Author: bidcstark

“The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great terrible Day of Adonai.”
Joel 3:4 CJB

As we look around us, we can see the world getting darker and seemingly more hopeless! But in the LORD we always have hope! Our problem can be that we spend too much time focusing on the darkness!

“But those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles’ wings; when they are running they won’t grow weary, when they are walking they won’t get tired.”
Isaiah 40:31 CJB

Life can be hard and difficult, but if that’s what we focus on, we can fall into depression and complacency! We will always get weary when we stare at the mess, but remember our strength is in the LORD and that is who we need to focus on, not the government, the job, or even the man teaching about the LORD! But we need to be focused on the LORD!

“At that time, whoever calls on the name of Adonai will be saved. For in Mount Tziyon and Yerushalayim there will be those who escape, as Adonai has promised; among the survivors will be those whom Adonai has called.”
Joel 3:5 CJB

As we look at the book of Joel, we can see many parallels happening around us today! What we need to see is our need to follow the LORD!
Have a blessed day in Him!

“Yet even now, says Adonai, turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting.”
Joel 2:12 CJB

I believe some of what we see happening around us was allowed by the LORD to get us to focus on Him! Often times we need to be broken and falling apart to see that what we really need is the LORD!

“Tear your heart, not your garments; and turn to Adonai your God. For He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace, and willing to change His mind about disaster.”
Joel 2:13 CJB

The LORD doesn’t want us to change our hair or clothing, He wants us to change our hearts and call upon Him! He really is all we need! When we are broken before the LORD and call upon Him and repent! He will forgive us and restore us!

“God, restore us! Make your face shine, and we will be saved.”
Psalm 80:3 CJB

The good news is when we are broken before the LORD, He will always be there hearing our cries and willing to forgive!
Have a blessed day knowing the LORD hears our calls!

“Hear this, you leaders! Listen, all who live in the land! Has anything like this ever happened in your days, or in your ancestors’ days?”
Joel 1:2 CJB

The book of Joel was written over 2500 years ago and it seems like we are living them now! Things are looking a bit crazy and out of control, but realize, the LORD is completely in control!

“Adonai, I cry out to you! For the fire has consumed the pastures in the desert, and the flame set ablaze all the trees in the fields.”
Joel 1:19 CJB

As the world around us seems to be burning and falling apart, we should look for the opportunities to share the good news of salvation!

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, That I may declare all Your works.”
Psalm 73:28 CJB

Today, let’s be thankful that we have the word of the LORD that helps us make sense of the times we are living in! Let’s also realize, many people around us don’t. So look for those opportunities to share His Good News of Salvation!
Have a blessed day in Him!

“On the ninth day of the [fourth] month, when the famine in the city was so severe that there was no food for the people of the land.”
2 Kings 25:3 CJB

Here we see that the famine and the coming captivity all came about by a lack of walking with the LORD! We too, can end up in a spiritual famine and captivity so to speak, when we neglect to walk with the LORD! Are you thirsty?

“How blessed are those who reject the advice of the wicked, don’t stand on the way of sinners or sit where scoffers sit! Their delight is in Adonai’s Torah; on His Torah they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams-they bear their fruit in season, their leaves never wither, everything they do succeeds.”
Psalm 1:1-3 CJB

We all need to realize we are all one step away from doing good or bad! When we step towards the LORD we will always be doing well! When we step towards the world it will end in disaster captivity, leaving us thirsty!

“But if we are walking in the light, as He is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of His Son Yeshua purifies us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7 CJB

No matter what is going on in the world, around us don’t fall into worldly traps, but instead walk in His glorious light!
Have a blessed day in Him!

“Yes, it was at Adonai’s order that this happened to Y’hudah, in order to remove them from His sight because of the sins of M’nasheh and all he had done, and also because of the innocent blood, and Adonai was unwilling to forgive.”
2 Kings 24:3-4 CJB

Manasseh was an evil man, as scripture tells us, and the people continued in these evil ways, and with the LORD you can’t get away with sin!

“But if you will not do this, then you have sinned against Adonai, and you must understand that your sin will find you out.”
Numbers 32:23 CJB

Here is the deal, the people of Judah were sinning and not repenting. Yes, the LORD will forgive, but repentance needs to happen first! With no repentance there can be no forgiveness!

“Or perhaps you despise the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience; because you don’t realize that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to turn from your sins.”
Romans 2:4 CJB

How awesome is this, no matter how bad we blow it, all we have to do is call on the LORD and repent and He forgives! Once we realize how good the LORD is, it should lead us into wanting to just simply walk in His ways! Why? Because His ways are always better!
Have a blessed day seeking the LORD and His ways!