"And the Lord replied I will test my people with this plumb line."
Amos 7:8b
Amos 7:8b
My Take Aways
Something Old:
Compare ourselves to God's characteristics to determine out how straight I am. Do I reflect the fruits of the spirit? Am displaying God's devotion of love?
Something New:
He is a covenant keeping God who wants to restore, repair, and rebuild that which is broken.
2 Kings 15:16
Abortions occurred even in those days.
Something to Do:
Stop comparing my inside to the others outsides. Only align myself with Christ.
15 Comments:
Dear Wendy,
Thank you for taking the time out of your day at VBS to teach us! I also dwelt on the plumb line vision and I really resonated with your examples of the plumb line for today.
My old and new today; visions of plumb lines, fruit, the Lord standing by the alter... Names of God revealed (the Sovereign Lord, The Lord of Heaven's Armies and new today, the Pride of Israel (or Pride of Jacob)). So I looked up "Pride": Hebrew "Ga'own" meaning exaltation, majesty, excellence; and I also looked up "Sovereign", in Hebrew, "mamlakah"; which when of God means: His absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Our Excellent God, exalted above all, in His majesty and by His excellence, has the absolute right to do all things according to His good pleasure and He swore an oath, by His name, that He would never forget the wicked that we have done; but He also promises to forgive and restore us (Amos 9:11). He controls all things, foresees and foreknows all things. He makes the earth quake, and brings rain and famine in their season. He causes us to hunger and thirst for His word... and today, we the remnant (thanks Brandee) DO hunger and thirst for His word and are filled.
Father in Heaven, give me today my daily bread, Lord, Your word; real food for my soul and my body. Search me and know my heart. Measure me against Your plumb line and reveal any crookedness in me. Make my path straight. Restore my fallen house and repair my damaged walls. And I will give You the glory. I will seek You and I will find You. I will praise You all of my days, and at Your Name, I will lift up my hands.
Amen
Karen, Basel
Karen, thanks for the names and meanings! I only caught the 'Pride' one and will add the others to my list.
In Amos 9, when he is talking about the rebuilding of the Temple - does he mean the temple or just the land in general? - if he means the temple, does he mean the second or third? Of course, the second Temple has already been built and we're still waiting for the third. I've heard on the news that there's a group of men in Israel who say they're descended from the Levitical priests and who are preparing the items necessary for sacrifices - tongs, clothing, etc - because they believe that the Temple will be rebuilt soon.
The plumb line statement stood out to me, too, and Jesus came to mind immediately - the perfect example of Perfection and Love. I think this is when the statement 'What would Jesus do?' applies perfectly. Maybe if we - meaning me - were better at remembering and figuring out the answer to that question, my little part of the world could be a better place!
Keeping an infant for the first time today ... today is a trial run for us all, and then we start full time in August. Looking forward to a laid back, fun day!
Good morning GIG's,
I did my reading and praying outside on my front porch early this morning, a la Wendy! I think I will make a habit of that.
I found today's reading and Wendy's message to be very, very powerful. It led me to some heavy thinking and wonderful insights from the Lord about the destroying that went on in my family of origin nearly three years ago, and the restoration, repair and rebuilding I have been working on in my own life ever since. Today I saw my family of origin as a microcosm of the various people's of Israel, with all of the sins, the obeying, the disobeying, the second chances - and third and fourth. It makes me understand God's purpose in the discipline and destruction, and the path I need to continue to follow.
Thank you, Almighty Father, for bringing light and truth and understanding into my life today. And thank you for, at my prayerful request, taking away the pain. You are so good, all the time.
Have a blessed, 4:8 day, friends. One more day of school (no students, just clean up) and then I am FREE as a bird for the summer!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Welcome back Karen. How was your trip? Tell us some highlights.
Thank you for the definitions. I think believing in the Sovereignty of God is one of our foundations of belief as Christians. Allowing Him to be sovereign in my life is the hard part.
Wendy, I miss your videos so much. Maybe soon I can modernize my country technology. Lord bless all your kingdom work.
My dad, in his younger years, was a carpenter, as well as my grandfather, mom's dad. I remember them wearing coveralls (no tool belt back them)with a carpenter's pencil, flat on one side,marking the boards to be cut to size. I wondered why he had a rock on a string, but didn't ask. It must have been a plumb line. The barn they built stood 50 years. A high wind took it down.
In Amos 9:8, God says He will never completely destroy the family of Israel. What a promise to them.
I noticed in chapter 9 that God does whatever is needful for His children-He reaches down and pulls them up; He brings them down; He searches for them and captures them; He sends them to the bottom of the ocean; He commands the sword to kill them.
I'm glad that God knows what I need and is merciful when applying it.
I pray for a hungering of God's Word and a thirsting for His Spirit in our nation, our families, ourselves. We don't want a famine as in Amos 8:11.
Amos 9:15 is a promise that God will never again uproot His children Israel. Even though they go into captivity with the Assyrians, Babylonians, Meeds & Persians, they are released to rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem.
Isaiah saw the holy Lord on His
throne and realized he was unclean.
But his sin was purged. The Lord then used Isaiah to foretell the coming of Christ the Messiah.
My treadmill is calling. Keep your plumb line in the Word.
Linda
Linda, Michelle, Amy, Karen, and Wendy---ladies, your comments have truly blessed me today. There was so much to ponder and research in this reading. Thank you for your words of wisdom!
One nugget that popped out at me was Amos 9:9..."yet not one true kernel will be lost." God will be with those who love Him and are true to Him. As a follower of God, I claim that as well. It reminds me of the lost sheep parables in the New Testament. Just tying in the Old and New! It helps when I can make connections.
Need to get a cake out of the oven before it burns! A friend was injured in an ATV accident the other day...bless her heart! I'm going to run this over to her house later this morning. Would appreciate prayers for her complete healing. God was truly with her as it could have been so much worse(the ATV flipped over on her and hit her arm and head! Mercy!)
Y'all have a wonderful day!
Hugs!
Susan
Wendy, your words today melted my heart. I was on a completely different road with today meaning. Thank you for yours.
Stephanie - I would love to read the words to the song you suggested, My Beloved. When I lost my earthly beloved I got great comfort in that my Father would now be my husband, my beloved, and He could listen and answer. And has He ever gotten an ear full. Sometimes loud, and sometimes soft, with tears of sorrow and tears of joy. Isaiah 54:5
Donna - TX
Sweet Wendy, -loved seeing you in the ‘ladies parlor!’ God has been helping me too this week to ‘maximize my time.’ Digging deep to use the self-control with my time! I’m learning to go to Him regarding everything –when I think I can’t get it all done, He is there to show me that I can. Thank you, Lord!
I love the verse you taught on regarding the plumb line. Jesus Christ is our plumb line. God so badly wants to change our day, so that we live victoriously. We can do it because He has placed His Holy Spirit in us to do the impossible! “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loves us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifices to God (Eph. 5: 1-2).
I want to be filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit guiding me all day long. My soul is thirsty for You and my body longs for You, dear Lord. I want my mouth to glorify You all day long. I want to lift up praises to You all day long.
I want others’ drawn to my light. How will this happen? God, in His mercy will transform me bit-by-bit, as I seek Him, and desire Him, to be everywhere inside me. People around will see the evidence of His Holy Spirit. What things will they notice?
Lori loving on those around her…a joyful Lori…a peaceful Lori…Lori being patient…Lori showing kindness…Lori seeking to do good to those around her…Lori being faithful…Lori being gentle…and (my area that needs the most transformation, my area that keeps me clinging to God – Lori showing self-control.
Truly, if I’m a Christ follower, a gal seeking to know God more, evidence of His fruit, should be clearly seen by those around me. These are not typical traits shown by those living in the world, seeking to please one’s self. We should stand out in the world.
Lord, my desire is to imitate You. I want to know you so badly. They say, a person acts like those they hang out with…well, Lord, I’m hanging out with You today, all day long. Allow your Holy Spirit inside me to guide me. Help me to not ignore the whispers. Help me show love to those I come in contact with. Reveal more to me today; I want to know You more today than I did yesterday.
Clinging to Him,
Lori
Morning Friends, Your teaching Wendy and comments have been just awesome this morning. What a great lesson on our plumb line, Christ. I was not sure what it meant when I read it so I am so thankful for the teaching and explanation. I was going to look it up but when I saw you were teaching on it I let you teach me instead :) I will admit that I am bad about letting other's outsides be a standard. I think we can do that in so many things in our lives. I look at one of my friends and see what she has and it seems like she has everything anyone would ever want- a strong marriage with a husband who walks faithfully serving the Lord, children who follow the Lord, a nice house, creative, just everything. It is hard when you see people not to look at those types of things. But I as I grow I see that God has me right where He wants me. My life is designed for a specific purpose in His plan. Things that I get to experience, His presence and His glory and workings in mine and my family's life are unique and if I was not living my life I would not get to experience Him in the same awesome way. I am thankful for what He has taken me through and the glory that is ahead for my family. He truly is the God of restoration, rebuilding and repairing. I have lived all of these things. Things do get torn down but once the rebuilding happens you see it was all worth it!
My nugget came from Isaiah. I did some researching into the meanings of where the NIV says "The LORD God Almighty." The NLT says "The LORD God of Heaven's Armies."
LORD is yhwh, covenant Lord
God is plural but with a singular meaning and focuses on power. So He is the all powerful 3 in one.
Almighty is that He is the conqueror and ruler over all.
When we pray to "the LORD God Almighty" we are praying to the covenant God who is the all-powerful Father, Son and Holy Spirit and ruler and conqueror over all! I think that is pretty awesome :)
Isaiah saw the Lord and he was changed, he was eager to say, "Here I am Lord, send me." When we see the Lord, when we experience Him we too will be eager to say, "Here I am Lord, send me." We want everyone else to know what we know. My deepest desire is for my husband to know this deep love God has for him and to walk in that truth everyday. He will and I praise the Lord He is opening his eyes and we will be serving Him together very soon :)
Have a blessed day everyone~
Brandee, TN
Oh, Michelle great wedding photos! There were just beautiful!
Welcome back Karen, we missed you :)
Good morning GIG's (Thanks Donna) :-)
I confess that I am absolutely exhausted today and so just forced myself through the reading. My husband asked me to pray yesterday for his focus and strength at work because he isn't sleeping well. As I prayed, the Lord showed me that the most loving thing I could do for him was to clean our master bedroom and bathroom so that he could enjoy a more peaceful environment. I am transitioning from full-time teacher to stay-at-home wife and mother, so I'm learning all about maintaining our home. So anyway, I set to work after devotional time and discovered how amazingly slow I am now thanks to my tummy! ;-)
Jason was very grateful, but I think I overdid it a bit so I'm kind of just floating through today.
I do have a prayer request today: My precious Daddy has been a colon cancer survivor for the past 9 years. Recently, he started experiencing problems again and I am driving him to the doctor for a colonoscopy at 12:45 today. I will be the one there with him to receive whatever news the doctor shares. Thank you sweet sisters.
Here are the words to "My Beloved" by Kari Jobe:
You're my beloved, you're my bride
To sing over you is my delight.
Come away with me, my love.
Under my mercy, come and wait
Till we are standing face-to-face.
I see no stain on you my child.
You're beautiful to me...
So beautiful to me...
I sing over you my song of peace.
Cast all your cares down at my feet.
Come and find your rest in Me.
I'll breathe my life inside of you.
I'll lift you up on eagle's wings,
And hide you in the shadow of my strength.
I'll take you to my quiet waters.
I'll restore your soul.
Come rest in Me and be made whole.
You're my beloved, you're my bride.
To sing over you is my delight.
Come away with me, my love.
Come away with me, my love...
Have a blessed day my friends,
Love, Stephanie
Kristen and Brandee, thank you for your email addresses. I'm not at my computer today, but I'll be in touch soon. I appreciate both of you and you're support. :-)
Still reading, but wanted to comment on the plumb line too. I never thought of a simple tool as a standard for living!
We built our deck a few summers ago, and we had to make sure that the upright 4x4's were true and "plumb." If they weren't correct, the whole deck would have ended up crooked, tilted, slanted, weak. The plumb, running up and down, tells you if there is any deviation from north-south-east-west, so that the piece is perfectly perpendicular to the center of the earth.
When I think about this in terms of God, I see Him as the Center. I want to strive to never deviate to the north-south-east-west, but to remain standing tall and straight in His ways. When I find I am a little bit off plumb, it is such a struggle to balance myself and not get pulled down. I am so much weaker and more likely to fall. Returning to His Word sets me straight.
Thank you Wendy, and all, for your great insights.
Went to mass today to pray for my co-worker's mom, younger than me, who is having surgery today. She has a large tumor within her eye and the only recourse is to remove the entire eye. Will you keep tham in your prayers today? Thank you in advance.
Blessings,
Jacque
Wendy and sisters - I just want to say thank you for praying for my son. He is doing much, much better today. He may even go to school tomorrow. Thanks for looking out for my little guy. I have been giving him his inhaler every 4 hours + the antibiotic and steroid pills. This morning at 7:30 I was in a panic because the inhaler we had filled only last Monday was already empty! After various calls to the pharmacy, doctors and finally the manufacturer, we had it sorted out.
I SAP'd for the prayers I read yesterday. I can't recall all of them (lack of sleep) but Amy I pray for your Dad's work situation and that no weapon formed against him will prosper (I think that's in Isaiah somewhere). Just tell him to make sure he keeps a log of the names, dates, time of meetings with HR. Plus get statements from other co-workers who may have witnessed the threats.
Stephanie who is part of the Texas contingent, your post yesterday touched me. Praying that whatever that stronghold is will be broken soon. I love the name you picked out for your baby girl, too. Praying for your Dad as well today. May the news be good. But even if it is not what we want, may you always remember that God is still in control.
Jacque, lifting up your friend during her surgery.
Karen, welcome back and I loved what you shared today. Thanks!
Wendy, I wrote down what you said, we are not to compare somebody's outside to our inside. That is a great, great lesson. Thank you!
Amy, I have heard that there are preparations to build a Third Temple. And they are close to it, too. So Amos' prediction may be tied to the events in Daniel and Revelation when the Antichrist commits the abomination of desolation.
His visions listed in 7:1-6 reminded me of the things that will take place in Revelation. Specifically Rev 9:3,11 regarding the locusts.
I was reviewing my notes from Koinonia Institute. Chuck Missler made an interesting comment re Amos 3:7 (from yesterday) "Surely the LORD will do nothing but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." CM said it means everything that God is doing, we will find in scripture. If we are faithful to search it daily, He will bless us with knowledge and wisdom.
I love all the comments re the plumb line. We should not lower our standards to conform to this world but we should be raising the bar. Jesus is our standard. Day by day as we seek and obey God transforms us into His image.
Have a blessed 4:8 day (thanks, Michelle) everyone! I could definitely use a 4:8 day today.
Hi Everybody,
Wendy thanks ….listened twice today to the video. When I read the reading today it set fear in Me. Him warning the Israelites…Us reading His word today….isn’t he warning us to?
Why I ………Fear the LORD….
Today’s reading did just that for Me today.
Chronological bible:
Amos 7:7, Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight.
…..Am I still straight? I read his word….but do I take it seriously? Am I any different than the ones of that time? I try my best ….but find myself back on the wondering path. Not being able to stop gossiping…being selfish….not having faith….Patience lacking….not loving….Do I obey Him all the time? ….I am not perfect in any way. (Jacque thanks for your description of using your back porch). I need Jesus in the Center.
The New American Bible:
Amos 7: 7, Then the Lord GOD showed me this: he was standing by a wall, plummet in hand.*
*footnote for 7:7: Plummet in hand: signifying that God is about to withdraw his mercy from his people and that the nation is to be measured for destruction.
Is God about to withdraw his mercy from his people….our nation?
Is this time coming for our nation??:
Amos 8: 11-13
“The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine on the land….not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. Beautiful girls and strong young men will grow faint in that day, thirsting for the LORD’s word.
A HUGE THANK YOU LORD FOR “OUR SAVIOR” ….my heart today realizes so much what you have done for us. “Your People”
I am in need of you every single day…. every hour… every second ….all the time all day long.
Pray….Pray…Pray….and pray some more!!
Rhonda
Karen....Welcome back!!
Thanks everyone for the comments on the plumb line. Continue trying to raise the bar(Thanks G&P)
Hi GIGIs,
Just returned from assisted living. To those who helped me with praying for the residents at Easter, Diloris passed away on Friday. From her obituary I discovered she had her own TV and Radio show at one time called "The Diloris Show" and a radio show called "The Chapel of the Chimes." She was an organist, pianist, church music director, piano and organ teacher and also a composer.. It also said she was a virbrant, beautiful, loving person whose passion was to use her gift for the Glory of God.
G&P's son was probably the last one to hear her advice about music!
She stopped eating that last week and then decided to stop taking any fluids. They will have a service for her next Tuesday at the home and I will be there.
Oh beautiful Alabama lady, I already miss you - and who else could tell me on hearing me sing - don't quit your day job!!!! She leaves 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Praise God for her life and that I was able to know her for the past couple years of it! Amen
Dixie in Florida
Dixie,
It looks like God answered our prayer that He take her home soon the very next day. I compiled the posts about Ms. Diloris starting with the e-mail prayer to the last one you posted. I showed it to my son. He cried, too. And then he played the piano in memory of a woman whom we have never met.
This is the song he played for her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhN7SG-H-3k
We both look forward to meeting her in heaven. Thank you for introducing us to a wonderful woman.
(((HUGS)))
I haven't watched the video yet, but will in a few minutes. I got a late start to my reading today and I don't usually comment (but do read). I wanted to share this video with you. Some of the words are from what we read in Isaiah today. I love to just close my eyes and worship my King with this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsE43DhdAB4
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