Monday, April 6, 2020

HEAR – SEEK – LIVE

Today’s Reading: Amos 5-6

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

These ruins are located in the area of ancient Samaria. Jesus said that if people failed to praise God, the rocks would cry out. In a very real sense, these rocks are crying out to us that when people don’t want God in their daily lives, He does not force Himself upon them. They are left to their own resources, and ruin is the inevitable result.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, clink HERE.

 

Key Verses: Amos 5:4, 6:14

For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:

“Seek Me and live…”

“But, behold, I will raise up a nation against you,

O house of Israel,”

Says the Lord God of hosts;

“And they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath

To the Valley of the Arabah.”

 

God, in His mercy, so often grants individuals and nations the opportunity to repent, yet again and again that offer of forgiveness and a new beginning is ignored or rejected. Here in chapter five, after God, through Amos, points out Israel’s continuing rejection, He still continues His appeal to His people to repent. Four words in our key verse say it all… “SEEK ME and LIVE!” The word “seek” is in our reading three times. The dictionary says that “SEEK” means, “An attempt to find someone or something…searching…hunting.” Jesus said, “But SEEK first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!” (Matthew 6:33a). He also urged seeking again in His powerful message on the hillside, “SEEK and you shall find!” (Matthew 7:7). Therefore, we are to SEEK for Him! The fact is…He is looking for us! Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to SEEK and to save that which was lost.” Let’s read the story that illustrates this (Luke 19:1-10).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I seek for You! It’s not that You are lost, it’s that I’m often distracted by the pressures, events, and everyday happenings in my life. I pray that the Holy Spirit will shine the light on You every day through my reading of Your Word. Thank You that I know where to find You. You’re right here in Your Word to me as I read! You’re there every time I kneel to pray in a manifestation of Your presence. I’ll find You also at church, because You said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them!” (Matthew 18:20). I ask You to continue to provide me with daily light. In Your Name, Jesus, I pray…Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve just looked for “Orion” (5:8a) on Google. Click here for a look at this tiny part of the cosmos which God has created. I’m so glad that in order to find God, we don’t have to travel a billion miles into space looking for Him. I sought for Him this morning and there He was, so very close to me. He didn’t hide inside the mystery of a religious ceremony. God said that He is near to those who have a broken heart (Psalm 34:18a). I pray often that God will break my heart with those things that break His. He’s right here! The Apostle Paul quoted the prophets Moses, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah to make the point that God dwells in His temples, our bodies (2 Corinthians 6:16b). I don’t have to travel far. I simply begin to read His Word, meditate on His Word, worship Him with my love, and praise Him for Who He is…for Jesus and His suffering and death on the cross for my sins. I experience that sense of love, peace and security which is a manifestation of His presence.

Yours for having the knowledge of His presence, even if I don’t feel His presence. That’s because He promised to be with us!!! (Matthew 28:18-20),

David

12 thoughts on “Monday, April 6, 2020

  1. So fitting, today. Are the rocks crying out? Wailing because the people have not listened? We pray this time of crisis in the world brings those who have failed to accept Jesus into their hearts, down on their hands and knees to Him, now. We pray for world prayer–that all the saints, do the same, out of reverence for our Lord and Saviour, Messiah, Jesus Christ. His peace be with you, today, fellow saints.

    Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!
    Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!
    Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!
    Psalm 102:1-2 ESV

    Paul Baloche – We Adore You (Lyric Video)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suj5NC1WcHo

  2. Yes, Lord, help people everywhere turn to You. Thank You for all the gospel ministries which have been reaching out for You, seeking to bring Your Word to every single person on Earth. Bless this work, Lord, bless all Your workers, and may Your work flourish even in these down times. May Your Word go where no one can go, to all people everywhere. We commit Your work and all people to You, Father, in Jesus’s great name, amen

  3. Yes, Amen, as I was reading the book of Amos this morning I noticed that the Lord had a lot to say to this present time and crisis as well. As Pastor David in his blog; as Ron says his father is still speaking to us today. Thank you Beverlee for posting the link to Dr. Youssef’s sermon which is right on concerning our present time. I was also going to post this today using the link LTW.ora/ Jesus which was given on tv. Yes, I pray all Christians worldwide will be on their knees seeking for a spiritual awakening worldwide. Amen, so be it!

    • Amen…..”God is teaching us a lesson” was the quote (if I remember rightly) made by Dolly Parton with respect to coronaviris.

  4. Yes and Amen Lord God wants us to listen and really hear what He saying not only listen but hear and act. Praise His Holy Name!

Leave a Reply to Blessed Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.