Ordinary People 09.22.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we will begin our studies on the book of Amos, please read Chapters 1-5 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. You can also cut & paste the link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos%201-5&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the judgements announced for Judah, Israel, and their surrounding nations; and God's sorrow over Israel's future captivity. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we may think we are not qualified to be used of God, but He has chosen all of us to br used of Him.

The book of Amos is the 30th book of the Old Testament and contains 9 chapters. The book was written by Amos to the people of Israel in hope that they would come back to God. What we are to learn from the book is this is a call for all nations to prepare to meet God.

Amos was only a herdmen from the village of Tekoa in Judah, but he was willing to speak for God against sin to Judah and all the surrounding nations throughout the sothern kingdom. He delivered his prophecy of impending judgment in Bethel, the site of one of Israel's two false worship centers and one of several residences of King Jeroboam II in the northern kingdom. "The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither." (Amos 1:1-2).

All this took place at a time when the northern kingdom was still prospering financially, Israel was very proud of what they had and had no intentions of walking away from it. It must have seemed ridiculous to them to have an outsider come to them and speak about God's judgement upon them. "Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." (3:1-2). God continued to warned them about the destruction they were facing, but they ignored Amos.

The prophecy of Amos was given about 30 years before Israel was defeated by the Assyrians. God tried everything He could to show them that they were being deceived and to appeal to them to seek Him if they were to live. "Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph." (5:14-15). The gate was a city's entrance and center of business where the elders judged the people.

God often uses just ordinary people like Amos to serve and proclaim to others His message. It is not by what we own or the talents we are blessed with, nor by how popular we are. It is how obedient we are that qualifies us to be used by Him. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:26-31).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed as the Creator of the universe (Amos 5:8). "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for enlisting us as Your servants in the kingdom of God here on earth. You do not require a special degree or lots of money for us to be used by You. You look for willing hearts whose love and commitment to Christ spill over into their words and actions in every setting in which they’re found. May we be eager to diligently study Your Word so that we can effectively serve You in reaching others through the opportunities provided to us. Thank You for the many who are faithful examples of lives that are fully yielded to Your purpose as they glorify You while influencing others for Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name....Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!
God Bless You,
Christina

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