Warnings

O. T. #2125  "Warnings"

Feb. 9, 2022

Amos 7

LET IT GLOW

If you have been surrounded by deep snow this week, how did you react? Did you praise the Lord for its beauty and ask Him to cleanse your heart so it is white as snow? Or did you grumble for the mess and inconvenience it caused? Maybe both. We can take a lesson from the psalmist today. 

Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for He issued His command, and they came into being. He set them in place forever and ever. His decree will never be revoked.              (Psalm 148:5-6)

Consider all the things that God created-the heavenlies, weather, geographical features, animals, people, and positions. (verses 1-4; 7-12) The heavens and earth praise Him and so should we.

We should exult the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all. He is faithful to the Israelites, people of Abraham (believers), and blesses them. Jesus is greater than anything and everything He created. In all things Jesus has preeminence. (Col. 1:18)

LET IT GROW

God gave His servant and prophet Amos 5 special visions of judgment concerning:

• the locusts (verses 1-3)
• the fire (verses 4-6)
• the plumb line (verses 7-9)
• the basket of fruit (8:1-14)
• the ruined temple (9:1-10).

Can we see the struggle Amos has as he loved God and loved his nation? It grieved him to have to tell Israel and Judah that judgment was coming. Probably he wished he was back with the sheep and trees taking care of them. Yet, Amos knew the Sovereign Lord (LORD God used 11 times in 3 chapters) was in control. God's will is best, so Amos surrendered to it.

You know, there are times that doing God's will is very difficult; standing up for His Word may bring rough consequences; and speaking against the wrong may result in pain and suffering.

Amos interceded for his people, and God changed His mind about sending those things. He asked God to call off the judgments and He did. Are we believers interceding for our nation and people? Are we admitting our sinful lifestyles and laws, yet beg God to send repentance among us? Do we love Americans and our neighbors and family so much that we pray for God to not send His judgment?

 

LET IT GO

Father, You answered the prayers of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Paul. Please hear our prayers today. Without Your Spirit and Hand of Mercy, we will perish because of our own sins.

We have experienced fires and snow, drought and floods, and a deadly virus as warnings. We are like Israel and confess our sins of idolatry, as well as miss treating others.

Thank You for doing what You deem right and just. Oh, Jesus intercede for us to the Father our God for mercy, lest an army come and wipe us out.

Jesus, you are our Savior, Creator, Sustainer, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Glory to You, the Only True Living God!

Horses

O. T. #2124 "Horses"

Feb. 8, 2022

Amos 6-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Are there things happening around you that you don't understand? Are you troubled with events in your life and just don't get it? Come to the One who understand everything perfectly clear. His understanding has no limits. Simply trust the God who knows how your are feeling.

Psalm 147, New Living Translation tells us:

• It is delightful, fitting, and good to sing praises to our God. (verse 1)
• He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. (verse 3)
• He counts and knows the stars by name. (verse 4)
• How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! (verse 5)
• God gives rain, clouds, and feeds the wild animals. (verses 8-9)
• He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. (verse 10)
• No, the LORD's delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love. (verse 11)
• He strengthens, blesses, sends peace and orders to the world, and satisfies hunger. (verses 13-15)

It isn't Mother Nature that provides those things, but the gracious hand of God. When we humbly submit to His agenda and depend upon Him for all things, we can rest assured that He is crazy about us. He loves His people and loves to bless us.

What have you thanked Him for today?

LET IT GROW

In the rest of the verses in this chapter, we see two analogies which point out how preposterous and unreasonable Israel's behavior has been (verses 12-13) Defying the Lord successfully is just that impossible. To deal with it, God sends brutal conquest by another power. (verse 14)

Horses do not run on rocks, or they would become lame; nor does one plow rocks with oxen, lest it breaks the plow. To violate nature's law is to reap the consequences of it. This is what Israel did. They violated God's justice and righteousness (verse 12b) and make their boast in their self-perceived strength, which is actually non-existent. (verse 13) So God brought a nation against them.

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary]

I think the psalmist knew what he was talking about in Psalm 147:10.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Ps. 20:7)

In what or whom are you trusting?

 

LET IT GO

Your love never fails, never gives up, and never runs out on me!

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul.

 

Do You Have Life by the Horns?

O. T. #2124  "Do You Have Life by they Horns?"

Feb. 7, 2022

Amos 6-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Are you experiencing difficult trials today? They will not last forever, friend. There is something else that will last forever. Know what it is? It is God's kingdom that will last forever and the LORD will reign forever, too. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Psalm 146 is one of the last five psalms which overflow with praise for God. They show us the where, why, and how to praise God:

• Sing praises to our God while we live. (verse 2)
• Trust Him for our help, not people. (verses 3-4)
• When God is our hope and help, then we are happy. (verse 5)
• He is Creator and keeps His promises forever. (verse 6)
• God gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry; frees prisoners. (verse 7)
• He opens blind eyes, lifts up those weighed down, and loves the godly. (verse 8)
• The LORD protects foreigners among us, cares for the orphans and widow, but frustrates the plans of the wicked. (verse 9)
• Praise the LORD! (verse 10)

I would say those are a lot of reasons to praise the Lord. He eventually melts snow, too. He provides heat for old, cold houses. Protects us on the icy roads. Keeps the well water from freezing. Gives us food on the shelf to buy that He has already provided for us. Keeps grace and mercy flowing to me. Forgives my sins. Yes, I have plenty of reasons to praise the Lord. How about you?

 

LET IT GROW

Now, continuing in chapter 6 of Amos, we find that God abhors the self-indulgence of Israel.

Abhor means to loathe (detest). 

They lived in luxurious palaces, but obtained them through ill-gotten gains. What was their outcome as the prophet predicted?

• Those houses would be burned and the people killed, while others taken away captive to Assyria. (verses 8-9)
• A fearful remnant would not dare to mention the name of the Lord so no more judgments would come upon them. (verse 10)
• God's judgment would fall upon the rich and poor alike. (verse 11)
• Just as violating the laws of nature brings consequences, so does violating God's law. (verse 12)
• They took life by the horns in their own strength, so to speak. Therefore, it would disappear. Assyria was coming. (verses 13-14)

Sometimes a cowboy can grab a calf by the horns and bring it down. Then they can do whatever needs to be done to it. Our son vaccinates them and checks out any problems the calf may have. since he doesn't have a horse, he must be careful.

Israel thought they were in charge of their life, but found out differently when God brought them down using the Assyrian army.

How about us? Are we living life by our own strength, will, desires? What does God have to do in order to get our attention and bring us down?

After repentance there is grace and mercy, beloved.

 

LET IT GO

Sweet Jesus, You do so much for us, provide for us, forgive us.

How can we help but praise You and thank You.

Bring us down off our high horse when pride reigns in our life.

Remind us that we are here to love and serve You.

Luxuries

O. T. #2123  "Luxuries"

Feb. 4, 2022

Amos 6

LET IT GLOW

Warm our hearts today, Lord Jesus. Outside is below freezing and 6 inches of snow. And inside this old country farmhouse, it only gets up to 65 degrees. I have my lap blanket and fuzzy boots on as I write this. In spite of all of the discomforts of home, I am thankful. Yesterday, I didn't know if 25 gallons of propane would get us through this snow storm. (Expecting 4-7 more inches of snow as I write this on Thursday.) I kept praying for it come, and it did! A shout out of thanks to the driver and to my God who is faithful to meet our needs!!!

Dear one, are you like me and need prayers answered, helped, rescued, protected, and need to feel God close? Then here we go. 

The rest of Psalm 145, verses 18-21, reassures us that the LORD:

• is close to those who call on Him and call on Him in truth; (verse 18)
• grants the desires of those who fear Him; (verse 19a)
• hears cries for help and rescues them; (verse 19b)
• protects all those who love Him, but destroys the wicked. (verse 20)

Therefore, I will praise the LORD, and may everyone on earth bless His holy name forever and ever. (verse 21)

Sweet Jesus, we are deep in snow and sin. Please deliver us today. We lay our back-breaking burdens down at the foot of the cross. And we give praise to Jehovah Jire, the Lord who provides.

 

LET IT GROW

Hang onto your knit cap and fuzzy boots. Amos pronounces "woe" unto 4 types of people in the kingdom of Israel:

1. ignorant (5:18-27)
2. indifferent (6:1-2)
3. indulgent (6:3-7)
4. imprudent (6:8-14) [The Wiersbe Bible Commentary]

God's concern was for His people to be righteous in their character and just in their conduct. There is no reason for anyone to be ignorant of what God wants from us. We have the Holy Bible. Nor was there any excuse for Israel. They had the writings of Moses and the words of the prophets.

However, Israel oppressed the poor and indulged in extravagant luxuries. They gave themselves to ease, feasting, licentious music, and extravagant drinking. Also, they pampered themselves with the finest perfumes. Beds of ivory, costly meat, inventing musical instruments proved their lusts were more important than obeying and loving God, the one who provided for them. Be assured, God brought judgment upon them for their sinful lifestyle.

May our luxuries be used to bless others, not on our own lusts.

LET IT GO

You are way maker, miracle worker, light in the darkness, that is who You are God.

You are a wonder working God.

May the steadfast love of our God be felt today, for His mercy is new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness!

Jesus, I sing for all that You have done for me-salvation and propane!

Are We Just and Merciful?

O. T. #2122  "Are We Just and Merciful?"

Feb. 3, 2022

Amos 5-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

So I turned the page in the Billy Graham daily devotional spiral sitting on my desk. Here was last Thursday's verse (Ps. 145:8).The jest of it is this: What would it be like in our world if God were only a God of love, never judging evil nor stopping it? Evil me would not worry about God judging them.

What the world be like if God were only a God of judgment, punishing us every time we did wrong? We would not have a chance since we sin every day.

God disciplines and corrects us because He loves us and wants us to turn from the destructive path we are on. Then we learn His grace, compassion, mercy.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. (Psalm 145:17)

In the Hebrew language, righteous means lawful, just; holy refers to kind, merciful, godly.

Our God is just in all His ways and merciful in His works. Throw in grace and compassion, along with slow to anger. What a righteous and holy God we love and serve! Isn't He awesome!

LET IT GROW

I noticed that the phrase "The LORD, The God of Hosts" is used 4 times in this chapter-verses 14, 15, 16, and 27.  

LORD is Jehovah in Hebrew, and means Self-Existent or Eternal; Hosts refers to a company; soldiers; a mass of persons or things organized for war (an army)

This has been who spoke through Amos and declared judgment for Israel if they did not repent of their sins.

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. (verse 24)

Since Israel was unconcerned for others, God would judge them. It reveals God's concern that His people be righteous in their character and just in their conduct. This is the key verse for the book of Amos. No matter how much religious activity we are involved in, if we do not love our brothers and neighbors, we can't honestly worship and serve the Lord. (Wiersbe)

LET IT GO

Holy, righteous Father, have mercy on me a sinner.

Help me to show mercy, to others, for I need Your mercy.

May we be just and kind in our dealings with others.

 

I Can Only Imagine When That Day Comes

O. T. #2121  "I Can Only Imagine When That Day Comes"

Feb. 2, 2022

Amos 5-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season.  (Ps. 145:15)

To wait means to expect (with hope and patience); meat refers to a person, man; season is time.

So when the time is right, a man will come. Jesus, Savior and Redeemer, came to earth first to the Jews and then the Gentiles. With hope and patience we expect Him to come. The man is Jesus. The Old Testament believers and New Testament believers were waiting.  Now us church-age believers are waiting on Jesus to return and rapture us out of here.

Are you ready beloved? Is Jesus your Savior?

LET IT GROW

In verses 18-20, Amos predicts the lion and bear coming. Why? Because of Israel's religious activities were without heart. They were formal, empty, nauseous, and anger causing to God. He despised their feasts days and offerings. He wanted the noisy songs and instruments quieted. (verses 21-23)

The Day of the Lord for the Jews in the northern kingdom was not a time of rejoicing, but wailing, as He sent the Assyrian army into Damascus to conquer them in 732 BC. Then ten years later, Assyria overtook Israel in 722 BC. It was a dark day for them. (Judah's captivity by Babylon came some 100 years later.)

Stephen recited Amos 5:25-27 when he recounted the past sins of Israel in Acts 7:42,43. Judgment came on the whole nation, summarizing their idolatrous history and its results. Israel's idolatrous worship was of sun, moon, and stars. (MacArthur)

Are we careful to not look at horoscopes, listen to those who predict the future? Be sure that our children do not get caught up in the Greek and Roman mythology. Share the Truth about Jesus, instead.

LET IT GO

I can only imagine, when that day comes, surrounded by You glory, I will fall to my knees and worship Jesus.

I can only image when that day comes and I worship You Jesus face to face.

So we wait for Your return, Jesus.

When You Need Lifting Up

O. T. #2120 "When You Need Lifting Up"

Feb. 1, 2022

Amos 5-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

This psalm is the conclusion of David's 73 psalms he wrote. There are some good stuff here. Look at this, friend.

The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)

You talk about grace. When we fall and fail, God lifts us up. Those bent beneath their loads, God lifts up. Now if that isn't good news, I don't know what is! I think everyone is in one of those categories now and then. so be assured, He will lift you up when you're down.

LET IT GROW

In verses 15-16,  we are told again to hate evil and love good. True repentance, agreeing with God concerning our sin, will result in life. If only Israel had heeded the instructions of Amos. Had they restored their courts into true halls of justice, upholding God's Word. If only they had a change of heart and reformed their legal and social system. If only...

Had Israel done such, the LORD God of Heaven's Armies would have had mercy on the remnant of His people. God will be gracious to the remnant who repents.

So when they carried on as usual, and wailing and lamentation will come in their streets when Assyria attacks them.

Do you suppose that God is saying the same thing to America? Our moral decay is horrible. We have homosexuality out in the open, Immorality is ramped, resulting in abortions. Sunday is not a day set aside to worship the One True God and a day of rest. Business is carried on as usual.

 

LET IT GO

We bow down and we worship You Lord Jesus.

King of all kings you will be; King of all kings You are to me.

Hear our cry for help. Be gracious to us sinners.

Jesus, You alone are our hope.

Lift us up so we can look up.

Help us lift up those who are in need.