“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids IN THOSE DAYS will I pour out my spirit.” Joel 2:28-29 KJV
In the year of 835-830 B.C., Joel predicts a day when God would pour out His Spirit on all those who “call on the name of the Lord.” Approximately, 800 years later, Peter preached on the day of Pentecost and quoted Joel’s writing from Joel 2:28-29. “But Joel the prophet wrote about what is happening here today: God says: In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all kinds of people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. At that time I will pour out my Spirit also on my male slaves and female slaves and they will prophesy.” Acts 2:17-18 NCV
Peter quoted this passage on the day of Pentecost, explaining that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on that day was the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:14-21). This prophecy is an ongoing promise to all who accept Christ as Lord, and all believers can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit.
What this mean to me? God is faithful to His Word. God continues to pour out His Spirit on all who believes in Him and whose hearts are opened to Him. God really wants to fill you with His Spirit. It is like we dive into the pool of water and we swim in the water. It is an awesome experience. God is waiting for you to try Him today.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Hosea God’s Love
“Come, let’s go back to the Lord. He has hurt us, but he will heal us. He has wounded us, but he will bandage our wounds. In two days he will put new life in us; on the third day he will raise us up so that we may live in his presence and know him. Let’s try to learn about the Lord; He will come to us as surely as the dawn comes. He will come to us like rain, like the spring rain that waters the ground.”
Hosea 6:1-3 NCV
Do you ever wonder if God ever wants to reveal Himself about how He really feel when He sees His own people turn away from Him? And about the people who decide to worship other gods instead of worshiping Him? Has God ever tried to tell His people how He felt? Yes, He has. Hosea represented God. God told Hosea to marry Gomer who was an unfaithful wife and she represented the people of Israel. Why? So the people could see the action of Hosea toward his unfaithful wife, Gomer and hear what God had to say through the prophet, Hosea. The whole book of Hosea was about Israel who acted like an unfaithful wife and how God tried to win Israel back to Him.
Hosea gives assurance that though God must judge sin, He always desires to heal and restore Israel. After repentance, God would bring renewed spiritual life. They would get to know the Lord better. God would come like the rain, bringing more spiritual life and blessing. Water is often used as a type of the Holy Spirit. This is a prophecy to Israel that Holy Spirit would come on the Day of Pentecost.
What does this mean to me? It touched my heart that He wants us to come back to Him and He wants to love us freely (14:4). God would come to us like the rain. Do you know what rain does? It brings life to the nature so does God who brings life to our spiritual being. Dear God, forgive us when we get too busy with things around us. You want us to come back to You and we thank You for that. Thank You for the book of Hosea that tells us more about You in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hosea 6:1-3 NCV
Do you ever wonder if God ever wants to reveal Himself about how He really feel when He sees His own people turn away from Him? And about the people who decide to worship other gods instead of worshiping Him? Has God ever tried to tell His people how He felt? Yes, He has. Hosea represented God. God told Hosea to marry Gomer who was an unfaithful wife and she represented the people of Israel. Why? So the people could see the action of Hosea toward his unfaithful wife, Gomer and hear what God had to say through the prophet, Hosea. The whole book of Hosea was about Israel who acted like an unfaithful wife and how God tried to win Israel back to Him.
Hosea gives assurance that though God must judge sin, He always desires to heal and restore Israel. After repentance, God would bring renewed spiritual life. They would get to know the Lord better. God would come like the rain, bringing more spiritual life and blessing. Water is often used as a type of the Holy Spirit. This is a prophecy to Israel that Holy Spirit would come on the Day of Pentecost.
What does this mean to me? It touched my heart that He wants us to come back to Him and He wants to love us freely (14:4). God would come to us like the rain. Do you know what rain does? It brings life to the nature so does God who brings life to our spiritual being. Dear God, forgive us when we get too busy with things around us. You want us to come back to You and we thank You for that. Thank You for the book of Hosea that tells us more about You in Jesus’ name, amen.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Daniel’s Prayer
During Darius’ first year as king, I, Daniel, was reading the Scriptures. I saw that the Lord told Jeremiah that Jerusalem would be empty ruins for seventy years. Then I turned to the Lord God and prayed and asked Him for help. I did not eat any food. To show my sadness, I put on rough cloth and sat in ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and told Him about all of our sins. I said, “Lord, you are a great God who causes fear and wonder. You keep your agreement of love with all who love you and obey your commands. [Daniel 9:2-4].
[Suggest reading Daniel's Prayer 2]
Daniel was a young man when he was taken captive to Babylon from Jerusalem and Jeremiah was the prophet during his time. Daniel had a high position with several kings and God had blessed Daniel. It was a special day; God inspired Daniel to read the Scriptures from Jeremiah’s writing. Daniel realized that seventy years were just about up, and still there was nothing done about the promised return and restoration to Jerusalem. This bothered Daniel very much. Daniel expected a full fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. Daniel did not sit back and wait for the promised restoration to come. Instead, Daniel began to intercede earnestly with prayer and fasting for the fulfillment of God’s word [Daniel 9:5-19].
Daniel began his intercessory prayer by recognizing the awe-inspiring greatness of God, His faithful love, and His covenant mercy shown to those who love and obey Him. Then Daniel made his confession, identifying himself with the people of Israel who had sinned and rebelled against God. He asked God for Jerusalem’s restoration not because of any righteousness on the part of Daniel or of Israel, but "for the Lord’s sake" (9:17-18). When God responded, He showed His great mercy and loving compassion as a God who fulfills His promises. [Note from Zondervan]
From the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, we saw God’s answered prayers. God had touched the king’s heart to allow God’s people to return to their city of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah were three key leaders who helped rebuild the altar, the Temple, and the walls of Jerusalem.
What this mean to me? God is faithful to His Word. Daniel trusted God to keep His promises. Let us trust God who will meet our needs. His mercy is new every morning. Don’t give up. Trust God.
[Suggest reading Daniel's Prayer 2]
Daniel was a young man when he was taken captive to Babylon from Jerusalem and Jeremiah was the prophet during his time. Daniel had a high position with several kings and God had blessed Daniel. It was a special day; God inspired Daniel to read the Scriptures from Jeremiah’s writing. Daniel realized that seventy years were just about up, and still there was nothing done about the promised return and restoration to Jerusalem. This bothered Daniel very much. Daniel expected a full fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. Daniel did not sit back and wait for the promised restoration to come. Instead, Daniel began to intercede earnestly with prayer and fasting for the fulfillment of God’s word [Daniel 9:5-19].
Daniel began his intercessory prayer by recognizing the awe-inspiring greatness of God, His faithful love, and His covenant mercy shown to those who love and obey Him. Then Daniel made his confession, identifying himself with the people of Israel who had sinned and rebelled against God. He asked God for Jerusalem’s restoration not because of any righteousness on the part of Daniel or of Israel, but "for the Lord’s sake" (9:17-18). When God responded, He showed His great mercy and loving compassion as a God who fulfills His promises. [Note from Zondervan]
From the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, we saw God’s answered prayers. God had touched the king’s heart to allow God’s people to return to their city of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah were three key leaders who helped rebuild the altar, the Temple, and the walls of Jerusalem.
What this mean to me? God is faithful to His Word. Daniel trusted God to keep His promises. Let us trust God who will meet our needs. His mercy is new every morning. Don’t give up. Trust God.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Daniel’s Prayer 2
Daniel 9:4-19 NCV
v4. I prayed to the Lord my God and told him about all of our sins. I said, “Lord, you are a great God who causes fear and wonder. You keep your agreement of love with all who love you and obey your commands.
v5. “But we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and turned against you, your commands, and your laws. v6. We did not listen to your servants, the prophets, who spoke for you to our kings, our leaders, our ancestors, and all the people of the land. v7. “Lord, your are good and right, but we are full of shame today—the people of Judah and Jerusalem, all the people of Israel, those near and far whom you scattered among many nations because they were not loyal to you. v8. Lord, we are all ashamed, because we have sinned against you.
v9. “But, Lord Our God, you show us mercy and forgive us even though we have turned against you. v10. We have not obeyed the Lord our God or the teachings he gave us through his servants, the prophets. v11. All the people of Israel have disobeyed your teachings and have turned away, refusing to obey you. So you brought on us the curses and promises of punishment written in the Teachings of Moses, the servant of God, because we sinned against you.
v12. “You said these things would happen to us and our leaders, and you made them happen; you brought on us a great disaster. Nothing has ever been done on earth like what was done to Jerusalem. v13. All this disaster came to us just as it is written in the Teachings of Moses. But we have not pleaded with the Lord our God. We have not stopped sinning. We have not paid attention to your truth. v14. The Lord was ready to bring the disaster on us, and he did it because the Lord our God is right in everything he does. But we still did not obey him.
v15. “Lord our God, you used your power and brought us out of Egypt. Because of that, your name is known even today. But we have sinned and have done wrong. v16. Lord, you do what is right, but please do not be angry with Jerusalem, your city on your holy hill. Because of our sins and the evil things done by our ancestors, people all around insult and make fun of Jerusalem and your people.
v17. “Now, our God, hears the prayers of your servant (Daniel). Listen to my prayer for help, and for your sake do good things for your holy place that is in ruins. v18. My God, pay attention and hear me. Open your eyes and see all the terrible things that have happened to us. See how our lives have been ruined and what has happened to the city that is called by your name. We do not ask these things because we are good; instead, we ask because of your mercy. v19. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear us and do something! For your sake, don’t wait, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
v4. I prayed to the Lord my God and told him about all of our sins. I said, “Lord, you are a great God who causes fear and wonder. You keep your agreement of love with all who love you and obey your commands.
v5. “But we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and turned against you, your commands, and your laws. v6. We did not listen to your servants, the prophets, who spoke for you to our kings, our leaders, our ancestors, and all the people of the land. v7. “Lord, your are good and right, but we are full of shame today—the people of Judah and Jerusalem, all the people of Israel, those near and far whom you scattered among many nations because they were not loyal to you. v8. Lord, we are all ashamed, because we have sinned against you.
v9. “But, Lord Our God, you show us mercy and forgive us even though we have turned against you. v10. We have not obeyed the Lord our God or the teachings he gave us through his servants, the prophets. v11. All the people of Israel have disobeyed your teachings and have turned away, refusing to obey you. So you brought on us the curses and promises of punishment written in the Teachings of Moses, the servant of God, because we sinned against you.
v12. “You said these things would happen to us and our leaders, and you made them happen; you brought on us a great disaster. Nothing has ever been done on earth like what was done to Jerusalem. v13. All this disaster came to us just as it is written in the Teachings of Moses. But we have not pleaded with the Lord our God. We have not stopped sinning. We have not paid attention to your truth. v14. The Lord was ready to bring the disaster on us, and he did it because the Lord our God is right in everything he does. But we still did not obey him.
v15. “Lord our God, you used your power and brought us out of Egypt. Because of that, your name is known even today. But we have sinned and have done wrong. v16. Lord, you do what is right, but please do not be angry with Jerusalem, your city on your holy hill. Because of our sins and the evil things done by our ancestors, people all around insult and make fun of Jerusalem and your people.
v17. “Now, our God, hears the prayers of your servant (Daniel). Listen to my prayer for help, and for your sake do good things for your holy place that is in ruins. v18. My God, pay attention and hear me. Open your eyes and see all the terrible things that have happened to us. See how our lives have been ruined and what has happened to the city that is called by your name. We do not ask these things because we are good; instead, we ask because of your mercy. v19. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear us and do something! For your sake, don’t wait, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
Friday, September 4, 2009
Ezekiel, Vision of God’s Throne
One day Tony was preaching at Carlinville Camp of Illinois in 1980’s. He asked the Deaf audience a question: ‘What do you think about when you worship God?’ Most of them responded that they visualized God sitting on a Great White Throne while they prayed.
Tony asked them another question: What color is God’s Throne? Most of them said, “White.” Tony explained that ‘The Great White Throne’ would be in the future at the end time. When all those who rejected Christ will appear before Him and those are ‘Judgment Time.’ Now what color was the throne that Ezekiel had seen?
Tony signed to them part of the KJV verse of Ezekiel 1:26: God’s throne was “as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above it.” Ezekiel 1:26 NCV quoted “Now above the dome there was something that looked like a throne. It looked like a sapphire gem. And on the throne was a shape like a human.”
Tony asked, ‘Now what color was the throne that God was sitting on?’ The Deaf audience responded with a surprise, “Not white throne? So what color is sapphire?” Tony answered, ‘Sapphire is a beautiful dark blue precious stone, which is hard and clear like a diamond.’ Tony went on: ‘Do you wonder why God asked me to preach about God’s Throne? God said that He has seen some people’s thoughts while they worship Him, ‘The Great white throne’? He said to me, “I want you to tell them that My throne was not white. It is a sapphire throne like Ezekiel has seen and it is beautiful.”’
What a beautiful thought! Our God cares enough to let us know that His throne is a sapphire throne. Awesome! May our worship to our Lord God become richer and lovely thought of Him!
Tony asked them another question: What color is God’s Throne? Most of them said, “White.” Tony explained that ‘The Great White Throne’ would be in the future at the end time. When all those who rejected Christ will appear before Him and those are ‘Judgment Time.’ Now what color was the throne that Ezekiel had seen?
Tony signed to them part of the KJV verse of Ezekiel 1:26: God’s throne was “as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above it.” Ezekiel 1:26 NCV quoted “Now above the dome there was something that looked like a throne. It looked like a sapphire gem. And on the throne was a shape like a human.”
Tony asked, ‘Now what color was the throne that God was sitting on?’ The Deaf audience responded with a surprise, “Not white throne? So what color is sapphire?” Tony answered, ‘Sapphire is a beautiful dark blue precious stone, which is hard and clear like a diamond.’ Tony went on: ‘Do you wonder why God asked me to preach about God’s Throne? God said that He has seen some people’s thoughts while they worship Him, ‘The Great white throne’? He said to me, “I want you to tell them that My throne was not white. It is a sapphire throne like Ezekiel has seen and it is beautiful.”’
What a beautiful thought! Our God cares enough to let us know that His throne is a sapphire throne. Awesome! May our worship to our Lord God become richer and lovely thought of Him!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Lamentations of Jeremiah
“Behold, O Lord; for I am in distress…” [Lamentations 1:20]. KJV
Jeremiah was called, “The Weeping Prophet.” Jeremiah expressed his deep sorrow because Jeremiah saw the people taken captive by the Babylon army. Jeremiah saw the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem was like a “widow” because she lost her children and she was left alone with no one to comfort her.
Jeremiah wrote ‘Lamentations’ because it means he was sad that the people would not listen to God to give up their sins and many gods they worshiped to. He wept that God had to send many judgments against the people for turning away from Him. Was there no hope for the future Jerusalem and the people?
“… therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord [Lamentations 3:21b-26]. KJV
Jeremiah saw hope in God’s love and mercy. Jeremiah looked up to God in time of grief and pain. Let us be like Jeremiah who turned to God for healing and restoration. Let us worship the Lord God and pray: O Lord, great is Thy faithfulness. I see Your new mercy every morning. All I have needed You have met our needs: financially, physically, and spiritually. We love You, Heavenly Father for Your grace, we love You, Jesus for Your forgiveness and we love You, Holy Spirit for your tender care, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Jeremiah was called, “The Weeping Prophet.” Jeremiah expressed his deep sorrow because Jeremiah saw the people taken captive by the Babylon army. Jeremiah saw the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem was like a “widow” because she lost her children and she was left alone with no one to comfort her.
Jeremiah wrote ‘Lamentations’ because it means he was sad that the people would not listen to God to give up their sins and many gods they worshiped to. He wept that God had to send many judgments against the people for turning away from Him. Was there no hope for the future Jerusalem and the people?
“… therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord [Lamentations 3:21b-26]. KJV
Jeremiah saw hope in God’s love and mercy. Jeremiah looked up to God in time of grief and pain. Let us be like Jeremiah who turned to God for healing and restoration. Let us worship the Lord God and pray: O Lord, great is Thy faithfulness. I see Your new mercy every morning. All I have needed You have met our needs: financially, physically, and spiritually. We love You, Heavenly Father for Your grace, we love You, Jesus for Your forgiveness and we love You, Holy Spirit for your tender care, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Jeremiah A Tree Rooted
“[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green.” Jeremiah 17:7-8a AMP
“But the person who trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will show him that He can be trusted. He will be strong, like a tree planted near water that sends its roots by a stream. It is not afraid when the days are hot; its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year when no rain comes; it always produces fruit.” Jer. 17:7-8 NCV
The natural tree matures when the root structure grows deeper. The root holds the tree. The root helps to support the height and the growing tree. It makes a tree strong. The water and nourishment are important to help the tree to survive and to continue growing.
We are like a tree and its root go down deep is compared to our faith goes deeper in the Lord Jesus Christ. We continue to grow spiritually. How? The Word of God is our spiritual food and we receive spiritual food as our nourishment. The water of God’s Word brings life and the Holy Spirit renewed us day by day.
Prayer: Thank You Lord for reminding us that we are like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, the Holy Spirit, our wonderful friend. Your Word have we hid in our heart that we may be fully blessed by You. Peace will follow us all the days of my life and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever in Jesus name, amen.
“But the person who trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will show him that He can be trusted. He will be strong, like a tree planted near water that sends its roots by a stream. It is not afraid when the days are hot; its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year when no rain comes; it always produces fruit.” Jer. 17:7-8 NCV
The natural tree matures when the root structure grows deeper. The root holds the tree. The root helps to support the height and the growing tree. It makes a tree strong. The water and nourishment are important to help the tree to survive and to continue growing.
We are like a tree and its root go down deep is compared to our faith goes deeper in the Lord Jesus Christ. We continue to grow spiritually. How? The Word of God is our spiritual food and we receive spiritual food as our nourishment. The water of God’s Word brings life and the Holy Spirit renewed us day by day.
Prayer: Thank You Lord for reminding us that we are like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, the Holy Spirit, our wonderful friend. Your Word have we hid in our heart that we may be fully blessed by You. Peace will follow us all the days of my life and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever in Jesus name, amen.
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