His Love Endures Forever

Old Testament: Micah 3 & 4

Poetry: Psalm 136

New Testament: Matthew 22

If you are like me, it is troubling to watch what is happening today over in Israel.  Many lives have been lost in the Israeli Hamas war.  I feel bad for the innocent people who have lost their lives.  Moreover, I am confused about what I want to happen.  Of course, peace is the ultimate goal, but does blood have to be shed to reach that goal?

I wouldn’t necessarily pick such a grim and complex topic for a daily devotion, but I couldn’t help but think about what is happening today when I was reading today’s chapters in Micah, Psalms, and Matthew.  The topics were not all warm and fuzzy, in fact, they were quite violent at times.  I’m not sure what I read helped me frame my view of the war today, but I got a glimpse into the mind of God.  I still have more questions than answers, but I feel I am more prepared to understand why the events will unfold the way they will.

Let’s start with Micah.  When I heard what was happening in Israel, my first thought was that Israel was God’s chosen people and you really don’t want to mess with them if you value your own life.  I already know who wins in the end, and it is Israel.  But then I thought about all the times Israel turned their backs to God and bad things happened to them.  In Micah 3:9-12, it talks about the rulers of Israel who despised justice, distorted what was right, built Zion with bloodshed, and built Jerusalem with wickedness.  They thought that the Lord was among them so no disasters would come upon them.  Instead, because of them, Jerusalem became a heap of rubble.  Does this describe the leaders of Israel today?  Is it possible they are trying again to build up Jerusalem with wickedness and bloodshed?  Are they going against what God wants to happen when innocent people are killed?

Would God, the most loving being there is, be ok with so many people dying in a war?  Strangely enough, the answer to that came in Psalms 136.  The second part of all 26 verses says, “His love endures forever.”  It is a whole chapter that talks about many ways that God loved his people.  It starts out nice enough when it talks about how good He is and how He created great wonders for us, but it gets a bit weird later.  It talks about His love enduring forever because He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, swept Pharoah and his army into the Red Sea, struck down great kings, and killed mighty kings.  It is strange to read a verse that says, “to Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, His love endures forever.”  I don’t usually consider killing children as a sign of His love enduring forever.  However, it was a sign of His love because he did it to help His chosen people.  He loved the Israelites so much, that He was willing to kill others that were against them.  Is it possible Hamas is being killed because of God’s love for the Israeli’s?

The chapters from Micah and Psalms are sufficient in framing the discussion, but I was surprised to see that even Matthew had a little bit to say about the subject.  The parable of the wedding feast includes the king who was so enraged, he sent his armies to destroy the murderers and set their city on fire.  And the chapter ends with Jesus quoting David who said, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies beneath your feet.”  These two examples in Matthew were not necessarily referring directly to the issue we are talking about today, but I thought it was interesting that God did not rule out violence to solve some of the problems talked about in Matthew.

I already mentioned I don’t have complete clarity about this war today, but in my position, I think that is fine.  I am not the one deciding how much death and destruction will occur and I really don’t think either side would listen to me anyways if I had an opinion.  I care about what is happening, but I am just not directly involved.  I am ok watching what is happening, and I think it will become clear with time how God wants this to play out.  My prayer is for peace, but I will be patient to see how that peace comes about.  Perhaps true peace won’t even occur until a time that Micah talked about in chapter 4 – when Jesus returns.  I will also pray for that day to come soon.

Reflection Questions:

Do you think God is an active participant in this war or is He just watching what is happening?

What is your prayer for this war?

-Rick McClain

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Popularity – and Rejection

Old Testament: Micah 1 & 2

Poetry: Psalm 135

New Testament: Matthew 21

As we come to the Christmas season, reading about these last days of Jesus puts a different light on the passage. 

At the beginning of the chapter, we see Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as the king he was prophesied to be.  This lines up with what was expected from his birth!  And yet, as we continue to read though the last parable in the chapter, we see that rejection starting to come.

In the parable of the tenants, we see a landowner who planted a vineyard, took care to put in safety precautions, then rented it out when he moved.  He sends his servants back first to collect the harvest.

The result?  One is beaten, another killed, and a third stoned.  He sends more servants, and they continue to treat them in the same way.

Finally, the landowner decides to sends his son, certain that he will be respected.  Instead, the tenants kill the son in an effort to steal his inheritance. 

Jesus explains that those who behave in this way – those that reject God’s servants, and ultimately his son – will have the kingdom taken away from them and given to someone else who will produce fruit.

Those who are reading these devotions are probably Christians.  But do we have times in our lives where we reject God’s son all the same?  Probably not an outright rejection or denial, but we might push him to the side of our lives or we might not be willing to speak of the gospel in front of others which is another way of denying him.

As we get closer to Christmas, let’s remember the amazing miracle of Jesus’ birth through the ultimate proof that he was the Messiah by his resurrection and focus on sharing the good news rather than denying his name.

~Stephanie Fletcher

A short bio about me: I live in Minnesota with my husband and our two kids – 5 & almost 3.  We may be a little crazy, but a couple of years ago, we bought a home with my parents – it is like two regular sized homes stacked on top of each other, and we all live there together.  For a short while, my sister, her husband, and their baby lived there too.  We live there with our dog, Indiana (a compromise from Han Solo or Ford based on my liking of Harrison Ford), and a pet fish – Mickey Rainbow Mermaid Fish (name courtesy of my daughter as technically, it’s her pet).

Reflection Questions

  1. What can you learn from Jesus in how he handled popularity? And, from how he handled rejection? 
  2. How have your actions or words (or lack thereof) been a denial of Jesus Christ?
  3. How can you do better? 
  4. What fruit is the landowner looking for? 
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Your Compassion

Old Testament: Jonah 3 & 4

Poetry: Psalm 134

New Testament: Matthew 20

I do not care for the ending of Jonah.  It is such a cliffhanger to me.  I love to read stories.  And when I read stories, my judgment on the quality is if it makes my stomach clench throughout.  Even a book I have re-read 5 times can have that same effect on me.  I know I’m involved with the characters when that happens.  And Jonah is a pretty good story.  But if the ending of this book was in the ending of another book I have read, I would be quite upset.  I want to know what happened!

So post-preaching to the Ninevites, Jonah has a bad attitude.  He starts out in a good mood, sitting down to wait for the smiting of his enemies.  But as time goes on and it doesn’t happen, he gets grumpy.  To the point of comedy in my opinion.

Do we see that in our own lives?  Maybe not the waiting for the smiting of enemies (or maybe for some readers, that is true), but just for the fulfillment of what we want?  Maybe you have something in your mind of how things should go, and you are happily waiting to see that happen.  But when it doesn’t, you get angry, grumpy, and over-dramatic.  Do we stop to think that maybe what we want isn’t always the best way?

God’s response to Jonah in the last chapter is powerful to me.  He says to Jonah, “I made them, who are you to decide they need to die?  You care more about a plant that you didn’t even plant than these living, breathing people that I designed.” (not actually a quote from Scripture – my paraphrase).

Do you ever care more about what you want to have happen than the people God designed?  Again, it might not be that you are waiting for them to die.  But maybe you are more upset that your order at a restaurant was messed up than the fact that the person taking your order was having a really bad day and made a mistake.  Maybe you want so much to be proven that you are the most right about something at school or work or church that you are alienating people that you could be having an impact on?

When you are focused on yourself and what you want, remember that other people matter too. The fact that someone managed to show up for work might be a huge victory for them, even if your order got messed up.  Taking the time to care about people more than your own selfish, petty desires, not only can improve someone else’s life, but your own too.

~Stephanie Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. How would your rate Jonah’s compassion? God’s compassion? Your compassion?
  2. When do you find yourself more focused on what you want than on what others need and how you can serve them?
  3. What do you learn from Jonah in the book of Jonah? What do you learn about God in the book of Jonah?
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Reluctant Obedience

Old Testament: Jonah 1 & 2

Poetry: Psalm 133

New Testament: Matthew 19

The book of Jonah fascinates me.  I think the main reason is that my understanding of it has changed so much since I first heard the story as a child.  And honestly, even now when I read it, my opinion of Jonah is still changing as I keep changing.

In children’s’ classes, the story of Jonah is typically used as an example of obedience to God.  He didn’t listen at first, but then he was swallowed by a large fish and changed his mind and went and did what God told him to do.  So that was my opinion of Jonah growing up for the most part – great example of obedience.

I know I had read through the whole book, but I must have glossed over the ending.  As a parent, I understand why most classes do stop at Jonah’s obedience to God in going to Nineveh.  My kids need good examples.  They don’t really need more ideas of bad behavior or attitudes – they can come up with plenty on their own.

When I got a little older and continued to read through this story, it finally struck me – yes, Jonah did obey God’s direction to go to Nineveh, but 1) that was after he had been swallowed by a giant fish, lived, and was spit back out, and 2)his behavior is like a child telling a sibling they were sorry for hitting them because they were told by their parents to do that.  Not because they really felt sorry and wanted to, but because they were made to.  His obedience didn’t really seem to come from the heart.

And we see that as the book continues.  He did what God asked.  He told the Ninevites that they were doing bad things and that God was going to destroy their city.  And this changed their lives!  They turned from their evil ways – at least for a time; we do know they went back to evil – but Jonah didn’t care about that.  He only wanted to see the destruction that he preached.

While this isn’t the example I want to present to my children, I get it.  Jonah speaks to me as an adult as a reminder that I can’t just do the “right” thing.  I have to do it with the right heart.  It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13 which lists all these things that one could do that are good, but says “but if I have not love, I am nothing.”  We can do all the right things.  By the book.  But if we do them without love, does it really matter? 

The Ninevites were saved for a time by Jonah’s preaching.  His reluctant obedience made a difference for their lives.  But did it make a difference in Jonah’s own life?  I think God can use our reluctant obedience to still make a breakthrough to others, to serve them.  But when we do things without love, we miss out on the best God has for us – the joy and blessings of serving.

More on Jonah tomorrow.

~Stephanie Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you obeyed – but reluctantly and with a wrong heart? In your case was that better than not obeying at all? How might have things been different if you had obeyed – done the right thing – with a right heart?
  2. Re-read Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2. What do you learn from Jonah in this prayer?
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Refocus

Old Testament: Obadiah

Poetry: Psalm 132

New Testament: Matthew 18

Who is the greatest?  The GOAT (is that still a thing)?  This is what the disciples come to Jesus asking at the beginning of Matthew 18.

Jesus doesn’t answer them directly, per usual.  Their question isn’t even worth answering.  It doesn’t matter who is the greatest.  That comes with the wrong focus.  Instead Jesus tells them:

3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

Your position is not important.  Rather, not viewing yourself as the greatest will put yourself in a better, more humble position.

There are several parables in this chapter, and I think you could probably tie them all to humility in some way, but I want to look at the last section.  It starts with:

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[g]

That is going to require humility.  When someone sins against us, we probably feel we are in the right to be angry or to hold a grudge.  After all, they sinned against me.  But Jesus’ instructions don’t allow for this kind of pride.  Instead, we are to go on forgiving our fellow Christians time and time again, swallowing our pride, pushing it aside, for the sake of forgiveness.

We might think this is unfair, but through the parable Jesus tells of the unmerciful servant, we can see that God forgives us so much!  For us to accept God’s forgiveness for our own sins, but to hold another’s sins against them is prideful.  It is saying that you deserve forgiveness more than them, or that your sins weren’t as great.

Instead, Jesus wants us to humble ourselves, to admit that we are just as low, or even lower, than others and offer the grace to others that we have been given.

Humility is a topic that has come up often in my discussions and readings the last few months.  It is hard – it is against our human nature.  But I really believe it is one of the most important things for us to focus on.  And likely, it isn’t a one-time thing.  We need to constantly be reminded and refocus on humility to make sure that pridefulness doesn’t seep into our lives, because pride does come naturally.  But humility is key.  It is key to forgiveness, to serving others, to spreading the gospel.  Your message will be better received if it comes from a place of humility rather than pride.

~Stephanie Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. What does pride look like? What does humility look like? Why do you think Jesus teaches humility? Which type of person do you prefer to be around? 
  2. When and how does pridefulness seep into your life? What has helped you remember and practice humility?
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The Search for Knowledge?

Old Testament: Amos 7-9

Poetry: Psalm 131

New Testament: Matthew 17

Our Psalm reading starts today with this verse:

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.

When reading through this, I had two thoughts on this first verse from different perspectives.

  1. Do we sometimes try to understand things that we just really can’t understand?  There are some people who want to know the answer to everything.  And searching for knowledge isn’t inherently bad.  But does it become so much of a priority that it is leading you toward pride?
  2. On the other hand, do we let this become an excuse to just say “well, I guess we can’t know” and give up on the pursuit of truth and knowledge?

I think there probably has to be a balance between these two things.  When I don’t know the answer to something (that I believe to be unanswerable – not like a math problem that has a clear answer), it just doesn’t bug me.  I know other people who just have to know and they spend so much time searching and studying and still not finding answers which frustrates them.  But I do let that be an excuse at times to not search for an answer and give up on something that I could know more about.

The passage goes on to say, “But I have stilled and quieted my soul […] O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.”

That’s the key.  Our hope shouldn’t be found in knowledge.  Our hope should be in the LORD.  We should be at peace with the things that are above our understanding.  But I also think we should try to know the LORD as best as we can with our human minds.  In John 17:3, it says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”  Eternal life is to know God and His Son Jesus.  And we can’t know Him if we don’t spend time pursuing Him even if we can’t have all the answers.

So we should be doing what we can to know and understand God, but also let go of our desire to have the answer to everything, humble ourselves, and live in peace knowing that God’s ways are greater than our own.

~Stephanie Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. Is there some information you are content not knowing? Like what?
  2. Have you ever found yourself struggling with pride because of what you do know? How can you practice humility instead?
  3. What do you think God wants us to know about Him and His Son?
  4. Do you ever misplace your hope and put it in yourself and all you know and can do – instead of in God? What is the remedy?
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It Changes Everything

Old Testament: Amos 5 & 6

Poetry: Psalm 130

New Testament: Matthew 16

In our reading today, we see these verses:

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you. – Psalm 130

This was written back in the pre-Jesus times.  Yet even then, the writer speaks of forgiveness of our sins.  How much more is that available to us with the blood of Jesus to wash those sins away?  We can be so thankful that the LORD does not keep a record of our sins.  If He did, we could not stand.

Has someone ever done something to you that you hold onto and struggle letting go of?  Now I do think there can be wisdom in remembering things that are dangerous – say, you play a game of pool with your then-boyfriend, and he hits you with a cue stick in the face on accident.  Then maybe, when you play pool with your now-husband, you are a little extra careful to make sure you don’t get too close when he is lining up a shot. 

That’s a joking example, but there are times when serious hurt may be done, and we can learn from those instances so they don’t get repeated.  But learning from things and keeping a record of sins to hold against people is very different.  As you are reading Psalms 130 today, ask yourself, is there someone that you need to forgive or something you need to let go of?

Our New Testament chapter for today is Matthew 16 which is where Peter makes the big confession – identifies the truth – that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.  If we too confess this, we can take part in the forgiveness of sins.

The Psalm continues on –

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

I don’t feel that I do a great job of waiting for the LORD with my whole being.  It isn’t in the forefront of my mind.  It is easy to live life with the focus not being on God with so many different things available to distract us.  How would my life look different if that was my main focus? 

We talked in a youth group class this year about how the good news should radically alter our lives.  It should infuse every aspect of it.  That thought came up again in a book I was reading related to parenting.  The gospel changes everything.  If God is my main focus, and I let the salvation that Jesus has made possible alter every part of my life, that includes how I interact with my children.  Parenting is what stood out to me in that, but that might not be where it hits you – maybe for you, you are struck that the gospel should change how you go to school, interact with your friends, work at your job, etc. 

If you want a song reminder of this Psalm, visit https://open.spotify.com/track/6A6GlReEZA0eG48K9yKK0J to hear a song written by Aaron Winner called “Wait For the Morning.”

~Stephanie Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. Is there someone that you need to forgive or something you need to let go of?
  2. How would my life look different if waiting on the Lord was my main focus? 
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Merely Human Rules

Old Testament: Amos 3 & 4

Poetry: Psalm 129

New Testament: Matthew 15

Jesus is on a bit of a tirade at the start of this chapter.  He has got to be pretty sick of the Pharisees!  But when he quotes from Isaiah to them in verses 8 and 9, I wonder if we fall into this trap too, and how frustrated he might feel with us at times. 

8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.’”

I have been doing some reading on church history earlier this year, and it seems this was some of the problem that started the reformation back in the 1500s.  Some brave individuals stood up to the churches that led culture at the time and said that people were no longer following the word of God, but rather they were just following the church’s rules which were made by people, often for political reasons.

Are we still doing this?  Teaching things that are merely human rules rather than focusing on God?

While we are to follow the laws of the land that were created by people (as long as they don’t contradict God’s laws), we should not be so focused in our churches on following a set of rules of how a worship service should be set up, or the exact number of times per year you should have communion that we miss out on looking at the heart.  There is a difference between Jesus’ teachings and a tradition set up in a church.

Traditions can be good, but when we focus so much on them that we don’t pay attention to the results of what is being done or said, they have no purpose.  If someone new comes in from another church and they ask “why are you doing things this way?” people tend to get defensive even when the question is asked with a genuine desire to understand rather than to criticize.  The truth is, we should be able to answer that question, or if we can’t, consider the practice to determine if what we are doing does still make sense, or if it has become an outdated tradition that could be changed to better serve people.

After Jesus speaks, the disciples come out like “hey, did you know what you said upset the Pharisees?”  Jesus doesn’t care if they were offended by what he said.  He spoke the truth and wants people to realize the meaning and intent of things.  Yes, washing your hands before you eat is a good practice.  You are less likely to consume bacteria that way.  But not doing that doesn’t defile you spiritually.  The things that come out of your mouth (which come from your heart) do – evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

~Stephanie Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. What is something in your life that needs to be examined to ensure your heart is in the right place?
  2. What instances can you think of in which the church is following mere human rules and not the word of God and teachings of Jesus?

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Giving in the Difficult Season

Old Testament: Amos 1 & 2

Poetry: Psalm 128

New Testament: Matthew 14

 

We have all heard the story about Jesus feeding the 5 thousand, and what Jesus can do with our little. But what happened prior to these events?

In Matthew 14: 1-12, we are told of the moment that Herod decided to behead John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, and close friend. In Matthew 14:13-14 we are shown the reaction of Jesus when he gets the news.

Matthew 14:13-14

            “When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd, had compassion on them, and healed their sick.”

This is an incredible image of who Jesus was. Think of a time in your life when all you wanted was some time alone. You have been through a lot and are trying to grieve and yet there are people who want to talk and need your help. What was your reaction?

Were you irritated, did you yell, maybe you said something you wish you hadn’t? We have all been to that place. We are all human. There have been times I have done the same thing, especially in the recent times with trying to find a job and being patient, as I wait for God to open the door. It has been easy to lose my temper with the people around me, or to be distant from them.

Jesus in this passage, is calling us to have compassion even in our grief and sorrow. Have compassion on people and show them the love of God. Even when we are burnt out and only have a little to give. Even that little, when given to others, has the power to change everything. Jesus took the little bread they had and gave it to God in faith and was able to feed everyone there! Our little strength makes a huge difference.

After this incredible miracle, seeing Jesus do these amazing things, the disciples get into a boat and make their way to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. In the night during a storm, they witness Jesus walking towards them on the water. The disciples in fear believe it is a ghost, but Peter says, if it is you Lord, command me to come to you on the water. Jesus says, “Come.”

Peter begins walking on the water in courage and faith, but fear sets in and he begins to sink as he notices the wind and waves.

Jesus then says as he pulls Peter from the water. “You of little Faith. WHY DID YOU DOUBT?” Jesus says this with love. Peter only had a little faith and was willing to get out and take the chance to walk.

We are called to do the same. When we are burnt out and feel empty. We are called to bring the little faith we have and walk with Jesus. Sometimes the waves in life are tall, and the wind roars in our ears. But Jesus says, “Walk with me.”  In other words, “Bring all you have to serve others,” as we are called.

As I write this, I think of the times in life that I feel burnt out, even at my young age. Life is HARD. But even during those times, it brings me hope to see others who have went before me. They continue to serve and give of themselves even in their challenging times. It is amazing to see what God does even through our grief. God uses our biggest trials to make the biggest differences in our lives, and the lives of people around us. He does this with the little we have to give.

Reflection Questions

In times of testing and grief, do we give up or keep on looking for needs of others?

Are we feeding ourselves spiritually to strengthen our faith, so we don’t sink like Peter did?

-Hannah Eldred

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An Important Message from Joel

Old Testament: Joel 1-3

Poetry: Psalm 127

New Testament: Matthew 13

12 Even now— this is the Lord’s declaration— turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 13 Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster. Joel 2:12-13 (HCSB)

Today we’re going to read the book of Joel (hey, that’s my name!). It is one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, so I’ll keep my thoughts on it brief. It was written as a wake up call to God’s people. As you’ve been reading through the Prophets, it should have been quite apparent that God wasn’t the happiest about the actions of His people. That’s why we have this particular section of scripture; if Israel hadn’t messed up so bad, God wouldn’t have had to tell them so. Joel doesn’t say much different than the other Prophets; he is just rehashing the same message because apparently, Israel still hasn’t learned its lesson.
Here’s the condensed version of the message: you’ve sinned and made God angry, but He loves you and wants you to live, so turn away from your wickedness. 


This message, which was proclaimed to the Jews first, is just as relevant today for us as it was then for them. Only today we have the added part: God loved you so much He sent His only begotten son so you can live eternally (John 3:16). We still live in nations full of wickedness, we still raise idols to a status reserved only for Yahweh, we still do wrong when we know what’s right, and we still let the ungodly have undue influence over us. The words spoken through the Prophets to the people of Israel still hold value for us, and I hope we will do a better job heeding them than the original recipients. 

-Joel Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. What idols do you/have you raised to a status reserved only for Yahweh?
  2. What wrong do you do when you know what is right?
  3. In what ways have you let the ungodly have undue influence over you?
  4. What does the book of Joel reveal will happen to those who don’t return to the Lord? What is revealed will happen to those who do?
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