Now That I Have Your Attention- Part 2 Joel 2:12-17

We have been talking about how God will sometimes try to get our attention through hardships. The people of Israel have turned from God and gone their own way. As any loving parent, who wants what is best for their children, God is disciplining his through trials.

He has not left them without hope though. Our passage today says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” I just love that last line. Don’t tear your clothing, tear your heart instead.

Does your heart break over your sin? I am not talking about your friend’s sin or your spouses. It is good for our heart to break over the sin of another, but our heart must also break over our own sin. That is when true repentance can happen. We can be sad that we are going through a trial. We can even recognize that God is trying to get our attention, but unless our heart breaks over the sin in our lives we will never change.

Ask God today to show you where you fall short and to break your heart over that sin. Our passage also says, “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.”

Read today's passage at Biblegateway.com Joel 2:12-17

Shock Value - 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (MSG)

Most of us have seen the early TV program, "I Love Lucy." Reruns of the program are still popular. There are often scenes of Ricky and Lucy in their bedroom, always in separate beds even though they are married. Back then it was not appropriate or legal to portray a married couple occupying a joint marriage bed. This seems strange to us now, given the television programing available at any hour of the day.

It is sad that we are becoming numb to sin and no longer upset, only briefly disappointed, when a star (actor or athlete, politician or personal hero) is discovered in a sordid escapade. We are momentarily stunned and then shrug and move on. This type of behavior is not exclusive to our era. If we read our Bible we see many instances of such decadence.

"I also received a report of scandalous sex within your church family, a kind that wouldn't be tolerated even outside the church.” (1 Corinthians 5:1 MSG)

What do we do now, how do we change? It begins with me. I first have to live as Christ would have me live, be the example to my children and grandchildren. Somewhere along the way from ancient times to the days of Lucy and Ricky, society did improve, probably a number of times. But now we live in those days once again when sin is acceptable. It is time to change our morals and values again. It is time to return to a simpler day filled with modesty and mutual respect for one another. If not, we will have some explaining to do.

To read todays text go to Biblegateway.