Daily Bible Study

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Day 3 Amos 3 Amos 3:1 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. 3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? Shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? 6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? 7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets. 8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy? 9 Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. 10 For they know not to do right, says the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. 11 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled. 12 Thus says the LORD; As the shepherd takes out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch. 13 Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, says the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, 14 That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground. 15 And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, says the LORD. Many people feel they are exempt from punishment because they are from a certain sector of society. You often see stories of people caught in bad situations. You hear about them going to court, but how often do you hear of them going to jail or prison for their crimes? God told his people, he chose them, he brought them out of Egypt, yet he would still punish them for their sin against him. Those who call themselves Christians, often have the same mindset as the privileged elite of society, believing they will go to heaven because they wear a cross, and call themselves Christians. They do good things, helping where they can, yet you won’t find them in church. They know nothing about the Bible, because they never opened it to read it. They don’t know what being a Christian really is. No one is exempt from God’s punishment if you sin against him. As true born-again Christians, you know the importance of reading your Bible, praying for the lost, and helping where you can. You know the meaning of sacrifice, and you know you aren’t above the law – man’s or God’s. Satan sets traps for God’s people, his chosen as well as those who accepted him as Savior and Lord. He will do everything he can to keep you from knowing the truth of God’s Word. He will keep you from church, Bible study groups, prayer groups, and helping your fellow man. Your biggest excuse and lie is: Someone else will do it. Complacency in the body of Christ is as much a sin as breaking any of the Ten Commandments. God will not hold anyone guiltless who sins against him. However, for those who truly know him and his Son, Jesus, there is a way out. It’s called repentance and confession. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV) God doesn’t want a perfect people, he wants obedient people. People who will not just honor him with their lips, but with their hearts, souls, mind, and strength. God brought his judgment against his people because they didn’t honor him and put him first in their lives. He punished them because they served false gods, worshiping them, bowing before them and declaring they were god, instead of the true God who brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand and outstretched arm. If God will bring judgment and punishment against his chosen people, he will bring the same judgment and punishment against you if you do not turn from your sin, and repent, confessing what you did and asking his forgiveness. All the good things you do, will not matter if you don’t turn to God, acknowledging your sin and need for him in your lives. Let’s pray: Father, I know I am a sinner. I know I forget to read and study your Word and pray. I confess my sin, asking your forgiveness. Help me to put you first ahead of every other situation in my life. Let me focus on you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, giving you first place in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 6 March 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay