Amos 8, 9 [The Message]

In the end, God will have restored to His People – Jews and the Gentile Bride alike – His Kingdom. He promises that they will never again be uprooted and destroyed.

Kinda like a vintage automobile that is going to be restored. You cut out the rust and damaged parts and begin cleaning, refining, and restoring (new paint, parts etc.) When it is complete, it is worth FAR MORE than it was originally. Crowds of people will pay to see these vintage cars in their restored state. There are special events to showcase them.

“And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.  And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them,” saith the Lord thy God. [Amos 9:14, 15]

Amos 5-7 [The Message]

It’s so easy to think God doesn’t care about how we conduct our personal lives when we see rampant hedonism all around. (the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life.)

It really does matter to Him how we conduct ourselves, especially if we have any leadership role in His Kingdom.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? [Micah 6:8]

Amos 4, 5 [The Message]

If politicians knew how God feels about corruption and what He will do about it, our government would run so much smoother.

Chapter five sounds so much like the stuff we hear about on the news every day. God’s mercy prevents the death angel from clearing out our legislative assemblies. Pray that they receive Christ and are forgiven for their misdeeds.

Vote for uprightness.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. [Ps. 33:12]

Amos 1-3 [The Message]

In His pronouncement of judgement and call to repentance in this book, God clarifies that HE raises up ministers to do His will. This is an honor that no man takes unto himself. You can’t call yourself to speak for God. Most preachers will acknowledge that they have always known God wanted to use them, whether they submit or not.

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. [Ps. 65:4]

Joel [The Message]

A whole lotta lotta sermons and songs originate from this little book.

It addresses God’s ability to bring a country to it’s knees, call the people to repentance, and then restore them through His love and forgiveness. It also gives the promise of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, present and future.

God’s love and forgiveness triumph over His judgement. God IS love.

Hosea 1-3 [The Message]

Hosea’s wife was unfaithful when he married he, yet he did. She broke his heart many times, but he always returned to deal with her out of his love.

This is us and God. He knew we could not measure up. He knew we would fail, yet He loved us just the same.

“Unspeakable love that will not let me go.”

I had my Gall Bladder out. It was a journey, but I feel much better now. Sorry for the gap in posts.