Zillions Lost

 DECEMBER 15, 2023
 Daily Reading – Amos 7-9 / Revelation 4-5

 GOD’S WORD:

Amos 8:4 & 6 Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,… That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Gambling has become a global pass time. It, like many other things once condemned as sin, is now looked upon as just another form of entertainment. States have made it popular with state run lotteries, and some have state run and funded casinos. Yet did you know that over sixty percent of those who gamble regularly are at, or below poverty level? For every person who wins, millions of dollars must be lost. I know, some are saying, if they do not have the money, they should not play. However, the Christian thing to do is not to provide a temptation to sin. Gambling is still a sin. God has never looked kindly on those who have money, taking advantage of those that do not. That is exactly what we do every time we buy a lottery ticket. It is sad that part of the money spent on lottery tickets will go to commercials warning about the addictiveness of gambling. Some will fund counseling for those who find themselves caught in this trap. If you buy those tickets, do on-line wagering, go to casinos or bingo halls, you have a part in taking advantage of the poor and needy.

        Amos warned Israel about this practice. He said you, “swallow up the needy,” and “make the poor of the land to fail.” He said they are, “falsifying the balances by deceit” and they “buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.” God hated this poor treatment of the hurting then, and God does not change.

         

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        What could God do with the money Christians spend on gambling? How might He bless you? Remember, He feed thousands with a few loaves and fishes. Put the money in God’s hands instead. That my friend is the only sure bet! 

Do we really think the world will bless us more than God?

Zealousness Displayed

 DECEMBER 14, 2023
 Daily Reading – Amos 4-6 / Revelation 3

 GOD’S WORD:

Amos 4:12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        What does Zealousness mean? It is described as a passionate devotion to, or interest in, a cause or subject. It is going the extra mile, doing all one can possibly do. It is what we see in many good parents who are trying their best to raise their children. Rewarding good behavior, while also, not rewarding bad behavior. It may be done by taking away electronic devices, or privilege. It might be that they are sent to their room without a meal or restricted from time with friends. None of this is done in anger but trying to teach these children to listen to your gained years of wisdom. God displayed that Zealousness with the children of Israel here is Amos 4.

        In the verses of Amos 4:6-11 we read over and over the things God had done to try to get Israel to turn back to Him. The last phrase in each instance says, “…yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” He sent a famine their way but that did not convince them. He withheld rain, but instead of turning to God, they sought water from other cities. God sent a plague, or rottenness to their crops, yet they would not see this as God’s warnings. Pestilence and also an overthrow of some. Still, they would not turn back to God. God the creator of all, has control of all. Finally, God, in His zealousness to call them to Himself in Amos 4:12; warns them of the impending punishment. He says, “prepare to meet thy God.” Zealousness displayed.

         

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        I wonder how many signs and warnings from God, have we shrugged off as what the world calls, “mother nature.” Yet, still today, God sends out his children into a lost world with a warning. “Prepare to meet thy God.” 

Are we prepared to help others to be prepared?

Zoned Out

 DECEMBER 13, 2023
 Daily Reading – Amos 1-3 / Revelation 2

 GOD’S WORD:

Amos 3:10 For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        What does it mean to be “Zoned Out?” According to www.thefreedictionary.com it is to “Stop paying attention, dissociate oneself from a situation. Also, engage in a mindless activity.” For example, children will often become “Zoned Out,” sitting in front of a TV. Teens become “Zoned Out,” on their cell phones or tablets. Adults, mostly men, “Zone Out,” everything else while watching football. People are just so focused on one thing, that if something is not within that zone of attention, it is zoned out.

        In Amos 3:10, God says through His prophet, “For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.” Simply put, they sinned so often, and with such regularity, that it had become the norm. They did not even realize they were sinning any longer. In modern language we might say, they have Zoned Out righteousness. Today it seems to be much the same. There was a time when we knew the Bible said certain things were sinful. Homosexuality was seen in scripture as an abomination to God. Today, the world not only embraces this sin, but legally defends what they call a lifestyle. Adultery and fornication are now considered consensual adult relationships. Abortion was the taking of an unborn life, which only God had the right to do. Today it is considered freedom of choice. It appears, we “ZONED OUT” on self, and “ZONED OUT” God.

          

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Rev. 3:17 warns, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Our focus must be on God, and not on us.

Have we Zoned Out God?

Zion

 DECEMBER 12, 2023
 Daily Reading – Joel / Revelation 1

 GOD’S WORD:

Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        There is an old hymn written by David Williamson entitled, “Marching to Zion.” In the chorus it says, “We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion; the beautiful city of God” In the book of Joel, the prophet uses the name “Zion,” seven times, concluding in Joel 3:21, where it says, “…for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.” Zion is also known as “The City of David,” and “Jerusalem.” Today, this city is not pure by any stretch of the imagination. There is a Muslim Mosque there and a continuous battle over who should have control of this property. Yet in 2 Samuel 7:16 God said of David’s reign in Jerusalem, “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” How will that be true? Jesus! Jesus was born into the line of David, and He will sit on the throne in Zion as the final Eternal King. Before He does, we see that Zion must be cleansed. Joel 2:1 & 15 says a warning is given of this cleansing. Joel 2:32 says that “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered:…” Then, in Joel 3:17 it says that “no strangers,” or no sinful people will pass through Zion anymore. When Jesus takes the throne, sin is cast out.

        Jesus is also to sit on the throne of our heart today. When we gave our life to Him, a cleansing took place. Sin was cast out, Jesus became King.

         

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        I love 2 Corinthians 5:17 which explains this so well. It says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” When did things become new in you?

Is your heart like ZION for Christ?

Zero Complaints

 DECEMBER 11, 2023
 Daily Reading – Hosea 10-14 / Jude

 GOD’S WORD:

Hosea 13:5-6 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        In church we sing; “God is so good, He’s so good to me.” I think most of us should change the words to, “God is TOO good, He’s TOO good to me.” If we are honest, God is way TOO good to us. God graciously supplied for our forefathers because of their committed faith in Him. Now, many people living off past grace, no longer feel a need to worship or rely on God. Just as God was good to Israel and they forgot Him, so it is today. The desire for individual happiness has caused many to forget that the giver of all things, God, is to be our joy, not the gift that God gives.

        We have not known what it is like to get down on our knees to beg God for daily bread. Instead, we ask for an income to take care of us forever. Even then we are not satisfied. There is always one more thing we think God should provide if He loves us. It is like when children are given a bag of candy in school. The child wants to eat it all. You let them select a few pieces but put the rest away. The candy is theirs, yet a wise parent will not let a child eat until they are stuffed. First, all that candy would make them sick. Also, tomorrow when other children still have candy, this child will have none and be sad. Does a child think of that? No! All they can see is the candy and they want it. So, the grown up must do what is right. God in like manner has already been too good to us. Then, in His wisdom, knows when we have had enough. He is watching out for us as a good parent does.

          

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        God does not have to let us have anything, but He does. If we really want to help one another, let us help each other have a good outlook on God, His grace, and goodness toward us. We get treated way TOO good. We should have zero complaints.

Has God ever let you down?