Book Of Joel

Joel 2:28 - "I will pour out My Spirit on  all people." This is one of the most encouraging and uplifting verses in the Word of God. At the same time, it can be misunderstood. As a result, our message this week will examine in detail the phrase "The Day Of The Lord" described in Joel 2:28-32.

The phrase "The Day Of The Lord" in the early sections of Joel 1 and 2 prophesy judgement by God: 

Joel 1:15 - What a dreadful day! For The Day Of The Lord is near

Joel 2:1 Let all who live in the land tremble, For The Day Of The Lord is coming 

Joel 2:11 The Day Of The Lord is great; It is dreadful 

Then suddenly in Joel 2:28-32 a mighty move of Jehovah God is prophesied by God Himself. He says He will pour out His Spirit on all people! How can this happen? I believe the answer is basic - It Is God Being God! Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." We can always trust in and believe The Word of God.

When will God pour out His Spirit  upon all people? In reality, Jehovah God does this on a regular basis when a person receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and also when God changes the lives of thousands of people instantly in a revival type meeting. Bless His Holy Name!

However, the timing of this particular "Pouring Out Of God's Spirit" will occur during the Tribulation Period. Joel 2:31 describes darkness and the moon turning to blood. This is a Tribulation Period event. Also, Jehovah God will send His two witnesses to Jerusalem and will send out 144 thousand witnesses throughout the world.

The result is the Last Great Revial as described in Joel 2:32, "And everyone who calls on the name of The Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance." AMEN, AMEN, AMEM!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank     

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