Zephaniah prophecies to the nation of Judah just like the other prophets warning them of the coming judgement, and calling them to repentance. As we read his warnings, more than any of the other 11 prophets, Zephaniah's warnings feels like he is telling us to prepare for the second coming of Jesus. To prepare for the great tribulation that will come upon the whole very soon. The charge this morning is; are you ready for the LORD when the trumpet shall sound? Do you have extra oil for your lamp like the 5 wise virgins?

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights." Habakkuk was in essence saying, nothing will ever be able to steal my joy, nothing will ever be able to shake my trust in God. The apostle Paul puts it this way; "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love" His was a statement, mine is a question; what will be able to stop you loving and serving the LORD?

You will have heard the saying; "God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble." That is the story of Nineveh, once a thriving and all conquering nation, it will eventually come to nothing. God resisted and brought his anger and vengeance upon them for all their actions. Lessons, be humble. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty heart before a fall. Pride destroys. You will not be destroyed, you will not fall.

We round off the book of Micah by making some bold and powerful declarations and prayers; "As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me." I don't know about you but I am confident the LORD will save me, he will come speedily when I call for help. I know he hears me when I call so I know I will not be denied my petitions. "For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light." I declare you will rise again! You will rise above every limitations and everything set to trip you, in the name of Jesus. The LORD himself becomes your light, your source of strength and provision, in the name of Jesus. Halleluyah!

We read a new book of the Bible today, the book of Micah.

I once heard a very humbling message titled; "I am off to Tarshish". The crux of the message was this, Tarshish represents my will, my own, my plans, etc. not GOD'S, and that at the end of that journey to do things just my own way is a one-way trip to the bottom of the ocean. In Jonah's cases, he was on the way to Tarshish because he outrightly did not want to see Israel's and GOD'S enemy in his opinion, saved, why are you on your way to Tarshish?

The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old testament. It is a prophecy to and against the people of Edom. Edom was jealous of Judah and so was happy when the Babylonians invaded them. The lesson here is to check jealousy and never rejoice at the fall of others. We also read the first two chapters of the book of Jonah. The prophet Jonah was sent by God to the people of Nineveh to tell them to repent. Jonah outrightly refused and goes in the opposite direction. We will address his refusal tomorrow but today's lessons from Jonah is this, we can't run away from the Lord. Secondly, we can't take steps to oppose and resist his will, and then hope for his blessings.

Amos gives a final warning to the nation of Israel to mend their ways or they would be carried off into exile as punishment. We learn from them this morning by realizing that in a short time from now, the Chirch will be carried off with the rapture, judgement and a great tribulation will come upon everyone left behind. The question is, will you be ready when the trumpet sounds?

Today's devotional is a call to repentance, COME BACK TO THE LORD. If you've walk away from the strait narrow way, this is the day to return. For israel in today reading, despite the fact the idols they were worshipping could do nothing to improve their situation, they held on tight to them. What a tragedy. My prayer for you today is that you'd realize how much God loves you, so much that you would return to His embrace. Halleluyah!

"Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?" Even though a response is not given to this question, the obvious answer is, No they can't. Also, while we use and understand this verse in the context of marriage and maybe relationship, and that is perfectly applicable, GOD was using it in the context of his relationship with a nation, Israel. Israel was living totally contrary to laws GOD had given them. GOD'S destination is decided, the question is whether we will choose to go on this amazing and rewarding journey with Him. LORD, teach me to walk with you.