Amos 1, 2

Although there were some outward distinguishing characteristics, essentially a Nazarite was a person whose life was separated unto God, to doing His pleasure rather than their own. Parents could commit their child to God in this manner. Samson and John the Baptist were probably the most well known young men to have taken this oath.

They didn’t cut their hair and they didn’t drink fermented wine … ways they showed the world that they were separated unto God.

The outward appearance really has little import. The true value is in being a person who is dedicated to the Lord’s purposes, pursuing His will for their lives rather than nominally choosing their own career path.

They have the Hand of God all over their demeanor. He ordained their life’s course.

Joel 2, 3

A fearsome battle is described by the prophet Joel such as has never been. Its epicenter will be the Valley of Jehoshaphat, possibly Armageddon. Revelation describes a similar conflict in the valley of Megiddo. I stood overlooking this valley and grimaced at the thought of what the Bible describes will happen there. Regardless where this conflict will happen, the important point to remember is that God will protect HIS OWN PEOPLE from its devastation as He judges the nations for their rebellion against Him.

… The earth and the heavens will tremble.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
    a stronghold for the people of Israel. [Joel 3:16b]

Joel 1

In the first chapter of Joel we have described a formula for effective prayer …

Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn;
    wail, you who minister before the altar.
Come, spend the night in sackcloth,
    you who minister before my God;
for the grain offerings and drink offerings
    are withheld from the house of your God.
Declare a holy fast;
    call a sacred assembly.
Summon the elders
    and all who live in the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
    and cry out to the Lord.

I must say, this would be a rare event

Hosea 11-14

Again, the prevailing theme of Hosea is “Return to the Lord” and quit your unfaithfulness. Along with Joel, this Minor Prophet book provides a seedbed for revival and restoration.

God has made it SO EASY to return to Him. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. [1 Jn 1:9]

It’s amazing how many people have at some time known the Lord but are in a backslid-en condition. We can be “Ministers of Reconciliation” by praying for them and being available to assist in their re-commitment to Christ.

If you are a casual reader of this blog, come to Christ TODAY. You will give up nothing that has any value compared to the riches found in knowing Christ Jesus.

Call me at 404-392-3384 and I will be honored to pray with you.

Hosea 10

Hosea makes one of the Bible’s clearest statements on revival … Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. [Hos, 10:12]

These are God’s promised conditions for revival.

1. Sow to yourselves in righteousness: plant what is right and good
2. Reap in mercy: gather the fruit of covenant, unconditional love
3. Break up your fallow ground: plow the hard ground of your hearts
4. Till He come and rain righteousness upon you: until God comes and pours out His saving power upon you.

Friends, we NEED this from God.

Hosea 7-9

After hearing how the prophet described God’s displeasure with the sins of Israel, I wonder how our nation would have been addressed.

The prophet’s role is to call out sin. Where are our prophets? Who is calling out the sin in our nation. David Wilkerson used to do it before he passed. I have heard Franklin Graham make some stern statements. We need these voices in the Church to point out our need of a Savior, and tune our attitude toward the subtle nature of our backsliding.

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, ALL OTHER GROUND is sinking sand.

It is time to seek the Lord until He come and rain righteousness upon us. [Hosea 10:12]

Hosea 5, 6

Boundary stones are like surveyor’s stakes … they identify property lines. On this side is my property, and on that side is my neighbor’s property. Cheaters move the stones so they have more property. This is stealing!

Subconsciously, we are all looking out for ourselves. We want more. We want the best. Our gain is someone else’s loss. God, however, watches the boundary stones, and who loves themselves more than their neighbor. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor AS yourself.” So, you leave the boundary stone where it is because it’s right for both of you.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Cor. 8:9

Hosea 3, 4

My 96-year-old father spent the night at the hospital because of inflammation in his intestines. He had pain and no energy. Now we know why. He had no knowledge of what was troubling him. He will be treated medically and hopefully improve quickly.

God said through Hosea that His people are destroyed because of lack of knowledge. They have severe trouble in life but don’t know why. It’s because they have forsaken the Lord and His Word and they don’t understand what life is about.

With proper treatment Dad will hopefully feel better and have more energy.

Hosea 1, 2

Regardless of how faithful we think we’ve been to God, we’ve all fallen far short. We all deserve the punishments that Gomer reaped for her prostitution. Yet, in his great mercy God sent Christ to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus is the Door of Hope opened to us so we can be restored to God’s favor.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it. 1 These. 5:23, 24

Dan.10-12

We don’t necessarily understand the leaders, nations, and armies mentioned in Daniel’s vision. We do however understand the instruction, “Do not be afraid.”

It’s comforting to know God sees the future events so clearly. Like pages in a great book God can simply turn to the past or the future and see what is happening. What’s more, His heavenly armies can protect the saints and control the outcomes to fulfill His eternal plan.