Amos_1
- There is a healthy tension/cohesion that exists between Father and Son. Matthew 5:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. (NLT)
- Our understanding of the word forget is different from the biblical authors’ and God’s. Lois Tverberg in her fascinating book Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus writes:
- Interestingly, forget is almost never used in combination with sin. But often the Bible does say that God will “not remember” our sins.*
- Because Hebrew focuses on the action rather than the thought, it doesn’t necessarily imply that God loses the memory of sins in his infinite mind. It simply means that he has decided to forgo prosecution.*
So when God decides to forgive our sins, he’s not forgetting the fact that they happened, he’s just not going to punish us for them...although he should, especially for those of us that don’t repent and turn back to him. In that same way, Tverberg analogously explains, If you’ve ever been in a close relationship, you know what this is like. A wife whose feelings are hurt by her husband (or vice versa) “decides to forget”—to put the offense out of her mind even though the memory doesn’t go away. Out of love, you simply choose not to act in revenge for the sin. And once you have done this, the memory itself tends to subside.* In our discussions my wife and I are clear that judgment by God is coming and that God is not a God of just the perpetrator but also a God of the victim as well. But in the meantime we are left to figure out just exactly what we ought to do when somebody wrongs us. The bible makes it clear to forgive. That much is certain. But how do we move forward with some of the people who have hurt us so horribly. I think that is the question we are left to wonder. God’s discipline, much like his judgement is perfect. Ours is not. And we are left as imperfect people trying to deal with one another imperfectly. Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today? Lord, I have read Amos and I still have complete faith in you. I pray for a little more wisdom and understanding. Teach me to bring healing and Godly council to others that have been so hurt by some of the people that were the closest to them. Teach me how to forgive. Teach me how to teach. Teach me Father to live with those around me without a spirit of condemnation, always remembering to leave the final act of judgement up to You. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.-kenneth lee
Proverbs_8
Scripture
Proverbs 8:12 and 35-36
Observation
Understanding
When I a freshman in high school I had to read the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. I remember that I didn’t want to read “another book about racism (these were my words)” because I figured that’s all this book had to offer. My father told me to give it chance because I might like it, and this book introduced some of my favorite characters in a novel to this day. One of which was Calpurnia, the cook of the main family that the book focuses on. She one day takes the children to church with her where she has a run-in with one of the ladies there, and Cal defends the children but not herself. The main character (Scout) questions her about this and she responds: “Folks don’t like to have someone around knowing more than they do, it aggravates them. You’re not going to change anyone by talking right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves…” I remember this quote blowing my mind for one sheer reason… people don’t like a know-it-all or someone who always talks at them rather than with them.
Life Application
May we be people that do not detest wisdom and patience and replace it with only knowledge and haste. Cal ends with this: “and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.” I’m not saying revert to speaking their language, but rather know when to exercise wisdom. Let’s not aggravate but instead offer a safe listening environment, conscious about our future with this person.
-Allison Khan
Joel 2
Scripture
Joel 2:12-14 ESV
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?”
Observation-What does it say?
Judah was invaded by an army of locusts that destroyed everything-the field, the ground, the grain, trees, etc. (Joel 1:10-12) and ultimately led to famine in the land. The prophet Joel was warning Judah of additional destruction if they do not repent of their evil ways and return to the Lord.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Repentance leads to restored relationship with the Father, but rebellion leads to destruction.
This is another prophecy being given to a nation, revealing what God will do in His righteous anger and holiness if they don't repent and turn from their wicked ways and return to Him. However, it is also a book that highlights how God would respond if they sought His forgiveness and repented from their evil ways. He is a God who is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love, with the power to leave a blessing instead of a curse (Joel 2: 13-14).
Life Application
God calls His church, His bride to repentance.
Repentance is different than just asking for forgiveness because repentance involves a 180 degree turn from a life of sin. Just as Jesus did not condemn the woman caught in adultery, but rather told her to go and leave her life of sin, (John 8:10-11), He commands us to do the same.
God is very slow to anger, giving us so many warnings before revealing His wrath, but His return is imminent (near). Although no one knows the day or hour of Jesus' return, the Day of the Lord and the Day of Judgment is near. Will we be judged for choosing our own selfish wants and desires or will we be judged and hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done."
I learned that there will be 2 types of judgments--one for His children and one for those who closed their hearts to Jesus, which will result in destruction and despair in hell. So, let us not give up in prayer and opportunities to share with our loved ones and those on our PII (prayer, invest, invite) card who do not yet know Jesus. We must also pray for our missionaries who are spreading the Gospel to the unreached parts of the world.
Dear Jesus, it is true that Your Word is like a double edged sword, convicting us straight to the heart, judging our thoughts and the attitudes of the heart (Heb. 4:12). Writing this honestly convicted me to the point of making my heart hurt. Thank You for the hope and reminder that You will be returning soon to judge the living and the dead. Thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ who made a way for us all to come to You and be freed from the sin that used to bind us. Greater are You who are in us than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4).
May I keep these truths in my heart when I am tempted to stray. I also pray for those in the Church (with a big C) in a season of rebellion. Please draw them back to You in repentance.
Additionally, I pray for continued opportunities and boldness to share Your testimony and my testimony with those who don't yet know the Good News and our brothers and sisters who are currently in the mission fields around the world. Thank You that You are not slow in keeping Your promise, but are patient with us all, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). May Your Kingdom come, as we continue to work together as Your hands and feet, shining and sharing Your light in this darkened world. We pray this all in Your name and for Your glory alone Jesus, Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi