December 10, 2022
DIRECTIONAL VISION MUST BE AGREED UPON The Lord gave the prophet Amos a list of proverbial questions to ask of Israel and Judah. Each of them beg an obvious negative response. The first proverb concerned their walk with God. The Lord essentially asked, “Can you claim to have My presence when you walk so contrary
December 11, 2021
WHO IS THIS ONE WHO MADE AND SUSTAINS ALL THINGS? The Lord is not an absentee creator. He is not merely a celestial clockmaker who fashioned the universe, wound it up and watches time pass from a distance. No, the Lord was active in making all things and continues to sustain all things. He made
December 12, 2020
WHERE HAS GOD SENT YOU? When Amaziah, the priest at Bethel, heard the prophetic words of judgment that Amos pronounced against King Jeroboam and the Northern kingdom of Israel, he told him to flee to Judah to be a prophet and never again prophesy in Bethel. He also warned King Jeroboam of Amos’ words. But
December 10, 2018
THE NECESSITY OF VISIONAL UNITY
The Lord gave the prophet Amos a list of proverbial questions to ask of Israel and Judah. Each of them beg an obvious negative response. The first proverb concerned their walk with God. The Lord essentially asked, “Can you claim to have My presence when you walk so contrary to Me?” The obvious answer? “No.”
The Lord pictured Himself as one of two people, with the other representing His chosen ones. Yet, they no longer walked with Him. Although they claimed God’s presence, their walk and talk proved otherwise.
This proverb stands as an important leadership principle. Directional unity must be agreed upon, otherwise, eventual division and disunity is inevitable. It may look as if you are walking together, but after a while, your paths will diverge.
The wise recognize the necessity of visional unity. The one who would walk together with God, must constantly listen to and agree to His voice and vision. The one who would lead in God’s name, must constantly check the unity of the flock. For sheep are always prone to wander.
December 11, 2016
The Lord is not an absentee creator. He is not merely a celestial clockmaker who fashioned the universe, wound it up and watches time pass from a distance. No, the Lord was active in making all things and continues to sustain all things. His creation was fashioned “ex nihilo” (“out of nothing”) by the power of His Word (“per verbum”). And He who “made” it, is he who still “calls” to it. His Word made it and His Word sustains and orchestrates it. Who is this “Word?” It is Jesus. As the author of Hebrews states, “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:2-3). Maker, Sustainer, and Savior–– the Lord is his name!
December 10, 2016
God often calls preachers, prophets and kings from obscure places. The prophet Amos was a simple, shepherd living about twelve miles South of Jerusalem near the small town of Tekoa. He was a country boy, but God called him from the pasture to the palace to proclaim the Word of God before kings. Where did he get his message? The Scripture says, “he saw,” meaning he received his message in a vision from God. God still calls the small and the simple to proclaim His Word. He still calls country boys like Amos to preach to the countries of the world.
December 10, 2015
God often calls preachers, prophets and kings from obscure places. The prophet Amos was a simple, herdsman living about twelve miles South of Jerusalem near the small town of Tekoa. He was a country boy, but God called him from the pasture to the palace to proclaim the Word of God before kings. Where did he get his message? The Scripture says, “he saw,” meaning he received his message in a vision from God. God still calls the small and the simple to proclaim His Word.
December 10, 2014
The Spirit of God inspired the prophet Amos to warn Israel and Judah and the surrounding nations of God’s coming judgment. He also revealed God’s heart to Amos by explaining that God always warns us beforehand, so we have opportunity to repent. The people did not listen to Amos, nor the other prophets of that day and they were overthrown. Today, God has revealed His plans for the future return of King Jesus to judge the living and the dead. Yet, many go about their business as if the warning had not been sounded. We live in the day of God’s grace, the day of redemption. But God has warned us through His prophets that there is coming a day of judgment. God has not hidden His plans from us.
December 12, 2013
Amos was a blue-collar prophet. Unlike Samuel who grew up in the tabernacle and called as a child, Amos was called as a grown man who already had a vocation. Be careful about putting God’s calling in a box. You may think God does it this way or that. But He doesn’t do encores. And its never too late with God. After all, He called Moses at age 80! God calls whom He wills, when He wills, how He wills. Answering that call is ours to do. Yet, may I say that I have never seen anyone more miserable than the one called who declines. When God calls, hear and follow.
December 10, 2012
This reminds me of how God told Abraham about His impending judgment on Sodom (Gen.18:17). This is a strong statement. The Lord “never… until he reveals…” God has revealed His intent and plans to us through His Word. I’m not sure why He does this. I know He doesn’t have to. It must be because He has chosen us (as He did Abraham) and therefore has decided to reveal his plans to those who are faithful. God reveals His plans so that we have the opportunity to repent and petition Him for ourselves and others.