exo 23:12 (NLT)  “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed. (Taking time to rest)

1 Sam 16:23 (AMP) And when the evil spirit… was upon Saul, David took a lyre and played it; so Saul was refreshed and became well, and the evil spirit left him. (Worship Music)

Judges 15:18-19 Because he was very thirsty…  Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived (repaired, restored [to life]). (Cool water)

We will experience those times of refreshing in the presence of God. As mentioned above, “…times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence – streaming is something most of us understand. On internet, it is the digital distribution of content – i.e., a movie or church service.

So imagine spending time with God and Him streaming His refreshing back to you. The AMPC states that refreshing is…”of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air”. Like the Nestea Plunge!

Take the God Plunge – fall back into His presence. Spend time with Him and He will stream peace, joy, quietness, love, and an overall feeling of well-being into you.

Since Leland moved on to Heaven, I have found myself in need of those times of refreshing more than ever. When the enemy wants me to sit and wallow in memories, remembering our amazing times together, boo hoo’ing my eyes out, I have to shout, “NO!”

I immediately need to get in God’s presence so He can refresh me and bring peace to my mind. It is in those times of refreshing that I gain my calm, my ability to function without Leland. I am able to focus on the now.

Yes, I miss him horribly. The truth is, if he had an opportunity to come back, he wouldn’t. As much as he loved me here on earth, the love of Jesus in Heaven trumps down here. 

I rejoice he is joyous in Heaven. I am learning to rejoice that I did have him for 27 years and am to be grateful for that. 

♥