22.8.11

Joel 2:1-32 [Aug. 22, 2011]

King James Version Translation of the Life Application Study Bible
 English Standard Version Journaling Bible

  • After warning the people of judgment and calling them to repent, Joel moves to revisit the penalty for the sin they committed if they did not repent. As Joel describes the "Day of the LORD" and calls for the alarm to ring out, he tells us the crisis is here and now! Joel also implies the locust plague was just a forerunner to a bigger crisis if repentance was not met.
  • As the punishment is being described you gather that there is nothing that can stop it, even when the judgment is in full swing. It is organized, quick, impenetrable, even the ground quakes in fear. This to me can almost describe the Nazi German invasion. It's like you could insert planes, troops, tanks, helicopters, guns, etc. and all could fit! 
  • Vs. 13 in ESV is awesome, I even circled it:  "...Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
  •  Even though destruction was coming God said it's not too late! Turn back to God while there is still time left! You don't know when you will die, turn to God now before it's too late. Don't let anything hold you back!
  • Beginning of verse 13 shows God wanting an inward, deep remorse over sin, not just an outward show of penitence. Attiude is worth more than action.
  • Where there is repentance, there is hope -- Joel now switches gears to prophesy of God's outpouring of blessings and forgiveness. These would ONLY be received if they repented.
  •  Joel now contrasts fearing judgment with joy of intervention. Sin brings judgment, but God's forgiveness brings joy. Let God intervene! God doesn't promise we will be prosperous now, but he does promise to meet the deepest needs of those that love him--he loves and forgives us, gives us a purpose in life, and gives us a caring Christian community.
  • Judgment and mercy go hand in hand. Repentance will bring mercy on those who repent. God wants not to destroy, but to heal! Accept salvation and repent of sin or we will perish.

21.8.11

Joel 1:1-20 [Aug. 21, 2011]

King James Version Translation of the Life Application Study Bible
 English Standard Version Journaling Bible

  • Joel was a prophet to Judah and his message was to tell that God's judgment comes because of sin, but with God's justice and wrath there is also great, inseparable mercy.
  • Joel tells the message of God is to NOT forget! Continually tell the next generation about all the lessons you learn! One of the best gifts you can give to younger people is your life's story so they see and understand your successes and failures.
  • Joel gives a very specific, detailed description of judgment from a massive locust swarm that will come or had come. Another view is that the locust swarm was used as a symbol of an invading army. Either way, the point is that God will punish the people for their sin. When it would come, it would be called "The Day of the LORD".
  • The people were dulled as a drunk person to their sin. Joel pleaded for the people to snap out of it! Complacency and apathy was characteristic of the entire nation! If they didn't shake out of their apathy and realize the true gravity of their sin and give up the light-hearted attitude to sin, it would be too late. Everything would be destroyed. Peace and prosperity can lull us to sleep. Don't give up spiritual preparation and brokenness for comfort in times of material abundance and peace.
  • The people were asked by Joel to be so serious and sorrowful over their sin that they were to wear sackcloth as in a funeral custom to mourn over their sin! Joel also asked them to fast and focus on the LORD and rememer what was truly important!
  •  The "Day of the LORD" can refer to an extraordinary happening in the present, near future, or the ultimate final period of history when God judges evil. Even present or near future "Days of the LORD" will always symbolize the final judgment. A judgment of evil and sin and a rewarding of the believers are present at the final judgment. Righteousness and truth will prevail, but not until much suffering is endured first.
  • "Without God, devastation is sure." Prepare for "The Day of the LORD" by trusting Him and serving the Savior for true hope and joy!

20.8.11

The Beginning

UPDATED:
This is also a place where I  etch out some thoughts and memories from a spiritual perspective onto a blog. A majority of the posts have been the devotional studies I had through unfamiliar minor prophets and I will be finishing up with the most impactful one: Hosea. This study was done much earlier than all the rest, but you can actually see in just the language and way the text flows throughout each post as the Lord makes me to be more like his son, Jesus Christ.

Following after the Hosea posts this will function as a "Spiritual Saturation Blog". I say that only to coin the phrase :) But more seriously, this is just another outlet for my personal thoughts to work their way into words on a page.

Basically, the blog will be a combination of posting meaningful devotionals that impact me in a special way, poems I feel like writing, conceits, interesting illustration ideas, fictional (spiritual) stories, and even actual events. Hopefully this is just will function like a journal you just stumble upon and start reading.

Enjoy the blog my hope is that you see God's love, grace, and greatness as you read.
The Word of God is quick and powerful and it is the only thing that works in our lives apart from the Holy Spirit if you are saved by the grace of God. May he show his love to you today.