Hey! It's really ! It sure seems like ! Anyway is Thank God I'm Forgiven ! Worship with much praise and for all this means to you.
Good Morning Abiding, Resting, Listening and Receiving Friends of Jesus! (And friends of mine!) Jesus loves me! Sing it loud and clear for all to hear! Spread some Jesus and new Life in Christ cheer ! Amen! Reload. Refresh. Recharge. Receive. Then go live and love like Jesus! Be a sweet aroma to those who God is drawing and share with them why you are thankful for God's forgiveness and share stories of how that has changed your life. Celebrate who God is and all He has, is and will do!
Check out the thread of this through our devos below. Seek the Lord and live is ODB's message. As I read Amos 5 that it is based on, I couldn't help thinking about the USA and the charged political environment. There seems to be no middle road anymore. God says, "Seek Me and live." Start there! Turn off the noise and tune in to Him. Amos speaks of the evil afoot then that sure sounds like . Seek God and overcome the darkness! Seek God and live! Keep knocking! Keep coming to be forgiven and purified. TWFYT reminds us of the importance of trusting God enough to rest and abide in Him and allow Him to work all things together. He is able and wants to. Release His power in prayer and through your obedience! Amen! The UR reminds us God is always listening and wanting to respond and bless us as we go focused on Him and His Ways. Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. God is trustworthy and worthy of all praise, glory and honor. Amen! And the cool part...this King calls you friend and wants to hang with you. Choose to dwell in Him and to go live and love like Him too! Amen!
A family who’d lost touch with their son and brother Tyler received an urn that was said to contain his cremation ashes. Just twenty-two years old, he’d apparently died of a drug overdose. For years, Tyler had dealt with the effects of drug addiction and poor choices. But prior to the reported overdose, he’d been sober after spending time in a transitional housing facility and completing an addiction recovery program. Then authorities made a shocking discovery—Tyler was actually alive! They’d mistaken him for another young man who’d died of an overdose. Later, after being reunited with family and reflecting on the death of the other young man, Tyler said, “That could have been me.”
The Israelites once learned of their death—though they were very much alive. In a song of mourning, the prophet Amos sang these words to God’s rebellious people: “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again” (Amos 5:2). These words must have gotten their attention—they were dead?! But the prophet also spoke these comforting words from God Himself: “Seek me and live” and “Seek good . . . . Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you” (vv. 4, 14). Though Israel was dead in their sins against God, He invited them to turn to Him and find life.
As we deal with our sin, let’s confess it and bring it to the one who loves us and forgives us. God lovingly leads us from death to life (John 5:24).
By Tom Felten
REFLECT & PRAY
How does going against God lead to death? What do you need to confess to Him?
Loving God, please help me turn from sin and find life in You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Amos was a prophet from Judah (Amos 7:12) whom God sent to warn Israel of His judgment for their sins. Amos lamented the death of the nation (5:1-3, 16-27) but offered a message of hope for those who repented and returned to God. Though punishment was certain, Amos urged the people to repent, to “hear” the words of God (v. 1), “seek the Lord and live” (v. 6), act justly (vv. 7-10), not oppress the poor (vv. 11-13), and do good and hate evil (vv. 14-15). He provides what we need to turn from sin and find true life in Christ.
K.T. Sim
TWFYT
UR: Always Listening
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
One evening I was sitting on the church steps with my pastor before a committee meeting. We were chatting when suddenly my pastor exclaimed, “Oh, I haven’t prayed !” This abrupt confession surprised me; I did not understand prayer that way. But my pastor’s frankness highlighted the significance of prayer and inspired me to communicate more frequently and informally with God.
Many years have passed since that experience. I have grown in my faith, and my journey continues. Now my conversations with God are frequent and serene. When I awake in the morning, I express my gratitude for a night’s rest and the new opportunities awaiting me. During my day, I give thanks for both rewarding and challenging encounters. As my day winds down, I can think of my blessings and rest peacefully. And throughout the day,
God is there awaiting our moments together.
As Christians, we are greatly blessed to worship a God who is eager to hear from and commune with us. We are encouraged to share our thoughts, admissions, supplications, desires, and praise! God awaits our prayers.
's Prayer
Thank you, ever-listening God, for being ready and eager to hear our thoughts and prayers. Amen.
LISTEN ONLINE
