From: December 10, 2023
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!” (Revelation 2:4 NLT).
John’s revelation began with seven letters from Jesus to seven churches. Each letter mentioned something specific to the city in which the church was located. Most of the letters began with a commendation followed by a correction. This was the case with the first letter, which was written to Ephesus. Jesus commended their hard work and endurance, but He warned them that their love for Him had waned. He instructed them to repent and return to Him as their first love.
Don’t you find it amazing that Jesus cares about our love? He commends our service for Him, yet He cares deeply about our affection. Dear believer, do you love Jesus with first priority today?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that You first loved us and sent Your Son as an atonement for our sins. We love You because You first loved us. Now, help us to be motivated by that same love. Pour out Your agape love in us through Your Spirit. We want to do all things motivated by our love for Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 10, 2022
DIRECTIONAL VISION MUST BE AGREED UPON
The Lord gave the prophet Amos a list of proverbial questions to ask of Israel and Judah. Each of them beg an obvious negative response. The first proverb concerned their walk with God. The Lord essentially asked, “Can you claim to have My presence when you walk so contrary to Me?” The obvious answer? “No.”
The Lord pictured Himself as one of two people, with the other representing His chosen ones. Yet, they no longer walked with Him. Although they claimed God’s presence, their walk and talk proved otherwise.
This proverb stands as an important leadership principle. Directional unity must be agreed upon, otherwise, eventual division and disunity is inevitable. It may look as if you are walking together, but after a while, your paths will diverge.
The wise recognize the necessity of visional unity. The one who would walk together with God, must constantly listen to and agree to His voice and vision.
The one who would lead God’s people, must clearly cast the vision, so that everyone understands it and can follow it. Writing it down helps. As the Lord told the prophet Habakkuk, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it” (Hab. 2:2).
And leaders must constantly check the unity of the flock. For sheep are prone to wander.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to follow Your direction. Where You go, we will follow. Forgive us when we get distracted or stray. We want to always stay focused on following You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 10, 2016
God often calls preachers, prophets and kings from obscure places. The prophet Amos was a simple, shepherd living about twelve miles South of Jerusalem near the small town of Tekoa. He was a country boy, but God called him from the pasture to the palace to proclaim the Word of God before kings. Where did he get his message? The Scripture says, “he saw,” meaning he received his message in a vision from God. God still calls the small and the simple to proclaim His Word. He still calls country boys like Amos to preach to the countries of the world.
From: December 10, 2015
God often calls preachers, prophets and kings from obscure places. The prophet Amos was a simple, herdsman living about twelve miles South of Jerusalem near the small town of Tekoa. He was a country boy, but God called him from the pasture to the palace to proclaim the Word of God before kings. Where did he get his message? The Scripture says, “he saw,” meaning he received his message in a vision from God. God still calls the small and the simple to proclaim His Word.
From: December 10, 2014
The Spirit of God inspired the prophet Amos to warn Israel and Judah and the surrounding nations of God’s coming judgment. He also revealed God’s heart to Amos by explaining that God always warns us beforehand, so we have opportunity to repent. The people did not listen to Amos, nor the other prophets of that day and they were overthrown. Today, God has revealed His plans for the future return of King Jesus to judge the living and the dead. Yet, many go about their business as if the warning had not been sounded. We live in the day of God’s grace, the day of redemption. But God has warned us through His prophets that there is coming a day of judgment. God has not hidden His plans from us.