Make preparation …
The old adage “never put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today” is probably the best advice one could offer and it is never more true than preparing to meet God; as the Prophet Amos prophecied many hundreds of years ago. Amos 4:11,12 says, “I overthrew some of you, As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD. 12) Therefore thus will I do to you O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” There is an appointment coming; you can call it a day of reckoning if you want to but rest assured it is coming. Amos was just an ordinary “joe” like most of us are who had to work for a living just like most of us has to. In fact he was a sheepbreeder in a place called Tekoa and he lived during the days of a king called Uzziah; he was king of Judah which was part of Israel. At one time it was part of Israel but the kingdom had divided into two parts; Israel and Judah and that was Uzziah’s kingdom and Israel’s king was Jeroboam. Where did they get these names? I don’t suppose anyone called him “Jerry”. They wouldn’t dare. Or “ Uzzy” isn’t that a machine gun? No, I think the gun is an “Uzzi”. Anyway getting back to our story; Amos heard the voice of God speaking to him and he said,: “The LORD roars from Zion, And utters His voice from Jerusalem;” I don’t know about you but when the Lord roars and utters His voice, I don’t care where He is doing it from, I’m going to stand to attention and listen….that is if I can stand. The Lord “roars and utters His voice.” He commands attention like no general on earth could ever hope to.
Look at what Amos recorded for us to see….Ch. 3:3-8 Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? 4 Does a lion ever roar in a thicket without first finding a victim? Does a young lion growl in its den without first catching its prey? 5 Does a bird ever get caught in a trap that has no bait? Does a trap spring shut when there’s nothing to catch? 6 When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?
7 Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared— so who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— so who can refuse to proclaim his message
What God proclaims through Amos is this, there is coming a day of judgment and you had better be prepared for it. God is warning people today that His day is coming and if we are going to be ready we had better quit living such careless lives and prepare for His coming.
The lion has roared—so who isn’t frightened? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophecy? That was Amos’ heartbeat. Jeremiah was in the same boat as Amos; he too could not hold back speaking when God moved in his soul and told him to prophecy.
In last evening’s Bible study at the church house we read from Hebrews 3:13’ “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Today is all we have and there is no guarantee of tomorrow, all we have is today and if there is one tool that our soul’s enemy uses to perfection, it is to get us to put off today.
If he can get you and I to put off accepting God’s plan for our lives and our loved ones lives, and by that I mean telling them the plan of salvation, then he has accomplished what he wants.Even if it is just for today. And we are not ignorant of his devices are we? Read II Cor. 2:11 In verse 8 the apostle says, “therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him; speaking of a person who had fallen that needed comfort. He had paid his debt and now Paul urged the church at Corinth to let up on him and show love. Isn’t it time we showed love and forgiveness to someone who has offended us? While it is today and while the Spirit of God is urging you to do so? Do what GOD is placing on your heart and minds…do it today.
The old adage “never put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today” is probably the best advice one could offer and it is never more true than preparing to meet God; as the Prophet Amos prophecied many hundreds of years ago. Amos 4:11,12 says, “I overthrew some of you, As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD. 12) Therefore thus will I do to you O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” There is an appointment coming; you can call it a day of reckoning if you want to but rest assured it is coming. Amos was just an ordinary “joe” like most of us are who had to work for a living just like most of us has to. In fact he was a sheepbreeder in a place called Tekoa and he lived during the days of a king called Uzziah; he was king of Judah which was part of Israel. At one time it was part of Israel but the kingdom had divided into two parts; Israel and Judah and that was Uzziah’s kingdom and Israel’s king was Jeroboam. Where did they get these names? I don’t suppose anyone called him “Jerry”. They wouldn’t dare. Or “ Uzzy” isn’t that a machine gun? No, I think the gun is an “Uzzi”. Anyway getting back to our story; Amos heard the voice of God speaking to him and he said,: “The LORD roars from Zion, And utters His voice from Jerusalem;” I don’t know about you but when the Lord roars and utters His voice, I don’t care where He is doing it from, I’m going to stand to attention and listen….that is if I can stand. The Lord “roars and utters His voice.” He commands attention like no general on earth could ever hope to.
Look at what Amos recorded for us to see….Ch. 3:3-8 Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? 4 Does a lion ever roar in a thicket without first finding a victim? Does a young lion growl in its den without first catching its prey? 5 Does a bird ever get caught in a trap that has no bait? Does a trap spring shut when there’s nothing to catch? 6 When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?
7 Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared— so who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— so who can refuse to proclaim his message
What God proclaims through Amos is this, there is coming a day of judgment and you had better be prepared for it. God is warning people today that His day is coming and if we are going to be ready we had better quit living such careless lives and prepare for His coming.
The lion has roared—so who isn’t frightened? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophecy? That was Amos’ heartbeat. Jeremiah was in the same boat as Amos; he too could not hold back speaking when God moved in his soul and told him to prophecy.
In last evening’s Bible study at the church house we read from Hebrews 3:13’ “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Today is all we have and there is no guarantee of tomorrow, all we have is today and if there is one tool that our soul’s enemy uses to perfection, it is to get us to put off today.
If he can get you and I to put off accepting God’s plan for our lives and our loved ones lives, and by that I mean telling them the plan of salvation, then he has accomplished what he wants.Even if it is just for today. And we are not ignorant of his devices are we? Read II Cor. 2:11 In verse 8 the apostle says, “therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him; speaking of a person who had fallen that needed comfort. He had paid his debt and now Paul urged the church at Corinth to let up on him and show love. Isn’t it time we showed love and forgiveness to someone who has offended us? While it is today and while the Spirit of God is urging you to do so? Do what GOD is placing on your heart and minds…do it today.
posted by Randall | 4:41 a.m.
3 Comments:
Good word Randall. What is God urging me to do? It is strange how God works sometimes. Back in September my next door neighbour assulted his girlfriend and I really thought he was going to kill her. I called the police and left my name and in November I was given a subpoena to attend his hearing. I knew that the couple were back together. I arrived yesterday about an hour early and had to wait in the prosecuters waiting room. Along came the girlfriend that was assulted. We talked and she denied that he ever hurt him. She said that she was the one beating him up. Things were starting to get a bit heated up when it just hit me. "Be a witness and show her the love of Jesus". I did just that. I felt calm and I realized that it was the perfect opportunity to witness to her. She seemed really interested in hearing about my church background and come to find out, she told me that her parents are missionaries in Guatamala(?) She was raised going to church and loved going to youth groups as a young girl. I did tell her that I enjoyed going to church and all that God has done for me my whole life. I explained to her that she didnt have to stay with her boyfriend if he kept on beating her. I think she was in denial because I know that he was the one who was beating her. I just pray that the things I said to her will come back to her and she will serve God again someday. I have always found it hard to witness to someone. I didnt understand why I had to go yesterday to be a witness. There were 2 other families that called the police that night but I was the only one who showed up to be a witness in court. After all, I didnt have to testify on the stand. I was just there for an hour, talked to the lawyer and the girlfriend and came home. That was probably the reason why I was meant to go. I was a witness for the Lord instead. I will never question now why I was meant to be there. God works in mysterious ways. Its a wonderful and amazing thing when we think about it. The more you tell others about God, the easier it gets!! God Bless!
It is not protocol to comment on one's own blog, however I am not really commenting on the blog but on the comment from moreofu; who said that they found out why they were called to witness. It was not before the judge who was presiding over the court that day but rather before the Judge of all the earth. To moreofu I would say as well as to all of us, let God have His way in every situation as you did in this one.
What a wonderful comment. Now you know why we look forward to receiving this blog each time. It is always so encouraging. Thank you so much moreofu and Randall for taking the time to do this. It is really a great blessing for us all. May God Bless you all this very day and grant unto you his perfect will. B&G
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