Wisdom from the Prophet Amos

Amos 5:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: 

Amos 5:5 But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. 

Amos 5:6 Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. 

As He always does, the LORD declares that forgiveness is available; Israel just needed to seek Him in faith and repentance.  He makes the point that their sincerity will be noted by coming to Him on His terms—not at Bethel, Gilgal or Beersheba.  The implication—Jerusalem was the place where God had chosen to place His name and receive the sacrifices of His people.  These other cities had been established as worship centers in defiance of God’s instructions and had become centers of idol worship.  The coming judgment of these cities is certain. 

The warning in verse 6—If you don’t turn back to me in faith and repentance, the house of Joseph (another reference to the Northern Kingdom of Israel) will be completely devoured and no one will be able to prevent it.  I think this is again in reference to their impotent idols.  The call is for the people as individuals to repent of their sin and turn back to God in faith and obedience.

It always intrigues me how we humans think we have the right to expect our Creator, The God of the universe, to accept us on our terms instead of His.  So many today are convinced that if their good deeds outweigh their bad, they’ll get to go to heaven.  With that statement they are conceding there is a heaven and, in turn, a God in heaven who determines who is qualified to enter.  He has clearly explained in scripture that the only qualification He will accept is faith in His Son Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin and Lord of our life.  Still, many refuse to believe that He really means what He says.  What an arrogant stance to take before Almighty God; and, sadly, how many are going to suffer an eternity outside His presence because they refuse to believe Him!

HOW DO I SAY THANK YOU?

How do I say “Thank You”

For all that God has done

For all the many blessings

That are mine through His dear Son?

His love is strong and constant

No matter what I do.

He guides, protects and chastens

As I stumble my way through.

He’s always working in my life

To bring about what’s good.

Even if the things I choose

Aren’t always what I should.

His mercy and compassion

Far exceed my greatest need.

And when I come before His throne

He hears my every plea.

I may not understand His ways

When angry, hurt or grieved.

And still His patience never fails.

He’s always there to meet my need.

A Father when I need a hug.

A Refuge when I fear.

A Rock to give me strength.

A Friend when I need cheer.

“Thank You,” loving Father!

“Increase my faith,” I pray.

May others see You shine through me

In all I do and say.

God's Word is Sure

My heart is grieved over recent events in Israel.  I can hardly believe the evil things that people aligned with Hamas have done to fellow human beings.  It can only be described as Satanic and demonic.  Satan is gearing up for his short reign of power over the nations of the world.  Yes, he will get his one-world government—but only according to God’s ordained purpose.  That purpose—to bring forth a believing remnant of the people of Israel through whom He will fulfill His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.   It grieves me that it will take such suffering before God’s chosen people will recognize their true Messiah—the LORD Jesus, as declared in God's word.

As one who has been privileged to become part of spiritual Israel through faith in Jesus, the prayer is ever on my lips, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.”  It is my prayer to see peace in Jerusalem and to see Jerusalem a praise throughout the earth.  But I know that will not happen until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom and rule from the throne of David.

My heart is at peace because I know that the promises and prophecies in God’s word are sure and will come to pass just as promised and foretold.  God’s word is clear about describing events and circumstances that would indicate that His return was at the door.  Those events and circumstances are in full evidence around us.  They shout that the last seven years before Jesus returns will soon commence.  As the LORD orchestrates events to bring the people of Israel to saving faith, He will also exercise His wrath against His enemies and exact vengeance upon those that have martyred His followers.

I believe that scripture is very clear in stating that His people, those who believe that Jesus died for their sins and rose victorious from the grave, will be rescued before God inflicts His wrath on planet earth.  That event is commonly known as the rapture.  It is that truth that gives me peace and fills me with great anticipation.  

Satan is the great deceiver, and is hard at work convincing the masses that God’s word is not true—and, as events evidence all around the world, he seems to be succeeding.   Don’t ignore the signs of the times.  Read God’s word with a heart to know the truth.  If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, turn to him in faith today—before it’s too late!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ….”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

John 14:1-3  “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

COMING PERSECUTION

I recently heard a teaching by Brett Meador on the subject of this blog.  It is a message from which I think every follower of Jesus today would benefit. 

https://atheycreek.com/teachings/g-447

Keep looking up, Jesus is coming soon!

DON'T LOOK DOWN--LOOK UP!

A piece of my heart....

My soul is sad and weary

As I look around and see

The evil things that people do

To please the enemy.

The love of many grows so cold

As consciences are seared

Right is wrong and wrong is right

No longer is God feared.

As always, it’s the weaker

Abused and sacrificed

As wicked men advance their cause

With no regard for life.

My heart is sliding to despair 

Til finally I look up

Remembering Your promises

That soon You’ll interrupt.

Believers will be snatched away

Your vengeance then unleashed

Your wrath poured out on all within

The kingdom of the beast.

Jacob’s seed will finally know

The truth about our LORD

That He had suffered for their sins

In anguish they will mourn.

The LORD will then return as King

To rule from David’s throne

Restoring much of Eden’s peace

To quiet creation’s groans.

In righteousness our LORD will reign

One thousand years—and then

Satan will get one last chance

To claim the hearts of men.

He’ll gather a great army 

From the nations he deceives

Amazingly they’ll number

As the sand that’s in the sea.

Fire will come down from God

And sin will meet defeat.

Satan cast into hell’s fire

God’s victory complete.

Despair replaced by blessed hope

Now lives within my soul

As I await the LORD’s return

With joy my heart will flow!