<\/p>\n
Amos 7:1-9:15; 2 Kings 14:28-29; 2 Kings 15:8-29; 2 Kings 15:6-7; 2 Chronicles 26:22-23; Isaiah 6:1-13<\/strong><\/span> Old Testament<\/strong> \u2013 Today we finish up the book of Amos!\u00a0 Today in Amos we read about Amos & Amaziah\u2019s interactions, visions of Locusts, Fire & a Plumb line, Ripe Fruit, God at the Altar, and then finish up the book with a Promise of Restoration.\u00a0 I like the beginning of Amos chapter 7 a lot. Here we see Amos praying for the forgiveness of Israel\u2019s sins and asking God to forgo the visions of Locusts & Fire.\u00a0 This is a good reminder to each of us to pray for others, and not just only for ourselves. <\/span><\/p>\n Also, in chapter 7 verses 14 & 15 stood out to me when Amos was speaking with the priest Amaziah: \u201c\u201dI\u2019m not one of your professional prophets. I certainly never trained to be one. I\u2019m just a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees. But the LORD called me away from my flock and told me, `Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.\u2019\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This reminds me of something I actually heard from Mac Powell, the leader singer of Third Day, at one of their concerts.\u00a0 Mac reminded us all that sometimes we think that the only way we can really be serving God and others in big ways is if maybe we are pastors or missionaries.\u00a0 And Mac reminded us that this is not the case \u2013 all of us, no matter what our profession or walk of life, can serve God and others in big ways!\u00a0 We are all pastors and missionaries in the kingdom of God!\u00a0 I like that.\u00a0 And here\u2019s Amos saying, \u201chey \u2013 I\u2019m not a professional prophet.\u00a0 I\u2019m just doing what God asked me to do.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0What might God be asking you to do in your life to love and serve Him and others?<\/span><\/p>\n Amos chapter 8 verses 11-13 are a great reminder of how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to read God\u2019s word, the Bible \u2013 where not everyone in our world today has this blessing.\u00a0 Actually, I have to admit \u2013 these are some of the most breathtaking verses for me in all of the Bible.\u00a0 For some reason I pay attention so acutely every time I hear these verses\u2026 this is scary stuff to consider\u2026 \u201cThe time is surely coming,\u201d says the Sovereign LORD, \u201cwhen I will send a famine on the land\u2013not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD. People will stagger everywhere from sea to sea, searching for the word of the LORD, running here and going there, but they will not find it. Beautiful girls and fine young men will grow faint and weary, thirsting for the LORD\u2019s word.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Is it possible that we self-impose on our own lives famines?\u00a0 Famine\u2019s from hearing and reading God\u2019s word?\u00a0 If you are in the midst of a famine from God\u2019s Word, the Bible, will you seek out an opportunity to read God\u2019s Word each day?\u00a0 \u00a0Do you thirst for God\u2019s Word?\u00a0 Will you drink from it?<\/span><\/p>\n Amos chapter 9 verse 11 is a great Messianic foretelling of the coming of Jesus: \u201cIn that day I will restore the fallen kingdom of David. It is now like a house in ruins, but I will rebuild its walls and restore its former glory.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0And verse 13 a foretelling of a Garden of Eden-like paradise to come: \u201cThe time will come,\u201d says the LORD, \u201cwhen the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine!\u201d <\/em>Are you looking forward to this time?\u00a0 Do you want to be part of the restored kingdom of David?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video: <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings in Amos reminds me of the NeedToBreathe song \u201cWashed By the Water:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n