"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 4 February 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."
Today's Blog Title: "The Visions"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Amos 7:1-16
Today's Blog Key Verse: Amos 7: 14-15 " The Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, And the LORD said to me, Go, prophesy to My people Israel."
In verses 1-3, Amos has a vision of locusts. A locust plague would leave the people without food, for the first crop was commandeered by Jeroboam the king as payment for taxes, and if this crop were to be destroyed by locust, there wouldn't be any crop until the next year, and this would cause starvation. In verses 4-6, to try "by fire" means that fire would have been both the instrument by which Israel's guilt would be judged and the instrument by which their punishment would be carried out. "Consumed the great deep" means that the vast reservoir of underground water, as well as the sea would dried up by fire, and that such a fire, would be inextinguishable and the land would be devastated beyond hope. Both of these punishments were held back in answer to the prayers of Amos. But punishment can be delayed only so long, however righteous the one who prays for sinners.
In verse 7-17 the vision of the "plumbline" lets the prophet know that all hope for Israel has been exhausted, and Judgment must come. The purpose of the "plumbline" is to illustrate how far Israel has strayed from God's righteousness, and that it must be destroyed.
The word "seer" in verse 11, was an ancient term equivalent to "prophet." Amaziah, in using it, recognizes the office of Amos, but he still refused to listen to his message. In verse 13, the words, "For it is the kings sanctuary," are revealing. The chief priest's allegiance was not to God, but to the king! We as Christians too, sometimes feel loyalty to human leadership. The danger always exists, that in seeking to please or protect men, we may forget that our ultimately loyalty, should ALWAYS be to God.
We as Christian are all held accountable for what we say, what we do, or what we fail to do as Christians, and as believers. People are free to make any choice they wish, as Amaziah did in choosing loyalty to king, over loyalty to God. Always remember, that we will remain accountable to God, for ALL the choices that we make.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
Please uplift Youcef Nardankari and American Pastor Saeed Abedini in your Prayers as they have been falsely accused by the Iranian Government and have been sentenced to Iranian Prison. Pray that God will uplift and provide them His Strength, His Peace, and His Comfort to them as well as to their families. Also Pray for all those who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and Always Will Be, In Complete and Total Control.!!!
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "The Visions"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Amos 7:1-16
Today's Blog Key Verse: Amos 7: 14-15 " The Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, And the LORD said to me, Go, prophesy to My people Israel."
In verses 1-3, Amos has a vision of locusts. A locust plague would leave the people without food, for the first crop was commandeered by Jeroboam the king as payment for taxes, and if this crop were to be destroyed by locust, there wouldn't be any crop until the next year, and this would cause starvation. In verses 4-6, to try "by fire" means that fire would have been both the instrument by which Israel's guilt would be judged and the instrument by which their punishment would be carried out. "Consumed the great deep" means that the vast reservoir of underground water, as well as the sea would dried up by fire, and that such a fire, would be inextinguishable and the land would be devastated beyond hope. Both of these punishments were held back in answer to the prayers of Amos. But punishment can be delayed only so long, however righteous the one who prays for sinners.
In verse 7-17 the vision of the "plumbline" lets the prophet know that all hope for Israel has been exhausted, and Judgment must come. The purpose of the "plumbline" is to illustrate how far Israel has strayed from God's righteousness, and that it must be destroyed.
The word "seer" in verse 11, was an ancient term equivalent to "prophet." Amaziah, in using it, recognizes the office of Amos, but he still refused to listen to his message. In verse 13, the words, "For it is the kings sanctuary," are revealing. The chief priest's allegiance was not to God, but to the king! We as Christians too, sometimes feel loyalty to human leadership. The danger always exists, that in seeking to please or protect men, we may forget that our ultimately loyalty, should ALWAYS be to God.
We as Christian are all held accountable for what we say, what we do, or what we fail to do as Christians, and as believers. People are free to make any choice they wish, as Amaziah did in choosing loyalty to king, over loyalty to God. Always remember, that we will remain accountable to God, for ALL the choices that we make.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
Please uplift Youcef Nardankari and American Pastor Saeed Abedini in your Prayers as they have been falsely accused by the Iranian Government and have been sentenced to Iranian Prison. Pray that God will uplift and provide them His Strength, His Peace, and His Comfort to them as well as to their families. Also Pray for all those who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and Always Will Be, In Complete and Total Control.!!!
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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