Today’s Reading: Joel 1:1–2:32, Acts 7:1–53, Job 18:1–21

Today’s Theme: God Restores

In today we look God as our great restorer and rescuer, seen most clearly through Jesus, the better Joseph and Moses

Joel 1:1–2:32

Fruitfulness brings joy

The vine dries up; the fig tree languishes. Pomegranate, palm, and apple, all the trees of the field are dried up, and gladness dries up from the children of man. (Joel 1:12, ESV)

Fruitfulness brings joy in both the physical and spiritual, if joy is lacking we need to ensure we are growing fruitfully in the Lord

No word leads to no joy

Is not the food cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God? (Joel 1:16, ESV)

Again no word from God means no Joy.

No word leads to suffering

How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep suffer. (Joel 1:18, ESV)

Without the word which brings Joy Gods flock will suffer

Sound the Alarm

Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, (Joel 2:1, ESV)

Part of the Gospel is to warn of the wrath to come

God’s army

The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it? (Joel 2:11, ESV)

This terrible force is Gods army because they are under His control

Tear your heart

and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:13, ESV)

God desires that these warnings draw his people in genuine heartfelt repentance which is more than just an external show

This is a cry to wayward saints (sinners were never with the Lord).

God’s character is clearly outlined here. God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger abounding in steadfast love and wants to turn back concerning disaster for his people (In the same way a parent would prefer to not have to smack a child in love if the child repents).

Our repentance will cause God to turn back from judgement too.

Jealous Love

Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. (Joel 2:18, ESV)

God showed his jealous love and zeal for the land while also having pity on His people in response to the prayer of His people

God restores

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. (Joel 2:25, ESV)

I am so grateful that God is a God who restores what he had taken away in judgement.

It is also comforting to know that the Lord can restore years that were eaten away in sin or rebellion

Satisfied in God

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. (Joel 2:26, ESV)

God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him.

The Promised Holy Spirit

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. (Joel 2:28–29, ESV)

Peter said this was fulfilled in Acts on the day of Pentecost, we give God thanks that we live in these days.

Everyone who calls

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:32, ESV)

Salvation is available and offered to all who will call upon the name of the Lord.

Acts 7:1–53

Know history

and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ (Acts 7:3, ESV)

History give foundation and definition to our faith, this is why it is so important that we know our history as Gods people

God our Rescuer

“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. (Acts 7:9–10, ESV)

Joseph was like an OT type of Jesus

God remained sovereign in the midst of Joseph’s trouble, which gives us hope in the middle of ours

Joseph, a type of Jesus

And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. (Acts 7:13, ESV)

Again a nod to Jesus, because at his second coming he will make himself known to His brothers the Jews.

Moses, a type of Jesus

He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. (Acts 7:25, ESV)

Another type of Jesus, the first time he came to Israel they did not understand either

Jesus, the Judge

But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? (Acts 7:27, ESV)

This was the attitude of the many in Israel to Jesus too. Also this gets to the heart of the problem why many from all nations who do no follow Jesus and obey God, it is because at heart they do not want anyone to judge or rule them.

We need to make sure this wicked attitude is not in our hearts, homes or churches

It all points to Jesus

“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. (Acts 7:35, ESV)

Here Stephen is driving the point of his historical retelling clearer, he is trying to show his accusers that the entire History of the Jewish people was pointing to Christ and how he would come in two parts being rejected and suffering 1st and then coming a 2nd time to rule

Turn your heart to God

Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, (Acts 7:39, ESV)

May we receive an obey Jesus from the heart and not turn back to the world in our hearts, we must guard against this.

Replacement gods

And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. (Acts 7:41, ESV)

The calf for Israel today is a Christ-less Judaism, we must continue to reach them with the gospel. We must ensure we do not have replacement gods in our lives.

Look past this world

Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, (Acts 7:48, ESV)

Stephen wants them to get their eyes past the temple and the external observances of tradition and religion

Have circumcised hearts

This is the summation of Stephens’s lesson and appeal.

Lord may we be circumcised in our hearts and help us to not resist your Holy Spirit

Job 18:1–21

The wicked trap

For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on its mesh. (Job 18:8, ESV)

This is true of the wicked, they are decivers and being decived like the Proverbs and NT teacha nd will be caught in their own traps

Today’s Reading: Hos 13:1–14:9, Acts 6:1–15, Job 17:1–16

Today’s Theme: Hope in God

Today’s theme looks at the hope we can have in God.

Hosea 13:1–14:9

God the only Saviour

But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior. (Hosea 13:4, ESV)

God makes these exclusive statements that only He can make. He reminds the people and us about who he is, the only God and Saviour

The good times test

but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me. (Hosea 13:6, ESV)

This is the test, do we forget God when we prosper and all goes well, sadly this is often the case. We need to test our hearts, if God is our number one desire then we will not forget Him in good times.

Seize the opportunity

The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son, for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb. (Hosea 13:13, ESV)

Lord help us to be wise and seize opportunity in the life time of the opportunity

Death will be defeated

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. (Hosea 13:14, ESV)

This is a prophetic passage, in the end Jesus will defeat even death, there will be no more death.

Hope for Apostates

I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. (Hosea 14:4, ESV)

This verse shows the loving heart of God, and the amazing truth that there is even hope for the apostate to be healed and restored.

The ways of the Lord

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9, ESV)

Gods right ways are the litmus test of authentic faith, do we walk in the Lords ways, well if we do that is evidence of true conversion, if His ways are a stumbling block to us we are not yet converted.

Acts 6:1–15

Social action

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (Acts 6:2, ESV)

This daily distribution must have something to do with the pooling of resources that was happening so that everyone had food etc

Social action and service should not be pitted against the preaching of the Word, both are important but the Pastor should be able to focus on the highly important task of studying the word to preach and teach it to the church.

Some in the west play down this role and give very little time in their service to the exposition of the word, I thank God we are in a church where the expository preaching of the bible is central.

Ministry in the word

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4, ESV)

Another good example for today’s churches, elders should devote themselves to the word of God and prayer. These spiritual disciplines are crucial in the lives of the churches leaders for the growth of the entire body.

Also note the context here, a deacons focus should be the social care of the church.

The power of the gospel

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7, ESV)

Another reminder of the power of the Gospel, many of the jewish priest form the tribe of Levi were converted

Unbeatable wisdom

But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (Acts 6:10, ESV)

This is the sort of wisdom the Holy Spirit gives to us as Gods people, we will speak with the sort of wisdom that can not be refuted.

Also note the word “Spirit” they were not able to resist the power of the Holy Spirit in Stephen, We need to the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses.

This is why when we speak the truth in the Holy Spirit, we are not met with reason or logic but ignorance and violence

Job 17:1–16

Hope in God

where then is my hope? Who will see my hope? (Job 17:15, ESV)

Job has been explaining for this whole chapter that he has no hope, thank God for Jesus we do have hope , if we put our hope in God.

Today’s Reading: Hos 11:1–12:14, Acts 5:1–42, Job 16:10–22

Today’s Theme: The attributes of God

Today we read about just some of the wonderful attributes of God which should will us with awe and faith. In the NT we see Gods order, structure and life in the early church.

Hosea 11:1–12:14

Called out

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1 (ESV)

This like much of the OT has dual meanings on one hand it speaks of Israel but the NT uses it to speak of Christ too.

God has called us out of Egypt in a sense too if we consider Egypt as representing the world system.

The motivation in all three cases (Israel, Jesus, us) is God’s love for us.

God, our loving Father

I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. Hosea 11:4 (ESV)

God is a loving Father to His people Israel, be encouraged by this today that he loves you as a father too, his leading in our lives is motivated by his love.

God is compassionate

How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. Hosea 11:8 (ESV)

God has great affection and compassion for His people, I just thank God that he is not like man.

We should be like God as Jesus showed us in his life and ministry, we should show compassion (compassion noun. – a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering.).

God, the true Lion

They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; Hosea 11:10 (ESV)

God is the true Lion, He roars and His people come to him, this is such a picture of authority and power, God is not some lonely man on a hill just wishing people would follow him, he is a mighty, sovereign God in operation drawing and saving His people with all authority.

Don’t feed on wind

Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. Hosea 12:1 (ESV)

A picture of the futility of our pursuits without and against God, it is like feeding on wind, it will bring no satisfaction.

Also the winds of false doctrine are empty and can not satisfy.

God the Wise One

I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables. Hosea 12:10 (ESV)

God declaring His glory as the revealer of visions and parables. Our God knows everything and is wise there are two of His eternal attributes

God’s guards for his people

By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded. Hosea 12:13 (ESV)

The Prophet Moses was used as a guard for the people of Israel, this is true today too, our Pastors are guards and shepherds over the flock. Paul admonishes the Elders/Pastors and leaders to watch over the doctrine, to guard and defend it. Doctrine matters.

Thank God for the guards he has given us.

Acts 5:1–42

Don’t be dishonest

and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:2 (ESV)

It was not that they were obligated to give it all, the problem here is that they were acting as if they gave the full price of the land when they did not as Peter mentions later.

The lesson is simple, we should not be dishonest.

You can’t lie to God

While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” Acts 5:4 (ESV)

This is the most foolish position any man can take, God is all knowing and wise, how can man lie to Him and hope to get away with it… well it happens all the time and shows the depravity and unsound thinking of our fallen nature. We need to be regenerated. We need the Holy Spirit.

Discipline from God

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. Acts 5:5 (ESV)

God still uses this sort of discipline today, this one was recorded for our instruction but God will judge and chastise severely and openly to cut out rot and deception in the Church.

Jesus died to save the church and will move to preserve her when necessary, but as noted earlier in todays reading this is done mostly through Pastoral leadership, good elders, exposition of the Bible and biblical church discipline which all give the church biblical discernment.

My own thought (it is possible that the Lord so drastically cut of these deceivers because the church was in such early days and this culture of falsity needed to be dealt with, also that maybe the elders were not yet trained and matured to deal with this sort of manipulation etc)

The Fear of God

And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. Acts 5:11 (ESV)

God’s purpose in this judgement was that the fear of God would be established in and through the church

Church Leadership

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. Acts 5:12 (ESV)

Again notice these are by the hand of the apostles and not just any believer

Church Membership

None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Acts 5:13 (ESV)

In those days joining the church was no casual thing. This is still the case in areas of the world where the church is persecuted. Lets pray that the serious nature of church membership would be revived.

Delivered by Angels

“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” Acts 5:20 (ESV)

The command of the Angels shows the purpose in their mission to free the Apostles was not for them to escape into hiding on this occasion but to Go, Stand and Speak the gospel.

Thank God that he sends Angels in answer to our prayers to deliver his people.

Teaching the people

And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Acts 5:25 (ESV)

Like Jesus, this was often the mission of the Apostles. Man has been so deceived that teaching in the truth is one of his greatest needs.

Our creed

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:30–32 (ESV)

Peters 3rd sermon as it were and in it we find some good definition and summary of the beliefs of the early church.

The enduring Church

but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, Acts 5:39 (ESV)

…and time has proven that this is of God because we are still here today.

Elected to suffer

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Acts 5:41 (ESV)

Do we rejoice in being elected to suffer for His name, if not we need to check our hearts.

Job 16:10–22

The trinity

that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor. Job 16:21 (ESV)

Here is a nod to the OT understanding / revelation of the trinity (God bringing a case before God)

Today’s Reading: Hos 8:1–10:15, Acts 4:1–37, Job 16:1–9

Today’s Theme: Rebellion vs God’s Spirit

Today’s theme will look at the futility of our natural state of rebellion vs the supernatural empowerment of Gods Holy Spirit to live lives in faith and obedience to God and his word

Hosea 8:1–10:15

Do not rebel against God

They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction. Hosea 8:4 (ESV)

This is not a good place to be in, we should be careful not to walk in rebellion or God may leave us to our own plans in judgement.

This also reminds us we must seek Gods guidance in all that we do.

Be careful about what you invest in

For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it. Hosea 8:7 (ESV)

We should be careful where we spend our time, money and resources because we will reap what we sow.

Sacrifices are not an end in themselves

As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt. Hosea 8:13 (ESV)

Sacrifices are not an end in themselves, we may make them and God not accept them because we only make the sacrifice to make up for the lack of love, affection, desire and obedience we have toward God.

Don’t be fooled into thinking you can appease God with religious duty, he is seeking a faithful relationship with you not a phoney externalised religiosity.

God is no automatic impersonal force, the bible teaches us that God is a person and operates on the basis of relationship.

The deceitful pleasure of Sin

Rejoice not, O Israel! Exult not like the peoples; for you have played the whore, forsaking your God. You have loved a prostitute’s wages on all threshing floors. Hosea 9:1 (ESV)

Do we like the reward or pay off from prostituting our devotion to God with the world?

We must not be negligent to the fact that sin is pleasurable but we must recognise that this pleasure pales into insignificance when compared to the pleasure found in God.

Don’t get choked by things

For behold, they are going away from destruction; but Egypt shall gather them; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess their precious things of silver; thorns shall be in their tents. Hosea 9:6 (ESV)

This reminds me of those who heard the word but the cares of this life choke it out.

In Jesus own words from Matthew 13:22 “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

You become what you love

Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers. But they came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved. Hosea 9:10 (ESV)

The words “became detestable like the thing they loved.” reminds us that we become what we love so we have to be careful with our affections.

Ultimately we should set our affections on God and become more like him.

God hates the wicked (sinners)!

Every evil of theirs is in Gilgal; there I began to hate them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more; all their princes are rebels. Hosea 9:15 (ESV)

God does not just hate the sin as this verse and many others display. Also it doesn’t say he hates what they do. It says he hates them because of their evil deeds, man is culpable and responsible for his deeds before God.

Consider this, sin will not be consigned to hell for all eternity, sinners will.

We need to preach the full context of the Gospel that God is angry with us for our sin and will judge each of us personally for our sin because he hates one who commits sins. Yet because of his love for mankind he has made a way of escape and because of his particular love for his elect he has saved us.

The prosperity test

Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars. Hosea 10:2 (ESV)

Riches and prosperity can test our hearts to see whether we are genuine or not, will our hearts prove to be false?

God must be our greatest treasure.

The political idols

For now they will say: “We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD; and a king—what could he do for us?” Hosea 10:3 (ESV)

This is the political state of the west where God is not honoured and leadership is scorned. We should consider this as we pray for our nations.

Ideas like Socialism, Communism and Capitalism all have consequences especially when belief in these political systems seeks to usurp God’s place and his personal and delegated pattern of authority.

Break up the hard ground

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12 (ESV)

This is a great call to repentance, restoration and sanctification. This can apply to us too, Jesus said His yoke is easy and burden is light as mentioned in the previous verse but if we walk in wickedness, then we will burden our selves with a great yoke and with work to do.

It is hard to break up hard uncultivated ground, but our lack of trusting in God will leave us with this great burden and work which Jesus did not intend for our neck. ( see next verse too).

Acts 4:1–37

The promise of the Gospel

greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. Acts 4:2 (ESV)

This is a key message and promise of the Gospel, we need to let the world know that there is a hope for resurrection in Jesus to eternal life.

The Gospel is more than just the great escape from Hell.

The victory of the gospel

But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. Acts 4:4 (ESV)

Luke is reminding us here that this was a great victory, even though they were imprisoned, five thousand were saved.

If we are faithful in our proclamation of the Gospel, God will be glorified.

The Holy Spirit speaks

let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. Acts 4:10 (ESV)

As Jesus had promised, they would be filled with the Spirit when standing before accusers

Listen to the boldness of Peters declaration empowered by the Spirit… just wonderful.

Today we too must rely on the Holy Spirit to speak though us

Jesus is the only way

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (ESV)

Peter outlines clearly the exclusivity of the Gospel message. Jesus is the only way.

Speak boldly

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (ESV)

The confidence they spoke with reflected the Lordship of Jesus. We need to remember this we can speak boldly because of who Jesus is and because we spend time with Jesus.

Speak from your experience with the Lord

for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 (ESV)

Peter and John were not just speaking from what Jesus had taught them they were speaking from their experience with Him too. We must do this too.

God is Sovereign

while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30 (ESV)

This prayer (verse 28 – 30) recognises God as sovereign even over the cross

This is what we should pray for when our faith comes under fire, Lord give me boldness

The Apostles recognised that even the healing was not coming from some special gift possessed by them but God working through them.

Filled to persevere

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 (ESV)

Notice this time they were filled wight he Holy Spirit to persevere in speaking boldly. We need this too.

Taking care of each others needs

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Acts 4:34–35 (ESV)

This is the great vision of Gods kingdom which in someways we have lost today, crippled by pragmatism and conventional wisdom, we would see such devotion and abandon as irresponsible.

At the same time we must look at this in context, this did seem to be a special event at the start of the church, later through Paul’s writing we hear that the church at Jerusalem was poor so he took a collection for them.

Also note although land owners sold their land I’m sure they still had somewhere to live, Also note that in the mind of these believers Christ could return at any moment, it is a lesson for us about how we live our lives in this present world in regards to our possessions and the needs of others

Job 16:1–9

The Comforter

“I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Job 16:2 (ESV)

I must admit this made me laugh when I first read it this morning, but looking at it again we should be grateful that we have the comfort of the Holy Spirit.