The Book Of Joel

The past two messages in the Book of Joel has taught us:

There are times of God's Judgement

Our response as His people is to fast, repent and pray

Jehovah God is slow to anger and does not desire to judge

This weeks message will illustrate how God responds when His people fast, repent and pray. Two times in Chapter two of Joel, God directs the leaders to gather the people to a Sacred Assembly and then Blow The Trumprt In Zion. He is clear and direct about His people taking actions to repent of their sins and  correct their ways.

When God's People obey after a judgement, how does our Heavenly Father respond? Joel 2:18 says, "Then The Lord will be jealous for His land and take pity on His People." Jehovah God loves His People and the land of Israel and He responds with love and care. In Chapter one His judgement was to destroy the land and its grain. However, Joel 2:18 says He is sending new grain . . . to satisfy His People fully. It is also vitalty important for us to note in verse 18 God will "Never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations." He uses this same wording three times in Chapter two because God does not want His Chosen People to be put to shame anymore.

The Book of Joel was written over 2,000 years ago. Do these words of Jehovah God apply today on behalf of the Jewish People? YES! Anti-Semitism world wide is believed to be at a similar level to the time of the Holocaust. Worshipers in two Synagogues were shot and killed recently in the United States. This past weekend 700 rockets were fired into Southern Israel from Gaza.

God's People - Jews and Christians - Are still being put to shame. How do we respond? 

Blow The Trumpet (Shofar)

Call A Sacred Assembly

Declare A Holy Fast

Return To The Lord In Repentance And Continual Prayer

May 8th Is Independence Day In Israel, As Israel Was Founded 71 Years Ago. Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

   

The Book Of Joel

Last week's message was the first in a series from the Book of Joel. We learned that at times Jehovah God has judged His people when they were disobedient. Joel 1 is referred to as "A Time For Repentance" after the land was destroyed by locusts. We also learned how we as God's people should respond during and after a time of God's judgement.

Our message this week will concentrate on what is called "The Day Of The Lord." The judgement of God in the form of swarming locusts in Chapter one was called The Day Of The Lord in verse 15. Joel 2:1 also says, "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the Day Of The Lord is coming." 

As in last week's message the question for all of God's people is how should they respond after they have experienced a time of God's judgement or they have been warned of a coming time of judgement. Joel 2:12 instructs all of us to "Even now," declares The Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning."

Again we should start with a time of fasting and repentance. Sound familiar? This is the same message from Jehovah God as in chapter one. When God repeats a message in His Word we need to pay attention. We live in a time when God is looking for those who are truly His as His believers and followers.

In closing, some encouraging words from our compassionate God. Joel 2:13 says, "Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to The Lord, your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity." Jehovah God is slow to anger, abounding in love and He does not desire to bring judgement. It is up to us to obey and to draw near to God more than ever before.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank 

The Book Of Joel

We can all learn from the Book Of Joel concerning how Jehovah God reacted when His people disobeyed and were rebellious toward Him. Joel Chapter One illustrates how God reacted toward Israel around 835 B.C. Our study of Joel will be a series looking at how we should honor God today and what the future holds for everyone. 

How did Jehovah God react when His People were disobedient at the time of the Prophet Joel? He reacted by sending swarming locusts destroying almost everything on the ground. Joel 1:10 says, "The fields are ruined, the ground is dried up, the grain is destroyed." This was a form of judgement by Jehovah God! 

What can we learn today from the events of Joel Chapter One? Verse 14 says, "Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the Elders and all who live in the land to the House Of The Lord your God and cry out to The Lord." This is how the leaders of God's People responded at that time, leading the people in a time of repentance. Joel 1:13-20 is referred to as "A Time Of Repentance."

Is this necessary and appropriate today? YES! 2Timothy 3:1,2 says, "There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful and unholy." All we have to do is stay current with daily newscasts and we will witness these behaviors. It is important that these attitudes apply to those in rebellion toward Jehovah God.

How do we who love God and desire to honor Him in our lives each day react to such a message? Again, we can learn from Joel Chapter One and individually experience times of fasting, repenting for our individual sins but also praying that Jehovah God will change the lives of those who do not honor Him. Additionally, we can encourage the leaders of our churches to establish times of fasting, repentance and prayer.

We trust this message will be received as a message of hope and encouragement. Many Prophetic people believe we are living in "The End Times" and the Rapture is close at hand. We all need to be sure our relationship with Jehovah God is pleasing and honorable in His eyes.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

Resurrection Sunday Message - Part Two

This Holy Week message is the second Resurrection Sunday message explaining why Jesus came to earth to die on a cross and to then rise again. Isaiah 42:6 and Isaiah 49:8 describe Jesus coming to earth to "Be A Covenant To The People."

What does this mean? Jesus came as the "Mediator Of A Better Covenant"  described in Hebrews 8:6. Notice also Hebrews 8:12-13 says, "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. By calling this covenant 'new,' He has made the first one obsolete and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear."

Prior to Jesus obeying His Heavenly Father, all people lived under the Old Blood Covenant. When breaking God's Laws, people would bring animals to the Priest that were then sacrificed to cover up their sins. Jesus spoke to Jehovah God saying in Hebrews 10:5-7, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offering you were not pleased, then I said, 'here am I - It is written about me on the scroll - I have come to do your will, O God.'"

Jesus came to establish a New And Better Blood Covenant meaning when we humbly confess our sins, they are immediately FORGIVEN because of Jesus' death and resurrection. {Hebrews 10:17} Additionally, when we receive Jesus as our Savior and Messiah, WE ARE SAVED RECEIVING ETERNAL LIFE! 

This is the Resurrection Sunday message! 

He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!

As you have read this message and now desire to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior please pray this prayer with me: 

Jesus, I Know I Am A Sinner And I Ask For You

 To Forgive All Of My Sins

I Know You Are The Son Of God And You

 Died On A Cross For Me And Were Resurrected

Please Come To Live In My Heart 

And Become My Lord And Savior

Thank You For Saving My Soul And Forgiving All Of My Sins

May You Have A Most Blessed Resurrection Sunday,

Frank     

Resurrection Sunday Message

We are just days away from the start of Holy Week and we feel it appropriate to bring a two part message found in Isaiah 49. This week's message comes from the first part of Isaiah 49 clearly stating that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, identifying His Calling to come to earth, die on a cross but also to be resurrected from the dead.

Isaiah 49:1 says, "Before I was born The Lord called me; from My birth He has made mention of My name." Jesus Himself says He clearly was Called before His birth to be The Son of God, to be named Jesus and to rule and reign forever. {Luke 1:30-33} Because of His obedience to His Heavenly Father, Jesus was given the name that is above every other name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. {Philippians 2:8-10}

Isaiah 49:2 says, "He made My mouth like a sharpened sword." The words of Jesus described as a sharpened sword are also referenced in Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16 and Revelation 19:15. This description is vitally important to Jehovah God. What does it mean? When Jesus speaks He is speaking the very Words of God with the power and authority of God Almighty. We all need to listen and obey!

Isaiah 49:5 continues to explain why Jesus was formed in Mary's womb, "And now The Lord says - He who formed Me in the womb to be His servant to bring Jacob back to Him and gather Israel to himself." Jesus was Called to bring Jacob back to Him. This has a twofold meaning - He is bringing the Jewish people physically back to Israel but also is bringing them Spiritually back to Him as they recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Bless His Holy Name!

Jesus ruling and reigning; speaking the very Words of God and bringing Jacob back to Him are only possible through His Death and Resurrection. This is the Resurrection Sunday Message!

May The Lord Grant You A Most Blessed Holy Week,

Frank     

A Message Of Encouragement - Part Four

This will be the last of a series to encourage God's Covenant People who are scattered around the world desiring to move back to Israel. Some have given up hope! Do not despair or give up hope! Jehovah God has promised over 700 times in His Word He will bring His People Home. To date, God has brought over five million Jews back to Israel - their God given land. Hallelujah!

This week in our last message of hope, we will raise the question - Will Jehovah God bring ALL of His people home? YES HE WILL! This is a bold statement but is validated numerous times in God's Word. Ezekiel 39:25 says, "Therefore this is what The Sovereign Lord says; 'I will now bring Jacob back from captivity and will have compassion on ALL the people of Israel.'" God says He will bring His people home and have mercy on the Whole House of Israel. He will bring ALL of them home so He can have mercy upon ALL of them. Bless His Holy Name!

Additionally, Ezekiel 39:28 says, "Then they will know that I am The Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land not leaving any behind." Notice God says He will leave NONE OF THEM captive any longer. They will ALL move back home. Is Anything Too Difficult For Our God?

Most important! Romans 11:26-27 says, "And so ALL Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is My Covenant with them when I take away their sins.'" ALL Of Israel Will Be Saved, they will recognize Jesus as their Messiah and Savior! ALL of them will move back to Israel and ALL will be saved! Amen and Amen!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

A Message Of Encouragement - Part Three

We are now in the process of sharing a series of messages of encouragement specifically for the Jewish people but also for all people. Many of God's Covenant People are scattered around the world desiring to return to Israel but are discouraged and have given up hope. Do not give up hope, people of God, His Word says over 700 times, He will bring His people home to Israel. Bless His Holy Name! 

This weeks message will center on a vitally important God-Ordained event which will take place once His People Israel are all back home. Ezekiel 36:24-27 says, "For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws."

There are numerous important messages in these four verses from Jehovah God. Initially, God again says He will bring His people back to Israel given by Him to His Covenant People in Genesis 15:18. This message is very clear, direct and irreversible even though Israel's enemies try to ignore this message. 

God will cleanse His People Israel upon returning home of all their sins. This will happen when they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah. Hebrews 10:9-10 says, "Then He said, 'Here I am, I have come to do your will.' He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

In conclusion, God declares He will give His Covenant People a new heart, a new Spirit and they will follow His decrees. This is another confirmation from God stating He will save His People returning to Israel as He gives them The Holy Spirit enabling them to keep His commands. What A Mighty God We Serve!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank