Sunday, April 3, 2022

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

8 thoughts on “Sunday, April 3, 2022

  1. Agreeing with David re: holding lightly to the things of earth, and to verse 36: pray that you will escape the great suffering coming to the earth. I would also include family & friends in that prayer. Thank You Lord. Amen

  2. Amen, agreeing with you in prayer, Doreen, for our families and for this world.
    Heavenly Father I pray for each and every person, especially for those who are crying out to You, for those living in fear, and for those hungry, Oh Lord, may Your will be done.
    We cling to Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen

  3. For the 3rd from “Prayer Map of Canada”
    1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin and draw Canadians to faith in Christ. (John 16:8, Matthew 9:36)
    2. Pray for Alberta.
    Pray for the leaders of the province, that God’s Spirit would influence them to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
    Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses beaming forth the illuminating truth of God’s Word.

  4. Father, these are good words for us. Help us to be prayerful, to stay in touch with You. You are always good, as Jesus said, “None is good but God.” Thank You for the prayers and encouragement of all Your people. Bless and strengthen each one. We commit all those who stand in the valley of decision to You. Help them to decide to follow You, in Jesus’s great name, amen

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