Ninevah was the object of Nahum’s indictments, all because of its evil influence upon others. Chapter 3 identifies its sinful characteristics such as blood, lies, plunder, victimizing others, wanton lust. Surely cities such as New York and LA with their worldly influence have caught God’s attention.

Our role now is to cry out to God for mercy for these great and large cities … that He will redeem many from their corruption and turn to God for forgiveness. He’s not willing that any perish.  Pray.

DAILY PRAYER: Father in Heaven, we lift up the cities we live in, concentrations of people all looking for life and answers and meaning. Let Your Holy Spirit blow upon us and bring a spiritual awakening once again.

DAILY READING: Nahum 1-3

Micah predicted the birthplace of Jesus when he declared, “Bethlehem … out of you will come for me …  one who will be ruler over Israel … He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord … [and] his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.  And he will be our peace.” (ch. 5:2-5)

God knows where and when He will send His answers to His people. Our job is to trust, believe, and obey. He will NEVER disappoint.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, thank You for our Savior, Christ Jesus, Who befriended us, cleansed us, and leads us victoriously through this life. Jesus, You are our peace.

DAILY READING: Micah 5-7

On rare occasions God brought judgement instantly, but in general, He lets sin play out and reap its ultimate consequences. In the meantime, he sends ministers to those headed the wrong way to reprove them and offer the solution. Such was the case for the book of Micah.

People generally destroy their lives in degrees. They don’t flip a switch and become reprobate. God in His mercy continually strives with men to repent, turn to Him, and live a life of benefit and blessing.

Meanwhile, we who know the Lord keep praying and sharing the message of hope.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, in Your mercy You saved me. You loved me when I was in my sin. Thank You for Your long-suffering and faithfulness.

DAILY READING: Micah 1-4

Jonah was the specific man God had chosen to go to Ninevah to preach. It wasn’t Joey, or Sam, or Louie … it was JONAH!

In the same sense, God has your name on a specific mission He wants you to accomplish. He isn’t necessarily asking Joey or Sam or Louie … He’s calling on You to get it done. You have spiritual significance. You have special skills to do this mission. He has deposited the necessary grace in your account for you to get this job done.

Now, make tracks and get ready in Jesus’ name!

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the significance and grace You have given to me. I wll be obedient and trust You ro work through me. I go in Jesus’ name.

DAILY READING: Obadiah, Jonah 1-4

Amos gave a prophecy predicting the return of Israel to the promised land. He also spoke of God’s desire to restore the fortunes of Israel to a place of constant reaping (“The plowman shall overtake the reaper”) and abundance (“New wine will drip from the mountains.”)

God is not only the Great Creator. He is the Great Restorer. Today, through the Lord’s Spirit and the faith He grants, envision a complete restoration of the areas of your life that need a new birth.

People say, “I will believe it when I see it.” God says, “You’ll see it when you believe it.”

DAILY PRAYER: Father, we believe You and Your ability to restore. We ask in faith believing that You will bring glorious restoration to the areas of our lives that need Your fresh touch.

DAILY READING: Amos 7-9

Our enemies are powerless against our prayers. Prayer can invade a hardened heart, a political system, a diseased body etc.

Think of someone today who is suffering and begin praying for them. Think of someone who has slacked off from church, or seems to be depressed and withdrawn. Pray for someone who has been recently diagnosed with a fatal illness. Pray for the young mother who is overwhelmed by the duties she faces. Pray for leaders who are responsible for so many.

Pray today.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, Your power is limitless, and we are so limited. Yet, spark us with faith so we can cry out to You asking for miracles and strength to live victoriously.

DAILY READING: Amos 3-5

Joel saw, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”

As he spoke of end time struggles for the souls of men and the battles to come when the Lord reveals His judgements, he sees the internal struggle nations and people groups have on their stand with the Lord. Which way will they go? It’s like trying to predict how a political candidate will rule once he or she gets into office.

For the Christian, the days of decision are a critical time to have an ear to hear what God is saying. This can only come through personal reading of God’s Word, and daily communion with Him through prayer and praise. It’s like breathing and eating to live. God will lead safely.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, with choices and challenges facing us every day, speak to our hearts and confirm Your direction for our lives. How show we live … how shall we vote … who shall we trust … what causes are worthy of our investment of time?

DAILY READING: Joel 3, Amos 1,2

One of the pivotal passages in the Bible is Joel chapter 2. Peter quotes from it in his address to the early church as being relevant to us even today.

A formula for returning to God is cited here in verse 12: “therefore … says the Lord,
turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

These disciplines are not popular and certainly don’t get much promotion in the ultra seeker-sensitive movement popular in today’s churches. Nevertheless, this is God’s Word instructing His people how to get His attention. What hinders us?

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we humbly cry out to You to heal our hearts, heal our land, heal our churches, and bring revival. Let it begin in us.

DAILY READING: Joel 2

The practice of spending time crying out in prayer to the Lord seems to have been displaced by the fast-food mentality we now have. Lost is the discipline of waiting. We will work out for hours a day, yet think it excessive and unnecessary to spend more than fleeting minutes in prayer and fellowship with the Lord’s Spirit.

How long has it been since we’ve prayed through the night? When have we last fasted a meal for spiritual purposes.

Again, we hear, “It is time to seek the Lord until He rain righteousness upon us.” Hos. 10:12

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, grace us to restore the lost art and discipline of prevailing prayer.   Forgive us for allowing conflicting values and priorities to displace old-fashioned Holy Ghost prayer.

DAILY READING: Hosea 13,14;  Joel 1

A classic scriptural formula for God’s visitation is found in Hosea 10:11,12;

“Judah (praise) must plow,
    and Jacob (prayer) must break up the ground.
Sow righteousness for yourselves,
    reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground (hardness of heart);
    for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
    and showers his righteousness on you.”

Personal and corporate praise and prayer are vital ingredients.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we are desperate for a visitation from Heaven. Come in Your mighty power and revive Your people and our nation.

DAILY READING: Hosea 10-12