Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 20 May 2015 - "A Giving Spirit" Scripture: Joel 2:21 Don’t fear, O soil; be glad! rejoice!
for Adonai has done great things.
22 Don’t be afraid, wild animals;
for the desert pastures are green,
the trees are putting out their fruit,
the fig tree and vine are giving full yield.
23 Be glad, people of Tziyon!
rejoice in Adonai your God!
For he is giving you
the right amount of rain in the fall,
he makes the rain come down for you,
the fall and spring rains — this is what he does first.
24 Then the floors will be full of grain
and the vats overflow with wine and olive oil.
25 “I will restore to you the years that the locusts ate,
the grasshoppers, shearer-worms and cutter-worms,
my great army that I sent against you.
26 You will eat until you are satisfied
and will praise the name of Adonai your God,
who has done with you such wonders.
Then my people will never again be shamed.
27 You will know that I am with Isra’el
and that I am Adonai your God,
and that there is no other.
Then my people will never again be shamed.
The Sun Turning Black and the Moon Blood-Red
28-32 “And that’s just the beginning: After that—
“I will pour out my Spirit
on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
also your daughters.
Your old men will dream,
your young men will see visions.
I’ll even pour out my Spirit on the servants,
men and women both.
I’ll set wonders in the sky above
and signs on the earth below:
Blood and fire and billowing smoke,
the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
Before the Judgment Day of God,
the Day tremendous and awesome.
Whoever calls, ‘Help, God!’
gets help.
On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be a great rescue—just as God said.
Included in the survivors
are those that God calls.”
"A Giving Spirit" by Author: Juanita Weir Nobles
Joel 2 relates to the coming Messianic period. God promises those who remain true to Him a special outpouring of His Spirit. Peter saw its fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost; “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:16). God promises in Joel 2:27, “Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God.” God promises His care to those who trust in Him.
The story is told of a poor man who heard singing in the Temple and he went in, prostrated himself on the floor, and worshipped. Other people brought their offerings, but he had none. When the priest asked him to bring an offering, he explained that he had given all he had to a poor widow and he had nothing left. He was offering himself to God, it was all he had. The poor man said, “Is not a broken and contrite spirit what the Lord requires?” The priest knelt beside him and said, “You are blessed, my son, you have offered all you have to give.”*
When we offer our all, we are truly blessed.
*Story by E. Paxton Hood, noted on www.preceptaustin.org in section on Joel 2.
Hymn for Today: "There Is A Redeemer Lyrics" by Melody and Keith Green
1. There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,
2. Jesus my redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Hope for sinners slain.
3. Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And sending Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.
4. When I stand in Glory,
I will see His face,
And there I'll serve my King forever,
In that Holy Place.
5. Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And sending Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.
6. There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,
7. Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And sending Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.
And sending Your Spirit,
'Till the work on Earth is done.
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