DECISION TIME
Today’s Reading: Joel 3
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In Israel at the southwest end of the Dead Sea this valley can be seen, which leads into the Jordan Valley wilderness.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Joel 3:14, 16b
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
…But the Lord will be a shelter for His people,
and the strength of the children of Israel.
The “decision” made concerning the multitudes gathered in the “valley of decision” is to judge the Gentile nations. In Joel 12:12, God says through Joel what will happen in the valley: “I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.” To Israel, Jerusalem and Judah, God, the righteous Judge, whose decisions are always just, decides to give “shelter,” “strength,” “security,” “holiness,” “prosperity,” “a future,” and the Judge will “acquit” His people of all “bloodguilt!”
The nation state known as Israel was restored by the action of all the security counsel member countries of the United Nations, and almost unanimously by the entire membership of nation states represented there. This happening, unprecedented in the history of the world, took place in 1948. Joel prophesies that “The Day of the Lord is near!” Joel tells us to watch for signs in the sky. What astronomers, and those who observe carefully see, will indicate God’s pending action. Jesus Christ, as the greatest Prophet, spoke of “signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars.” He said that when these things “begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near!” (Read Luke 21:25-36).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, in Your prophecy about the happenings just before Your “coming in a cloud with great power and glory,” I am to “take heed!” You warn us against carousing, drunkenness, and the “cares of this life!” (Luke 21:34). Help me, I pray, to hold lightly to the things of this earth, and to give my highest priority to the things of eternal value. In Your Name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
A while back, I called an all night of prayer for the ministry of Crossroads. During the night we read together 50 different quotes about the power and importance of prayer. Here are just a few…
“Prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure, and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge, “Call unto Me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). – J. Hudson Taylor
“The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.” – Samuel Chadwick
Those who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in last place the remainder of the day. – E.M. Bounds
Yours for strong consistent prayer,
David
Good a.m. dear saints. Found this interesting compilation of the book of Joel:
https://youtu.be/zQLazbgz90c
Be blessed. Praise the Lord; Jesus Christ came to live among us and shed His blood so that all our sins are forgiven, forever, when we ask Him to come into our hearts and help us fight sin.
The picture above makes the Jordan Valley wilderness look pretty desolate. Great photography…thank you Reynold.
Amen Lynda; thanks for posting the book of Joel; I am looking forward to checking it out. God bless you, dear one!
Enjoyed the video of the book of Joel. I get posts of the Bible with the same authors each week. I hadn’t seen this one before but I expect it will come at some point. Very cleverly done. Blessings on all today. My head is lifted up these days. Praise God.
Hi Doreen, who do you get the Bible posts from each week? Is there a link to share? God bless you.
Yes. I will check it out (I got church message today but it is different because of virus.
Beverley, the last post I got did not include a video. It just informed people of how to carry on during the virus crisis. Last Wednesday’s had a video. If you search Wellington Square United Church, Burlington, On, you should be able to get information. They have a large & very active church & great ministers (I visit when I can but it is not my church). Great ministry. Hoping this is helpful.
Thanks Doreen. I will definitely check it out. God bless you.
Amen Linda, Joel is a book of promise and one worthy to study
Dear Father, what a privilege to call You, the great Creator, Father! As the disciples asked, so we also ask You to teach us, help us, to pray.
We pray for all affected by this virus, Lord. We pray for those working to help – bless, protect, strengthen, and use each one most effectively. We pray that Your purposes prevail behind the scenes as the nations make their plans. We pray for people everywhere, that they hear Your voice calling them to repent and turn to You. Send Your workers out, Father, into all this world; make ways for Your Word to go out to every single person, we ask, thanking You for Your grace and Truth, in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen, Rob! In Jesus’ mighty Name! Amen!
Amen!
Amen Rob! To God be the Glory!
Amen
Amen Rob
Amen to David’s message about prayer. Help us, we pray, to hold lightly to the things of this earth, and to give our highest priority to the things of eternal value. In Your Name, Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen!!! Regarding Reynold’s photo, the groove in the dirt appears to be the wrist bone with the cup of the Lord’s open palm and fingers extending out. Can anyone else see it? God bless you, dear saints.
The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Exodus 15:3 NIV
Come Let Us Go Up To Zion – Paul Wilbur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grE7zHzFk2Y
Amen dear saints. Wondered what David would think of this day if he were alive. Believe it is an answer to his early morning prayer as well as to others. Adding to my daily prayers faithfully for world harvest of souls. Oh Lord do your great and mighty work among us. Amen!
I am concerned for my daughter Lori-Anne (RN). She has symptoms of virus. Had a patient with the virus. Waiting for test results (she is isolated ). Appreciate your prayers. She’s at an Alberta hospital. Thanks folks.
Praying for God’s Hand of protection and safety to be upon your daughter, Doreen. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray. Amen.
Amen
God heal Doreen daughter In Jesus Name Amen!!
Praying for the well being f your daughter, Doreen!🙏🏼
Doreen, Psalm 91 is a promise to us and I pray that Lori-Anne will find comfort and peace in that word; 1 also pray Exodus 12:12-13: “Wen I (The Lord) see the blood, I WILL PASS OVER YOU, AND THE PLAGUE WILL NOT BE UPON YOU TO DESTROY YOU”
Thank You Jesus for your Precious BLOOD, Amen!
Thank you Irene. I have been claiming Psalm 91 & will include Exodus 12 also.
I’m praying also, Doreen, for your daughter. She is in His loving, compassionate hands.