14Jul
30Jun
In That Day
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Amos 9:11 In that day I will restore David’s fallen shelter-I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins-and I will rebuild it as it used to be.O-bservation:
Here the prophet Amos talked in his day, about a day that was coming when God would completely restore his people Israel in their own land to the stature of what it once was. It was an amazing prophecy inasmuch as the place known as Israel had fallen years before and was in a complete mess. But that’s why Amos was a prophet. He was looking through God’s heavenly lens into the future and what he saw was something that he could not completely fathom. He certainly tried in the next few verses, but only you and I can truly comprehend what Amos was talking about when he began by saying, “In That Day!”A-pplication:
This text is referenced in the book of Acts and by our blessed Lord’s brother James. And those who refer to it, knew that Israel had not yet been restored like the days in which the Kings, David and Solomon led the nation. What I’m saying is that they knew it was something that was still in the future. Of course, after over 2000 years, Israel finally became its own nation in 1948! Those of us who have had the privilege of traveling to the Holy Land know that it is a beautiful place. We are also reminded that God keeps his promises. What promise has the Lord made to you? Perhaps it hasn’t happened to you yet. But let me remind you that “In That Day,” when it happens, you will be quick to say with me," God keeps his promises."P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, I know you have made me a promise which I have not yet received. But I have never ceased to believe you will keep your promise. I also believe it will happen in my time. I’m waiting for “In That Day,” to happen to me. I know you keep your promises. Amen
16Jun
Are You Really Sure This Time?
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
1 Kings 17:24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”O-bservation:
This is the same woman of Zarephath that was with her son about to eat their last meal together and then die. Those were her own words from verse 12 of this same chapter. She had said those words because Elijah had shown up at her door for help. He had asked her for some bread and water, and that’s what she told him. Then Elijah said, “Go on and do as I say. Make a loaf of bread for me and one for you and your son. If you do that, the jar of flour and the jug of oil will never run dry in your house until God sends rain on the ground. So she did as the prophet said, and his word came to pass. Sometime after this GREAT MIRACLE, her son died, and she came running to Elijah and said, “What do you have against me. Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” Elijah took the boy to his room, cried out to God, and laid on him three times, and cried, “Lord let this boy live.” God heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him. When Elijah brought the boy alive to his mother, she said, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that you speak the truth.”A-pplication:
Whenever I read this story, I always want to say to the woman, as though I’m standing right there with them, “Are You Really Sure This Time?” I mean, through the mouth of this prophet, God had already spared her life and her sons from starvation. He had already spoken the prophetic word about the jar and the jug never running dry until it rained again. Both of those had come to pass, but when you hear this statement, you wonder if she remembered what God had already done through Elijah’s prophetic word. I beg you, this AM, don’t be like this woman. If the boy had died, God would have still been God, and Elijah would have still been God’s spokesman for the hour. And if you are a man of God or a woman of God, you don’t have to wait for some doubter like this woman to finally approve of who you are. Go with God. Man’s approval may or may not come but stay with God’s call.P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, There have been several times in my life when I knew I had heard your voice. But some friends thought I was nuts. I’m glad I went with your call instead of man’s approval. Help me to stick with your voice. Amen
30May
My Promise
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.O-bservation:
Here the wiseman is very direct in reminding us that any individual who oppresses, or makes trouble for, or looks down on a man or a woman who is poor and needy might as well shake their fist in the face of the Almighty! On the other hand, King Solomon tells us that in being kind and even generous to those in need, we are showing honor to our Heavenly Father.A-pplication:
Many years ago, I wrote in my bible these two words next to this verse, “My Promise.” When I read this passage as a young man, I decided that I would spend my life helping those in need. I’m not necessarily a good person, but at least I found my purpose next to this verse. Anyone can help those who have tremendous resources, and when they do, they are often looked upon as helping that person for what that person can do for them. When you help those in need, most people don’t care one way or another because when they see you helping them, they think, “Oh, your with THEM!” And yes, it’s been my great joy to be with “THEM,” all these years. Whether it has been in hundreds upon hundreds of high schools throughout this country or the great urban centers of my nation, I’ve been blessed to be with “THEM!” And by the way, God has kept “My Promise,” that he made thousands of years ago. Because of it, “I’m Good.”P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, Thank you for keeping “My Promise” to me. When I didn’t think I could make it boom, you have always shown up. Over and over again, you have been my total supply. Amen
22May