Tag: Christianity

Reflections on Amos 6-9

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Amos sees five visions of judgment, and then closes the book with the promise of restoration.

  • Word of God – God tells Israel that soon there will be a famine of hearing the Word of God (8:11-12). God has spoken again and again, but they would not listen.  Soon God will stop speaking.  What a terrible judgment!  Do you listen when God speaks?  Are you seeking his Word?
  • Booth of David – God promises that he will raise up the fallen house of David and usher in a great time of blessing (9:11-15). God has raised up Jesus, a descendent of David, and when Jesus returns, these blessings will arrive.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Reflections on Amos 1-5

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God is sending judgment upon the nations, and especially Israel, because of their sins.  He calls Israel to return to Him.

  • Oppression – Israel was condemned for their oppression of the poor. They were violent; they robbed, they oppressed, they crushed the poor.  All the while, they were getting rich (3:10-4:1).  Are there ways that you oppress the poor?  How might you help them instead?
  • Religion Game – God also condemned the people for playing the religion game. They continued to offer sacrifices and keep feasts and sing praises, but they were not walking with God.  God called them to walk in justice and righteousness (5:21-24); without these things their rituals are empty.  Are you walking with justice and righteousness?  Or are you just playing the religion game?
  • Return – Again and again, God disciplined Israel, but they refused to return to him (4:6-11). God called the people to seek the Lord that they may live (5:4-6).  He told them to seek good, rather than evil, that they might live (5:14-15).  But they refused to listen.  How has God disciplined you?  Are you listening?  Are you seeking the Lord?  Are there ways you need to change?

Amos 1-9: Justice and Righteousness

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-8) Amos begins by confronting the violence of Israel’s neighbors, but then turns his focus on Israel.  What sins does Amos confront?

2:6-8 –

3:9-10 –

4:1 –

4:4-5 –

5:7, 10-12 –

6:4-6, 12 –

8:4-6 –

How would you summarize the sins that Amos is confronting?  What does God want to see (5:24)?

How might we see these same sins in our country?  In our lives?

(2-9) How does Amos describe the judgment that is coming?

2:13-16, 3:11-15, 4:2-3, 5:1-2, 6:14, 8:7-10 –

4:12-13, 5:16-17, 7:7-9, 8:2-3 –

5:27, 7:17 –

5:18-20 –

8:11-12 –

9:1-10 –

(4-7) Our God judges sin, and yet he is also willing to show mercy.  How do we see his mercy in the following verses?

4:6-11 –

5:1 –

5:4-6, 14-15 –

7:1-6 –

How do we need to apply each of the above passages in our lives?

(9) What hope does Amos leave for the people?  For us?

v11-12 (see Acts 15:16-17) –

v13-15 –

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Why You Should Live in the Psalms – Scott Slayton (One Degree To Another)
The Psalms provide a welcome antidote to our craving for shallowness. The Psalms, which seem so easy to understand on the surface, invite us to deep study and contemplation. They show the blessing of cultivating a deep and abiding trust in the Lord and beckon us to leave behind our life of distraction so we can know and love God more deeply.

Learning to Say Hello Again – Douglas Groothuis (CT)
It seems like a small thing, but it really isn’t. How we greet—or fail to greet—others says much about our character. But in the power of the Holy Spirit, we may practice the presence of people by acknowledging and recognizing them for who they are: creatures made in God’s image.

Will Your Phone Dominate Your Life in 2018? (Crossway)
Technology use is an area with which many of us struggle to find balance. How much is too much? What is it good for? How can we encourage our families to hold it in its proper place?

How to Discourage Your Minister in the New Year – Paul Levy (reformation 21)
I want to give you 6 ways to discourage your minister in the New Year…

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Reflections on II Chronicles 25-28

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Three pretty good kings reign, followed by one evil king.  Consider:

  • Prone to Wander – Amaziah did what was right in God’s eyes, but later he set up and worshipped Edom’s gods. Uzziah did what was right in God’s eyes, but later grew proud and entered the temple which he was not supposed to do.  Are you persevering in your walk with God, or have you started to wander?
  • Need for Instructors – Uzziah set himself to seek the Lord and had Zechariah instruct him in the fear of God (26:5) – in the same way Joash had had Jehoida to instruct him. Are you seeking the Lord?  Whose instruction are you seeking?

Reflections on II Kings 14-17

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Kings and kingdoms come, and kings and kingdoms go.  Note:

  • The Summary of Your Life – King after king comes onto the scene, reigns, and dies. And this book summarizes each one by only one standard – did he do right in the eyes of the Lord or evil in God’s sight?  What matters most is your how you live in relation to God.  How will your life be summarized?  Even the kings who did right often had exceptions noted.  Are there exceptions in your life you need to deal with?
  • Sin and Consequences – According to chapter 17, God dispersed the nation of Israel because they sinned against the Lord. Sin has consequences.  Are you taking sin in your life seriously?

II Kings 14-17 & II Chronicles 25-28: King & Exile

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(2K14-16) Trace the kings of Judah and Israel.  How long did each reign?  Did they do right or evil in God’s sight?  How did they die?

What observations or applications can you make from your summary of these kings?

The first three kings in Judah did right except…  What were the exceptions?  What are the exceptions in your life?

How do you see God’s control during this period (14:25-28, 15:10-12, 15:37 – see also II Chronicles 28:1-6)?

(2K17) This chapter records the exile of Israel.  What reasons are given for their exile?  Make a list.

What do these reasons tell you about God?  About people?

(2Ch25) How did Amaziah respond to God’s instruction through the prophet in v5-11?  What were the results?

How did Amaziah respond to God’s instruction through the prophet in v14-24?  What were the results?

What application might you draw from this contrast?

(2Ch26) How do v4-5 highlight the importance of godly instruction?  What applications can we draw for our own lives?  Our families?

What was Uzziah’s downfall (v16a), how was it expressed (v16b-19a), and what were the results (v19b-21)?

When are you tempted to be proud?

(2Ch25-28) How would you describe the heart of Amaziah (25:2)?  Uzziah (26:4-5)?  Jotham (27:2,6)?

How are these kings like us?

How do these kings point to the need of a greater future King?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

20 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Make (and Keep) Right Now – Kevin DeYoung
But this post isn’t about arduous resolutions. Well, not exactly. It’s about something simpler. It’s about your calendar and about making decisions now that will serve you later in the year.

Beginning of the Year Check-In Questions for Christians – David Qaoud (GR)
Don’t leave your spiritual growth up to spontaneity. Make a plan. Now that we’re in 2018, here are some questions to ask as you formulate ways to grow.

Watch Where You Walk in 2018 – Scott Hubbard (DG)
Until that day, 2018 is another year to “look carefully . . . how you walk” (Ephesians 5:15). Walk in love — go low to lift others up. Walk in light — drive the shadows from your soul. And walk in wisdom — seize your days from the devil’s hand. These are three roads that lead us to God’s city of joy, where our journey of ten million steps will finally end.

Doing Church Away from Church isn’t Church – Eric Davis (Cripplegate)
In short, my hike or a Bible open in my living room with the kids is not church. Here are a few reasons why doing church away from church isn’t church.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!

Reflections on II Chronicles 22-24

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Two wicked kings and one wicked queen rule Judah, before Joash becomes king.  Observe:

  • Advisors – Ahaziah followed wicked counselors, and so Ahaziah ruled as a wicked king (22:3-4). Joash followed the advice of Jehoida the priest, and Joash did what was right in God’s eyes all the days of Jehoida (24:2).  But after Jehoida’s death, Joash and the people went after other gods; they would not listen to God’s prophets (24:17-19).  Who are your advisors?  Who do you listen to?  What direction are your counselors leading you?
  • Revival – After years of apostasy, Jehoida made a covenant with Joash and the people that they should follow the Lord. The house, altar, and images of Baal were broken down.  Joash restored the house of the Lord, and sacrifices were again made to the Lord with rejoicing and singing.  In what ways do you need to return to the Lord?