So how are doing with Amos? I know, it's pretty heavy. But reading in Amos has been good for me. Seeing God's anger spelled out has caused me to stop and ask myself What am I doing in my day-to-day life that is displeasing to God? and Am I doing any of the things mentioned here?
Tomorrow (Tuesday) we start reading in Chapter 5, and in the middle of lots of judgment and bad news--there's hope. God says, "Seek me and live" (verse 5), "Seek the Lord and live," (verse 6) and "Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you" (verse 14). What an awesome picture of our loving God. A God willing to forgive us no matter what we've done. That's hard to grasp sometimes but don't miss this. There are times when I sin and I just feel like God could never forgive me--but that's not true and I can't let my emotions stop me from seeking God for forgiveness. So if you've feeling lousy today about sin--past or present--what are you waiting for? Hand it over to the Lord.
As I sign off today I'm interested in knowing what piqued your interest in Amos? Has anything you've read changed your thinking or actions? Blog me. Tami W.
Tami
You are exactly right about praying for our country. We cannot change the hearts of our leaders but God can! We can pray that they all have a Damascus Experience.
Keep up the awesome work and being such an inspiration to all of us!.
In His Service
Lynn
You are right about spending time in reading GOD's Word daily. I just heard about your website on Bott Radio and I want to pass on your challenge to others. I accepted Christ in the US Navy 38 years ago through a servicemen's center and I was taught to study the Bible daily. Reading The Word is as essential as eating. I have seen people who do not stay in their Bibles and who are not accountable to other Brothers and sisters to Christ fall into sin. I Like your challenge. Thank you for being a blessing to me today.
It is so easy to get caught up in doing as the world does. Man has created an art of twisting things around and being able to justify our actions whether they are good or not. There are so many verses in the Bible that let us know we cannot hide anything from God (5:12 in Amos) yet we try. God knows our hearts. Our mouths may voice solid excuses but God knows the truth behind our motives. If we are in a real relationship with Him He will reveal our motives to us and it is then our responsibility to do the right thing. If we are in darkness, our motives are black and cannot be seen clearly so they are easily justified.
It is a blessing to know that God loves us enough, not only to reveal the truth to us but, to forgive us allow us to return to Him.
God Bless,
Tonya H.
Good Day To All;
We (I) can be just like the Israelites. We (I) can shut God out, not listen, and think we know what is best. One of the great truths about reading His Word is we (I) can see what others have done and choose not to do the same, and/or realize we (I) are doing the same and repent. We serve an awesome loving God. He has gives us every opportunity to walk according to His Word.
The other thing that stands out to me is our country is doing the same as the Israelites. Therefore, as Tami and Lynn mentioned (the Lord also tells us in His Word) the importance of praying for our countries leaders and salvation for all.
Thank you, Tami and all for your words of encouragement and the challenge stay in HIS WORD!!!
Love In Christ!!!
Wow. How alive is the word of God that it is as relevent to us as individuals and as a nation today as it was in the time of Amos. I love the way the Lord makes it easy to compare the attributes of nations, and pricks the hearts of those that love Him, to call us back to Him. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you and your program as an accountability to us fellow Christians to stay in the Word DAILY!! May God continue to bless you in your desire to do His work.