Thursday, April 2, 2020

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BLOW THE TRUMPET

Today’sĀ Reading: Joel 2

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Many messages have been preached from this podium at Christ Church which is located inside the Old City of Jerusalem. In our readings of the writings of the prophets, God has sought to communicate messages of mercy, forgiveness and also inevitable judgment for sin. The message of the church to Jerusalem and to the entire world is represented by the cross carved into the olive wood. Jesus has taken upon Himself the judgment of God for sin, and through Him we receive mercy and forgiveness.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Joel 2:13, 17, 28-29

“So rend your heart, and not your garments;

Return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and merciful,

Slow to anger, and of great kindness;

And He relents from doing harm.

…Let the priests, who minister to the Lord,

Weep between the porch and the altar;

Let them say, ‘Spare Your people, O Lord,

And do not give Your heritage to reproach,

That the nations should rule over them.

Why should they say among the peoples,

“Where is their God?”‘

…And it shall come to pass afterward

That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your old men shall dream dreams,

Your young men shall see visions.

And also on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”

There is so much in today’s reading from which we can learn. Because of the importance of Joel 2, we have quoted more verses in this blog than in any other to date.

(1) Twice Joel writes in this chapter, “Blow the trumpet in Zion!” The central mountain in Jerusalem is Mt. Zion. The trumpet symbolizes the preaching of the Message. May we proclaim God’s message faithfully!

(2) Tearing garments still symbolizes extreme grief for many Jewish people. May our hearts be broken in “fasting,” “weeping,” and “mourning” over our sins and the sins of our world!

(3) Priests, whose job it is to represent the human family to God, are to weep over the sins of the people and over the mess we have made of the beautiful garden God intended this earth to be. The New Testament teaches that all believers in Jesus should consider themselves to be priests. John referred to all the people in the seven churches as “Priests.” Therefore, we should weep over sin and separation from God.

(4) God has poured out His “Spirit on all flesh.” All will not receive this outpouring of God. Nevertheless, it’s our responsibility as “sons,” “daughters,” “old men,” “young men” (women inferred), “Menservants” (all males), “Maidservants” (all females), to “Prophesy!” What is New Testament “prophecy”? “The testimony of Jesus is the “spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10b). Sharing Jesus with the whole world is the primary responsibility of all believers who have opened their lives to receive the outpouring of God’s Spirit! Every time we share Jesus, know that the Holy Spirit is “on all flesh.” The Holy Spirit is doing His work! Are we doing our most important work of inviting people to give their lives to Jesus?

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I don’t know how to put fasting, weeping and mourning into the words of this brief prayer, but I’m committed to practicing those evidences of a heart that is torn up by the desperate human need I see all around me. I pray for grace to keep on being filled with Your Holy Spirit, 24/7! I pray for the fulfillment of the dreams and visions You are giving me as prophesied by Joel and quoted by Peter on the birthday of Christ’s Church here on earth! In the Name of the One who sounded “the trumpet in Zion” more loudly and more urgently that any other, the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As a Pastor of local congregations in my early years, I would often take literally the call of Joel to weep “between the porch and the altar.” I would walk the aisles, between the pews, and at the church altar, praying early in the mornings for my members, their families, and for our community. I also did this on the road as an itinerate Evangelist, and I did this daily in the TV studios where later in the day we would “Blow the trumpet” of God’s message to our continent and beyond.

Yours for the success of God’s cause!

David

22 thoughts on “Thursday, April 2, 2020”

  1. Amen for David’s prayers when he was alive. He was a wonderful mentor and remains so, in heaven. Amen. God bless you, fellow saints in the Lord.

    “Since mine eyes have looked to Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside,
    So enchained my spirit’s vision, Gazing on the Crucified.”
    Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

    šŸŽ¤ Psalm 138 Song – Thanksgiving and Praise
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V3BqV_mdnY

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks BeverIee. I love this verse of a poem you quoted. I am not sure who the actual author is but I have a book entitled ‘Christ Incomparable’ written by Oswald Sanders who quotes two verses… the 1st verse says,

      “I have heard Him and observed Him,
      Seen His beauty rich and rare;
      Seen His majesty and glory,
      And His bless beyond compare”

      The 2nd verse is the same except for using the word “fixed”.. instead of “looked” “Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
      I’ve lost sight of all besides…”

      Truly, in this world crisis, our eyes are “Fixed” on Jesus… Who is our peace”

      I don’t comment often, but the readings of Hosea & Joel seem appropriate for this crisis the world is in. In the midst of these prophetic messages is the urgent message to turn to God (Hosea 14:1-2, 4, Joel 2:12-14)… and the promises of God’s response of hearing and healing us..”For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness”

      Prayers are rising around the world.,.,., and I am praying that many who are fearful will turn to the Lord… that there may be a great harvest of souls… God is Sovereign and will use this to bring glory to His name. “Greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world.”

      Blessings to all the bloggers

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      • Amen Pastor Fame! God bless you and thank you so much for your prayers and post. May He be watching over you.

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  2. Thank You, Lord God, for so many of our neighbours to the south turning to You in prayer. Father, You implore us to cry out to You on behalf of others, You tell us You hear and answer prayer, and You have provided the remedy for our brokenness through the cross. Thank You. Lord God. We pray for the nations, that You will bring us to our knees in humility and repentance, looking to You as You are, our Maker, Sustainer, Redeemer, Healer, the One we need. Help us, Lord, to be part of a great turning to You throughout this world, we pray in Jesus’s great name, amen

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  5. Dr Stanley often reminds us that “God never changes his mind” but may make a warning ‘conditional’.I thought I may have found an exception so I googled it as I very often do,quite certain I would be wrong.”Relent” today does not quite carry the same meaning as in the bible:
    ” What does relent mean in the Bible?
    to soften in feeling, temper, or determination; become more mild, compassionate, or forgiving. to become less severe; slacken: The winds relented.”
    Now,if anyone should ask the same question I should recall this answer.

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  6. I was interrupted by a few phone calls and just read Rob’s prayer again.It is appropriate in these new times as in old testament times,to turn His children (He is ‘our Father’ and has authority.) back,to chastise them (us).We are being chastised now.Perhaps more is yet to come but we will not know the end times until Israel is surrounded and over run so keep an eye on Israel.The world will get much,much worse before the end…but will we be here?
    My pastor just called and I will meet him in the parking lot at saint Timmy’s.We will park about 5 feet away and discuss church and personal business with our windows rolled down.
    Paragraph 3 brought this poem instantly to mind.Yall be blessed:
    Back To The Garden

    I want to go back to the garden,
    Back to before sin knew it’s name;
    Before hearts of stone would harden,
    For then,Lord,our hearts were the same.

    Father take me back,if only in dreams,
    To Your world where love was to blossom,
    Where birds sang beside mountain streams,
    And the beauty that grew was so awesome.

    Show me this secret garden of Yours,
    Where I can be free from my sin,
    Where the angels keep open doors
    And time was not free to begin.

    Show me the way to the garden path,
    For too long my garden sprouts sin,
    So let Your fire burn free your wrath
    To make a new heart from within.
    G W(Bill) Marshall / 21 Feb, 2014

    Reply ↓

  8. Amen Rob and all saints’ posts. I believe this is a very special time on the Lord’s calendar and I want my ear tuned to listen. Lord hear our prayer for a Great Awakening now as you have the world’s attention. Help us not to be like Jerusalem of old and miss the day of your visitation in Jesus Name. Amen!

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  9. I wonder what David would say about this corona virus if he were here with us today? So many people are in need and desperate for help. Some with the need to get groceries because they cant get out. Others with mental health issues and staying in is making things more and more difficult each day. Please say a prayer for these people who are in need right now. Thank you and may Gods loving kindness shine on you and your families today and always!

    Vicky

    Reply ↓

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