"This is the kind of thing you Israelites love to do, says the Sovereign Lord."
Amos 4:6
Amos 4:6
My Take Aways
Something Old:
Thanking God for being a God of such marvelous grace. He is so patient with His children.
I also thank God for loving me enough not to leave me in my sin. A loving Father disciplines His children.
Something New:
Lord, I want to experience a might flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.
I love Amos 4:13
"For the LORD is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals His thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and tread on the heights of the earth. the LORD God of Heaven's Armies is His name!"
Something to Do:
Stop playing church. Return to God when I sin.
31 Comments:
If someone is still up, please pray for my son, Paolo. We're @ Children's Hospital ER due to bad asthma attack.
Heavenly Father, I call out on behalf of your devoted daughter Grace & Peace. Please bring her son healing, and allow his breathing to be calm and life-giving. Spread your protective mantle of comfort over Paolo and his family, and whisper wisdom to the medical team caring for him. In Jesus name, Amen.
Michelle in New England
Thank u, Michelle. It was walking pneumonia. We got home a half hour ago. I need to wake him up again at 3:30 a.m for his inhaler. Poor thing is sooo tired. Good thing my older son didn't get up til 4:30 pm he can give his brother the med while I try to catch some Zzzz's. Thanks again for praying for him.
Dear Lord,
Stretch wide Your healing hands over Paolo and fill him with Your life-giving breath. Calm his fears. Please blanket Your peace and hope over this family, so that they may feel protected in Your loving care. Amen
Jacque
So many opportunities
...but still you would not return to me
...but still you would not return to me
...but still you would not return to me
Thank you Lord for giving me the corrections in my life that draw me closer to You. Help me keep my eyes open to Your instruction, so that day by day, hour by hour, I can mindfully stay corrected on the path that leads to You.
Thank you Wendy for giving up your precious family time for all of us!
Blessings,
Jacque
Good morning, GIG's,
Wendy, your vlog today provided a few "ouch" moments for me. In the past, I was "playing church", but in all innocence thinking I was doing the right thing. Now that I have been helped by you and others to find the way to a personal, intimate relationship with my Almighty Father, I can see how shallow the "old" Michelle's worship was. But now, as it says in Luke 12:48, "to whom much is given, much is expected." I have been given the gift of this relationship, and now the Lord expects more of me, just as he did the Israelites.
My to do: Give Him my all every day. Praise Him and worship Him and seek His help always.
Karen, welcome home. The wedding was wonderful. I posted about it on June 7, which you can see in Wendy's archives when you have the time. Also, there are a few photos posted at www.melissacoephotography.blogspot.com
First scroll by the "maternity" photos to get to Lauren and Josh's wedding. You won't see me, but you can see Denise in the background (wearing the mask) in the photo of the first dance! Denise made it, was able to stay through the cake, and enjoyed herself tremendously. And since then, our oldest sister, who had distanced herself from Denise for several years, has apologized and reconciled with her. God is so good all the time! The newlyweds had a nice honeymoon on Nantucket, then packed up her stuff here and moved to Tennessee, arriving late Saturday night. Whew! Now the MOB can get her life back! And I only have two days of school left before starting my first, non-working summer since 1996, PTL!
Friends, I wish I had time to comment on all the wonderful posts of the last few days. Such happy news from Jen Ren, Amy, Brandee,Kate about Fred, and Kristin about Rebecca and Lauren. Kristin, you are now listed with the other Texas gals in my prayer list - smile!
Gaylene, how was the band performance?
Teeny, good luck on your lab work next week.
Susan, praying that your boys grow closer to God and to each other this week on their mission. Peace to their mother!
Donna, I, too, gave up the news a few years ago! Love your cushioned soap box!
Have a blessed, 4:8 day, friends.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
One more thing. I had a God moment yesterday, driving to Denise's on a Sunday instead of a Saturday, because my husband and I had an awesome beach day Saturday. In the car, I caught a fantastic sermon on the Proverbs 31 woman, by a female pastor (smile). Here's the link if anyone has time to listen.
http://gc.reelworship.com/gc/audio/GC_061310.mp3
Michelle in New England
Wendy, I read all of today's reading and just thought that this was continuing the pattern that we've been seeing. That they may be obeying some of the commands, but not wholeheartedly or purposefully. You made it make much more sense - and more relevant, too. Thanks!
Can you pray for my dad? He called Saturday night while my mom was away and told me that he's being threatened at work. He works for a large chain store, and another employee has, for the past year, been threatening to hurt him - to push him off ladders, etc, but now to stab and kill him. He's been talking to HR and they haven't done anything. Today he has a meeting with the store manager, and he's applied for a another job. He just wants to do honest work and feel safe. The other job sounds like something he'd love.
Grace and Peace, I hope that your son's airways are relaxed and allowing lots of air through today! Will be praying.
Karen, it's good to have you back! Missed you!
Father, Yahweh Rapha, please look upon your child Paolo and bring him healing and peace. Give comfort and rest to your child Grace and Peace. Give strength and hope to this family of Yours. Let them keep their eyes on You and gain comfort under the shelter of Your wings. amen
Michelle, I read your post from the 7th and am now looking forward to viewing your pictures!
I'll check in later,
Karen, Basel
Good Morning, Sweet GIG! I’m not sure where to even begin – today was packet full, just like Wendy said!
One thing that hit me was of course, the fact that he keeps pursing us, keeps loving us, keeps tugging at us when we do our own thing. Those of us fortunate to be in an intimate relationship with Him will be disciplined. It’s not His pleasure, but it’s necessary for us to be in His sweet presence. We were created in His image, to be pure from sin – not to contain sin. As He transforms us, bit-by-bit, the sin is exposed and let go of.
He models to us what He expects us to do with our own children. We, too, are supposed to discipline. Just as we are a blessing to our Father, our children will grow to be a blessing to us and those around us.
Today, too, we see how he picks out a regular fellow – no one special, just a shepherd boy - to do some kingdom work for Him. We may not think we are qualified, but God has a job for each one of us to do something. “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16;15). Our Father sent Jesus down on earth to make His love and salvation known to the sinners, and now we have to continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus: showing our love to those around us.
It’s just mind-boggling to me, that the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, - who shaped the mountains, picked me out – just an average gal, to love on! Help me deny myself today dear Father of my personal wants, to do what I know You have whispered to me. Thank you for empowering me by Your Holy Spirit and allowing me to walk alongside You. Continue to investigate me as I know there is still sin that needs to be exposed. I want to live face-to-face with You – I do not want anything separating us. Thank you for the intimate relationship with share. Today, may I give you the glory in all things! In Jesus precious name I pray, Amen.
Praying, Lori
PS Welcome back, Karen!!! You’ve been greatly missed!
Grace & Peace, Oh, I’m trusting Paulo is sleeping contently. I pray today will be a day of rest for him to recuperate and build up his strength back up. I’m glad they were able to diagnose his situation, and that all of you were able to go back home. Hoping today, too that you will be able to catch up on some needed rest.
Kate, hoping today the transition back to home goes perfect with Fred.
Michelle, Your first paragraph is my exact same story! It was not until I began reading the Bible daily in 2009, with sweet Wendy, did I seek to live His will for my day. I had know idea of the great adventure I was missing out on!
Sweet Dixie, loved what you shared with us yesterday!
Morning GIGS, I only have a quick minute before I have to get ready. My son the future entomologist is going to a beeltes, bugs and butterfly camp this whole week at a local university. He is so excited he is beside himself :) Mommy will gets lots of pictures!
I wanted to tell G&P I SAP for Paolo as soon as I read your post. I pray he is doing better this morning.
I also wanted to share a huge praise...John went to church with us yesterday on Father's day. Will and I had gotten him a Bible and I had held off on giving it to him. I have always wanted to get him one but always felt a no in my spirit. I did not get a no this past week when we were at the bookstore so we got him a NLT Every Man's Battle Bible. I told Will I really did not think we should give it to him yet. But yesterday afternoon we were all laying down and John was napping and I was praying over what was said at church that morning and God reminded me that I began reading a NLT BEFORE I came to Him years ago. That in the search he needs something to read to search. I kept praying and I asked Will and Will said he wanted to give it to him. So we did. Friends, he LOVED it! It is a black and brown leather one and he was so appreciative. He began flipping and just reading verses and asking Will and I if we knew where he was reading from. Guess where he landed??? Romans 10:9-10, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead you will be saved!
Later on that night Will and I went to bed and he went to the gym. The Bible was sitting on the arm of the chair in the living room. When I got up this morning it had been moved to the arm of the couch and the bookmarker had been moved. Girls, HE WAS READING IT LAST NIGHT!!!! He was reading Matthew where Jesus was crucified!!!!
Praise the Lord! God is moving right before my eyes, it is going to be soon friends, John is searching and salvation is close at hand. I am so excited I am beside myself. Daily I see what God is doing and I anticipate the glory that is soon to come.
I do have thoughts on the reading too but I have to go get ready :) I hope to post them later. This news is just too big not to share.
Blessings for a 4:8 day!
Love,
Brandee, TN
Brandee....I am in tears of joy for y'all! Oh, PTL!!! Will continue to keep you in my prayers!What a beautiful Father's Day!
G&P-Praying for you too, sweet friend. Hope your little one gets some rest today as well as mom!
Amy, SAP for your sweet daddy. Praying for peace to flood your heart today.
This reading was amazing. Amos's words from God just made me realize that we don't get it either! Wendy, I too picked up on Amos 3:2-tried to cross reference this morning, but my glasses weren't strong enough to read the tiny print in the column!! New reading glasses today GIGs!!And, I loved your nugget of "wanting to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living." That's the nugget I'll take with me today.
Thanks for your prayers for my boys. Please keep them coming...hot temps and high humidity today. Mercy!
Welcome back Karen!! We missed you!
Hugs!
Susan
Brandee, I am praisng God with you and Will. John reading the Word and searching to find his Superhero.
G&P, SAP for Paola and praying as he rests the Lord will clear his lungs and any coughing will subside. Praying you get some rest today and are refreshed.
Kate, may Fred's transition today be an easy time for all of you. Strength for your Mm as she tends to his needs.
Wendy, I also was drawn to the same verses you were. After years of being an active church member, when I thought I was serving the Lord, but later realized I was doing it in my own strength. Not knowing anything about the Holy Spirit realized I was simply planying church. When I started seeking the Lord with all my heart and spending time with Him, I found Him! Going through rituals, traditions did not make me a Christian. It is that intimate time alone with my Father God, daily surrendering to His purpose for each minute that brought me to that place of Knowing that I am His chosen child. That's when I really began to live life to the fullest!
Wendy, Thank you for your devotion to take time from your family to share the Word with us.
Karen in Basel, welcome back. You were missed.
Morgen, Heidleberg is interesting. Be sure and go to the castle. I lived there when I worked for the US army. The towns around there are filled with history.
Praying for all your needs today.
Teeny
Lori, prayed your prayer with you for that is my heart's desire.
Teeny
Oh Brandee, I am weeping with JOY for you and your family! How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news...how good your news is! I cannot imagine how overflowing your jars are at this moment. We are all on tender hooks looking on in anticipation with you...
I also must share something very sweet that the Lord did for me over this weekend. Thank you all for your prayers for me as I do battle against a stronghold. Lori, you prayed that I would be completely delivered by the time my sweet Kailyn is born in August. I shared with Lyn and Amber over email (since they know the history of my struggle) that I was praying for, "complete restoration of PURITY in mind and heart." Lyn sent me 1 John 5:14-15 as verses of promises to stand on in her reply back:
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us -- whatever we ask -- we know that we have what we asked of Him."
You also further confirmed this when you mentioned the same theme yesterday in open blog.
Well anyway, after I read Lori's prayer, I was moved to tears at how sweet all of you ladies are to be so supportive when I am brand new to this group. Then, I realized what time it was and rushed to the bathroom to fix the hair so Jason and I could leave for our class at the hospital. As I was standing there with the blow-dryer and brush in hand, God tapped me on the shoulder and whispered to me, "Stephanie, what is your daughter's name?" I thought her name, Kailyn, in my mind. Then God asked, "What does her name mean?" Ladies, Kailyn means PURE, KEEPER OF THE KEYS...Wow! As if I thought it was possible to love my daughter even more than I already do?!?! How special that God would bless me with a precious little girl who is not only my daughter, but an outward manifestation of an inward promise that God gives me purity. I cannot imagine the joy of sharing with her one day when the time is right how powerfully God used her in my life before I had even met her. Jason and I are overwhelmed with His love and kindness.
ps - When the king struck the ground with the arrows three times, I read that as his prideful thought that surely it wouldn't take more than three battles to destroy the Arameans. Then, the truth was, it would take more than three. This encouraged me so much as I have been battling the stronghold for 12 years (that was when I took the first step toward freedom and thus began the war). God assured me that it is OKAY for many battles to be fought before a stronghold is completely destroyed.
I am going to record each of your names and prayer requests in a separate notebook so that I can keep track of how the Lord is moving in all of our lives. Know that I will be praying for all of you. I confess it is taking me a little while to not feel awkward praying as it has been a long time; but I'm just pressing on in faith that He hears my prayers and the comfortableness will return soon.
Donna, I would LOVE to get together for a praise and worship day! Amber writes music and plays the guitar and piano and we have sang together many times. I always love the opportunity to do that and I think it is amazing how God has put me in touch with so many amazing women. I've been really isolated the past several months. Kristen, I really hope you can join us as well. Sorry about the quadruple thing...I counted wrong, and I'm a math teacher for goodness sake! LOL! :-)
Stephanie, you have touched my heart today with words the Lord wanted me to hear, really hear. Thank you for sharing.
And Teeny, bless your heart, you have given me such encouragement with your words.
SAP for the blessings from the Father and for the needs of this community. He hears all our hearts cries.
Jacque, thanks for asking- it was good to hear my son play. Enjoyable and I still have my hearing- lol!
Striving for 4:8 today.
Needing prayers for my school work- really struggling and am discouraged, questioning which is just what the devil wants. Guess I don't have to have all As.
Happy Monday all!
Gaylene
I hear what you are saying. I understand what you are saying. I am afraid to pray for justice and discipline, however. I fear God but I fear what He will do if I ask for these things or even for more faith. I don't think that is the kind of fear He meant for me to have. I don't know how to not fear Him in this way.
Gaylene, I am so blessed that you were encouraged by my testimony today. I stand in prayer with you today about your school work. I completed an online master's degree just a couple of weeks ago. It took 18 months and I was working full-time throughout. Many times, I did not believe I would survive it. I encourage you to stay positive and press on...you will make it to the finish line! Father, help Gaylene to run this race you have called her to. As she finds herself growing weary, renew her strength; give her the wings of eagles that she may run and not grow weary and walk and not faint. Give her peace that what you have begun in her life, You will be faithful to complete and give her courage to set her face like flint and not turn back from what you have called her to. Hang in there girl! :-)
Kristen, you share struggle that is similar to mine. I join you in prayer as you battle for freedom from this stronghold. I am proud of you for "sawing off the branch." Remember, that when something is cut off, it doesn't stop hurting until the place of severing heals and our bodies adjust to life without it. Be encouraged and surround yourself with accountability so that you are armed to cry out when vulnerable moments come...they will come. Father, help Kristen as she surrenders this area of her life completely to You. Place Your healing balm on the place where she sawed off this branch. Breathe spiritual life into the place where she has surrendered to physical death. As she waits expectantly for the healing of her heart, speak kindly to her, gently wrapping her in Your loving arms and reassuring her when she grows disheartened. Provide her with the right people who will stand in the gap for her when she is unable to fight, and who will stand beside her each step of the way. Give her complete victory in her struggle Lord according to Your will.
Anonymous, I hear the fear in your voice and am stirred in my spirit to pray peace over you. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I pray God sorts out the wheat from the chaff in this situation and gives you clarity to know for certain how He is speaking. Father, I pray you silence the voice of the enemy if he is attempting to distract her from hearing Your voice! You are loved...unconditionally....irrevocably...and completely. You are His beloved. Let him sing over you and calm your fears. I wish there was some way to share a song with you that just came to mind. It is called "My Beloved" by Kari Jobe. You can access it in the iTunes store if you have access to that. Let me know if you can't and I'll share the lyrics with you. That song will just wash over you. Love to you.
brandee- the prayers a the faithful man/wife availeth much.
i rejoice with you today and continue to pray for your superhero.
G&P prayed for your sweet boy.
i just love you gals.
amy-prayed for your daddy.
Brandee, I just want to rejoice and pray with you for your husband. My husband asked me to mail his Bible to him when he was stationed overseas. He read it for 9 months on his own, finally decided that it was the Truth and that he had to do something about it. He has now been saved for almost 20 years, and is an elder in our church, teaching Awanas, etc. He is an amazing example to me of a new creation in Christ! Just be patient as he reads and absorbs and continue to wait on His timing. I am excited for all God has in store for your husband and your family!
Interesting that you talked about "playing church" today, Wendy. Our sermon at church yesterday was on being in a "church club". I don't want to play church or go to a church club. I am so thankful for God's grace again and again and again. I want to worship and serve out of a heart that is wholeheartedly seeking after a relationship with Him and is so full of thankufulness that the worship and serving just flow out of me because of His love and mercy towards me.
Lifting you all up in prayers and particularly today that healing and rest is coming quickly for Paola.
Blessings to you all on this hot, summer day!
In Him,
Michelle in VA
Good Afternoon Everybody….
Wendy…..Special One sending you Blessing. Thanks so much….always!!
This is what the LORD says:
…..The people of Damascus have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! (Amos 1:3).
…..The people of Gaza have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! (Amos 1:6).
…..The people of Tyre have sinned again and again and I will not let them go unpunished! (Amos 1:9).
…..The people of Edom have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! (Amos 1:11)
…..The people of Ammon have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! (Amos 1:13).
…..The people of Moab have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! (Amos 2:1).
…..The people of Judah have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! (Amos 2:4).
…..The people of Israel have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! (Amos 2:6).
…..Rhonda…you have sinned again and again, and I will not let you go unpunished!
Many years ago I knew the Lord…..but did I really?? Through his punishment is how I came to have an intimate relationship with Him.
I destroyed the fruit on their branches and dug out their roots. (2:9)
It was I who rescued you from Egypt and led you through the desert for forty years, so you could possess the land of the Amorites…….Can you deny this, my people of Israel? Asks the LORD.
It was I who rescued you from your Egypt and led you through the desert for four years, so you could have true happiness…..Can you deny this, Rhonda? Asks the LORD.
Today I give YOU all the Glory and Praise….Thank You Lord for putting up with Me a sinner.
Grace & Peace…..Thanks for checking back in. How are you making out now? I know all to well about those long nights. (My oldest) Me and Him had plenty of them….I had a lot of “Why Me”…days back then. I pray he will grow out of it. A glimpse of Hope for you ….His actually has gotten a whole lot better. ((Hug)) for you. Prayers for you & Paolo.
Jacque….Thanks for you wisdom and understanding (Patience an time….yes there the answer lies)
Brandee…WOW…..WOW…..WOW!!! Awesome!!!!!
Amy….Prayer for your Dad
Gaylene… Hugs today!! Your and inspiration!! Keep it up.
Stephanie….You’re a blessing……I can tell already this baby has much love. Thank You ….too many without Love today. What a precious name Kailyn.
Anonynous...I fear His discipline too....but I am working on it because I've seen it is for the better.
Thank You LORD for not letting me go unpunished!
Rhonda
Oh by the way HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER Everybody!!
Just Me Rhonda:).....Means more sunshine
Hi GIG!...finally...internet again! We are having a wonderful time in Europe....continuing to read along and pray....I miss being able to come to Wendy's site...but this is an experience I am very thankful for.
Tomorrow...PARIS! One day I had breakfast in Germany, lunch in Austria, and supper in Italy. How cool, huh?
Words cannot express all I have seen. God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.
Take care, friends!
Morgen
That was good writtten out that way, Rhonda! Thanks!
Hi Friends, I am back :) Will had a great time at bug camp today. Mommy...um well, it is not for me it is for him, lol. I so do not like traffic and being in rush hour traffic every day this week is not my idea of fun.
Anyway...thank you all for your support, prayers and encouragement for John. What I am doing right now is focusing on day at a time and praising the Lord every day for what He is doing in John's heart. The day of actual salvation is not what is important right now, God has that specific date on His kingdom calendar. I wait in anticipation, but I rejoice and praise Him everyday and seek to love on and encourage my husband.
Michelle, thanks for the words about your husband and his walk with the Lord. I have felt God tap me on the shoulder (thanks for that Stephanie) and tell me that will be my husband up there one day a deacon, leading prayer, etc. I know it will happen. I already see the gifts of working with kids in him and I know God will grow that and use all of what John went through as a kid to minister especially to young boys. He was so good with them last week and even Sunday at church. They still were flocking to him. They kept calling him Captain Obvious :)
Stephanie as I read your testimony even though you don't give details and specifics, I just feel God wants me to reach out to you in this you are going through. I would like to email you personally about some of my own testimony and journey with God if that is ok with you. My email is bmloftis@gmail.com. You can email me and I will email you back. There were some strongholds I dealt with that had a complete hold on my mind that I fought and fought and I prayed and they still did not go away. Email me and I will share. For some reason I just think my story will help you :)
Ok, on to the reading....I have not gotten around to that yet and that is what our class is about huh? ;)
I noticed in Amos 4 that God says, "But still you would not return to me" 5 times. Is He saying this to us in America too? Think of what has happened friends in recent years.
"I let terrorists attack your land, But still you would not return to me.
I let natural disasters ravage and flood the gulf coast, But still you would not return to me.
I let your economy go in decline and unemployment hit record highs, But still you would not return to me.
I let your nation be run by men who do not stand for Christian values and truth, But still you would not return to me."
We just keep getting farther away, BUT something Wendy said stood out to me along this same thought pattern. There will be a remnant that remains! We are that remnant! We are the ones that are seeking Him with our whole hearts, He will use us to rebuild our land. May we "come back to Him and live!" I choose God friends, I choose His ways and I choose His truth! I do not want to play church, I want to be on fire and passionate about Jesus. Not a religion, but all about Him. He is my everything, I choose to live every day living out that truth.
Susan, hope the boys are doing well on their mission trip. Thank you so much for praying and your husband praying for John as well. Please ask him to keep doing so. I prayed this morning that God would burden some men's hearts to be praying for him. I know my prayers and those of my prayer group and you guys are powerful, I felt led to pray that God would really speak to some men's hearts to be praying for him as well.
I am praising my Savior today! Truly NOTHING is impossible with Him!
Brandee, TN
Evening, all,
Just sitting here on my little front porch, observing the work of God the Painter on this shimmering, sparkling summer solstice evening, reading comments and thinking about all you glorious daughters of the Most High. I am blessed to "know" each of you and I hope you can feel my gratitude pouring out from New England to wherever you are. Thanks for sharing your walk with the Lord with me.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Hello Everyone,
Michelle - what a beautiful note - I too am so very grateful for this walk and the sharing that we all do - it is truly amazing. Thank God for the internet....
Stephanie, what a powerful prayer for me. I am still in awe and crying tears. I feel like you truly know what I am going through and I too feel drawn to your struggle. I don't believe our struggles are the "same" but we are trying to combat them through our Lord in the same way. I have had this struggle for over 3 years now - and it is something that I never would have ever anticipated I would have had to struggle with (isn't it always like that?). I am just so thankful and grateful for your words and honesty.
Brandee - you too - thank you so much for opening up to all of us, about John, and also about your struggles. This is such an amazing group of friends - I only wish we were closer in distance - I would love to take Jen Ren shopping and share with her, I would love to walk in dry Arizona with Lori (vs. the humid heat of San Antonio), I would love to witness a sunset in New England - what a concept of not 100 degrees at sunset??? You all have so much to share and I just absolutely love all of you.
Thanks again for blessing me.
PS - My email is sportstaxi@earthlink.net for Brandee and Stephanie if you would like to share more.
Great Wedding Pictures Michelle! Beautiful couple and clearly a very happy family!
Karen, Basel
Hi ladies! I just caught up on this day... I try to do my reading/logging before watching the video, in order to let the Holy Spirit take me with a fresh slate through the passages and then to have Wendy's video as a special treat and teaching time about it...and I'm loving what God is showing me and the extra insights from Wendy and from the rest of you amazing ladies! So, no one may read this, but I just had to comment, because this day's reading and revelation was especially significant to me. I was in awe, as I remembered how Israel failed to learn, even through desperate hardships, to return to the Lord..."But still you would not return to me," mentioned 5 times in Amos 4. My prayer is to always have a heart that can be humbled easily... I love the name repeated here "the Lord God of Heaven's Armies,"...who is so mighty, yet yearns with us to "come back" to Him and "live!" He is such a good Father! His mercies are new each morning, even though we are far from deserving them. Finally, I was also greatly impressed upon by the verse "Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living," after God declaring the things he did not want to see anymore... Confirmed to our family an important decision we made recently, regarding worship. And, this verse reminded me of Micah 6:8, "Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." In all of the pomp and circumstance and hoop-lah, worship comes down to this... May it be so in my life, Lord! Good night, sisters in Christ...
p.s. Brandee, your praise story about John was amazing to read! How exciting to see God moving so mightily...and even though I don't know you, I rejoice with you in the overwhelming reassurance of God's promise that these happenings must bring to your heart and soul! Praise the name of the Lord God of Heaven's Armies!!! :)
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