Amos 5
(v.6) God wants us to choose Him, and to choose everlasting life. He reminds us in the famous John 3:16 and many other places. Instead of focusing on the destruction to be brought upon the wicked who reject God, I like to have my kids focus on the never ending patience of God, and His deep desire to have all of us choose Him.
(v.15) I teach my kids that it's right to hate evil. It's right to defend good and fight the wicked, but we always need to be in prayer, and let the LORD fight our battles. Then, if He uses us in the battle, then we are empowered to be victorious!
(v.18) The Day of the LORD will be wonderful for those that love and serve God, but it will be a terrible day for those that have rejected Him. I teach my kids to be that loving friend who tells them about the LORD, and show them His love by serving and loving others.
(v.21) In a way, we can get a glimpse of what God is saying here, if we think of Christmas. When we were young, we sang Christmas carols at school, had a play, and the whole month we talked about the reason for Christmas...Christ! But now, it's just a marketing scheme. Even though I stress the reason for the season with my kids, they can't help being exposed to Santa, elves, Frosty and other things that take the focus off of Jesus.
God wants obedience and devotion...not robotic rituals without heart.
Amos 6
(v.6) Like Hosea, we can see the state of Israel mirrors America today. Most of the rich don't walk with God, for they have let their pride convince them that they EARNED their riches. Of course, we work and earn our pay, but it all comes from the LORD, and if we don't acknowledge that, it can quickly disappear.
We should desire to have enough money to feed our families, have a nice modest home, and life a moderate lifestyle. I read what Solomon said in Proverbs 30:8-9 to show my kids what we should seek:
Give me neither poverty nor riches - feed me with the food allotted to me. Lest I be full and deny You and say "Who is the LORD?" Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.
Amos 7
(v.15) I love how Amos responds to the king when told to leave...he shares his witness! Amos was a commoner...a farmer and shepherd. But he boldly stood his ground, since He knew that the LORD was with him...this is profitable for our kids.
Amos was following God, and letting God work through Him...that's what all of us should desire in life!
Amos 8
(v.11) I came to see that God used the Jews to reveal Himself to the world. He gave the Jews the Scriptures, and dwelt with them to establish His plan of redemption for all mankind. It's important to show our kids that God disciplines Israel for their disobedience, and He will do the same to us if we don't obey. Now, if we really think about it, obeying God is not a bad thing. We still have fun, love and enjoy life, but there is a sacrifice required...our pride. If we are to truly be His, then we need to die to our old self and let God live through us. Rom 14:8
Amos 9
(v.8) God sees all, and He doesn't forget. We are doomed to hell if we try to work out our own salvation, or entrust it in a church or mortal man. God loves us so much, that He willingly suffered and died for us, and paid our penalty of sin for us. All He asks in return is to choose to love and serve Him.
(v.11) With all the destruction described, we see the end of the story for Israel...God will save them and restore them. This is much like our own lives, for we are doomed by sin, but God saves us by His Son, and we are restored by His blood!
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