Seek and Find

O. T. #2119  "Seek and Find"

Jan 31, 2022

Amos 5

LET IT GLOW

Are you bending under a burden? Do you feel like you are about to fall? Is your faith wavering? Then read on, friend.

Look still in Psalm 145:18-19, where we of God's gracious provisions. Not only does He help the oppressed and provides food for all (verses 14-15), but He also hears those who:

• call out to Him with integrity; (verse 18)
• fear Him; (verse 19)
• love Him. (verse 20)

If God is to act on our behalf, He expects those things from us. If we have integrity in our life, God will act on our behalf. He will also deliver us and guard us, since we love Him.

Turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden. (Life Application Study Bible)

Do we walk upright, doing what is right? Do we respect God and love Him with all our heart? Then soul, why are you down under your burdens? (Speaking to me.)

When the time is right, I the LORD, will make it happen.     (Isaiah 60:22,NLT)

 

LET IT GROW

With that confidence, let's dive into the third sin that Amos pointed out to Israel, obstinacy, lamentation was coming because of their irresponsibility living in luxury and then their hypocrisy with idolatry. Their sin of moral and ethical decay was going to result in God's judgment.

Israel was told to begin lamentation (funeral dirge, which was a song or hymn of grief). Only about one tenth of Israel would survive the attack by Assyria. Amos tells them to hear the Words of the Lord.

God tells them three times to seek (follow, ask, inquire, search) the LORD (Jehovah, Self Existent or Eternal).

The only hope Israel had was to seek Jehovah and truly repent. Otherwise, His judgment was coming like fire. God is the omnipotent Creator of the stars, night, and controls the sea. (verse 8)

The LORD is His name.

He is the God of Creation-El Elyon (Ely-OWN). Therefore, He can do with it whatever He desires.

What is the solution for Israel?

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of Hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. (verse 14)

When there is true repentance, then good is chosen in life and not evil. If only Israel had heeded the words of the prophet Amos! But they would not.

How about you dear one? Are you hearing what God is saying? Have you wailed over your sins lately? Have you interceded for loved ones who need to repent and turn from their sinful ways?

 

LET IT GO

                     ... of worldly things, bank accounts, jobs for our dependence. Trust God.

                     ... of self worth and pride, coming to Jesus. Then live with integrity and love.

We owe our very life and salvation to You, Sweet Jesus.

Have mercy on our souls and our sinful nation.

We seek Your will, Your way.

Seek and ye shall find.

How to be Ready to Meet God

O. T. #2118  "How to be Ready to Meet God"

Jan. 28, 2022

Amos 4-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

What a song of praise David has written in Psalm 145. He knew his basic theology-grace, mercy, and goodness of God. Let's continue with verse 9: The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.

As we continue on, we see:

• God's works praise Him. (verse 10a)
• His saints bless Him. (verse 10b)
• His saints speak of God's glory and might. (verse 11)
• He does mighty acts and His kingdom are majestic. (verse 12)
• His kingdom is everlasting and His dominion (rule, power) endures to all generations. (verse 13)

Since God's rule will endure forever, God's people ought to proclaim it and urge everyone everywhere to submit to the King. (Evans)

Are we helping people get ready?

LET IT GROW

God responded to Israel's idolatry previously with acts of discipline-famine, drought, destruction of crops, locusts, plagues, death, and destruction, defeat in war, and catastrophe. (verses 6-11)

God knew their response of not repenting of their sins. Time after time Israel was given a chance, but they would not admit to their doing wrong and disobeying God's laws. They would not change their worship from idols back to God. His ultimate judgment was coming for Israel, the northern kingdom.

Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. (verse 12)

No army could withstand what God had prepared for Israel. The Assyrian army was coming to conquer Israel, so since they were sent by God, they would succeed.

Dear one, death will one day come to all of us. Have you made preparations to meet God? He only accepts us into heaven if we are believers in Jesus, know Him as our Savior, and are covered with the blood of the Lamb.

In John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

Jesus is the only Way to eternal life.

Are you ready to meet your God today? If not, ask Jesus to forgive your sins. If you have, then you are ready. And one day we will meet in heaven.

 

LET IT GO

How mighty, wonderful, and majestic You are, God.

Glory to God in the highest!

It is well with my soul!

 

 

Where to Get Grace, Mercy, and Compassion

O. T. #2117  Where to Get Grace, Mercy, and Compassion"

Jan. 27, 2022

Amos 4-Part 2

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. (Psalm 145:8

LET IT GLOW

Well, it has finally come to our area-Covid 19 has hit us like sledge hammer, sweeping across our family and friends. Tuesday my husband tested positive, coughing and sick; his brother is down with it, and his wife; his other brother's wife and 90-year-old dad are coughing, too with it; as well as our son had it last week. And then our daughter in law's sister and husband are hit with the virus. One of our workers at the shop and friend took it home to his pregnant wife and 3 children. Will it stop? Please pray for all of us. so far I was negative with the test, but have had a sore throat. So you see, I needed today's verse!

What do we learn about God from David?

• God is gracious. None of us are in the hospital.
• Our God is full of compassion. We are able to stay at home, quarantined and not on a ventilator.
• God is slow to anger. He could have wiped us away with this virus because we are sinners.
• Our God has great mercy. Slowly our loved ones are recovering, in spite of us getting the vaccines.

I need to be reminded how gracious, compassionate, merciful, and slow to anger my God is with you and me. How about you?

I am reminded that today my dad would have been 100 today had he lived. He passed away 35 years and 3 days ago. My heart still misses him, but my mind says he is not suffering and is with Jesus and his family.

Are we trusting God this very moment? Each moment of life is a gift to us. so is the gift of salvation that Jesus Christ provided through His death and resurrection.

Be sure to look up and say thanks.

 

LET IT GROW

In verses 4-5, we can read the sarcasm Amos uses as he invites Israel to Bethel and Gilgal. Both were of significance to the Jews in their history.

Bethel was where Abram built an altar unto the LORD after receiving His blessings. (Gen 12-13) Jacob met Jesus there in a dream of a ladder. (Gen. 28) The Ark was kept there once.(Judges 20)

Gilgal was the first camp where the people set up as they entered the Promised Land. (Joshua 4) Also, it was the place where the first king of Israel, Saul, was made king. (1 Sam. 11:15)

Unfortunately, both places became the place where shires of pagan gods were erected and worshiped by the Israelites. On the surface, they brought offerings and sang songs, but their hearts were far from God. Their sacrifices were unclean and forbidden bulls and goats.

Theirs was only a surface religion, not a heart religion. God wants obedience from the heart (1 Sam. 15). If the heart is not right with God, the sacrifice means nothing. (Gen. 4:1-7) We see it in Cain's sacrifice of works, fruit of the ground, instead of a blood sacrifice, as Able brought. We know how that ended up.

Do we go to religious meetings to impress others, feel good, instead of confessing our sins and having a broken heart healed? Are our motives right?

LET IT GO

Amazing grace is what we need today, Lord God.

Your cleansing through Jesus' blood as we confess our sins.

Have mercy on us sinners, Holy God.

Change our hearts to please You and not others as we worship.

Fat Cows

O. T. #2116    "Fat Cows"

Jan. 26, 2022

Amos 4

LET IT GLOW

Oh my, but do we ever need encouragement and prayers. My husband tested positive for Covid now, after our son went through it and all our daughter's  family survived. We caught it early and got some medicines, so hopefully it will not last long.

So with that said, look at Psalm 145. David says to:

• praise God's works to each generation; (verse 4)
• declare His mighty acts, power;
• speak of His glorious majesty, wondrous works, mighty acts; (verses 5-6)
• utter in memory of His great goodness as awe-inspiriting deeds; (verse 7)
• sing joyfully of His righteousness.

 Are we passing down through the generations how wonderful and awesome our God is? Are we teaching children about the Lord? Do we share our personal testimony with others?

 

LET IT GROW

If we thought Amos' messages were hard to swallow, hang onto your hat, for it gets worse before it gets better. Amos is trying to call the people back to God in repentance of their sins. His sarcasm is really cutting. Three tribes stayed east of the Jordan where the land was fertile and they had a fine breed of cows.

Amos speaks to the women, for kine are cows. What were those women doing wrong?

• They were living in luxury, well fed, well dressed, and well groomed.
• The poor were oppressed for this to happen.
• The women sunk into a low moral and degrading state.
• They would be led away with hooks and fishhooks, like fishermen do their catch, so the women will be led into captivity.

Like a fat cow, the women of Israel were pampered. They pushed their husbands to oppress the helpless to support their lavish lifestyles. Eventually, cows are led to slaughter.

Are we careful to not desire possessions so much that we do the same? Do we neglect the needy? Where is our compassion? Are we hooked on a certain sin that others suffer? do we live modestly so we can give to mission work?

LET IT GO

Jesus, forgive us of our sin of selfishness.

Help us help others.

May we be merciful to others as You are merciful to us.

What is Your Source of Happiness?

O. T. #2115  "What is Your Source of Happiness?"

Jan. 25, 2022

Amos 3-Part 9

LET IT GLOW

Are you happy today? What makes you happy?

Psalm 144:15 tells us how to be happy people: Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

God promises peace, victory over enemies, prosperity, and a happy life. When God is our Lord, then we can be assured that He cares for us personally, delivers us victoriously, and blesses us bountifully. (Wiersbe)

David gives us more details, using a seven-fold blessing that results from being rid of their enemies (verse 11):

• Sons will be like green plants, grown up, healthy, and strong; (verse 12a)
• Daughters will be graceful and beautiful, having strong, united  families; (verse 12b)
• The garners, storage bins, will be filled to capacity; (verse 13a)
• Their sheep will multiply in the fields; (verse 13b)
• The oxen will be strong and healthy for labor during the harvest; (verse 14a)
• Their walls will not be broken into nor will they be captives going out; (verse 14b)
• In their streets there will be no complaining, cries of sorrow.

What more could one want when their family is well, crops are plenteous and productive, safety surrounding their homes, and no sorrow. 

In Webster Dictionary, happy means well being and content; joyous; glad; pleased.

This happiness comes when we are faithfully dependent upon the Lord God Jehovah. Sometimes our faithfulness may not be rewarded in this lifetime. It may come in the next.

So, where does our happiness come from, friend? Psalm 1 explains how to be happy-associating with godly thankful Children of God, delighting in His Word and getting spiritual nourishment from it, and being fruitful.

Are you happy today?

LET IT GROW

Looking at the last verse in chapter 3 of Amos, we realize that Israel was happy since they enjoyed their winter and summer houses as rich and royal people. They were luxuriously decorated with ivory. All this came as a result of oppressing the poor.

Therefore, God will avenge the wrong done. (2:6-8) Israel's possessions would be taken away and they would be captured when Assyria attacked them as a result of God's judgment. Then would they be happy? I think not because their happiness was not found in God, but in things.

What is the source of our happiness? Is it in God, His Word, worshiping Him or in things that are only temporal? 

LET IT GO

May Your grace be sufficient for us, Loving Father.

Thank You for Your provisions today.

May we share with others and provide for their needs.

Help us honor You in all things and give thank.

Hang in There

O. T. #2114  "Hang in There"

Jan. 24, 2022

Amos 3-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

How are you managing life today? It seems like one whapping blow one after another is coming at us-our shop, our son is sick, my health, freezing temperatures all week. This old farmhouse does not hold heat well, so I layer up and work under a blanket. So we all must hang in there, for spring is coming. 

Keep our hearts on fire for You, Jesus. Our God is still on His throne and gives us mercy. His love surrounds us and we carry on. This too shall pass. Then we can look back and proclaim the faithfulness of our LORD.

Take a look at Psalm 144.

Are we blessing the Lord who gives us strength?

Is God your goodness, fortress, high tower, deliverer, shield?

Is He the one in whom you trust?

Who are we that Holy God would notice us and think of us? Our life is so short. It is just a puff of air. How do people handle life without God?

Who is God to you?

Are we serving God with all our being-thoughts, actions, words?

Do we share the hope that is in us-Jesus Christ?

LET IT GROW

The Lord says for Amos to call in witnesses of the leaders of Philistia and Egypt to see chaos and oppression in Israel due to their sins. They would be appalled at what was happening.

Why?

• It is because the people were not capable of doing right. (verse 10) They continued into sins so long that it became second nature.
• Greed, violence, and destruction were what they understood so that is what they were going to get. (verses 10-11)
• The rich made the poor even poorer.
• Like in a courtroom, Israel would be found guilty. (verse 13)
• God's judgment was going to come.
• However, a remnant would be saved. (verse 12)

The Assyrian army besieged Samaria and were taken captives.  Many of the northern tribes moved to Damascus.

The longer we wait to deal with sin, the greater the hold it has on us. We forget what it means to do right. Are we on the verge of forgetting?

LET IT GO

We trust You, Father God.

You will pull us through this.

You are our Rock, so we are standing on Your promises.

Bless all who read this today with Your love overflowing.

Jesus, You are our Overcomer so we can overcome whatever.

Thank You!!!!!!!

Land of Uprightness

O. T. #2113 "Land of Uprightness"

Jan. 21, 2022

Amos 3-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Look at what David's prayer included concerning God's will:

Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalm 143:10)

What is David praying?

• God's Spirit is good.
• He can teach us to do His will when He is our God.
• He can lead us in uprightness, which refers to justice; right (ously);(made) straight.

It wasn't enough to be saved from his troubles. David wants fellowship with God and His direction and guidance as he obeyed His commands. (Tony Evans)

Regardless of our feelings, it is still worthwhile to serve the Lord. Jesus is trustworthy, upright, just, the Truth, the Word, and God's Son. He can make our rough paths smooth; He can make the crooked turn straight for us.

So when we desire to know God's will for our life in a particular situation, He can teach us that very thing. After all, He is God and we are His servants.

Are we seeking God's will for our life?

LET IT GROW

Verse 8 (NLT) says, The lion has roared-so who isn't frightened? The Sovereign LORD has spoken-so who can refuse to proclaim His message?

The problem wasn't that the people did not have God's Word, but that they did not want to hear the Word from God. Doesn't that sound familiar? Noah preached 120 years before the flood of judgment. Abraham was told what would happen to Sodom and Gomorrah ahead of time. Joseph was forewarned about the famine of 7 years in Egypt. Jesus told His apostles that Jerusalem would be destroyed. The real problem was sin in the heart of men.

If a preacher tells the truth, he is known as a pessimist, a killjoy, a gloom-caster. However, God follows the principle that for every effect there is a cause, and He sends judgment only upon a sinning people. (McGee)

Isn't it a tragedy when an unsaved world sees professed Christians fall into sin? Media has a hay day with it. What a hardship it puts on  the faithful ones to witness. We are each accountable for our own sins.

Don't we need preachers who will not sugarcoat the Word, but tell us the truth about our sins? That is love. Isn't it better to hear it now and get forgiveness here than stand before a holy God and hear about our sins then?

 

LET IT GO

Is it well with your soul, friend?

Or is there a sin that separate you from God?

Are we busy doing His will instead of ours?

Your will, Your way, today, I pray.