Faithfully Yours Forever

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos%201:11-2:5&version=NIV
Passage: Amos 1:11-2:5
Verse: Amos 2:4b, 5a (NIV)
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees… I will send fire

Today, we continue in Amos – a book of one of the Lord’s prophets.  Our daily devotional Scripture passages will continue to work through much, but not all, of the book of Amos for the next several days.  As we study the book of Amos, remember God’s mercy is extended to those who repent.  Be focused upon the promised hope of full restoration that comes as our heart fully returns to the Lord.

The Lord, our God, in addition to being merciful, is holy and righteous.  He will not overlook our offenses forever – a day of judgment will come.  When God’s people fall away from Him because of sin, He summons them, just like an earthy father summons his child… for judgment and punishment for some kind of wrongdoing.  The goal is not to punish, but to turn His child away from the inappropriate behavior and to show how to restore a right relationship with the Father.  So, what does the Lord require of us?  As another one of God’s prophets tells us, the Lord requires that we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).  The Lord seeks to see a repentant heart – one that is truly willing to change.  May we seek after and do justice.  May we receive God’s mercy and extend His mercy to others.  May we humbly walk, with a repentant heart, with the Lord.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos%201:1-10&version=NIV
Passage: Amos 1:1-10
Verse: Amos 1:2a (NIV)
The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem….

Amos was a prophet. He prophesied during the time when the Promise Land was divided into two kingdoms; Judah and Israel. The Bible chronicles the historical events that led up to the destruction of both kingdoms. Many lessons can be learned from the proclamations of the prophets. God’s prophets warned God’s people of the consequences of their unwillingness to repent – to turn from their sins and return to the Lord. The prophets foretold of a time of judgment. However, they also foretold of time when hope would be restored to God’s people. Are the times we live in much different than they were then? Are we much different from the people of Amos’ time? Will we heed the warnings found in the Scriptures any better than God’s people did then? May we proclaim the Word of the Lord, especially in troubling times. May we return to the Lord, our God, and walk in His ways. May we encourage others to do the same. May we cling to that future hope that He has promised us… even when in our darkest hours and darkest days. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%204:23-40&version=NIV
Passage: Deuteronomy 4:23-40
Verse: Deuteronomy 4:40 (NIV)
 Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.

This passage of Scripture begins by reminding us to be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you.  We have a tendency to forget how blessed a people we really are.  As we move beyond the celebration of the 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, let us remember how precious our freedom is.  Freedom to worship God, freely and openly, is not something that is available to everyone throughout the world.  We are blessed!  In addition, as believers in Jesus Christ we are free from the bondage created by sin.  This world can present us with many challenges and temptations, but verse 29 tells us if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Claim that promise in times of need for the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath [v. 31].  May we be free indeed!  May [we] live long in the land the Lord [our] God [has given us] for all time [v. 40].   (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2016:16-25&version=NIV
Passage: Proverbs 16:16-25
Verse: Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

In this passage of Scripture we are told to be prudent.

May we, as the definition of prudence suggests,

• have good sense in dealing with practical matters
• use good judgment and carefully consider the consequences of our actions and act accordingly
• carefully manage our resources so we may be able to provide for the future.

However, in addition may we remember the words of Proverbs 16:

• How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
• Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

Where do we get this wisdom… get this insight… and get the proper instructions for us to live a prosperous life in the eyes of the Lord?  Where else but from the Holy Scriptures!  May you find time to read and study your Bible.  May you glean from your reading and study those things that, when put into action, lead to a blessed life.  Furthermore, may you learn to share the wisdom, insight, and instructions that come to you from the Lord with others… because the gracious words [you share] are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones for you and for those whose lives you touch.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A1-12&version=NIV
Passage: 1 John 5:1-12
Verse: 1 John 5:11-12 (NIV 1984)
And this is the testimony [about God’s Son]: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Eternal life is the gift given to us, as believers, because of our faith in Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.  It sounds so obvious, but yet we sometimes have doubts.  May our faith be sufficient to believe.  May all our doubts be removed by a fresh encounter with the Son of God.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A1-10&version=NIV
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NIV)
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Sometimes we are torn between our love and appreciation for God’s earthly creation and our desire to be with the Lord in our heavenly home.  We may yearn for a place that is free from pain, tears, injustice, and every day struggles.  God has, however, placed us here.  He has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives.  He has promised the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us as we travel on our earthly journey.  May the Holy Spirit sustain us until the time when we are taken home to be with the Lord.  However, until that time comes, may we faithfully serve the Lord.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A6-26&version=NIV
Passage: John 17:6-26
Verse: John 17:17, 19 (NIV)
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth…. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Oh, today’s passage is dear to me.  As I sought to understand what it meant to be sanctified, to be made holy and set a part for the work of the Lord, these words spoke to me.  It really was like a light bulb being turned on in a darkened room.  All of a sudden things became clear.  It is by being obedient to the truths found in the Scriptures that we may become holy or sanctified.  However, we cannot do that on our own.  It is only through belief in Jesus Christ, because of His holiness, that we may become holy in the eyes of God.  May we grow in our understanding of the Scriptures and may we be bathed in the love of God, through the work of Jesus, the Christ.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A7-18&version=NIV
Passage: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

It is the Spirit of the Lord, living within a believer, which allows a believer to reflect the character and nature of God to others. But we, with our imperfections, do not always allow for a clear reflection to be seen.  Sometimes those imperfections are removed through the fires found while living in a fallen world such as ours.  At other times, those imperfections can only be skimmed off the surface of a tarnished heart when we take the time to slow down and listen to the wee small voice that is trying to break free from within.  May we be open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to renew, shape, and guide us to be better reflectors of God’s love in this world.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A52-65&version=NIV
Passage: John 6:52-65
Verse: John 6:63 (NIV)
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

What a precious gift we have been given!  The Holy Spirit lives inside the heart of each believer.  How blessed we are when we can feel the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, but how forlorn we can become when He seems so far away.  May we faithfully seek Him.  May we grow to hear His voice more clearly with each passing day.  May we treasure the guidance and reassurance he provides.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+2%3A12-3%3A6&version=NIV
Passage: 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6
Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

As Christians, we are all ministers of a new covenant – the gospel of Jesus the Christ, a message of love for God and others.  God has done, and is doing, a work in each one of us.  He is preparing us to serve Him, to help build His kingdom, and to share the gospel message with others.  May we, through the work and guidance of the Holy Spirit, spread a message of life in Christ to those seeking after such things.  May the covenant be written upon our hearts, but an open book for all to see and read.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)