Tag: hearing the word

Famine in the land!

Posted in Minor prophets - September 16, 2014 - 0 Comment

Scripture reading for September 16th: Amos 8-9

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land–not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.” Amos 8:11-12

We are so blessed in America!  We have nearly 360,000 churches across our land.  In our city of Owensboro and surrounding area, there are nearly 200 churches to choose from for a population of  about 110,000.  About 12-15% of those attend a church each week, a high number  compared with other parts of our nation.  We have services broadcast on television, cable, internet, and radio each day of the week.  Christians should be out in the community sharing their faith and the word of the Lord each day.   Access to Bibles is not restricted here either, and, indeed, most households have more than one.

Amos lived and ministered among a people who were religious and went to church each Sabbath day to hear God’s word!  They had prophets who spoke to them regularly.  To come into the adult world of that day, children had to memorize the Books of Moses before their thirteenth birthday.  How can a person or people have the word of the Lord and still have a famine?

When we ignore the Lord Himself and disrespect the light that we have from Him, we go into darkness that is deeper than before!  These people had the truth and willfully rejected it!   This brought God’s wrath and judgment on them.  This should be a strong warning to us today in America!  To whom much has been given, much will be required!

God’s mercy was evident even in the dire prophetic writings of the prophet Amos. (Amos 9:8-10)  God promised restoration after the shaking of judgment.  He promised to restore the nation again and plant them in the land that He gave to them.  (Amos 9:11-15)  God’s goodness to a stubborn people is amazing!  It should draw us to repentance and faithful love again!  (Romans 2:4) Take advantage of the blessing of having God’s word as your living bread!  Eat and be satisfied!

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Any word from the Lord?

Posted in Jeremiah--BibleTrekToday - August 14, 2014 - 0 Comment

Scripture reading for August 14th: Jeremiah 37-39

“Jeremiah was put in a vaulted cell in a dungeon, where he remained for a long time.  Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any word from the Lord?” “Yes,” Jeremiah replied, “you will be handed over to the king of Babylon.”  Jeremiah 37:16-17

None of the last kings of Judah really wanted to hear Jeremiah’s word from the Lord.  He was in prison because of preaching God’s word of coming judgment.  In the coming days, a plot to kill Jeremiah came from some of the king’s officials and King Zedekiah did nothing to stop them.  He really did not want to hear the word of coming judgment.  He was hoping for a new word of peace and safety.

Today, people are running around looking for a “word from the Lord”.  They go to conferences and seek out those with prophetic gifts.  They want to hear the latest prophetic predictions.  They want personal guidance and direction.  But we should ask ourselves if we are obeying what has already been written from the Lord.  If we have been ignoring known truths, how can we be sure we will be given ‘new’ truth?  In the last days there will be a famine, not for bread or water, but for hearing the word of the Lord!  (Amos 8:11-12)

Yes, there is a final word from the Lord for these last days;  Jesus Christ Himself is the last word from God for the world.  He offers grace and forgiveness of sins to all who will repent and believe on Him.  He promises salvation, healing and deliverance through Him alone.  Have you responded to this word?

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.  After He had provided purification of sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3

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True mothers and brothers!

Posted in Gospels - March 28, 2011 - 0 Comment

Scripture reading for March 28th: Luke 8:4-21

Blood is thicker than water!  This statement is made to declare that family loyalty is often the closest tie that binds people together.  They may not get along on a daily basis, but if a family member is attacked or threatened, other family members will rally to their defense.  Blood relationship is a unique tie we have with our close relatives.  The Jews used this in their relationship to God as well, claiming Abraham’s blood brought them into a unique relationship with God.  Jesus disputed this common proverb when it came to following Him.

“Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were not able to get near Him because of the crowd.  Someone told Him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”  He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” ” (Luke 8:19-21)  The context of this statement was the teaching of the parable of the sower and the seed.  Those who received God’s word and put it into practice had good soil in their hearts and persevered to produce a crop of righteousness coming from faith.  Blood relationship would not necessarily produce this!

Faith comes by hearing and obeying the word of God.  (Romans 10:17)  It is by faith through God’s grace found in Jesus Christ that we are saved.  (Ephesians 2:8-10)   We are adopted into God’s family and become one with Him through covenant by His blood.  (Galatians 4:4-7)  The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are sons and daughters of God and we can now know God as “Abba” (Daddy).  Our faith resulted in belief in the word of truth and we were marked by a seal, the precious Holy Spirit!  Our complete family inheritance is guaranteed until the redemption of our bodies at the resurrection!  (Ephesians 1:13-14)

In summary, Jesus was not putting down his family but encouraging all that they could become close family with Him through hearing the word of God and obeying it!  That is the definition of faith!   Faith works through love.  Love is a relationship where people and our Father work to bring the highest good to each person regardless of personal cost!  Does your spirit and the Holy Spirit bear witness that God is your Father (Daddy)?

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