WEDNESDAY WRITING...7/18/18..."Spirit Poured Out"

Good Morning, 

The theme for today is taken from the book of Joel. God is causing destruction because the people were not following what He has asked of them. In the middle of the book God's words change to the final times on earth before Jesus comes. He tells them that He will do signs and wonders and that He is their safe hiding place. Here is a quote from the writing, "He started telling them about the coming of a special person (the return of Jesus) when the final days are taking place. He told them that He was a safe hiding place for the children of Israel. 

It is great to know that we will be safe if we repent when we need to and God will forgive us forever.

Blessings from 

Corinne

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Today's Devotional

"Spirit Poured Out"

by Corinne Mustafa

For the last week or so I have been reading the book of Joel. It is only three chapters and it is a compelling read. At first it was  a challenge because there was a time of destruction of the area and its people. Then I realized that it was not something that was predicting the final time of the end of the world. However, God was warning the people to change their evil ways.

“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
JOEL 2:28b-30a

(MSG)

This scripture gives a look at what will happen when the time is to come. In Joel God reveals that there will be spiritual happenings, warnings, and predictions. When it happens we will have been given prophesy being fulfilled. We would have information that that reveals what is to come.

He told then that He was not a God that was rampant and unsafe. That was the point when He started telling them about the coming of a special person (the return of Jesus) when the final days are being enacted. He told them that He was a safe hiding place for the children of Israel. God was giving Joel a prophesy to tell the people of that day, but He was also speaking of time that was to come. That time has not come yet. However, we know what we need to do to be safe in that time. We are to repent and ask God for His forgiveness, and it will be given to us. Here are the words of God in Joel 3:15-17, MSG (also found in NIV 3:16)

But God is a safe
 hiding place,
    a granite safe house 
for the children of Israel.
Then you’ll know for sure
    that I’m your God,

Joel 3:15-17a 

(MSG)

It is the plan of God that His people will be safe and will be with Him in paradise for all eternity.

Thank you, God, for your great love and patience for us. It is hard to wrap my mind around and understand Your great love of me, and all your children in spite of our missteps and wayward ways. I repent for all my shortcomings. Please guide me in the way You want me to go, and help me to follow You. I praise You for pouring out Your Spirit on me.

Amen.

"Martin Luther Christian Songs"

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers:

Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Cathy Friberg, and  Corinne Mustafa

Occasional Contributors:

Kathy Bireley,  Lynda Kinnard, Mary M. Wilkins,

Terri Baker, Beverley Napier, Kelly Dobyns

Glenna Williamson,  Shelly Keith, Amie Spruiell,

Lisabeth Lipp,  and Nandita Bhatnagar