QT 10 Sep 2020, Joel 3:13-15, We are in rebellion to God

 

QT 9 Sep 2020, Joel 3:12, We can only blame ourselves

Joel 3:12 (ESV) — 12 Let the nations stir themselves up

and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;

for there I will sit to judge

all the surrounding nations.

NOTE: God joins the call for Armageddon. It is actually a ridiculous exercise on the surface. Will all the Armies of the earth stand up against the God of creation? Of course they will because they do not believe He exists. They just want to destroy Israel because they believe that nation is the source of the world's problems. They don't believe the flood ever happened. They don't believe there was an Exodus as described in the bible. They don't believe the bible. They will gather together to make war against God (metaphorically speaking), like Nimrod when he thought to build a tower to heaven to conquer it. It won't be much of a war since they will only be fighting one person, Jesus. He will descend from Heaven with an army but only he will fight. He will kill so many by his word, that a river of blood will flow through the valley.

PRAYER: Father, as I look around my world, that day seems very close. Like John, I too say, "come, Lord Jesus, come." How could we have avoided this mess? My question is not about individuals but as a nation. As we removed God from our society, we removed truth, common sense, and logical thinking. We are a blathering, incoherent, emotional mess. Open our spiritual eyes. Use your Holy Spirit to convict of sin, of your righteousness, and our coming judgment.

QT 8 Sep 2020, Joel 3:4-7, There is only ONE way to salvation

Joel 3:4–8 (ESV) — 4 “What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back for something? If you are paying me back, I will return your payment on your own head swiftly and speedily. 5 For you have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried my rich treasures into your temples. 6 You have sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks in order to remove them far from their own border. 7 Behold, I will stir them up from the place to which you have sold them, and I will return your payment on your own head. 8 I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a nation far away, for the Lord has spoken.”

NOTE: It is hard to say who are the Phoenicians and Philistines of today. Today those regions have many Palestinians and enemies of Israel. And even today, Israel has returned to its own land and brought destruction on the heads of these enemies. But, I believe this is specific to the tribulation period. These are enemies of God and God's people, and they will be dealt with roughly. They will become true slaves to Satan and will go with him to his eternal torment. The Sabeans are the nation of Yemen today. A godless group that is involved in terrorism and piracy. The Palestinians are their slaves as they are slaves to the evil one. They need to repent but are blinded by the false religion of Islam.

PRAYER: Lord, I pray for those in Arab nations to hear the gospel and turn and repent. The days are evil and coming to a close. They need to seek you with all of their heart and turn from their wicked ways. Break the stranglehold of false religion. There is only one way to salvation and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

QT 7 Sep 2020, Joel 3:1-3, Judgment for our sexual sins

Joel 3:1–3 (ESV) — 1 “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, 3 and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.

NOTE: I find it interesting that God brings up sexual slavery, a very real and current problem. This is an evil that is going on throughout the world and it really is being ignored. It is just one of many sexual sins that we are guilty as a nation, actually as a world. Sexual identity, homosexual marriage, adultery, pre-marital relations, etc., the list goes on. And God says through Joel, "I will enter in judgment with them there." This is the battle of Armageddon, where the nations of the world, under the leadership of the antichrist seek the final solution. It is a hatred of Israel? Yes and no, it is a hatred of the seed of Israel that can save the whole world. There is one more step required for God's victory; it is for the Jews to acknowledge Jesus as a savior. Jesus promised that they will not see him again until they acknowledge him as Lord and call upon him. And so, that is Satan's last trump card. Destroy the nation and you destroy the return of the Messiah.

PRAYER: Father, we are guilty of sin and deserving of judgment. We have no excuse. We have no argument -- only the fools think they will argue. No, most of the planet will grind their teeth in an unquenchable fire because they refused to believe. I pray that I would live in such a way that people would see the joy of the Lord in my life. I pray it would attract them to the savior. I pray I can save some from the deadly time that is coming.

QT 3 Sep 2020. Joel 2:25, It is still not too late to change

Joel 2:25 (ESV) — I will restore to you the years

that the swarming locust has eaten,

the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,

my great army, which I sent among you.

NOTE: This verse is used by many and probably out of context. It is a literal promise to the nation of Israel. But the verse has poetic beauty and it does correlate to other verses in scripture. God does make new things out of what the world has muddied.

• Acts 3:19–20 (ESV) — 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
• Romans 8:21–23 (ESV) — 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
• Psalm 91:14–16 (ESV) — 14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

So, the concept of restoration has deep biblical roots. It is never too late to return to God and begin a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. God longs to restore those who repent from the heart. Actually, there is a time where it is too late to return to God. The more we reject God's commands, the more hardened our heart becomes. During the tribulation, there will be events, such as the taking of the mark and the pledge of fealty to the antichrist that will be irrevocable decisions.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for mercy. Thank you for the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses us completely. We are unworthy of such a great salvation.

QT 2 Sep 2020, Joel 2:18, Taste and see that the Lord is good

Joel 2:18 (ESV) — Then the Lord became jealous for his land

and had pity on his people.

NOTE: The interesting aspect of God is how much he loves. Even in the midst of judgment, he loves people. He desires them to experience joy. Which is why a real relationship with God is so important. All other happiness and joy are temporary and (as we say in the math world) sub-optimal. We substitute good for the best. God desires for us to experience the best, which means returning to him and knowing him. But we settle for the things of this world and they don't provide the joy, peace, and gladness that only God can truly provide. Someday, the world will be set right and we will see what was really planned in the garden and we will be so embarrassed that we chased after junk.

PRAYER: Have mercy on us God for our foolishness. We talk about you, but we don't seek to really know you and to let you change and transform our life. Open our eyes to truth. Protect us from Satan's lies. Oh that we might "taste and see that the Lord is good."

QT 1 Sep 2020, Joel 2:13, We need to let go of works

Joel 2:13a (ESV) — "… and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

NOTE: During a period of mourning or a fast or repentance, it was common practice to tear your clothes open, "rend your garments." The problem with people is that we take a heart response and make it into an action or a works, as if worshipping God was mechanical and prescribed. There is no reality in this, at least not with God. People don't understand that God is not a religion, he is a person with emotion, intellect, and will. He sees through our shams and pretenses. He is not fooled. The only person who is fooled by our "works" are the individuals involved. They will stand before the Lord Jesus on the day of judgment complaining about all the things they had done in his name, and Jesus will cast them out saying, "I never knew you." Oh Church, we need to stop rending garments and start rending our hearts.

PRAYER: Father, open the eyes of the church, and the so-called church (the birds nesting in the branches). Open our eyes to the reality of the unseen. Help us to grow weary of the seen. Show us the meaninglessness of the wares of this world. May we desire you instead.

QT 31 Aug 2020, Joel 2:11, We need to repent and believe

Joel 2:11 (ESV) —

11 The Lord utters his voice

before his army,

for his camp is exceedingly great;

he who executes his word is powerful.

For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome;

who can endure it?

NOTE: While this army sounds like locusts or even very disciplined human soldiers, I think this is the demonic army that God unleashes during the tribulation. It could also be the Armies of the Nations that come up against Jerusalem, but in that case, God fights for Israel. If It is the demonic army, how can God direct it? Even demons are ultimately under God's authority. As in most issues of authority on the fallen earth, God does not use his inherent authority. Since the fall, he has allowed other authorities to rule, but that does not mean he does not have the right to rule at any time. At some point, all restraint will be gone on evil. The demonic army, currently in some type of prison will be released. Men and demons will run with their schemes. The world will be a very terrible place. And God will use evil to execute judgment. We need to repent if we have not repented yet. The only way to escape the wrath to come is the rapture. Jesus will rapture the true believers -- not the religious or the church-goers or even nice people. Jesus will only raptured those who have put their faith in him, who have repented of their sin, and have made him the Lord of their life. Many who attend church are grossly deceived by themselves and Satan. They do not truly believe.

PRAYER: Father, I pray for my church that I am a part of the body. I pray for the blind and deaf. I pray they stop playing church. I pray they stop playing middle-class American Christianity. I pray that you open our eyes and our ears and break down our wills. I pray we would confess our sins and seek you will all of our hearts.

QT 29 Aug 2020, Joel 2:1-2, We are living as fools

Joel 2:1–2 (ESV) —

1 Blow a trumpet in Zion;

sound an alarm on my holy mountain!

Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,

for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near,

2 a day of darkness and gloom,

a day of clouds and thick darkness!

Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains

a great and powerful people;

their like has never been before,

nor will be again after them

through the years of all generations.

NOTE: The prophet is convinced the day is near and that it is a day that will never be seen again. The evidence would suggest to be during the end times or tribulation, but the idea of nearness is confusing. All prophets thought the day was near. And, only God himself knows the timing of the day of the Lord, not even the Son knew the day. Additionally, it would hardly be a worry if the Prophet was told and relayed that the day of the Lord is many generations away. The day of the Lord can come at any time. And who is to say it won't come this generation or even this year. But it is coming and it will be fierce and it will be in judgment for our sins. We are guilty of much. We have rejected God's laws for our laws. We have rejected the worship of God for the worship of our own hand-crafted idols and philosophies. We have rejected Jesus Christ as the savior of the world. We should be judged for just being plain stupid, but we have convinced ourselves of the logic of our stupidity.

PRAYER: God, have mercy on us. The more I read your word the more convinced I become of our sin and foolishness. You see it all (everything) and yet you withhold your hand from destroying us. Please, open our eyes. For believers, help us to live for you above all things.

QT 27 Aug 2020, Joel 1:14,16, Communing with God

Joel 1:14,16 (ESV) —

14 Consecrate a fast;

call a solemn assembly.

Gather the elders

and all the inhabitants of the land

to the house of the Lord your God,

and cry out to the Lord. …

16 Is not the food cut off

before our eyes,

joy and gladness

from the house of our God?

NOTE: I'm not sure if the Prophet is saying that the actions are from the House of God or that joy and gladness are not found in the house of God. I would not say joy and gladness come from a building, unless the prophet is using the house of God metaphorically as a relationship with the most high. We do meet with people in houses (homes) and share a meal. Many of the required sacrifices also included a meal at the temple to share the sacrifice. The food was sacrificed but also eaten by those participating in the sacrifice (a lack of sacrifices would mean less sacrificial meals). A meal with friends is a good way to build relationships. A meal with God is probably also a good way to build a relationship with God. In Rev 3:20, Jesus says he stands at the door and knocks, and that if anyone would open the door, he would come in and eat with them and they with him. While the verse was written to a church, it is completely accurate description of a relationship with God developed through communion. Meals are one example of communion.

PRAYER: Father, I don't often think of a time of eating as also a time of communion with you. We pray and thank you for the meal. But maybe we should more often include a discussion of the things you are doing in our life during the meal, in order to make you more a part of our communions with others.

QT 26 Aug 2020, Joel 1:15, We need to repent soon …

Joel 1:15 (ESV) —

15 Alas for the day!

For the day of the Lord is near,

and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.

NOTE: The day of the Lord seems to have two meanings. It is certainly used of the final days of judgment during the tribulation and then the establishing of the millennial kingdom. But it also has a more general sense of God doing something, usually judgment, with / for his people. In this case, the day of the Lord is near and would probably be interpreted, not as the end, but more as judgment, a fulfillment of curses mentioned in the latter half of Deut 28. I believe there is that type of 'Day of the Lord' going on right now. It is not specifically the end times, although it may be preceding it, but it certainly is judgment upon us and our nation for our failures to follow the laws of God. We can and should repent, but I think the withdrawal of God's hand of judgment is unlikely, unless like Nineveh, the whole nation was to break down and repent. I don't see that happening in the rhetoric, therefore, things are only going to get worse.

PRAYER: I pray, that as a nation, we would repent. I pray that within the church we would repent. We are almost as guilty as the rest, and maybe more. Our witness is lacking any transformative power. Our worldview is not biblical but worldly. We live for things and not for God. Forgive us Lord and have mercy on us.

QT 25 Aug 2020, Joel 1:12, Knowing God is not about knowledge but about change

Joel 1:11–12 (ESV) —

11 Be ashamed, O tillers of the soil;

wail, O vinedressers,

for the wheat and the barley,

because the harvest of the field has perished.

12 The vine dries up;

the fig tree languishes.

Pomegranate, palm, and apple,

all the trees of the field are dried up,

and gladness dries up

from the children of man.

NOTE: The locusts had destroyed the land. The resources for wine, bread, and dishes of fruit were gone. Food is one of the blessings of life that God created to be enjoyed. The flavor of delicacies cooked correctly with just the right mixtures of seasoning and herbs is like a master artist's painting or a hike into a beautiful park. They are memories enjoyed, remembered, and discussed for years later. But there would be no good memories for a while. Finding any food to survive would be difficult. Those things that provided gladness to the children of man were gone … for a time. Why? Because the nation forgot God. Because the worship of God was a formality (religion) and not the daily experience of hearts in touch with the savior. That is the case  in many churches today. We have many people with knowledge of the bible but with no real change inside. People have not really experienced the life changing power of the Holy Spirit coming into their heart and completely transforming their life. If they had, they would long to meet with the Savior in the word daily. The real blessing of life, a relationship with God, has dried up in their hearts, if it ever existed.

PRAYER: Father, use this time to cause us to reexamine our true relationship with you. Have we really put our faith in your son, Jesus Christ? Have we really asked Jesus into our hearts? Have we really experience the life changing transformation that comes when we believe and your Holy Spirit enters our heart? Oh, I pray we would before it is too late.

QT 24 Aug 2020, Joel 1:2, Wake up; something is happening

Joel 1:2 (ESV) —

2 Hear this, you elders;

give ear, all inhabitants of the land!

Has such a thing happened in your days,

or in the days of your fathers?

NOTE: Pandemics, plagues, war, and famine are interspersed through history. They are not common, unless you look at all 6000 years of recorded human history. They are not common because they are usually separated by quite a few years. Even during the middle ages, plagues were not a yearly occurrence. So, these events are out of the ordinary and are to remind us of something. In Israel's case, they were to remind them to return to God or as a precursor to an even greater judgment unless the nation repents. We have not seen a lot of catastrophes in the western world, outside of localized events, usually weather related. For most of us, life goes on. But when an event effects a whole area of the world or even the world itself, it is time to wake up. God is calling us to repentance. We have disobeyed his commands in marriage, sexual immorality, sexual identity, and selfishness. The church has also joined the sin by accepting false views of the world. We can't force people to change but we can stand our ground on what God calls sin. And the church does not live holy. We too are caught up in the sin of the world if only by living vicariously through the television screen.

PRAYER: Father forgive us for our ugly unholy sin. Open our eyes. Help us to see that for all of your word that we know, very few of us live any of it out in our lives. Forgive your church. Forgive me for my sin and sinful thoughts.

QT 18 Dec 14, Joel 2:12-14, Rend our hearts

Joel 2:12-14 (ESV) "Yet even now," declares the Lord,

 "return to me with all your heart,

 with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

13 and rend your hearts and not your garments."

 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.

14  Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

 a grain offering and a drink offering

for the Lord your God?

NOTE: To "rend your garments," (tearing them) is an outward sign of what should be an inward attitude. Our sin should cause us to tear our hearts. But what does it mean to tear your hearts? Psalm 51 tells us, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." To rend our heart is to recognize how utterly sinful our actions have been, and how utterly sinful our heart is (because we desired to do what was wrong). We can't replace our heart or this flesh in this life, but we can transform it. First we must recognize how sinful we are. Then we follow the instructions in Romans 12-13. We surrender our lives to God. We seek to transform our mind through daily time in the word of God. We become actively involved in fellowship, the local body. Lastly, we recognized that our lives have purpose. We are to live in such a way as to bring others to Jesus Christ through our actions, lifestyle, kindness, and words of truth.