HEAR! RETURN!
Today’s Reading: Amos 3-4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
There are many spectacular mountain views as you explore Petra in Jordan. In our key verse, God is called, “He Who forms mountains.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Amos 3:7, 4:13
Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
…For behold,
He who forms mountains,
And creates the wind,
Who declares to man what his thought is,
And makes the morning darkness,
Who treads the high places of the earth–
The Lord God of hosts is His name.
Some believe that God as the Creator has abandoned His creation, hanging the world on nothing (Job 26:7), and then He proceeded to move to another part of the cosmos. Amos makes it clear that God has been involved in the past, is involved in the present, and will be involved in the future! There is a movie called, “God’s Not Dead 2″ that makes the point of God’s continued presence! Our first key verse states that the Lord is constantly communicating with us. He wants us to listen! Amos feels compelled to “Prophesy” (speak out what he has had revealed to him), “The Lord God has spoken, who can but prophesy!” (3:8b).
Our second key verse is not only stating the fact of God’s creation, but it shows that Amos is worshipping God for Who He is! The exercise of prophesying is not just foretelling but “forthtelling,” speaking of God’s greatness as we worship Him. Both chapters, Amos 3 & 4, begin with the word, “Hear!” Are we listening carefully, and are we, for example, doing the opposite to Amos 4:1? Are we doing our best to lift up the poor and needy? God cares intensely! During the entirety of these blogs we have paid attention to “repetition”…God’s way of making His point strongly. There are five repetitions of the words, “Yet you have not returned to Me, says the LORD!!!” This reveals the heart of God longing for closeness with His people.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I return to YOU! I run into Your open arms as Your wayward child! I pray that I will continually remain 24/7 in Your loving, strong embrace, hearing Your voice as I read Your Word, and doing that which pleases You. I pray this through the Person Who always pleased You, Father, Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
[Note: this blog post was originally written by David on April 5, 2016]
I’m here in Red Deer, Alberta, just now. I’m scheduled to speak at the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast this morning. Ever since I passed the two-year life expectancy mark (the doctor diagnosed me with a terminal illness, MDS acute leukaemia, in March of 2012). I’ve been somewhat frustrated, because I don’t have a clear understanding of the reason why God has extended my life. I’ve read again the story of Hezekiah, whose life was extended 15 years by God and by the application of a poultice over the area infected. During those extra years he did something really stupid which resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem. I ask for the prayers of all my blog family!
Yours for finishing well,
David
I didn’t see the movie, “God is Not Dead”, but it sounds like one that should return for this present generation. Blessings all.
Well, David Mainse, our mentor finished very well! And that is now my prayer too – “Please Lord, help me to follow you closely every step of the way as I spend more time in Your Word. Thank you for this blog which still gives such excellent direction and leads us through the Bible. My friends, who also follow it and I, thank the Mainse family and Crossroads for continuing this wonderful blog. Oh yes, Lord, I want to finish well!” God bless all readers and God bless Norma Jean and her lovely family!
I agree with the comments above. I am so thankful for this blog and to the Mainse family for continuing to post it each day. I have been through the Bible a few times but always learning more. I pray that I am paying attention when the Lord speaks to me and not missing his directions for my life.
I have not seen the movie either but agree that we need to pay attention and pray for the present generation and our politicians to stop and listen when the Lord speaks and realize that He lives.
I am in full agreement with the above and I wrote at least 2 poems because of the “God Is Not Dead” movies.Here is one of them followed by a poem for David
I Am Not Dead
I am not dead,I am your God,
You who deny me will face death,
I created you from the sod
And gave you life with my breath.
,
Nothing that you have is your own,
I own everything in your care,
I ask a tithe of what you’ve sown
And that you give the poor their share.
I came to teach but few would hear,
But those who follow have me near,
For those who serve I will hold dear,
But those who lie will hide in fear.
When I return to take My bride,
Satan will have nowhere to hide,
For all the angels at My side,
Will quell the waves of evil’s tide.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 20 Jan, 2014
In The Blood (4 Pst.David Mainse )
I pray for healing in the blood,oh Lord,
I pray You will stretch out your hand,
That You,my Lord,with Your fiery sword,
Will show justice and not let evil stand.
I know,my Lord,that Satan has cursed me
And that only you can remove this hex,
For it is you,Most High,that none can see,
Who can take any scourge from our necks.
So I pray for healing in the blood,my God,
That you allow me to serve you,
So as I spread your word all may laud,
The name of the Father in all we do.
G W (Bill) Marshall / 12 September, 2013
This is the one I wanted to post….
Catch The Fire (4 David Mainse)
Though you have walked many oceans
And spread My word to many nations,
I saw in you and your devotions
A servant of joyous exhalations.
You have not asked for earthly wealth,
But just to be my most humble voice
And when adversity was kept in stealth
You still worshipped Me out of free choice.
So out of free choice I give you
More time upon the stage of learning,
Whereby My word you show to be true
And catch the fire that’s forever burning.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 01 February, 2014
Amen to each comment, prayer and poem above.
I pray in Jesus’ Name, that we may “all finish well”.
May God bless everyone who reads this blog, Amen.