There is always a storm coming. There will always be trouble in this life.”
–Dan Arnold (Bear Creek)
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”
–1 Peter 4:7 (NKJV)
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We live in troublesome times. Times of decision; times of inquiry and inventory. How are you living your life? My good friend Bob, in his blog, discussed the horrifying scene in Amos where the prophet spoke the word of the Lord to the people,
“‘Behold the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.”
–Amos 8:11 (NKJV)
These words were spoken to the people of God. They were living in obedience, they were not following after righteousness. God says a time is coming when they won’t be able to find My word. Friends, I believe we are living in such a time. The pestilence that has beset us and caused so many not to enter into a church is part of that famine. Whereas the virus should have brought us to our knees in soul-searching and prayer and of delving into God’s Word, it has instead been used as an excuse. How many so-called believers have gotten closer to God, have studied more of His Word since the virus appeared?
Don’t use the excuse that you must take caution. That does not excuse you from neglecting God’s Word at home. And really it does not excuse you from the fellowship of believers and the ministry of God’s Word from the pulpit. Someone said, “The danger of missing church is that soon you don’t miss it.” People miss church and what do they do with the time? Most use it to sleep in a few more hours, then some kind of entertainment or recreation during the day. They have time to recreate, but not time to enrich their souls.
Instead of the Lord sending a famine to your soul, grasp hold of the truth that Paul writes about,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
–Colossians 3:16(NKJV)
This word, “richly” means incredible abundance; extreme wealth. To receive the Word of God in the right way makes each of us spiritual billionaires. Money–no; wealth–no; fame–no, but eternal riches that the value of cannot be told. When we have the Word of God in our lives we understand better the character of God, we understand better the truths of His Word and are more able to cope with this world (and even the virus). When we have the the riches that come from God’s Word we then can go on to fulfill the rest of 3:16,
“in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (NKJV)
Yes, there is a famine in the land, but it does not have to affect you or your house. Use this time of turmoil to drive you into a deeper fellowship and walk with the Lord and this is done by knowing Him, and you come to know Him better by reading, studying, and meditating upon the Word. And woe, to those pulpits who give a form of the Word, those who only speak forth what the people want to hear, the things that are sweet to the mouth, but will utterly destroy them when hard times come.
————————————-
We live in troublesome times. Times of decision; times of inquiry and inventory. How are you living your life? My good friend Bob, in his blog, discussed the horrifying scene in Amos where the prophet spoke the word of the Lord to the people,
“‘Behold the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.”
–Amos 8:11 (NKJV)
These words were spoken to the people of God. They were living in obedience, they were not following after righteousness. God says a time is coming when they won’t be able to find My word. Friends, I believe we are living in such a time. The pestilence that has beset us and caused so many not to enter into a church is part of that famine. Whereas the virus should have brought us to our knees in soul-searching and prayer and of delving into God’s Word, it has instead been used as an excuse. How many so-called believers have gotten closer to God, have studied more of His Word since the virus appeared?
Don’t use the excuse that you must take caution. That does not excuse you from neglecting God’s Word at home. And really it does not excuse you from the fellowship of believers and the ministry of God’s Word from the pulpit. Someone said, “The danger of missing church is that soon you don’t miss it.” People miss church and what do they do with the time? Most use it to sleep in a few more hours, then some kind of entertainment or recreation during the day. They have time to recreate, but not time to enrich their souls.
Instead of the Lord sending a famine to your soul, grasp hold of the truth that Paul writes about,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
–Colossians 3:16(NKJV)
This word, “richly” means incredible abundance; extreme wealth. To receive the Word of God in the right way makes each of us spiritual billionaires. Money–no; wealth–no; fame–no, but eternal riches that the value of cannot be told. When we have the Word of God in our lives we understand better the character of God, we understand better the truths of His Word and are more able to cope with this world (and even the virus). When we have the the riches that come from God’s Word we then can go on to fulfill the rest of 3:16,
“in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (NKJV)
Yes, there is a famine in the land, but it does not have to affect you or your house. Use this time of turmoil to drive you into a deeper fellowship and walk with the Lord and this is done by knowing Him, and you come to know Him better by reading, studying, and meditating upon the Word. And woe, to those pulpits who give a form of the Word, those who only speak forth what the people want to hear, the things that are sweet to the mouth, but will utterly destroy them when hard times come.