Faithful to God's Calling

The King (Amaziah) told Amos to go declare his message of warning somewhere else. Amos replied, "I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me...and the Lord said to me, Go prophesy to My people Israel" (Amos 7:14-15). Amos exercised courage and conviction in the face of condemnation because he was listening to what GOD wanted him to do not what men wanted. Amos offered No excuses, no compromises, no watering down of the message just because the King didn't like it. Amos is a great example to every believer of God taking us out of our comfort zone to serve Him. Lord, give us boldness to go where you lead us and do what you ask of us regardless.

Is Our God Too Small?

"To whom then will you liken God?...Do you not know? Have you not heard? ...It is He who sits above the vault of the earth...who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in...The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary...Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40:18,2-22,28,31). I'm convinced that my concept of God is way too small. Only God is Awesome!

God Gives

God told His people who were preparing to enter the promised land, "It is NOT for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess this land..." (Deut.9:4,5). God's people were a "stubborn people" (vs.6). Good for me to ponder that God's graciousness and NOT my righteousness is the source of blessing. God still gives when we don't deserve it.

Attitude Adjustment for the Anxious

I stopped one of the farmers in our congregation this morning as I was walking back from getting the mail up town. We chatted and then commented on how everyone seems to be so focused on the wet and cool weather that has not allowed the farmers to finish their spring planting. We said that God has always been faithful to see the crops got in and out but that doesn't meant that there are not lessons to learn during this trying time. "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me. Your consolations delight my soul" (Ps.94:19). This verse has relevance for the farmers anxious to get their crops in and for so many others as well. Everyone seems to be so busy, so caught up in chasing their dreams, so consumed with the "day to day" stuff of living, and so stressed out. The Psalmist brings perspective to the chaos when he says that he turns to God's consolations, the truth of who God is and what He wants for us, His power, purpose, and plan. Lord give me your perspective to quiet my anxious thoughts today.

Teaching the Truth to Our Children

God directed Moses concerning "these words which I'm commanding you this day..." to "teach them diligently to your children when you sit in your house, when you walk along the way, when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deut.6:6-7). I had the privilege to officiate the wedding ceremony of two young people whose parents took these words to heart and their children were listening. What a blessing to see a young couple who are both solidly seeking to serve the Lord.

Incentive for Missions

"Worthy are You to take the book, and to break its seals; for You were slain, and did purchase for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation" (Rev.5:9). Christ shed His blood to "purchase for God" people from every tribe, tongue, nation. Glorious good news that we have the privilege of sharing with every people, tribe, tongue, and nation. Incentive enough for us to take the message of salvation to the ends of the earth, because Christ shed His blood that people from everywhere might be rescued from eternal condemnation. The price has been paid for people from all over the earth to be delivered from the kingdom of darkness and to be translated into the Kingdom of light, to be saved from sin and receive eternal salvation. Christ purchased them with His blood so why can't we proclaim that truth with our mouth? Revelation 5 certainly gives every child of God reason to rejoice--Christ is worthy to open the "Book" to identify those who have turned from sin to trust in Him for salvation. But that good news we share in is something we should also share "out"...share with a lost and dying world since there are people from every part of the globe who are covered by the blood. The thought of sending out short term mission teams to Omaha, Oklahoma, Haiti, Hungary, Ukraine seems all the more worth it when we cling to the promise that Christ has purchased dear souls from every corner of the earth.

Worthy Of Worship

"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You did create all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created" (Rev.4:11). One grand reason God is worthy of our praise is that we exist because He desired to create us. Lord, help me remember today that my existence and that of everything on earth is because You willed it.