This past Sunday we read through the 3 small chapters in the book of Joel. Joel can be a hard book to understand unless we discover the purpose of the book being written. Joel was writing to the people of God letting them know that God was not absent from life. With the historical backdrop of a locust plague as the picture, Joel was telling the people of God that He was still alive, very active, and desired the people to repent of their sin and return back to worship of Him alone. The first chapter is the historical background and the lament of the prophet over the people who had turned their back on God. Chapter 2 was the prophet talking about the Day of the LORD and His coming judgement and discussing this, was leading the people to realize that there was a day coming when the people will stand before God. Chapter 3 is a little hope, in telling the people of God that everyone will be judged by God someday, and also getting the wider audience’s attention of the impending judgement. The Day of the LORD is a term we will see more of over the next few weeks, so understand that this day is a reference to the presence of God judging all of the people for their sin is important. This is not a single day but a period of time that God is working in. Peter’s use of Joel, in Acts 2, shows that the Day of the LORD for the nations has already began but will culminate in the Second Coming of Jesus. As I was reading through Joel, sitting in my comfortable cool house in my comfortable happy life, I kept asking myself if I was ready for the Day of the LORD to complete. There are many in the world around us that have no idea that the completion of the Day of the LORD is coming, are we ready to face God and are we telling others, with our actions and more importantly words, that the Day of the LORD is coming to a close soon?
6 Comments
Bruce
9/8/2015 01:11:34 pm
I often talk to people i know, (co-workers, family and friends) about the way the world is today. As a friend and co-worker put it. Everything that was right is now wrong, including believing in God and it's only getting worse. However, what i have found is that the people i talk to that are believers of God seem to believe all the more. I also find that we (believers) are talking about God and Jesus more openly and with people that are not as much a believer. So; hopefully some of the conversations we are having will take hold in their lives and they will enjoy the wonders of heaven when judgement day does come. I just wish i knew more to tell them.
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Tammy
9/8/2015 05:22:04 pm
Luke 12:12....Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us at the time what to say. I've read that people need to hear of Jesus at least 7 times before it sinks in. Know that what you do say is planting a seed and let the rest up to God. Do your part and God will work through you to lead others to Him. Your life testimony is setting the example to others and that speaks so much more than words. Let you light shine before men. Matthew 5:16
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Tammy
9/8/2015 05:26:58 pm
Question for pastor Jeff.....
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Pastor Jeff
9/9/2015 07:42:30 am
I pray this answer makes sense.
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Tammy
9/9/2015 10:59:41 am
thanks.
Bruce
9/8/2015 06:17:33 pm
Thanks for the confidence and i will remember what you said about 7 times. So, i will try top get a few more in there.
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