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Today’s Reading: Amos 2:1-16

In many parts of the country, especially the south and the north, there are typically two seasons: for the south there are summer and construction; for the north there is winter and construction. Here in the Midwest in Illinois we have three: Winter, construction, after construction. Construction can be seen as both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because our infrastructure is being upgraded and becoming safer for our use. It could be seen as a curse because it decreases our ability to get to our destination without obstructions. I have been able to witness in my journeys to different states and different countries that our infrastructure is actually one of the top in the world. Without this infrastructure our daily living and our daily interactions with each other would be hampered.

Whenever we are preparing for a journey, we have to take it into consideration: 1) where we want to go and 2) what route should we take? We know that on our journey at different times of the year, there will be some obstacles and some challenges, but we will reach the destination at a particular time. With current technology, we can actually see what minute we will arrive at our destination.

In our passage for today, Amos is giving us a glimpse and Mapquest report of what Israel and the BIG seven will have on their journey. God has a benevolent and compassionate spirit to all his children. In these first chapters of Amos, we are seeing the sadness and the hurt that God is going through with all of his children. Amos is a prophet, and he is giving the direction or the guidance that God has given to the people. Amos is laying out the MapQuest for the people. God is telling the people that there is something that is going to happen. God is telling them that the journey that they have been on has created obstacles and challenges and what to expect.

Imagine, we are on a highway going to our destination. For a majority of the highway, there are not a lot of obstacles, the road is just minted and newly refurbished. But ahead of us there is construction. There are signs that tell us that within the next 6 miles there will be construction for a certain amount of time. Also, imagine that God is a state trooper and he is our father. There are many cars that are going up and down this highway and we are also driving this highway as well. Because God is our father and he’s also a state trooper, we have a more profound understanding of the rules and regulations of the road.

Everyone that is a driver has to pass a license exam. We have not only passed the licensure exam, we have been taught from an early age the rules of the road. Whenever anybody breaks the rules of the road, especially in a construction zone there are higher penalties and repercussions. For us as children of God, we know the rules of the road and if we choose to break the rules of the road especially in the highest danger zone we are held to a higher expectation.

This is an analogy that helps to describe what Amos is telling us in Chapter 2. Amos is warning the people of these Seven different clans: Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammonites, Moab, Judah, and Israel, about the impending earthquake. This is the largest earthquake that is recorded in the Bible which is a 8.2 earthquake. The magnitude is the equivalent of having a blast with 60 BILLION kilograms of Dynamite.  This earthquake was so major that it could completely destroy cities and villages and leave no trace. This is the magnitude at which Amos is warning all of the BIG Seven peoples about. God is upset with the behavior that they have done, not just the chosen ones but everybody. But He still is compassionate. God still gives us warnings and wants us to acknowledge what we have done and prepare for what is to come.

So this passage could be summed up into three areas:

• Signs and warnings – We must be aware and vigilant of the signs and the detours that lay ahead of us. If we are not observant of the signs because we are distracted or checking texts or daydreaming , we could find ourselves in a predicament that delays us from getting to our destination.
• Promises and expectations- God is always giving us promises. Unlike man he delivers on all of his promises. God also gets frustrated when we do not listen and do not comply with his expectations. He is a gentle God and a loving father, but we will have to submit to the consequences of our actions if we do not heed the warnings.
• Compassion and disappointment– In spite of it all God is compassionate. He will give us warnings and signs to help us to avoid the consequences of our actions. Even though he does have compassion he is disappointed when we choose not to follow his direction. But he’s always willing to bring us back to his loving arms.

Doing this coming week, Lord allow us to see the warning signs and allow us to make corrective actions to be aligned with you.  How is your spirit to strengthen us and give us confidence in the process that you have prepared for us for this journey. Allow us to rest in you knowing that we are safe and we’ll get to our destination.

Who you are is often confused with what you do. Your job often gives you meaning and defines who you are. We look at people with high-powered, influential jobs and think maybe they are more important. I recently met a woman in her mid 60’s and she proudly proclaimed that she has been a stay-at-home mom since day 1 and she wouldn’t change a thing! I loved her confidence in what she said. Others may look down on her for not “working” a 9-5 job. But, she knew what God called her to do and did it well.

Sometimes we think that God will only use the best and the brightest among us. The ones that seem super spiritual and are really involved in Church activities and community issues. He might use the people who have authority and influence. In our reading today we see this is not the case.

The words of Amos, who was one of the sheep breeders from Tekoa – what he saw regarding Israel in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash, ing of Israel, tow years before the earthquake.
Amos 1:1

Amos was a sheep breeder of Tekoa. He had no formal training in theology or prophetic ministry. Amos was a simple man, a farmer. He was a man taking care of his sheep, but God called him to ministry.

The name Amos means “burden” or “burden bearer.” In this first chapter of Amos we see that Amos prophecies about the coming judgement. Because of what he has to speak, he carries a heavy burden.

God uses this simple man and gives him great job to do. Amos was a prophet to the 10 norther tribes in the kingdom of Israel. These days were filled with one wicked king after another. But, God called this simple sheep breeder to preach to the nation that had forgotten who God was.

No matter what you do for a living, God can use you in mighty ways just as He did Amos. God uses unlikely people to do what He wants done, just as He used Jesus, a simple carpenter.

Who are you and how can God use you?

I’m sure you have seen the viral video of the little boy saying, “Linda, Linda, listen to me Linda.” When I hear someone say “listen to me”, I immediately hear this little boy saying this to his mother. He did not want to listen to the punishment that his Mom was calling him out on. Here is the link to the video if you have not seen it:) https://youtu.be/aFYsJYPye94

Isaiah 34 begins with Isaiah declaring to all nations to listen.

You nations, come here and listen; you peoples, pay attention! Let the earth and all that fills it hear, the world and all that comes from it.
Isaiah 34:1

This book is about the final judgment at the end of time. Isaiah describes everything burning with never ending fire, and animals being destroyed. He gives a dire warning of things to come for the people.

Isaiah is calling all the people of the nations to LISTEN! The end is coming. Thankfully, we have the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins. Outside of Christ, we are enemies of God and have no chance of a future. Now is the time to turn, repent, and know Jesus as Savior.

The above is a cute video about getting someone to Listen. But, today’s reading is as serious as one can get. Are you going to listen? We do not know what tomorrow holds. We are to be ready.

This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.                            Matthew 24:44

Today’s reading is Isaiah 32:1-20.

In the first eight verses of this book, the prophet Isaiah speaks to the coming Messiah, and the impact He will have on the people.

Verse 4 says “Also the HEART of the rash will understand knowledge, And the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly.”

Verse 6 “For the foolish person will speak foolishness, And his HEART will work iniquity.”

The HEART is the center of the body.  The HEART is the organ that controls our mood, our mental state, and overall health.

The HEART is the center of our spiritual health as well.  The Bible consistently speaks of “changing the HEART” of people.

“Above all else, guard your HEART, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the HEART.” Proverbs 27:19

The HEART is also where the Bible speaks of where we are corrupted or impacted negatively by the world around us.

“The HEART is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?  I the Lord search the HEART and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10

As Christians, I hope we “guard our HEARTS,” to love like Jesus and have compassion for those around us. Our “HEART” controls our spiritual and physical health and determines our daily walk living out our faith.

“Create in me a pure HEART, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

For the HEART we show to the world each and every day, demonstrates the commands Jesus gave to all of us, which is to “love thy neighbor” and serve others.

“For where your treasure is, there your HEART will be also.” Matthew 6:21

My prayer today is that we have eyes to see what the Lord wants us to see, the ears to hear and recognize what the Lord wants us to hear, and the HEART to be compassionate and loving to those around us.

Today’s Reading:  Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything…

On August 17th it was time to take my son to college.  We rented a van, packed it full with everything we thought he might need, and headed out.  After a few hours setting up his room, we went to dinner, took him back to his dorm and left for home.  I was a little choked up when we left, but overall we’d had a great day and I held it together pretty well.

The next morning I needed to return the van at 8am.  B.J. had meetings (and my second driver now lives in Missouri), so I dropped the van at Enterprise and decided to just walk home.  Earlier that morning, my friend Teresa had sent me a short podcast called 239: A Sending Prayer for College Freshmen .

I crossed the street, got on the Constitution Trail and turned on the podcast.  On August 18th it was my time to cry.  I probably listened to that podcast at least five times as I cried the entire hour it took me to walk home.  When my heart was too sad to even find the right words to talk to God, the words of this prayer by Emily P. Freeman were just what I needed.  Thank you Lord, your timing is perfect.

They’ll move out of home this week and will bring their bags filled with clothes and their boxes filled with books. But you see what they bring in their hearts – anticipation, adventure, love, regret, anxiety, motivation, and hope.

They are a mix of excited, ready, terrified, and wide-eyed freedom.

As they look for a fresh start, remind them of your faithfulness every morning no matter where they call home.

As they look for community, remind them you are always with them no matter where they go.

As they look for adventure, remind them how you walk on water, turn water to wine, feed thousands from just a few pieces of bread. Remind them how you bring life straight up out of death, beauty straight out of ashes.

May they be open to the greatest adventures found in your divine presence and the greatest love that comes from your heart.  

When insecurity, comparison, disappointment and failure knock on their door, may they begin to understand this is part of growing up.  They’re not doing it wrong, they’re just human.  

May they be quick to listen, open to apology and swift to forgive.

Weave your wisdom into the fibers of their soul, bearing the fruit of confidence, clarity, contentment and a light heart.

May they not despise their humanity, rather may they embrace it.

May they not despise their body, rather may they learn to receive and respect their shape as a gift.

May they not despise their weakness, rather may they see how weakness brings a daily reminder to trust.

May they not fear failure, rather may they thrive in the midst of it.

May they not be quick to judge, rather may they be patient and curious.

Help them to find true friends and be a true friend in return.

Help them find their voice and to use it to be an advocate for themselves and for others.

Help them to see with eyes filled with compassion, equity, justice and love.

Replace their shame with courage.

Replace their confusion with peace.

Replace their fear with a love that moves within them, and around them, beyond their ability to understand.

May your grace surprise them kindly along their way.

Amen.