COMMUNICATING GOD’S TRUTH
Today’s Reading: Amos 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Carts were used not only for transporting goods, but sometimes for fun…these children in Nazareth Village enjoy the ride, especially when their father pulls them. Today we begin reading in the book of Amos. Unlike other prophets who lived in the cities, Amos was a farmer who not only worked the fields and cared for the herds of sheep, goats, and cattle, but he was also very knowledgeable in the Scriptures.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Amos 1:3a
“Thus says the Lord…” (repeated 8 times in Amos chapters 1 & 2)
There are eight prophecies to eight different nations. We can draw the conclusion that God cares about every nation on earth. Each message from God in today’s reading begins with the statement, “For three transgressions of [people group] and for four.” In our courts today, the judge tends to be lenient on the first offence, but after three or four, the repeat offender can expect the hammer of justice to come down hard. Just imagine how a judge feels when he or she must sentence a person to a prison term or even execution! God, who knows in minute detail all the evidence, is never unjust in His sentence of judgment. The law of God is clearly stated in the statutes written by Moses and others; the penalty for sin is death! To satisfy the demands of the Law, God sent His Son to pay that penalty on behalf of His human family by execution on a Roman cross. This is how justice is done in God’s eyes, and God is able to forgive us our sins when we ask forgiveness, repenting of our sins. How thankful we should be that God deals with us as individuals with such love, mercy and grace. But what about the sins of the nations? Let’s think about that as we continue in Amos’ prophecies.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, according to Your promises, You have forgiven my sins as I confess them. You have even removed them from Your record books. For this I am totally thankful. I pray for grace to live a holy life for the next minute, the next hour, the next day, and for consistency in doing so. I believe that with Your help, I am growing in grace, becoming more like Jesus, in whose holy Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Last week I pointed out that the prophet Hosea wrote of God’s “roar” like a lion, getting the attention of His people for His message to them. Amos used the lion’s “roar” (Amos 1:2a) to symbolize prophecy before Hosea did. No doubt Hosea had read Amos’ words and picked up on the lion’s “roar.” The books of the Bible, including Amos and Hosea, are not always in chronological order, as is the case with these two books. Amos was of a generation before the time of Hosea. I’m learning every day, as a 79-year-old, how to use this amazing thing called “the internet.” I’ve just gone into Google and searched 100words.ca and scrolled down to the blog, where I found that fantastic picture of a lion roaring out his message. This whole internet business comes under the heading of “What Will They Think of Next?” If Amos and Hosea had the internet, I think they would’ve done a daily blog too. What about it?
Yours to encourage us all to infuse God’s Word into our thoughts and our lives daily,
David
What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
The Lord looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.
The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
for all its strength, it cannot save you.
But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.
We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33:12-22
I agree .with Don Stubb on yesterdays blog about Crossroads whole heartedly. Thank you for your positive and encouraging input and suggestions. Yes, the Mainse family should be there again and a hour long program would be great to have again. Let’s support Crossroads with prayer and financially as the Lors guides us.
David,thank you for being you.God bless
Psalm 62:1-2 “Truly my soul waits upon God: From Him comes my salvation. He only is my Rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.”
Psalm 63:1 “Oh God, you are my God; early will I seek you, my soul thirst for you,”
God, you are faithful and just, in all my ways I acknowledge You! I pray you direct my path this day!! Jesus in Your Name I pray, Amen!
In today Word the words “Thus says the Lord” is repeated 8 times…may it be so Lord that when you speak I/we would listen, hear and obey!.
Again and again Pastor David you emphasize the importance of pray and consistency in reading and meditating on God’s word. Thank you for your leadership and encouragement today, and always. Thank you also to all who assist you in giving us this daily refreshing in God’s Word!
100 Huntley Street is on for a half hour show then the second half hour is made available on the internet https://www.crossroads.ca/media. Anyone who accesses this blog can do the same for the second half hour of the show. It is a media world, now. More people are reached via the internet than television broadcasting including teens. Important documentaries are available to watch on crossroads.ca; many of them focusing on crucial teen issues, such as teen suicide and bullying. Everyone should be accessing them. Sadly ,100 Huntley Street does not have the same watching sustainability because it is no longer the Mainse family and Moira Brown carrying out the show. All things of such greatness must come to end. Though we grieve what is lost, we must thank God we still have David Mainse, his family, and the many video links he provides of prior shows, on our blog. We must look to the positive and be grateful, dear saints.
One of my favourite songs, which we sang at church, yesterday:
In The River, Jesus Culture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxIj_0VKhg4
We are so very pleased that you and your family team continue to reach out to us daily. Thank you for teaching us so much. I have had several occasions to send your blog to family and friends. Blessings , George
What this world needs is me being me and you being you with GOD all over us Rev. Terrence (Terry ) Felvus- Grassie
Amen Pastor Terry!
I am much need of prayer! I have a neighbour who is involved with drugs! It irks me so much, I pray that he will move somewhere else, I need prayers for God to help me not to be angry with this guy and not to hate him, I don’t know what else to do, I just ask God to move the guy elsewhere…..now we have new property owners and the last owner didn’t do anything about this durg problem, I pray maybe these new owenrs may deal with the situation. It’s very dangerous! I have always been nice to the neighbour but the drugs are a real problem! God please help me!
A prayer of thankfulness to God for the community of Lumby, B.C. they received a big grant to build a new Community Recreation Center! This will bring more sports people to this community and provide programs for all ages. When children and teens and adults are busy playing sports of some sort, everyone is much happier. Thanks be to God!