| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “The Great Adventure” Our Bible verse for today: “This is what the Lord says: The people of Israel have sinned again and again and I will not let them go unpunished. They sell honorable people for silver and poor people for a pair of sandals. They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way.” Amos 2:6-7 (NLT) Our thought for today: “Make sure it is real” During the time of the Old Testament prophet Amos (around 760 BC), the people of Israel were living a life of religious hypocrisy. On the one hand, they went through the motions of going to the synagogue, saying their prayers, performing the rituals, and making their offerings. But on the other hand, they were selfish, they lived self-centered lives, they lied and cheated, and they ignored those in need. In 6:1 Amos wrote, “What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem, and you who feel secure in Samaria.” God did want them to be faithful in their church attendance, and to pray, sing, tithe, and everything else that was expected of them as a matter of practicing their faith. But then He also wanted them to go out into the world and live what they professed to believe. He didn’t want them to simply lounge in luxury and to feel a false sense of security. God wanted their faith to be more than just a religious show. In the Swindoll Study Bible Pastor Chuck Swindoll offers a good summary of how we can apply the lessons of Amos to our own lives: “Injustice permeates our world, yet we Christians often turn a blind eye to it in favor of doing “more important” work, like praying, preaching, and teaching. But the book of Amos reminds us that those works, while unquestioningly central to the Christian life, ring hollow when we don’t love and serve others. Do you ever find yourself falling into the trap of prioritizing prayer over service?” Chuck goes on: “Instead of choosing between prayer and service, the book of Amos teaches us that both are essential. God has called Christians not only to be in relationship with Him but also to be in relationships with others. For those Christians whose tendency has been to focus more on the invisible God than on His visible creation, Amos pulls us back toward the center, where both the physical and the spiritual needs of people matter in God’s scheme of justice.” Don’t become so heavenly-minded that you are no earthly good. God expects our spiritual relationship with Him to have a real and powerful impact on the physical lives of those around us. Stay spiritually focused, of course, but don’t be guilty of over-spiritualizing things to the point you are neglecting the very real physical needs all around you. Make sure your faith is more than a religious show. Make sure it is real and that it makes a difference in your own life, but also in the lives of others. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
| Copyright © 2024 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571 |
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