A Song Of Grief

Amos 5

v.1 “Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation….

v.2 The virgin of Israel has fallen… there is none to raise her up…

v.3 For thus saith the Lord God…

v.4 …Seek ye me, and ye shall live…

v.5 But seek not Beth-el… and Beth-el shall come to nought…

v.6 Seek the Lord, and ye shall live…

v.7 Ye who turn judgment into wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth…

v.8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning…

v.12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins…

v.14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you…

v.15 Hate the evil, and love the good…”

Before You Commit…

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

“Before you commit, know who you’re with.” – Ell

Mind Your Business

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” (vs. 11-12)

“Focus on your own business, and leave mine alone. Only then will you begin to understand where you belong.” -Ell

Sweet Sleep

Proverbs 3:24

When was the last time you had a good night’s rest? Can you recall a moment when you laid in bed, forgot about all your worries, and cast all your cares upon the Lord? In the book of Proverbs, king Solomon taught his sons the importance of finding wisdom, and getting understanding, because doing so would ensure life to the soul, grace to the neck, safe pathways, and a solid foundation from which to grow stronger in the Lord. Life is hard, and times get tough, but when we give our troubles to the Lord, He’ll give us wisdom to navigate through them. So, don’t worry about the things you can’t change, nor the situations beyond your control. Instead, rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, and sleep in peace. “When thy liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”

Humility To Maturity

1 Peter 5:6, 2 Peter 3:18

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

The purpose of living is not to accumulate loads of wealth, nor strive to become famous in the eyes of men. The purpose of living is not to bask in the pleasures of life, while ignoring what real living is all about. There’s a theme preached by many today that centers around “living your best life” now, but the best life in God’s eye may not be what many carnal minded individuals would imagine. Living the godly life consists of humility, that sets one on the path of spiritual maturity. The more we learn about God and His word, the more we’ll grow in understanding of His purpose for us. Unfortunately, the “best life” isn’t a pretty picture. In the Bible, the apostles suffered horrendous deaths while living their “best life”. Even today, those who walk after righteousness, are suffering persecution, that could eventually lead to their deaths also. Knowing that our days are numbered, and life is short, it’s vital for all who live for God to humble themselves, and focus on being mature, as the inevitable suffering awaits us all.

Good Representation

Psalm 38

How well do you represent godly living in all areas of your life? Can your family, coworkers, neighbors and friends easily tell whether you are dedicated to living a life of holiness, or not? It’s easy to look the part of a believer in church, or amongst those gathered for religious purposes, but how well do you represent godliness outside of the church walls, and in the company of those who do not share your beliefs? Are you easily entertained by unhealthy conversations at work, or do family members know the right buttons to push, that will cause you to act out of character? Representing God in a fallen world isn’t always easy, but if one diligently commits to doing as the Lord commanded, He will always direct their steps, by His Spirit.