This morning I woke up, correction…God woke me up, at 3:08.  I tried to go back to sleep.  Nah. I lay there praying for others, and praying that I can go back to sleep.  Finally, after a while, I said, “Forget it.  I’ll get up and keep reading Acts.”  When my feet hit the floor, the time was 3:20.  I told myself I was going to look at Acts 3:20 to see if God was trying to tell me something, but I forgot and went straight to reading where I had left off from the day before.
Well, after reading, going back to sleep, and doing chores, I sat down to type “The Most Important Message”.  But first, I went to Acts 3:20.  BLESSINGS!

Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and He will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.  Acts 3:20 NLT

Then the Lord will give you times of spiritual rest. He will send you Jesus, the one he chose to be the Messiah.  Acts 3:20 ERV

A time of refreshment is exactly what God did for me this morning at 3:20-5:00am. 
Y’all, I was so stoked when I read Acts 2:36-39.  These four verses took me into an hour of study.  I drank up God’s refreshment, felt His presence, and I couldn’t wait to share the message with you, and then continue reading His word.
If you’ve been following my journal entries, you know that the reason why I began reading the book of Acts was because the Reverend Billy Graham did…often.  Reading these four verses reminded me so much of Rev. Graham’s message that he preached to the world.  
In 1998 Tim and I were sitting in the north end zone of the Tampa stadium, with our friends Kerri and Ben, and listening to Rev. Billy Graham preach.  At the end of his message, hundreds of, probably a thousand plus, people went down to the field during the invitation.  Rev. Graham’s message was simple, biblically based, powerful, and convincing.  
Throughout his ministry he continually preached that all you have to do to become a Christian is repent, turn to God, and respond to Him.  This plan of salvation is exactly what I read in the wee hours of the morning.

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away —all who have been called by the Lord our God.”  Acts 2:36-39 NLT (emphasis mine)

You may ask the same question, “What do I do to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?”  
In Acts, it simply says:  

• repent of your sins
• turn to God
• be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

THEN, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
AND…this wasn’t just for the ones who were listening to Peter at that time.  It was for those far away…all persons on earth…you and me!
Before I returned to bed, 5:00am, I attentively watched just one of fifty classic sermons preached by Reverend Billy Graham.  (See link below.)
Refreshed.  Yes, God refreshed my soul and lit a fire within me.
Why did I title this message “The Most Important Message”?  Because it is!  I can share daily happenings on how God reveals Himself to me many times, but this…this message of guiding you to be a believer in Jesus Christ and encouraging you to develop a personal relationship with Him is THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE I could ever share.
I’d like to encourage you to visit the site below so that you can view his classic sermons too.  Oh my how the clothes and hairstyles change over the years.
https://lp.billygraham.org/billygrahamclassics/#videoplayersection 
The following is from the website as well:

Here is how you can accept Christ into your life:

Admit your need. (I am a sinner)

Be willing to turn from your sins. (Repent)

Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior)

We suggest praying the following prayer to accept Christ as your Savior:

“Dear God,

I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.

I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died

for my sin and that you raised Him to life.

I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord,

from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.

I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

Did you pray this prayer and ask Jesus to be The Boss of your life?  I’d love for you to send me a message and let me know, so that I can pray for you and continue to encourage you as you begin your walk with Christ.
Now, back to reading Acts, and being reminded to put my faith in ACTion.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
 

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