New Melody Church

Visions and Dreams 12/14/17 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:” (Joel 2:28) Today we return to another of the “minor” prophets that have drawn and continue to draw my attention over the past few months, and their relevance to us today. I have heard many sermons taken from this particular scripture, many varying interpretations of its current relevance, many interpretations of the promise given by this opening verse. For ME  to grasp any significance, to our times, and the world in which we live, I found I first had to read the entire prophesy given by this old prophet from the first chapter through the end. As this is a lengthier piece of scripture than I could expect most to take in one bite, I ask that you also, at your own leisure, in your own time also read the entire book. Joe

Offering Willingly John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Matthew 22: 37 Jesus said unto him, “ Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” 1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. “ Then the people rejoiced , for that they offered willingly , because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” ( 1 Chronicles 29:9 ) Six times in this chapter of 1 Chronicles it is written that the people gave willingly even joyfully. Tithing unto God was a priority in times past. It has grown less important in peoples lives today. Consider Luke chapter

Day by day 2 Corinthians 4:16 King James Version (KJV) 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. "What good does it do in my daily life to read the scriptures, pray, and acknowledge God to those around me while that life goes on with all the problems and considerations that create the worry of living day by day, day to day, paycheck to paycheck, hand to mouth with no end in sight?" This, and other questions from those facing far worse than the meager worries mentioned, sickness, familial concerns seemingly overwhelming, persecution, character assassination, dealing with the dependency created by addictions of every stripe are heard daily, only to go unanswered for too many, and answers given unheard and unheeded by far too many more. The questions go unanswered, because they are questions posed  by the outward man in need of renewal of the inner man, without which there is no renewal

Understanding the Times “ And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” (1 Chronicles 12:32) Concerning this lists and the numbers of men from each of the twelve tribes of Israel who who supported David in his conflict with King Saul. Only the tribe of I ssachar laid low and made no public announcement as to who, David or Saul, that they would support. This secrecy was not without merit. Behind the scene of Davids take over, these 200 leaders with all their brethren followed the path leading David to the throne. There was a reason for their secrecy and anonymity while supporting David. Their decision was based upon prior knowledge from God concerning David as King. However they must keep a low porofile. T hese leaders of the family of Issachar “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” It