-
Christian Devotional – May 25, 2016
Read Amos chapter 8 VERSE: Amos 8:11–“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land–not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” TRUTH: The people of Israel were no longer seeking after God’s Word and as a result, a time was coming when they wouldn’t be able to find it or hear it because God would stop sending prophets to them. Sure enough, this did happen to them, right before they were driven into exile and dispersed by the conquest of the Assyrians. Interestingly, this feels like where things are…
-
Christian Devotional – May 24, 2016
Read Amos chapter 7 VERSE: Amos 7:8–And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.” TRUTH: The plumb line is a fascinating tool. It’s very simple and uses simple gravity, but is truly the most accurate way to gauge whether a building is set and built correctly on its foundation. It’s also very easy to see when something is not “plumb” when set next to a plumb line. The Lord realizes that the people think they are doing right and yet, He knows…
-
Christian Devotional – May 23, 2016
Read Amos chapter 6 VERSE: Amos 6:8–The Sovereign Lord has sworn by himself–the Lord God Almighty declares: I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it. TRUTH: Pride is one thing that God truly hates. Pride sees ourselves as better than God. Anytime we place anything above God, God will work to remind us that He is the only One who rightfully belongs in that place. As we look at our lives, do we see pride? Are we proud or boasting in anything other than what God has done in our lives? We must repent and give it over…
-
Christian Devotional – May 21, 2016
Read Amos chapter 5 VERSE: Amos 5:4–This is what the Lord says to Israel, “Seek me and live.” TRUTH: It sounds so simple and it actually is that simple, but we try to make it so very hard. We are to seek God and through Him we will live. God created a way that we, as sinners, could come to Him and find redemption. Through Jesus Christ, we can receive mercy and forgiveness of sins. However, we have to actually seek that. We can’t just wish that it will happen, but not do anything about it. We have to actually be seeking after the way of life in order to…
-
Christian Devotional – May 20, 2016
Read Amos chapter 4 VERSE: Amos 4:6–“I gave you empty stomachs in ever city and lack of bread in ever town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord. TRUTH: The Lord brought hardship and trials among the people. Why? He desired to see them turn back to Him. The trials were to drive the people to their knees in repentance as the recognized their need for a Holy God. However, the people just used the trials as an excuse to become more bitter and angry toward God. When we are facing trials, there can be a multitude of reasons, but sometimes, God’s trying to get our attention…
-
Christian Devotional – May 19, 2016
Read Amos chapter 3 VERSE: Amos 3:7–Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets. TRUTH: While it may feels like we can’t understand or know what God is doing, that’s really not the case. Through the Bible, God’s Word, we can see very clearly exactly what God is up to and what He plans for. We know that God is always working and moving to glorify Himself and that everything that He allows to happen is so that He can display His glory to the nations. God will never act contrary to His nature, so as we get to know who God is,…
-
Christian Devotional – May 18, 2016
Read Amos chapter 2 VERSE: Amos 2:14–The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life. TRUTH: Amos is now sharing of the judgment that is coming for the people of Israel. With that, he wants to make sure they understand that they won’t be able to work their way out of it. All the strengths that they think they have, their speed, strengths, and skill at war, will not be able to help them in that day and time when God calls them and holds them accountable for their actions. Are we counting on ourselves or our own strength?…
-
Christian Devotional – May 17, 2016
Read Amos chapter 1 VERSE: Amos 1:2–He said: “The Lord roars in Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Caramel withers.” TRUTH: Amos is preparing to deliver a message from the Lord and he sets the stage here with the vision of the Lord thundering and roaring from His place of authority. The people need to understand and beware as the Lord is a just God who will punish sin. This leads into several listings of judgments on the surrounding peoples who have been sinful in their actions. Amos wants everyone to know that the Lord has every right and every…
-
Christian Devotional – May 16, 2016
Read Obadiah VERSE: Obadiah 3–The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ TRUTH: This tiny book is a prophecy against the people of Edom, descended from Esau. They lived in the southern desert area around present day Jordan. These people are listed several times in scriptures as ruthless, dangerous people who dealt in slave trade. Often, the people they were trading were their own kinsmen the Israelites. God indicates that it is the pride of their hearts that is leading them…
-
Christian Devotional – May 14, 2016
Read Daniel chapter 12 VERSE: Daniel 12:3–Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. TRUTH: In the midst of the prophecies of the end of the world and darkness, Daniel sees this. Those who are wise and who are focused on the righteousness of God and leading people to that; they will find the brightness of the glory of God. They will shine like stars forevermore. We are surrounded with the chaos and problems of our world, but are we seeking for the righteousness of God? Do we seek to lead others…