SCRIPTURE: Joel 3:1-16 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.1-8) Joel declares that a day is coming when all people will be judged according to what they have done to God’s people (that is, the meek and oppressed, the underdogs of all nations). APPLICATION: The nation of Israel symbolically represents all the meek and oppressed, those whom God is committed,…
Author: Norm
May 28 — Joel 2:28-32
SCRIPTURE: Joel 2:28-32 OBSERVATIONS 1. (v.28) Joel reveals the ultimate goal of God’s plan, to pour out His Holy Spirit on all people. Sin separates us from the presence and power of God (Psalm 51:1-12, esp v.11). God’s purpose is to restore what we ruined, and to bring us al back into healthy and holy fellowship with…
May 27 — Joel 2:18-27
SCRIPTURE: Joel 2:18-27 OBSERVATIONS 1. (v.18) The section that follows assumes that the people do gather together in humility and repentance. When He sees them genuinely sorry for what they have done, His deep love (jealous = zealous = passionate) will flood them with the blessings of His mercy. God is just waiting for repentance… APPLICATION:…
May 26 — Joel 2:12-17
SCRIPTURE: Joel 2:12-17 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.12-14) Joel indicates that there is still time for repentance, still time to turn back God’s plan for judgment. God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. APPLICATION: It is not too late to repent. Whenever I feel conviction, God (Who…
May 25 — Joel 2:1-11
SCRIPTURE: Joel 2:1-11 OBSERVATIONS 1. (v.1) Do we even imagine that “the day of the Lord” might come upon us, or are we living at ease in Zion? Although it speaks prophetically of the final day of judgment, it was also a historical event for Israel, and it could happen again today (think of what is…
Bible Readings (June)
This month we are reading through: Acts 1-5, Psalms 120-134 (Songs of Ascents), and Jude. 1. Acts 1:12-26 ? 2. Acts 2:1-13 ? 3. Acts 2:14-36 ? 4. Acts 2:37-47 ? 5. Acts 3:1-10 ? 6. Acts 3:11-26 ? 7. Acts 4:1-12 ? 8. Acts 4:13-22 ? 9. Acts 4:23-31 ? 10. Acts 4:32-5:11 ? 11. Acts 5:12-26 ? 12. Acts 5:27-42 ? 13. Psalm 120 ? 14. Psalm 121 ? 15….
May 24 — Joel 1:13-20
SCRIPTURE: Joel 1:13-20 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.12-20) The devastation of the crops is seen as a sign of God’s judgment, the ‘day of the Lord’. Joel is calling the people to repent before it is too late. APPLICATION: Are there warning signs for me, for the church, or for our nation, signs that point to the dangers…
May 23 — Joel 1:1-12
SCRIPTURE: Joel 1:1-12 OBSERVATIONS 1. (v.1) The ‘word of the Lord’ is the LOGOS (John 1:1-2), the personal communication of God Who comes as Jesus the Messiah. It is the Spirit of Jesus speaking to and through Joel (see 1 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 19:10). APPLICATION: I need to see Jesus as the voice of God everywhere, in creation, in the…
May 22 — Ephesians 6:10-24
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:10-24 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.10-13) Paul describes the struggle that Christ-followers go through as a battle with spiritual (not physical) forces of evil. APPLICATION: I can relate to the battle imagery, I often feel under attack. But do I mistake the enemy, do I focus on the people and circumstances instead of on the spiritual…
May 21 – Ephesians 5:21-6:9
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:21-6:9 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.21) This whole section is an expansion of the theme verse, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Paul explains how wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves and masters do this. Yes, even fathers and masters are to submit to those entrusted to them, out of reverence for Christ! APPLICATION:…