Joel

v12 – NOW – today is the day to be saved and repent

Return to me – means to turn around

-a 180 degree turn

*With all of your heart – this is a heart change – Matt 27:3

-not just an emotional change or response

-fruit of repentance – Matthew 3:1-8 (v8)

v13 – rend – means to tear

-it speaks of enlarging your eyes to see clearly and what is wrong with you

-not just your clothes – no, it’s an inside issue

v13 – the Lord relents

-the Lord is eager to forgive, bless and be gentle

-The Lord does not want to bring His judgment, but He will

v14 – if we repent and turn to the Lord, the Lord will prosper and bless us

-then give back to the Lord

vs15-19

v15 – blow it to gather people together to make an announcement

v16 – the message was for everyone

adults, children, babies, elders (leaders) and honeymooners

v17 this verse speaks of the religious leaders of Israel that they need to repent

porch of the temple – where people learned the ways of the Lord and were taught at the temple

altar – the place of sacrifice and offerings

reproach – don’t allow Israel – your people –  to fall to their enemies so they will doubt the existence of the true and living God….everyone does have their own choice…

v18 – zealous – as Israel repents, the Lord will not allow anything to happen to them

       – pity – the Lord only desires to spare His people

vs14, 19 – 32 – THE BLESSINGS OF TURNING TO THE LORD

BLESSING #1

VS19,22 – PROVISION – THERE WILL BE PROVISION AND PROSPERITY

-abundant provision – all that is required and more

-this was the beginning of things being reversed for Israel

-IT IS THE TIME OF REVERSAL-

BLESSING #2 – SATISFACTION

vs19,26

-When you are away from the Lord, nothing satisfies

Satisfaction – means to be content/fulfilled/to be certain in something

-we can be certain in one thing – only Jesus satisfies

-so we will praise the Lord – v26

***PRAISE AND WORSHIP IS FORGETTING ABOUT WHAT’S WRONG WITH US AND REMEMBERING WHAT IS RIGHT WITH GOD***

v26 – the Lord will never disappoint you

disappointment – means to be let down…to be disconnected…separated

Why do we get disappointed?

1. WE LOSE OUR FOCUS

-you look at your own sins……at your circumstances and situation

-have faith in the Lord

2. WE HAVE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

3. WE LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE ENEMY

dis – means to disconnect…separate…part ways

BLESSING #3 – YOU WILL BE A GOOD WITNESS & TESTIMONY FOR THE LORD

verse 19

REPROACH – speaks of being disgraceful

-Israel became a great witness of Jesus as they turned to the Lord

BLESSING #4 – THE LORD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENEMIES

v20

-the Lord will do it

-this speaks of the locusts being destroyed

-this speaks of human armies being destroyed

East Sea – the Dead Sea

West Sea – the Mediterranean Sea