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Joel 2:12-13

Lesson # Joel 2:12-13 Study Material - Joel 2:12-13 You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. Joel 2:12-13 12 Therefore also now, saith [na'um] the LORD [Yahovah] , turn [shuwb] ye even to me with all your heart [lebab] , and with fasting [tsowm] , and with weeping [Bakiy] , and with mourning [micepd] : 13 And rend [qara] your heart [lebab] , and not your garments [beged] , and turn [shuwb] unto the LORD [Yahovah] your God [elohiym] : for he is gracious [channuwn] and merciful [rachuwm] , slow [arek] to anger [aph] , and of great [rab] kindness [checed] , and repenteth [nacham] him of the evil [ra] . KJV-Interlinear 12 'Yet even now,' declares the LORD, 'Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; 13 And rend your heart and not your garments. 'Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, And relenting of evil. NASB Repentance is the desired outcome of the Lord's judgments, Deut 4:30, 30:1-2, Hos. 3:4-5, Amos 4:6-11. Because Gods policy is grace and His character is merciful, He often relents from sending calamity. On the occasion of the golden calf, Moses begged the Lord to 'relent' and 'not bring disaster' on His people, Ex. 32:12. The Lord responded favorably to his request, Ex. 32:14. God often calls for repentance (a change of mind or attitude). The human mind can follow a huge array of attitudes. I have just placed on the web site, a new chart which outlines the 'Human Carnal Nature.' It is quite extensive, but worth your checking out. Find it on the Index page on the web site. The biggest single barrier to anyone's spiritual advance is the individuals own attitude. This is why the Bible just harps over and over, relentlessly, on human attitude, repentance, and the need to be alert to all the indicators which might prevent one from their spiritual life. Even the repetition can be annoying to folks, but there is a great deal at stake if you really think about it. God teaches us here in Joel, that history will run its course. God looked down through the tunnel of time and selected this particular historical path. Within that path, which we call the Divine Decrees, God foresaw all the thoughts, motives, decisions, and actions of all peoples throughout history. Everyone makes up their own mind. God never forces any decision on anyone. But since these decisions and actions have been foreseen and since this historical path has been selected, then God lets it run its course. Therefore, all of history must go as foreseen. That is what is meant by 'history must run its course.' People will be allowed to make their decisions in life. That is free will. So. God always places His truth in front of everyone, to help people avoid making wrong decisions. Again, a great deal is at stake. Your eternal future is on the line. And eternity is a very long time. Assume for a moment that you, prior to your birth, could select who your parents would be, what your circumstances of birth would be, where you would live, and so forth. How many of us would choose to be born in the ghetto? Well none of us would want that. We would all choose to be born into silver spoon mansions with the best of the best for our entire life. Well none of us had that opportunity to make that choice before we were born. We did not even exist. But now, we do exist, and now we have been given by God, the opportunity to design our next life. How many will choose to be born again into a so-so heaven. Unfortunately most believers are doing just that. But if you recall our study of the first three chapters of Revelation, as well as the many parables which Jesus taught, then you know that by advancing to spiritual maturity, you will qualify for those 'beyond imagination' blessings and privileges and awards in heaven, which not everyone will receive. Those things, you will have for all of eternity. In earthly terms. Would you rather be born a trillionaire, or common historical filler. Well, again, we would all elect for the big bucks and all that goes along with that life style. That is what is at stake. Your eternal future. And attitude toward God is what stands between you and the quality of your future. That's all. So God calls for a genuine attitude change. Not a superficial change. Not one which fools people only. Not one which is merely for appearances. Not one which is temporary. But an attitude change which will carry you for the rest of your life. Any approach toward God which is not genuine and obedient to His policy, is false, and will be rejected by God. Psa. 51:16-17 16 For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. NASB Therefore, the call for genuine change. Lest the armies of the world, whatever their form may be, will bring great mourning and terror into the negative persons life, as well as that of their family. Zech. 12:12 12 'And the land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; NASB When a member of your family hurts, all members generally hurt, if not for themselves, then for the one who is hurting. Everyone stands on their own ground. God does not punish a family for the wrongs of a single person. The intent of judgment or discipline is to bring attention to your spiritual flaws. To bring you to a point of change in your life. Remain defiant, stubborn, apathetic and such, then the hurting will intensify, and intensify, and intensify, until you either change or die. Why would anyone be so stupid and want to push things that far? God is gracious and gives us all lots of loose rope in our life. Unfortunately too many people consider this as a right to do whatever they wish, or an indication that God isn't watching them very close anyway. Then suddenly the ropes' slack tightens and the choking hold God has on you is startling to say the least. What then? Do you get a second chance or does the noose snap your neck? Hummm! Why, again, why, would anyone wait that long to find out? End of lesson. Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.

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