Those Who Call... Joel 3:23-32

You really should go ahead and read all of Joel to get the full effect of this passage, which is the last part of the prophecy.

As I read, I found myself vascilating between fear and hope as the prophet began with the promise of destruction and ended with this glimmer of hope for those who call upon the name of the Lord. Our God is a mighty God and you don't want to find yourself standing in opposition to him.

Joel 3:23-32
23 Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm —
my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
27 Then you will know that I am in Israel,
that I am the LORD your God,
and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.
28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
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,
as the LORD has said,
among the survivors
whom the LORD calls.

Questions
1. What did you learn about God from this passage?
2. How does that affect how you approach life?
3. Can God make a square circle? (just seeing if you were paying attention)

Secure Salvation! 1 Peter 1:3-9

Our inheritance is secure and so is our salvation! That's good news if I've ever heard any. Read this passage and see how God is at work in his people, protecting them even in difficult trials. You may find that God is doing the same work in you. All of a sudden it's ok that you're going through difficulties because it means God is at work in you, testing your faith to show you and the world what it means to fully trust him.

1 Peter 1:2-9
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Questions
1. What did you learn about God?
2. What did you learn about yourself?
3. What do you think you should change?

Want to read more? Click here for the rest of 1 Peter 1.

Salvation Comes From the Lord. Jonah 2:1-10

I love this passage because the same God that banished Jonah to the sea was the God that redeemed him from the belly of the fish, and Jonah knew that. He knew that he had every reason to be cast into the sea and also to meet his end there, but God had mercy. God had a plan for Jonah and it didn't end in the depths of the sea.

Wherever you are in life it's reassuring that God knows you are there. Not only does he know you're there, but he has a plan for your life. He has the ability to lift you up out of the pit, and he will answer you when you call.

Jonah 2:1-10
1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.
2 He said:
"In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
4 I said, 'I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.'
5 The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit,
O LORD my God.
7 "When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
8 "Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD."
10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Questions
1. What is a consequence you've seen in your life due to disobedience?
2. What did you learn about God?
3. Is there anything you need to change in light of this passage?

Don't Worry. Philippians 4:4-9

Sometimes life is heavy. It could be that you have about a hundred different things going or it could be that you've just been thrust into a tragedy. Whatever the case is, it's reassuring to know that God is in control. Not only is he in control, but he listens to us, hears our prayers. So if you're starting to feel the weight of the world remember, there's peace in Christ because he hears our prayers.

Philippians 4:4-9
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Questions
1. What do you worry about?
2. What did you learn about God in regards to worrying?
3. How do you think this will help you in the future?

Want to read more? Click here for the rest of Philippians 4.

Knowing Jesus' Voice. John 10:

Yesterday we looked at a passage that explained what it meant for us to know Jesus, and today we're going to look at one that shows how Jesus knows us. Jesus has a vested interest in us, so much so that he was willing to lay down his life for us. He is trustworthy and true. His voice is sweet and familiar to those that know him. The shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep follow the shepherd.

John 10:7-18
7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Questions
1. What does it mean to know Jesus' voice?
2. Why is it comforting to know Jesus is your shepherd?
3. What did you learn about Jesus in this passage?

Want to read more? Click here for the rest of John 10.

Know Him. 1 John 2:3-6

Here's a very simple passage for us today. The point is clear: obey Jesus. If you say you know him you will obey him. If you don't obey him then you don't know him. This statements cuts deep for those of us who live in rebellion to God but want to put on a "Christian" mask. The mask says, I'm a Christian while the person behinds it lives in disobedience. This cannot be. We must walk in the light as he is in the light, no longer gratifying the desires we had when we didn't follow Jesus. It's a difficult task trying to be two different people and I'm certain the better life lies in following him.

1 John 2:3-6
3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did

Questions
1. What did you learn about God?
2. What do you think he wants you to change?
3. Why is obedience so important?

Want to read more? Click here for the rest of 1 John 2.

Wait for the Lord. James 5:7-11

In the Old Testament days they didn't always know how the Lord would finally vindicate them or save them. However, since Jesus left after the resurrection Christians have been waiting in eager anticipation for one thing and one thing alone: the return of the Lord.

We know exactly what to expect and we even have a good idea of how it's going to happen. What we don't know is when. So we wait. But we don't wait with hands folded, we wait in obedience, we wait while acting out the commands of our Lord before his ascent. Though it may be difficult at times, there is a blessing in store for the one who waits.

James 5:7-11
7Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Questions
1. What does it mean to wait?
2. What are some qualities you think are helpful when it comes to waiting?
3. Why is it so difficult to wait?

Want to read more? Click here for the rest of James 5.

Remain In Me. John 15:1-8

It's good news that the one who is in Christ is made fruitful by Christ. If we remain in him then he will use us; make us fruitful. It's bad news if there has never been any fruit in your life.

This passage brings new meaning to the idea that there is no life outside of Christ. This verse seems to suggest that not only is there no life outside of Christ, but there's promise of fire outside of Christ. I'll take life.

John 15:1-8
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Questions
1. What did you learn about God?
2. What did you learn about yourself?
3. What should you change?

Hard Teaching. John 6:56-69

This is a good passage to read every so often to remind us of how radical it is to follow Christ. Christianity is very socially acceptable in our culture (Bible Belt), but I wonder if this teaching would be socially acceptable. I wonder if we stood in the pulpit and said, "You're not worthy of Jesus unless you eat his flesh and drink his blood," would people be deserting the churches in masses?

Obviously Jesus did not want the people to come up and take a bite out of his arm, but that doesn't take away from the severity of the call. Jesus was teaching that life comes from him and nowhere else. He is like the manna God sent from heaven for the Jews in the wilderness, only better. Because the one that feeds on Jesus will never die. Jesus call is a call of surrender, giving up everything else and living on him alone.

John 6:56-69
56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Questions
1. How do you think you would have responded if you were in the crowd that day?
2. What did you learn about Jesus from this passage.
3. Is there anything you should change because of what you learned?

The Law of the Lord. Psalm 119:97-104

Here's a passage to take you through the weekend. The word of the Lord is good and it will take you great places.

Psalm 119:97-104
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.

100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.

102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

Turn My Head. Psalm 119:33-40

There's a wonderful life for you inside the way of the Lord. His ways are blameless and pure and lead to life everlasting. God has set up boundaries for us because they keep us where life can be found. Moving outside the boundaries takes you into darkness, and while the night may be exhilarating for a moment despair is right around the corner. The way of the Lord is not burdensome, it's the darkness that will break your back.

Psalm 119:33-40
33 Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Questions
1. What did you learn about God?
2. What did you learn about yourself?
3. What do you need to change?

Understanding Love. Luke 7:36-47

You love as much as you've been shown love. If you've never seen love then you won't be a loving person. However, those that have been taught love by seeing love are much more likely to love.

When the Pharisee saw Jesus, he didn't see the love of Christ. The Pharisee instead was threatened as he sought to uphold his own righteousness in the face of someone who was condemning it. In the situation below the prostitute got it. She understood who Jesus was and who she was in light of him. She loved him so much because he first loved her.

Perhaps the reason we don't always love as we should is because we don't always understand how much we've been loved. Sometimes it's easy to forget where we'd be without the grace that God had on us.

Luke 7:36-47
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.

41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

Questions
1. What did you learn about Jesus from this passage?
2. Why do you think we don't always love well?
3. What do you think you need to change related to this passage?

Want to read more? Click here for the rest of the chapter.

There Is No Other. Isaiah 46:9-11

God knows the beginning and the end of all things. This includes you, it includes our church, it even includes our country. It doesn't stop there though. God also has a plan and he will carry out that plan. This is good news for those who follow the Lord and are called children of God. This means we have nothing to fear. This means we should not worry about tomorrow. It also means we should purpose our life to be about what God is about. The last thing we want to do is find ourselves working against God. That's a losing battle. Take this verse with you today and let it be your source of strength when you're facing trials, or your source of conviction when you're trying to go your own way.

Isaiah 46:9-11
9Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,10declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'11calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

Questions
1. What did you learn about God?
2. What do you need to change?
3. How does this passage relate to worry and anxiety?

Want to read more? Click here for the whole chapter.

God Is Light! 1 John 1-7

While we may have never touched Jesus or seen him with our eyes, all that follow him have experienced him. Now that we have experienced Jesus we have a duty, and hopefully a passion, to make him known. We do so by the way we love each other and people still trapped in this world. Let's cast off the sin that entangled us when we were in the world. May we no longer pick up the chains from our past. Instead, let's bask in the light of the glory of our God who saved us, who calls us his children.

1 John 1-7
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4We write this to make our joy complete.

5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Questions
1. What are you still holding onto that God wants you to get rid of?
2. What did you learn about God from this passage?
3. What should you change in light of this passage?

Want to read more? Click here for the rest of 1 John 1