What’s that sound?
It’s not a bird, it’s not a plane, and no, it’s not Superman either — it’s Joel, an ancient prophet beckoning a generation. Not only them but even us, thousands of years later.
This is the warning sound we reflected on this week as we continue in our sermon series, Return to Me: The Heart of God Through the Minor Prophets.
The book of Joel begins with the sound of an alarm — blowing the whistle like a referee, he intensely describes the horrors of the day, in a time when the Israelites, God’s chosen people, had strayed far from Him.
The words of judgment can be hard to hear, but what if God’s mercy doesn’t always feel like comfort but like confrontation? Like a controlled burn, sometimes we are confronted with the dead or diseased things in our lives in order to protect and preserve us. It may seem in opposition to growth and vibrant living, but it’s necessary.
In what ways like this may God be calling you to return to Him? Where is He sounding an alarm in your life?
He’s reaching out to you today, even as you read this. In His love and mercy, He’s beckoning you and clearing out spiritually dead things in your life. It’s time to answer the call. In Joel, we also see the hope of the day — calls to fast, calls to pray, and calls to repent. There is always hope.
Check out this past Sunday’s sermon to see how you, even in small ways, can return to God and hope today. Join us for our prayer call today from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm via Zoom as we pray for this.
Out of Joel 2:1-2, 11-14, let’s pray:
🙏 For hearts to return to the Father.
🙏 For openness to answer the sound of the alarms going off in our lives, beckoning us to return to God and one another.
🙏 For healing and hope to come, as we step into God’s mercy and love, even if it looks like confrontation.
🙏 For our ability to step into others’ fires, giving them the hope we believe.
Let’s pray and seek God together.
See you at 12 pm!
God Bless,
Pastor Alvin & Mallary Brown
alvin@makingamosaic.com :: mallary@makingamosaic.com
P.S. Is there something specific you need prayer for this week? Just reply—we’d be honored to stand with you.
Additionally, we will make space to pray for God to extend His reach beyond the limits of our city and into the world, seeking His wisdom, unity, safety, and provision for the following people and initiatives:
Let’s pray for Campus Missionaries Jasmine and Derrick Williams, who serve at Texas Southern University (TSU) at City Life Houston in Houston, TX. They believe in the power of opening up their home to minister to students at one of the few historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) where ENC is present. Pray for grace and wisdom as the next athletics season begins, for grace in their marriage as Jasmine travels frequently with athletics this year, and for financial growth in their ministry partnership team.
Let’s lift up William and Rachel Murrell as they serve as church planters at All Saints Church in West Nashville, Tennessee. They have a heart to be a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, and socially responsible church, in close proximity to three historic universities—Fisk, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee State University. Pray for their efforts on the campus and in the community.
General Prayer Requests & Updates
For evangelism to flourish so communities and campuses in the greater Fort Worth area will be reached, and the lost will see and experience the love of Christ and be drawn to his kingdom.
For signs and wonders to follow the preaching of His Word.
For team unity and laborers to help carry the load.
For finances and provisions.
For fully funded campus missionaries (2 per campus) to help reach the next generation — Texas Christian University (TCU), Tarrant County College (TCC), Texas Wesleyan University (TWU) and Tarleton State University – Fort Worth (TSU), University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and Dallas Baptist University (DBU).
Bria Lacour, a Houston native and University of Texas at Austin alum, has dedicated nearly a decade to Mosaic Church and six years to Every Nation Campus, holding multiple leadership positions. Her fervor lies in mentoring students, especially young women, to unearth their worth and identity in Christ through discipleship. Witnessing her family’s conversion, Bria embodies our mission to impact students and their families with the Gospel’s transformative power.
