Category: Zephaniah

  • The Gospel – Spreading Joy

    Johnny-jump-up (viola tricolor) has a lot in common with the gospel

    If you’ve known me for any length of time, you likely know that my favorite flower is the Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor). It seeds prolifically, pops up in unexpected places, grows in rough conditions and brings a smile when you see one. It reminds me in many ways of the gospel, bringing joy.

    Only God knows how many gospel calls have gone out (He sows prolifically). The gospel is seeded through the words of the Bible. The life of Christians calls people. Our testimony calls people.  The Holy Spirit calls out the good news of the gospel in ways we can only imagine. Like Johnny-jump-up seeds, the gospel is being sown everywhere, bringing joy as it grows.

    The gospel takes root in what we might consider the hardest of soils and the worst of conditions. It’s sown into the hearts of the enemies of God, people who love their sin, and people who had no idea that they needed a savior or who at times rejected the concept entirely.

    It happens unexpectedly. Even you and I were transformed by the power of the gospel and God’s incredible, unending grace. The Lord died to cover our sins and bring us to life.

    When the gospel takes hold, the person is changed forever. It’s a beautiful sight to behold. The newborn is far from perfect yet (what newborn is?), but they are undeniably changed.

    A sinner is forgiven. An enemy is now an heir. A former slave to sin is welcomed into the Kingdom of God.

    I have to rejoice and smile every time I see or hear of the gospel bearing fruit. I know it isn’t just me. The Lord rejoices and all the angels in heaven do as well.

    Yahweh your God is in your midst, A mighty one who will save. He will be joyful over you with gladness; He will be quiet in His love; He will rejoice over you with joyful singing. Zephaniah 3:17

    I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

    In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

    My Johnny-jump-ups bring temporary smiles and joy. The fruit of the gospel brings everlasting rejoicing.

    Let us do our part to sow seeds of the gospel and rejoice when we see what the Lord does with them.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone) 

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    SUMMARY

    The Johnny-jump-up becomes a picture of the gospel: spreading unexpectedly, taking root in hard places, and bringing lasting joy wherever God causes it to grow. Just as the flower thrives in unlikely conditions, the gospel transforms sinners through God’s grace and produces eternal rejoicing in heaven and among believers.

    KEYPOINTS

    ·  The gospel spreads widely through Scripture, Christian witness, testimony, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

    ·  God causes the gospel to take root even in hardened hearts and impossible circumstances, transforming lives completely.

    ·  Every repentance and changed life brings joy not only to believers, but also to heaven itself.

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  • The Lord sings over you

    A crow "singing"
    Singing crow

    I love to sing. The truth is, though, that I am one of those people who couldn’t carry a tune in the metaphorical bucket. I’m like the crow cawing amongst the songbirds.

    My singing voice was once compared to a bear in work boots walking in a gravel pit. I’m not sure exactly what that would sound like, but I know it wasn’t a compliment.

    At “the cowboy church,” the band and I had an agreement. They wouldn’t preach, and I wouldn’t sing up front.

    Yet, we are called to rejoice, to sing the Lord’s praises.

    Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. Psalm 98:1-2 NIV

    Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:4 NIV

    I’m okay with my lack of musical ability because I know God gifts each of us in different ways. He’s gifted me in writing, teaching, and preaching (forgive me if that sounds boastful; it’s not meant to be; all the glory belongs to Him.)

    I sing frequently when I’m by myself. I sing when I’m in a large crowd of people who are also singing. Ask me to lead in singing, and I panic. I can and have done it and will do it again whenever I need to, but it feels strange. 

    When it happens, I remember the Psalm 98 verses and stand on it.

    In contrast, I have friends who have simply delightful voices. They can sing virtually anything and make it pleasing to my ear. I love to hear them sing praises to the Lord.

    I have other gifted friends with strong, beautiful voices and the ability to play virtually any instrument they put their hands on. I, however, have a hard time playing the radio.

    The body of Christ has many incredibly gifted musicians and singers. Whatever genre of music suits your personal taste, there are people who can use that genre to praise the Lord in incredible ways.

    As wonderful as their songs may be, there is a song that is even more beautiful. We find out about it in an obscure little verse hiding in the works of one of the minor prophets.

    The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you. Zephaniah 3:17-18 NIV

    Imagine that. The Lord God Himself, Jehovah-Elohim, rejoices in singing over you and me. What beautiful music it must be when He sings. His voice is powerful enough to speak the world into existence, and the sound of his rejoicing and singing must be joyful beyond measure.

    If you ever doubted God’s love for you, reread those verses. He not only sings, but He rejoices over YOU by singing. You are a blessing to God. He sings with joy because of you.

    Until next time, I pray you get a glimpse of how much He truly loves you.

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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