Amos 6:13-7:9 - Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plow the sea with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness—you who rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar and say, “Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?” For the LORD God Almighty declares, “I will stir up a nation against you, Israel, that will oppress you all the way from Lebo Hamath to the valley of the Arabah.” This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king’s share had been harvested and just as the late crops were coming up. When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, “Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!” So the LORD relented. “This will not happen,” the LORD said. This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: The Sovereign LORD was calling for judgment by fire; it dried up the great deep and devoured the land. Then I cried out, “Sovereign LORD, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!” So the LORD relented. “This will not happen either,” the Sovereign LORD said. This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. 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. “The high places of Isaac will be destroyed and the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined; with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam.”
Jeremiah 7:16 - “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.
1 Kings 13:34 - This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth.
Application:
· Is God listening to my prayers when I am unfaithful to following His will?
· Do I persist in worship that is evil in God's eyes?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
In Zion And On Mount Samaria
Amos 5:26-6:4 - You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god—which you made for yourselves. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the LORD, whose name is God Almighty. Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come! Go to Kalneh and look at it; go from there to great Hamath, and then go down to Gath in Philistia. Are they better off than your two kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours? You put off the day of disaster and bring near a reign of terror. You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.
Amos 3:9 - Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod and to the fortresses of Egypt: “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest within her and the oppression among her people.”
Amos 2:4-5 - This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed, I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.”
Ezekiel 34:2-3 - “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.
Conclusions:
· Am I heedless of the justice called for in God's law?
· Do I disobey the revealed law of God?
· Do I only take care of myself?
· Do I take care of my flock?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Amos 3:9 - Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod and to the fortresses of Egypt: “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest within her and the oppression among her people.”
Amos 2:4-5 - This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed, I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.”
Ezekiel 34:2-3 - “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.
Conclusions:
· Am I heedless of the justice called for in God's law?
· Do I disobey the revealed law of God?
· Do I only take care of myself?
· Do I take care of my flock?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Justice and Righteousness
Amos 5:7,23-25 - There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground…Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! “Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
1 Samuel 15:22-23 - But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
Numbers 14:34 - For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’
Application:
· Do I act justly and love mercy?
· Do I ignore His law and despise true religion?
· Is my relationship with the Lord based on obedience?
· Are my sacrifices done with an attitude of obedience and devotion to the Lord?
· Do I set my own will above the command of the Lord?
· Do I refuse to carry out what the Lord commissions me to do?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
1 Samuel 15:22-23 - But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
Numbers 14:34 - For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’
Application:
· Do I act justly and love mercy?
· Do I ignore His law and despise true religion?
· Is my relationship with the Lord based on obedience?
· Are my sacrifices done with an attitude of obedience and devotion to the Lord?
· Do I set my own will above the command of the Lord?
· Do I refuse to carry out what the Lord commissions me to do?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Day Of The Lord
Amos 5:19-22 - It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light—pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
Jeremiah 48:44 - “Whoever flees from the terror will fall into a pit, whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare; for I will bring on Moab the year of her punishment,” declares the LORD.
Obadiah 15 - “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.
Jeremiah 7:21 - “‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves!
Psalm 40:6 - Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Jeremiah 14:12 - Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”
Micah 6:6 - With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Application:
· Divine judgment, once determined, is unavoidable.
· Will the Day of the Lord result in my judgment or my salvation?
· My sacrifices are worthless if my deeds are sinful.
· Am I obedient to God's moral law?
· Sacrifice is to no avail when unaccompanied by repentance.
· It does no good to offer sacrifices without obedience.
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Jeremiah 48:44 - “Whoever flees from the terror will fall into a pit, whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare; for I will bring on Moab the year of her punishment,” declares the LORD.
Obadiah 15 - “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.
Jeremiah 7:21 - “‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves!
Psalm 40:6 - Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Jeremiah 14:12 - Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”
Micah 6:6 - With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Application:
· Divine judgment, once determined, is unavoidable.
· Will the Day of the Lord result in my judgment or my salvation?
· My sacrifices are worthless if my deeds are sinful.
· Am I obedient to God's moral law?
· Sacrifice is to no avail when unaccompanied by repentance.
· It does no good to offer sacrifices without obedience.
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Monday, January 24, 2011
Seek Good
Amos 5:12 -15 - For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil. Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.
Amos 2:7 - They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.
Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Romans 12:9 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Genesis 18:25 - Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
Jeremiah 36:3 - Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, they will each turn from their wicked ways; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.”
Application:
· Do I defend the poor and oppressed? Or, do I trample on them or deny them justice?
· Do I take advantage of the weaK? Or do I encourage them, defend them and plead for them?
· Is my love for fellow Christians and my fellowman sincere?
· The Judge of all the earth is just and does what is right!!!
· If I am repentant, the Lord will forgive my wickedness and sin!!!
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Amos 2:7 - They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.
Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Romans 12:9 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Genesis 18:25 - Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
Jeremiah 36:3 - Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, they will each turn from their wicked ways; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.”
Application:
· Do I defend the poor and oppressed? Or, do I trample on them or deny them justice?
· Do I take advantage of the weaK? Or do I encourage them, defend them and plead for them?
· Is my love for fellow Christians and my fellowman sincere?
· The Judge of all the earth is just and does what is right!!!
· If I am repentant, the Lord will forgive my wickedness and sin!!!
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Friday, January 21, 2011
Gilgal
Amos 5:4-6 - This is what the LORD says to Israel: “Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.” Seek the LORD and live, or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire; it will devour them, and Bethel will have no one to quench it.
Hosea 4:15 - “Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty. “Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. And do not swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
Zephaniah 2:3 - Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
Leviticus 18:5 - Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.
Application:
· Do I use oaths deceitfully, as though I am truly honoring the Lord?
· Have I abandoned the arrogance of my idolatry and wickedness? Have I humbled myself in repentance before God?
· Is the law a way of life for me? It is not a way of salvation!!!
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Hosea 4:15 - “Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty. “Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. And do not swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
Zephaniah 2:3 - Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
Leviticus 18:5 - Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.
Application:
· Do I use oaths deceitfully, as though I am truly honoring the Lord?
· Have I abandoned the arrogance of my idolatry and wickedness? Have I humbled myself in repentance before God?
· Is the law a way of life for me? It is not a way of salvation!!!
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Seek
Amos 5:3-5 - This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Israel: “Your city that marches out a thousand strong will have only a hundred left; your town that marches out a hundred strong will have only ten left.” This is what the LORD says to Israel: “Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.”
Deuteronomy 4:29 - But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Isaiah 55:3 - Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
Ezekiel 18:9 - He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Application:
· Do I seek and fear Him? Do I live in obedience to Him? Do I love and serve Him? When I forsake Him, do I renew my allegiance and commitment to Him?
· Do I listen to my God so that my soul may live?
· Is my life more than mere existence? Does my life include communion with God?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Deuteronomy 4:29 - But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Isaiah 55:3 - Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
Ezekiel 18:9 - He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Application:
· Do I seek and fear Him? Do I live in obedience to Him? Do I love and serve Him? When I forsake Him, do I renew my allegiance and commitment to Him?
· Do I listen to my God so that my soul may live?
· Is my life more than mere existence? Does my life include communion with God?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
No One To Lift Her Up
Amos 4:6-5:2 - “I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD. “I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up. People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD. “Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards, destroying them with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD. “I sent plagues among you as I did to Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD. “I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD. “Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God.” He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the LORD God Almighty is his name. Hear this word, Israel, this lament I take up concerning you: “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again, deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up.”
Haggai 1:6 - You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Psalm 135:7 - He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
Jeremiah 9:22 - Say, “This is what the LORD declares: “‘Dead bodies will lie like dung on the open field, like cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather them.’”
Application:
· If I am disobedient, I can experience futility in all my activities, legitimate or illegitimate
· People forget the lessons provided by God to discipline them
· The Lord brings life
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Haggai 1:6 - You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Psalm 135:7 - He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
Jeremiah 9:22 - Say, “This is what the LORD declares: “‘Dead bodies will lie like dung on the open field, like cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather them.’”
Application:
· If I am disobedient, I can experience futility in all my activities, legitimate or illegitimate
· People forget the lessons provided by God to discipline them
· The Lord brings life
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
What You Love To Do
Amos 4:5 - Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings—boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,” declares the Sovereign LORD.
Hosea 6:6 - For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Application:
· Do I love the forms and rituals of religion? Or, do I love what God loves? Do I love goodness? Do I love mercy? Do I love kindness? Do I love justice?
· Sacrifice is unacceptable to the Lord if it is apart from faithfulness to His will!!!
· Do I act justly? Do I love mercy?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Hosea 6:6 - For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Application:
· Do I love the forms and rituals of religion? Or, do I love what God loves? Do I love goodness? Do I love mercy? Do I love kindness? Do I love justice?
· Sacrifice is unacceptable to the Lord if it is apart from faithfulness to His will!!!
· Do I act justly? Do I love mercy?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
What You Love To Do
Amos 4:5 - Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings—boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,” declares the Sovereign LORD.
Hosea 6:6 - For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Application:
· Do I love the forms and rituals of religion? Or, do I love what God loves? Do I love goodness? Do I love mercy? Do I love kindness? Do I love justice?
· Sacrifice is unacceptable to the Lord if it is apart from faithfulness to His will!!!
· Do I act justly? Do I love mercy?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Hosea 6:6 - For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Application:
· Do I love the forms and rituals of religion? Or, do I love what God loves? Do I love goodness? Do I love mercy? Do I love kindness? Do I love justice?
· Sacrifice is unacceptable to the Lord if it is apart from faithfulness to His will!!!
· Do I act justly? Do I love mercy?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Friday, January 14, 2011
Who Hoard
Amos 3:9-10 - Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod and to the fortresses of Egypt: “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest within her and the oppression among her people.” “They do not know how to do right,” declares the LORD, “who store up in their fortresses what they have plundered and looted.”
Amos 5:7 - There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.
Amos 2:7-8 - They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name. They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.
Habakkuk 2:6,9 - “Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, “‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?’…“Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!
Application:
· Am I heedless of the justice called for in God's law?
· Does my prosperity depend on oppression?
· Do I ignore His law and despise true religion?
· Do I defend the poor and the oppressed?
· Do I use wrongly gotten gains in places supposed to be holy?
· Am I greedy?
· Do I have pride in my material possessions?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Amos 5:7 - There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.
Amos 2:7-8 - They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name. They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.
Habakkuk 2:6,9 - “Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, “‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?’…“Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!
Application:
· Am I heedless of the justice called for in God's law?
· Does my prosperity depend on oppression?
· Do I ignore His law and despise true religion?
· Do I defend the poor and the oppressed?
· Do I use wrongly gotten gains in places supposed to be holy?
· Am I greedy?
· Do I have pride in my material possessions?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Plan
Amos 3:3-8 - Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Does a lion roar in the thicket when it has no prey? Does it growl in its den when it has caught nothing? Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground when no bait is there? Does a trap spring up from the ground if it has not caught anything? When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken—who can but prophesy?
Genesis 18:17 - Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
Jeremiah 20:9 - But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Jonah 1:2-3 - “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah 3:2 - “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
Application:
· Has God revealed His purposes to me? Does God allow my voice to be heard in the court of heaven?
· Is my reluctance to speak overcome by divine compulsion?
· Am I cruel? Do I exploit others?
· Have I tried to escape my divinely appointed task?
· Do I bear messages from God?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Genesis 18:17 - Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
Jeremiah 20:9 - But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Jonah 1:2-3 - “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah 3:2 - “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
Application:
· Has God revealed His purposes to me? Does God allow my voice to be heard in the court of heaven?
· Is my reluctance to speak overcome by divine compulsion?
· Am I cruel? Do I exploit others?
· Have I tried to escape my divinely appointed task?
· Do I bear messages from God?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Chosen
Amos 3:1-2 - Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the LORD has spoken against you—against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins.”
Exodus 19:5-6 - Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Deuteronomy 7:6 - For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Application:
· Does my present strength and prosperity give rise to complacency about my privileged status as the Lord's chosen?
· Am I part of the Lord's kingdom? Am I wholly consecrated to His service?
· Am I separated from all corrupting people and things? Am I consecrated totally to the Lord?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Exodus 19:5-6 - Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Deuteronomy 7:6 - For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Application:
· Does my present strength and prosperity give rise to complacency about my privileged status as the Lord's chosen?
· Am I part of the Lord's kingdom? Am I wholly consecrated to His service?
· Am I separated from all corrupting people and things? Am I consecrated totally to the Lord?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Life
Amos 2:10,12-3:2 - I brought you up out of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness to give you the land of the Amorites… “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy. “Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain. The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life. The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life. Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day,” declares the LORD. Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the LORD has spoken against you—against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins.”
Ecclesiastes 9:11 - I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
Application:
· Do I show utter disdain for God's faithful servants? Am I calloused and insensitive to God's working among His servants?
· Success is uncertain--I do not ultimately control events!!!
· Do God's great blessings to me in the past add to my guilt? Does God recall them to indict me?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Ecclesiastes 9:11 - I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
Application:
· Do I show utter disdain for God's faithful servants? Am I calloused and insensitive to God's working among His servants?
· Success is uncertain--I do not ultimately control events!!!
· Do God's great blessings to me in the past add to my guilt? Does God recall them to indict me?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Monday, January 10, 2011
I Also Raised Up Prophets And Nazirites
Amos 2:11 - “I also raised up prophets from among your children and Nazirites from among your youths. Is this not true, people of Israel?” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 7:25 - From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets.
Deuteronomy 18:15 - The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.
Numbers 6:2-3 - “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the LORD as a Nazirite, they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.
Application:
· Am I used by God through word and example?
· Do I serve the Lord faithfully?
· Do I listen to the Lord's messengers?
· Am I totally devoted to the Lord?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Jeremiah 7:25 - From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets.
Deuteronomy 18:15 - The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.
Numbers 6:2-3 - “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the LORD as a Nazirite, they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.
Application:
· Am I used by God through word and example?
· Do I serve the Lord faithfully?
· Do I listen to the Lord's messengers?
· Am I totally devoted to the Lord?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Needy
Amos 2:4-6 - This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed, I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.” This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.
Jeremiah 17:27 - But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses.’”
Hosea 8:14 - Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses.”
Deuteronomy 15:11 - There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Application:
· Has my disobedience negated the promises of God?
· Is my trust in my Maker? Or, is my trust in what I have accomplished?
· Do I extend generosity and kindness to the needy?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Jeremiah 17:27 - But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses.’”
Hosea 8:14 - Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses.”
Deuteronomy 15:11 - There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Application:
· Has my disobedience negated the promises of God?
· Is my trust in my Maker? Or, is my trust in what I have accomplished?
· Do I extend generosity and kindness to the needy?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Judah
Amos 1:13-2:4 - This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Ammon, even for four, I will not relent. Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders, I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah that will consume her fortresses amid war cries on the day of battle, amid violent winds on a stormy day. Her king will go into exile, he and his officials together,” says the LORD. This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not relent. Because he burned to ashes the bones of Edom’s king, I will send fire on Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet. I will destroy her ruler and kill all her officials with him,” says the LORD. This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed, I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.”
Hosea 12:2 - The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.
Exodus 34:15 - “Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices.
Jeremiah 16:12 - But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying me.
Application:
· Have I been led astray by false gods, rejecting the law of the Lord and not keeping his decrees
· Am I punished according to my ways and repaid according to my deeds?
· Have I partaken of the gods of this world that I am an alien in?
· Do I blame the things I am judged for on previous generations? Do I follow the stubbornness of my evil heart instead of obeying God?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Hosea 12:2 - The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.
Exodus 34:15 - “Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices.
Jeremiah 16:12 - But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying me.
Application:
· Have I been led astray by false gods, rejecting the law of the Lord and not keeping his decrees
· Am I punished according to my ways and repaid according to my deeds?
· Have I partaken of the gods of this world that I am an alien in?
· Do I blame the things I am judged for on previous generations? Do I follow the stubbornness of my evil heart instead of obeying God?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Bozrah
Amos 1:11-12 - This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent. Because he pursued his brother with a sword and slaughtered the women of the land, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked, I will send fire on Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah.”
Isaiah 63:1,4-5 - Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.”… It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.
Malachi 1:2-3,5 - “I have loved you,” says the LORD. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”… You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the LORD—even beyond the borders of Israel!’
Application:
· Christ is going to wage war at His second coming against a world that hates God's people!
· The day God judges His enemies will be the same day of redemption for me!
· God's righteousness and holiness results in His wrath!
· Do I hate my parents in the sense that I love Christ even more?
· Do I acknowledge that the Lord is the great ruler over all the nations?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Isaiah 63:1,4-5 - Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.”… It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.
Malachi 1:2-3,5 - “I have loved you,” says the LORD. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”… You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the LORD—even beyond the borders of Israel!’
Application:
· Christ is going to wage war at His second coming against a world that hates God's people!
· The day God judges His enemies will be the same day of redemption for me!
· God's righteousness and holiness results in His wrath!
· Do I hate my parents in the sense that I love Christ even more?
· Do I acknowledge that the Lord is the great ruler over all the nations?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Edom
Amos 1:9-12 - This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not relent. Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood, I will send fire on the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses.” This is what the LORD says: “For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent. Because he pursued his brother with a sword and slaughtered the women of the land, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked, I will send fire on Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah.”
Isaiah 23:17 - At the end of seventy years, the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth.
Genesis 25:23 - The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Obadiah 8 - “In that day,” declares the LORD, “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?
Application:
· Do I seek self-gratification, regardless of the means?
· God has a sovereign right to do whatever pleases Him according to His own perfect will!
· Do I put confidence for my security in man?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Isaiah 23:17 - At the end of seventy years, the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth.
Genesis 25:23 - The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Obadiah 8 - “In that day,” declares the LORD, “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?
Application:
· Do I seek self-gratification, regardless of the means?
· God has a sovereign right to do whatever pleases Him according to His own perfect will!
· Do I put confidence for my security in man?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
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