Amos 1 - Three Sins and Four

Amos, the shepherd was not a timid man. He warned people vehemently of the coming disaster. He prophesied about the same time as Hosea and Isaiah did. If those two were disliked, Amos was most hated. You will hear very little good news from Amos. He just declares what is going to happen and it's not good. For three sins and for four sins... there will be consequences. He's not talking about different sins. He's talking about the fact that after one sins once; rather than repent, they continue sinning.

How often do we sin and not only not repent; but, make excuses for ourselves as though the sin was not a sin; rather it was something good? I'm thinking probably all too often. Just as no one wanted to hear Amos in his day, no one would probably listen to him today, either. We just don't want to be reminded that we could possibly do anything wrong

Turn to the LORD for He is God and there is only one God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Joel 3 - Valley of Decision

Joel 3 brings us a picture of something many of us are quite familiar with. It is the valley of decision. It refers to the day when God will judge all nations. He will try all nations for what has been done to His people.

"Multitudes, multitudes
    in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
    in the valley of decision.
The sun and moon will be darkened,
    and the stars no longer shine.
The Lord will roar from Zion
    and thunder from Jerusalem;
    the earth and the heavens will tremble.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
    a stronghold for the people of Israel.

“Then you will know that I, the Lord your God,
    dwell in Zion, my holy hill.
Jerusalem will be holy;
    never again will foreigners invade her.

“In that day the mountains will drip new wine,
    and the hills will flow with milk;
    all the ravines of Judah will run with water.
A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house    and will water the valley of acacias."  (Joel 3:14-18 NIV)

For those who persecute God's people, these words should bring a sobering thought. But, for God's people these words provide hope. The same Word brings condemnation to those who refuse God's word and good news to those who receive it (Him).

God is our refuge and strength...

God's Peace - Pr. J

Joel 2 - Straight Ahead; Never Swerving

The words of Joel paint a pretty graphic picture of the day of the LORD. On that day every one who lives in the land will tremble, as they ought to be now in preparation for it.

I find the picture of the army advancing all in a straight line is particularly intriguing.
"They all march in line,
    not swerving from their course.
They do not jostle each other;
    each marches straight ahead.
They plunge through defenses
    without breaking ranks." (Joel 2:7b-8 NIV)
I can only begin to imagine what it would be like if we, all who profess Jesus the Christ, could advance straight ahead, doing the LORD's will. Can you imagine? Never swerving from the path... Working in unison?

May God help us to be so faithful.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sorry... I missed a day

It's not too often that I miss a day and on the occasion that I have, I've usually gotten the blog done later that evening. My granddaughter is in the hospital about 70 miles away, so I have been with her. I will try to get some daily blogs done in case I don't have time later :) God's Peace - Pr. J

Joel 1 - Hunger and Poverty

The prophet Joel takes a slightly different approach than the other prophets. He is a gentler prophet. As he reminds them of their poverty, he begs them to repent. In sorrow, for a starving people, he reminds them that their only help is in the LORD.

But, will they? Will they listen to Joel any better than they listened to any of the other prophets?

So many hungry people in the world today, both physically hungry and spiritually. Entire regions starving as crops will not flourish. Economies have been devastated. Self-proclaimed prophets, exalting themselves, have proclaimed words that leave the soul both hungry and thirsty.

Will we turn to the LORD who is our only hope and salvation?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hosea 14 - Repent and Be Blessed

This last chapter in Hosea has a little different tone than the preceding. The preceding chapters were mainly warnings: fall away and suffer the consequences. Today we hear that all who go to the LORD with repentant hearts will be blessed; will be forgiven.

God does not wish for any of us to be separated from Him and from His love. He calls us to turn again (repent) to Him so that we might be made whole.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hosea 13 - Follow Ephraim Into More Sin

"When Ephraim spoke, people trembled;
    he was exalted in Israel.
    But he became guilty of Baal worship and died.
Now they sin more and more..." (Hosea 13:1-2a NIV)
  
I've said it. You've said it. Our children and our grandchildren have said it. We've told others that the times have changed. This is how we do things today. Everyone does it. It starts with one or two people. We might call it a fad. It explodes and it appears that half the world begins to do what they ought not do. Ephraim was exalted. People listened to him. They followed him. He built worshipped the false god, Baal. The people followed and turned away from god to trust this worthless idol.

I'm not just talking about one thing. I'm talking about all the worthless idols gods we have built up for ourselves. Sports figures, actors and actresses, musicians, politicians; the list goes on and on, even to inanimate objects like money, and television. In many cases we, ourselves, have become our own false gods. Yes, we are one of our biggest false gods.

How much life has been lost in the pursuit and the worship of these false idols? How has our relationship with God and one another been damaged by our pursuit of our own happiness according to our own desires. Happiness, even joy, cannot be found in false gods. It cannot be found searching endlessly after things. It can only be found in a right relationship with God and with one another through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hosea 12 - A Reprieve From Violence, Please?

Ephraim and Judah are in a bit of trouble with the LORD for stirring up trouble with others. According to Hosea:

"Ephraim feeds on the wind;
    he pursues the east wind all day
    and multiplies lies and violence.
He makes a treaty with Assyria    and sends olive oil to Egypt." (Hosea 12:1 NIV)

Soap operas, drama queens, whatever, whoever... There are some, it seems, that just cannot live without stirring up trouble for others. For what reason, no one knows. Maybe they've watched too many soap operas and can't control the desire to create drama. They multiple lies and violence. They cause a lot of trouble for themselves as well as others. But, they don't seem to care. That's the way you play the game - hoping against hope that they will win the game - hoping against hope that they will come out looking like a star. How much life is wasted away contending with those who multiply lies (gossip) and violence rather than living life?

What does the prophet have to say about all of this?

"But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger;
    his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed    and will repay him for his contempt." (Hosea 12:14)

May God grant all who are wrongly gossiped about, to the detriment of the church on earth, a reprieve from these vicious attacks. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hosea 11 - Help Us To Love The One Who Loves Us

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.
But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.
They sacrificed to the Baals    
    and they burned incense to images." (Hosea 11:1-2 NIV)

I'm thinking there are a lot of parents (and grandparents) who can relate to this. Sometimes, the more you love a child, the more they pull away. It's as though they honestly don't want to be loved. I don't get it. But, sometimes, it seems, that is the way it is. They wander off seeking love from those who do not, cannot, or will not love them instead of living in the warmth and love that is being freely given to them.

God loves us and calls us to be His children. So what is so difficult in living in His love?

May God help each and everyone of us to realize the great love He has for us. Open our eyes, Lord! Open our hearts, LORD! Help us to receive the love you have given us through Jesus Christ, our LORD. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.