A CALL TO REPENTANCE & A PROMISE TO RESTORE

A CALL TO REPENTANCE, A PROMISE TO RESTORE

Joel 2:25

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.

What do I hear the Lord saying?  We live in a nation in turmoil. We’ve gone the way of ungodliness.  What started as a nation built on godly principles of freedom to pursue happiness and dependency on God has turned into a nation of dependency on man, man’s systems and man’s government. Every time the nation of Israel turned away from God and to their own fleshly desires & pursuits, they suffered great consequences.

Now I know people will say this is archaic thought- that it was about a nation existing thousands of years ago that was a theocracy and it doesn’t apply to us today, here, and in the natural.  I say God cared about nations then and he cared about nations now.  If you know anything about bible history, you would understand Israel was God’s chosen people.  It wasn’t that they were favored but it was the nation he would bring to the world, his Son Jesus Christ and his Word through.  Through his Son and the truth of his Word, the entire World would have the opportunity to become his chosen people. I can’t go into depth to teach that but it is true that through Christ we are grafted into the Olive Tree of God’s people.

America is a nation made of people who love freedom and was also a nation that was large in part Christian.  The founders left places primarily in Europe because they were forced to be a part of specific churches.  They wanted the freedom to worship at the place of their choice.  Until Christ returns there will always be various sects of Christianity.  While God would rather us all be united into one body (as we are in the Spirit,) we are mere humans and will gather according to our likenesses until Christ returns.  Until then we come together around the central theme of salvation through the sacrificial & substitution  offering of Christ on the cross.  Yes, I know there are those that say America wasn’t founded on biblical principles but I’m not here to argue that point. Our nation was founded upon recognizing the one true God and his ways.  He was welcome in our public places and meetings were opened in prayer. Preachers cried out for righteousness not only to their members but also to their nation and its laws. Our founding documents open with God and reference dependency upon him.  Most accepted the bible as the teachings of God and careful search of our initial laws were formed upon principles that were right and in agreement with biblical teachings.

No matter the outcome of a debate of that argument, non-Christians have always been welcome here and indeed some of the founders were not Christian. Most still recognized there was one true God.  They still made laws that were based upon what was right!

No matter the outcome of that debate, there is a God and he only cares about truth. He doesn’t care what the outcome of the debate is. He will one day judge the nations based on righteousness.  When he returns he will divide the nations based on right and wrong. This has nothing to do with individual choices of whether to serve Christ or not.

To the Christians, I believe God is calling out. He’s calling us to repentance.  Based on the scripture below, God cries out to his people who have slipped away from him to return with repentant hearts.  There are many in this nation who name the name of Christ but their ways are far from him.  There is a clarion call by the Spirit of God going out for all to come home! If every person who names the name of Christ in this nation alone returned to him with repentant hearts, bowed on their knees in prayer for forgiveness and determined to walk in his ways, this nation would experience a great turnaround in righteousness. 

Those that understand this scripture know that it applies to both Israel and Christians.  Later in the chapter the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the upper room on The Day of Pentecost is prophesied (not included here.)  This passage is a prophetic passage having to do with that and with an end times revival in which God’s people return to him in repentance.

Yesterday was a day of prayer and I hope millions of Americans bowed their heads in prayer for this nation.  Let’s as a nation begin to examine our own ways, read our bibles, searching out the scriptures to see if our lives are lining up with righteousness.  Let’s return to God with all of our hearts, minds, soul and strength.  If that happens, as Christians turn back to God in their own hearts, there will be a great revival in this nation and a return to righteousness.  With over 70% of our people claiming to be Christian, can you imagine if each one began to put God and his Word first in their lives. Can you imagine if all of their own personal decisions were based on what is right in the eyes of God and how that alone would reflect in this nation? It would have far reaching effects!

When true repentance happens restoration takes place.  This scripture addresses a people who had fallen away but encourages with a promise of restoration to those that will humble themselves, pray, seek the face of God and repent of their ways.

I believe God wants to restore this nation- to make her “a city on a hill,” for all to see with respect and admiration.  I believe God wants our nation to be the example of what can happen when people are free to choose him and they do!  I hear the Lord calling out to his people in every land to come home! Come back to God! 

I’ve included this passage containing a call to repentance and a promise of restoration. This is a passage applying to the nation of Israel and Christians.  I’ve included two versions.  Please read both and let’s not make prayer a one day event but let’s all together commit to pray often for our nation and to reform our own lives to reflect his ways! Amen and God bless!

Joyreaper

Joel 2:12-25 New King James Version (NKJV) 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?’” The Land Refreshed 18 Then the Lord will be zealous for His land, And pity His people. 19 The Lord will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations. 20 “But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea And his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, And his foul odor will rise, Because he has done monstrous things.” 21 Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the Lord has done marvelous things! 22 Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. 23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully,[a] And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. 24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. 25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust,[b] My great army which I sent among you.

Joel 2:12-25 New Living Translation (NLT) A Call to Repentance 12 That is why the Lord says,     “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts.     Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,     but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God,     for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.     He is eager to relent and not punish. 14 Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve,     sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine     to the Lord your God as before. 15 Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem!     Announce a time of fasting; call the people together     for a solemn meeting. 16 Gather all the people—     the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters     and the bride from her private room. 17 Let the priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence,     stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar. Let them pray, “Spare your people, Lord!     Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery. Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say,     ‘Has the God of Israel left them?’” The Lord’s Promise of Restoration 18 Then the Lord will pity his people     and jealously guard the honor of his land. 19 The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil,     enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery     among the surrounding nations. 20 I will drive away these armies from the north.     I will send them into the parched wastelands. Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea,     and those at the rear into the Mediterranean.[a] The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land.” Surely the Lord has done great things! 21     Don’t be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice,     for the Lord has done great things. 22 Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field,     for the wilderness pastures will soon be green. The trees will again be filled with fruit;     fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more. 23 Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem!     Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness.     Once more the autumn rains will come,     as well as the rains of spring. 24 The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain,     and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil. 25 The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost     to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.[b]     It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.

Scripture references from: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joel%202:12-25&version=NKJV;NLT

THERE IS NO LOSS

INTRO- THERE IS NO LOSS
Many  have gone through what they view as great losses in the last few years, especially in the area of the economy. There have been loss of jobs, businesses, homes, land and dreams!  I’ve come to tell you that no matter what your circumstance, as a Christian founded on the principles of God and with a life hidden with Christ, THERE IS NO LOSS!

THERE IS AN ENEMY

For the Christian, we look beyond natural circumstances.  We know that in addition to the ebbs and flows of life and the things that just happen, there is a God and there is a devil and they are at war.  The devil from the beginning has been trying to stop God and stop his plan. While it may seem like an ancient truth and while it may be an ancient truth it is still the truth and not a lie! There’s no question there is a God and there is a devil and there is a war over you! The good news is that when we stay rooted and grounded in the love of God and the foundations of Jesus Christ, no matter what things look like in the present circumstance, the reality is  THERE IS NO LOSS!

THE TEMPORAL LOSS IN RAMAH

When Jesus was born the women of Ramah suffered what looked like a great loss. Herod had all the children under the age of 2 killed.  Of course they were grieving.  I’m not here to minimize the grief those that lose children suffer.  There’s a time for grief.  Any loss brings grief.  It could be death, divorce, loss of business, loss of relationships, etc.  Any loss brings grief, however the loss of loved ones is probably the greatest grief a person could bear, especially the loss of a child.  Whatever the cause of grief, there is a time to grieve but there’s a time to get up and start again. There’s a time to laugh again!

Matthew 2:16-18
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18 “ A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more. (Message Bible)

Their loss was real but in light of eternity and in light of the long haul, THERE WAS NO LOSS!


THE FAILURE OF HEROD'S EVIL PLAN

Herod was jealous when he heard that the expected Messiah had come on the scene. He feared loss of position and set out to kill every child under the age of two thinking he would destroy the Holy Child.

He succeeded in taking away their natural life but he did not succeed in what he set out to do.

The devil has always sought to kill the plan of God!
That's the reason the devil tries to destroy nations.
That’s the reason for the Holocaust, the reason for the slaying in Ramah
That’s the reason for the betrayal of Judas that led to the capture of Jesus.
That’s the reason for the cross.
That’s the reason there is a devil that attacks the child of God!
That's the reason for abortion:  As I address this area of great controversy, this is the facts that need to be faced because we have a nation of grieving women.  Many would like to say these women walk away and don't blink an eye but that's a lie of the devil.  For those who have done this, there is forgiveness in God but for the babies, they are alive and THERE IS NO LOSS!


I believe in this nation we will see an end to Roe v Wade, which is a plan of the devil to bring destruction, death, grief and sorrow to this nation!

The spiritual person knows for certain there is a devil and that devil is out to destroy you and everything about you.

1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

The devil is jealous of God and his goal is to stop the plan of God and exalt himself!
FAT CHANCE! HA HA!


THE GOOD NEWS- THERE IS NO LOSS

The good news is that there was a resurrection and that resurrection ensures restoration!

For the mothers in Ramah, they could be assured that although there was a loss of earthly relationship, their children lived on in the arms of God. Even aborted and miscarried babies live on in the arms of God.  I don't have time or space to teach on that now but I can assure you from the Word of God- THERE WAS NO LOSS!

For Jesus;  God wisely protected him from Herod’s plot and the very child the devil sought out to destroy became the very child that destroyed the works of the devil. THERE WAS NO LOSS

For us, God promises that though we fall seven times we get back up. God promises to restore many times over what the devil stole.  THERE WAS NO LOSS

INCREASE:  God is ever increasing and we are ever increasing in him!  Although we are pruned we grow back stronger.  Although we are shaken, only what is strong remains and we are rebuilt stronger.  We can go through storms, loss of temporal things but God restores it all and always gives us more than before!  We may lose loved ones but we are assured of restoration and reunion.  In God, THERE IS NO LOSS!

THERE IS NO LOSS TO THE CHILD OF GOD WHOSE LIFE IS FOUNDED IN HIM!


THE DEVIL NEVER SUCCEEDS- HIS IMAGINATIONS ARE IN VAIN

The devil never succeeds and we never lose when our life is founded in Christ.
Let’s join God and mockingly laugh at the devil at his futile attempt to stop the child of God because in God,
THERE IS NO LOSS
Psalm 2: 1-8
1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:6 “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance, 
And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 

THIS IS WHY I LAUGH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

I’M LAUGHING WITH GOD AND I’M ASKING FOR NATIONS AND FOR EVERYTHING HE’S PROMISED IN MY INHERITANCE.  I’M LAUGHING BECAUSE I KNOW GOD HAS GREAT THINGS IN STORE FOR ME.  I’M LAUGHING BECAUSE GOD IS ON MY SIDE AND WILL GIVE ME WHAT I ASK OF HIM, EVEN IF IT’S ENTIRE NATIONS!  I’M LAUGHING  BECAUSE IN HIM:

THERE IS NO LOSS!