Verse of the Day - weekend 10/9

Through the Bible - Isaiah 43-48, 1 Thessalonians 1-2

 

Good morning,,

We recently considered the prophet Jeremiah's question in chapter 2, "has a nation ever changed its gods"?  We are in need of a spiritual revival in this country.  We must not turn away from and abandon our God as many European nations appear to have done or have been in the process of doing.  If we are to avoid this hearts must turn.  The turning of a nation begins with individuals.

I read the following verses from Joel chapter 2 recently.

Joel 2:12-13 (Amplified Bible)  Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]. 

 ¹³Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of evil [when His conditions are met].

Notice the call, it is to "turn and keep on coming to me".   I was reminded of my GPS.  When I make a wrong turn the voice from the GPS instructs me to make a U turn then.....   It is not just enough to turn, we must keep heading in the right direction.  In our spiritual lives it is to keep coming, to keep following after Jesus.

 

Another important point of the verses is that we are to turn with our hearts, to rend our hearts.  Tearing ones clothes in ancient times was a symbol of grief but what good was it if it didn't result in a change of heart leading to a change of action, of the course of a life.  This change of heart, this turning and following Christ will lead to a transformation, it is the message of the gospel.

 

"The gospel is the best news we could ever hear. The gospel is about Jesus Christ and his power to transform our lives and relationships, communities, and ultimately, the nations. Through this gospel, we are freely given a new identity — an identity not based on race, social class, gender, a theological system, or a system of rules and regulations. Rather it is a new and perfect identity based solely on faith in Jesus — an identity that defines every aspect of our lives. We are now forgiven, righteous, adopted, accepted, free, and heirs to everything that belongs to Christ. So even our sin, weakness, and failures do not define who we are. Because of this good news, we no longer have to hide from our sin and pretend that we have it all together, for God knows and loves us as we are, not as we pretend to be."  - Neil H. Williams from "Gospel Transformation"

As we prepare for worship, may we take a look at our hearts.  Does our worship match our walk?

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Joel 2:12-18

 

A Call to Repentance
12 "Now, therefore," says the Lord,
"Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."
13 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.
14 Who knows if He will turn and relent,
And leave a blessing behind Him —
A grain offering and a drink offering
For the Lord your God?

 

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
 Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly;
16 Gather the people,
Sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the children and nursing babes;
Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber,
And the bride from her dressing room.
17 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?'"   NKJV