Amos was a native of Tekoa a village in the kingdom of Judah. He was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees and he was a farmer of some means. For almost two centuries, the Kingdom of David and  had been divided into two nations. Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Amos was called out of Judah  in the south to go to Israel in the north.

There are a lot of people exploited and abused in the name of religion than any other way. The other big three sex, money {greed} and power take a backseat to religion as a source of evil. religion could be the most dangerous enemy source know to people. Anything seems to go the moment government or organization or even people are convinced that God is either ordering or sanctioning. a cause. The Bible prophets are the front line of those doing something about this. The prophets continually bring a meesage both powerful and effective, for keeping religion honest, humble and compassionate.

Prophets can see through hypocrisy, that comes through religion. Prophets are never impressed by position, wealth, power or authority. A prophet would pay little attention to what people say about God, instead they listen to God to point out what needs to be done, to take action against hypocrisy hidden in religious understanding. The worship of God in Amos’s time was little more than paganism dressed up in God language.

The paralells with our time are abvious enough, however different circumstances.

Much of what passes for Christianity in the West is going to church religion, if even that, it is devoid of personnel commitment to even devoid of knowledge of, the doctrinal teaching of God’s Word.

Ethical standards , of individuals of nations, accurately reflect the rejection of God, His Son and His Word. The rising tide of lawlessness and despair is inevitable as it is heart breaking. We should say at this point Christianity or following Jesus Christ is not a religion but way of life. Through following Christ we die to self and live for Him to bring His love and compassion to others Amos message speaks to all men about the ultimate question of righteousness, justice, to meaning of history and man’s eternal destiny, and man and woman’s relationship to a Holy God’s judgement and salvation

The central theme throughtout the prophecy is that of covenant relationship. the people in Amos’s time rejected God and like esau, sold their birthright for a mess of pottage.

It is therefore to those that call themselves Christian, or if they stop short of that, still somehow think themselves right with God, that Amos’s message must come with special pointedness and urgency

Amos’s message is that God is neither fooled, or mocked by their self deception.

The Lord Jesus Christ who will certainly be the judge of the living and the dead. when He returns at the end of the age. 2 Timothy 4 verse 1

God’s perfect righteousness will be vindicated. Every heart will be searched.

God’s covenant is everlasting covenant of grace, He wants to save people from their wrongdoings.

Amos’s prophecy was that Israel be restored, saved by grace and faith in the promised Messiah. In the fullness of the New Testament revelation we see that Amos preaches Christ as Savior and Lord.

Jesus Our Lord and Our Friend assures that whosoever comes to HIM, He will in no way cast out. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

Remember this week we have been teaching on KNOWING - Know what you Believe and Why you Believe and Live your Beliefs.

Read all of Amos and enjoy.

God Bless

O F J

Christianity is following Christ Jesus, through acceptance of what He has done.      It is a wonderful privilege to follow Him and I can  easily identify with Romans 1 verse 16

FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL, BECAUSE IT IS GOD’S POWER FOR SALVATION TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES.

God’s power for salvation, Power to release us from sin and death, of course we will continue to sin and of course we will physically die, but the power of sin can not hold us. The power of death was defeated and we will have a new life with Christ now and after physical death.

Christianity is a way to follow - Christianity has a destiny.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is superior to the message and teachings of all the other world religions.

Other religions have high ethical teachings, completely dedicated followers, wonderful rituals and pattern of worship. But Jesus offers the kind of hope that gives us a hope for the future.

Only Christianity clearly defines a course for human history that ends in the Glorious triumph of good over evil.

Buddhism teaches that this world is nothing but endless cycle of sufferings, and the followers of Buddha can only hope for the Nirvana that lies outside the sphere of history in which all consciousness is lost and personal identity is abolished.

Hinduism teaches that the world in which we live is basically unreal and that sooner or later this world and all in it will return to Brahma from which it has come, leaving no trace that we were and assuring us that history had no significance.

Only the scriptures {Bible} message give us firm assurance that the history of humanity is not a tale told by an idiot, but is a purposeful unfolding wonder plan by God Himself, that will end in His establishing His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.

Christianity teaches God created us for fellowship with Him. We are made in his Image. He has a purpose for our lives. .He created us with a free will and knew we would stuff up, but He put a plan That He Himself would pay the price for our transgressions.

IN CHRIST WE HAVE A FUTURE AND OUR FUTURE IS BETTER THAN THE PAST.

Christianity is a new way of living come walk in it, Our Lord and Our Friend is there to help us in every thing we do.

He is Real- Call out to Him _ Accept His way     We hope this has been a help to understanding a seemingly difficult word “Apologetics”.

God Bless

O F J

Apologetic may simply defined as defense of the Christian Faith.

The word “apologetic” derives from the Greek word opologie, which was originally used as a speech defense.

The idea of offering a reasoned defense of the faith is evident in Philippians 1 verse 7 and 1 verse 16

1 verse 7 In defense and establishment of the Gospel.

1 verse 16 These do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel.

There is no specific theory of apologetics is outlined in the New Testament.

One of the functions of apologetics may be called “vindication or proof” and involves arranging philosophical arguments as well as scientific and historical evidences for the Christian Faith.

A second function is defense defending Christianity against the plethora of attacks made against it in every generation by critics of varying belief systems.

A third function is refutation of opposing beliefs. This function focuses on answering non-christians give in support of their own beliefs.

A forth function is persuasion. We do not mean merely convincing people that Christianity is true, but persuading them to apply it’s Truths to their life.

The apologists intent is not merely to win an argument, but to persuade people to commit their lives and eternal futures into the trust of the Son of God who died for them.

I have always said a person with an experience is never at the mercy of a person with an argument.

I myself have always had trouble with the word “apologetics” to me it sounds like apologizing for my Christian Faith.

Christianity is all about a life style and I am only to happy to try to persuade someone to try it, and see and know for themselves.

Know what you believe, Know why you believe it and Live It.

It is all about Knowing your Creator as Lord and Friend.

God Bless

O F J

In relating to yesterdays scripture verse. “Be Still and Know”

We use knowledge {and the verb to know} in at least three different ways.

Knowing facts - propositional knowledge

Knowing something or somebody

Know how- skilled knowledge.

It is sad that it is possible for someone to KNOW a lot about the Bible,or a lot about theology, yet not KNOW God.

Christianity involves all three types of the above knowledge.

2 Timothy 1 verse 11 and 12  v11 For this gospel, I was appointed a Herald, Apostle and teacher.  v12 and that is why I suffer these things, But I am not ashamed, because I KNOW whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.

This knowing comes from the Greek original translation- TO KNOW absolutely, again knowing and really knowing.

Ephesians 3 verse 18 and 19  v18 May be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, V19 and to KNOW the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with the fullness of God.

The knowledge to be filled with all the fullness of God    {to KNOW absolutely}.

Eternal Life Jesus said is knowing God. {John 17 v3} Jesus went on to say that eternal life is knowing the one who was sent and the facts about Him, and His mission as Savior.  KNOWING God’s love because that is why He was sent.

If we look back to the Old testament Jeremiah 31 verse 31 to 34

Speaks about the New Covenant. I will be their God, and they will be My people, For I will forgive them their wrong doings and never again remember their sins.

The New Covenant was referring to what Jesus did on the cross which was to come. So through accepting and KNOWING we will enter into a new relationship {new covenant} with God.

There is a joy with this kind of knowing.

A Hebrew word for knowing {original Old Testament was in Hebrew}

YADA  For a certainty, be sure, of a surety, be diligent {It is very committed knowing joyous type of knowing from which we can not be shaken}

Luke 13 verse 22 to 27  The Narrow way.

Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you many will try to enter and won’t be able.

And verse 27 {Jesus said} I don’t KNOW you, where are you from.

How sad they knew where the entry point was, but they didn’t KNOW the key to the way through. Jesus the one who paid the price for them to enter.

To KNOW the Messiah’s love that surpasses {human} knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Strange indeed it is a full person { full of the fullness of God} that passes through the narrow gate. The ones who are thin on relationship with Him don’t.

To KNOW to KNOW to KNOW more of HIM Our Lord and Our Friend what a blessing what a privilege.

God Bless

O F J

Psalm 46 verse 10  “Be still and KNOW that I am God”

What wonderful words Be still, in another translation it explains it as {Message Bible}

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”

The business of life “Be Still” { Step out of the traffic the madness of life} and seek out your Creator, He is wanting to be known to you.

The knowing being spoken about here is not, a God  up there somewhere.

It is the God of John 3 verse 16 “For God so loved”

It is a knowing of God who loves us. Love requires a special type of knowing.

So BE STILL ; Step out of the traffic and business of life, and mediate on the fact that: The God who created everything want us to know Him. and how great His love is for us.

Spend time with Him, spend time out of the traffic of life, to get to know Our Lord and Friend more. He is above every circumstance around our lives.

God Bless
O F J

As in our study of Jonah. Jonah was very reluctant to do what God told him to do.

This is a story about another man who was reluctant to do what a man of God told him.  2 KINGS 5

Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram,was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded because through him, the Lord has given victory to Aram. The man was a Brave warrior but he had a skin disease.

Naaman learn’ t from a young Isrealite girl he had taken home after a victory of battle, as a present for his wife as a slave. The young girl settled in well with Naaman and his wife, and one day Naaman wife confided in her about Naaman skin disease. The young girl had not forgotten her back ground and Told her about a Prophet of God named Elisaha. Naaman wife told Naaman what the young girl had said, and Naaman repeated it to the King.

The King offered to help by sending a letter and present to the King of Israel, to help Naaman be cured.  This is all in 1 Kings 5

The King of Israel was horrified as he read the letter, and tore his clothes. But when Elisha heard about this he sent a message to the king. “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me and he will know there is a prophet of God in Israel.

Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood alone at the door of Elisha house. Elisha did not come out he sent a messenger to tell Naaman ” go wash seven times in the Jordan river and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.

Self importance must have risen inside Naaman he was angry. He must of thought doesn’t he know who I am why should I wash in a dirty old river.

Isn’t that just like today, people want instant everything. Naaman just wanted to be healed, he was far to important then to wash seven times in a river.

It never hurts to take advice. One of Naaman servant said Gently ” If he had asked you to do something hard, you would have gladly tried it. Why not follow his advice when it is something easy.

Naaman realize that he had been full of his own self importance, so he went and washed seven times as the prophet had asked.

Well what do you know the skin was restored and became like the skin of a young boy and he was clean. Naaman went back to the prophet’s house, this time Elisha came out to meet him.

Listen to what Naaman said “Your God is the only true God, I will worship Him too”.

Naaman offered gifts, bu t Elisha tells him ” I am only God’s servant He was the one who healed you I don’t want anything from you”

The servant girl witnessed, Naaman Servant spoke up because they knew what was right.

We are His witnesses, God Our Lord and Our Friend is the Healer.

Let us be more diligent, fervent in spirit, and willing to serve.

We hope you have, like all of us learn t from this story, if we are asked to do something by God, Do it with all your heart, never worry about what people might think.

Even the simplest thing God asked us do do, can lead to many lives being changed.

Not only was Naaman healed he also wanted to worship the One True God.

God Bless

O F J

SANCTIFICATION a big word with a big meaning; having an increasingly Christ like character.

SANCTIFICATION is a progressive work of both God and man and woman that makes Christians more and more free from sin and more and more like Christ in their actual lives.

Before we can start to be sanctified, we must be justified {forgiven}. Repenting  [Being genuinely sorry to God for all our wrong doings} and trusting God for our salvation, set a pattern for the rest of our Christian walk. Repentance and faith result in justification.

We will never achieve perfection until Christ return, but we can expect progress in our sanctification,with Our Lord and Our Friend helping our every step if we let Him.

SANCTIFICATION  is a work in progress, it starts at the point of accepting new life In Christ Jesus and increases through out our lives.

Salvation set us free from the power of sin {Romans 6 V18} We must consider ourselves ” dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus Our Lord and Our Friend.

Sin will have no power over us, even though we will still sin because we are a work in progress.

1 John 1 verses 5 to 10   Speak of fellowship with God.

1 John 2 verse 1 and 2      V 1 My little children I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if any one  does sin, we have an advocate with the Father = Jesus Christ the righteous One. V 2 He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only our, but also for those of the whole world.

{propitiation virtually means Jesus paid the price because of His great love for us}

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.

SANCTIFICATION  we are on a journey of growth and development.

A wonderful Savior Our Lord and Our Friend is there for us in everything we do.

It is a new day, and a new and living way let us all walk in it.

God Bless

O F J

JUSTIFICATION    A legal term; a judge acquittal.

The New testament declares that God can acquit people breaking His law because the penalty has been paid in the death of His Son on the cross.

JUSTIFICATION The state  of being right with God, through God’s action in forgiving sin.                 The fact of being justified { rightness with God}

Romans 5 verse 16 And the gift is not like one man’s sin, because from one man’s sin came judgement, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses {wrong doings} came the gift, resulting in Justification.

Galatians 2 verse 16 Justification does not come through human effort.

When we accept salvation {deliverance{ we become Justified.

IT IS A FREE GIFT, Not to be trampled under foot, it is a precious gift.

First we Accept Salvation, which leads to Justification {rightness with God}.

Now it is our choice to live, this new way.

Galatians 2 verse 19 to 20     V19 I have been crucified with Christ, V 20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for Me.

Acts 10 verses 38 and 39      V38 Let it be known to you, that through {Christ Jesus} forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. V 39 and everyone who believes in Him is JUSTIFIED  from everything, which you could not be justified through the law of Moses.

We cannot be justified by trying to keep the law, because by making even the smallest indiscretion we break all the law.

This is the day the Lord has made, a day when we can be Justified {have rightness with God}

You were born for such a time as this. This is your day. Accept the great gift God has to offer.

Let us rejoice and be glad in this day.

God Bless

O F J

We started this week with the scripture verse.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day of our Salvation {deliverance}

SALVATION  God’s rescue of mankind from sin and death, to eternal life a new quality and dimension of existence.

It is the heart of the Christian message.

SALVATION is also described in a series of metaphors or pictures.          

God covers people sin  ATONEMENT

God acquits               JUSTIFICATION   {read more tomorrow}

God redeems              REDEMPTION

God gives new life       REGENERATION LIFE

All humanity needs to be delivered from the punishment of death for sin {wrongdoings}.

Romans 3 verse 23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

There is a gap between the Most High God and His creations. The creations have fallen short of the standards God has for us. There is nothing anyone of us can do to bridge that gap.

We can’t jump through hoops, walk on hot coals, there is no natural way for us to enter into the presence of God. The great divide happen through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, we were all separated from God.

Salvation {deliverance} for this dilemma could only come from God Himself. Though it was not necessary that God should offer salvation to any people at all, in His love He chose to offer salvation. Once He made that decision, God’s justice made it necessary for Christ Jesus {The creator} to live a life as one of us, and die the death He did for us. Jesus knew there was no other way for God to offer salvation to us all, then for Him to die in our place.

Read about this Hebrews 9 verse 12, Hebrews 9 verse 26, Hebrews 10 verse 4 .

Romans 6 verse 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 1 verse 7 In Him {Jesus} we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His Grace.

Ephesians 2 verse 8 For by grace you are saved { have Salvation} through faith. and this is not from yourself, it is God’s gift.

This is the day, the day to accept the free gift God has made for us through His Son Jesus Christ.

I still remember the day in 1969 when I accepted this precious gift, that was my day, my new day. {Of course I have stumbled since then, but Our Lord and Friend is always there}.

Come and accept the gift that God has for all of us.

SALVATION {DELIVERANCE} FROM THE POWER OF SIN.

It is the start of a great journey, that even if we fail. He is there to pick us up, to try again.

This is the day the Lord has made, a day for each of us to have that new start. It doesn’t matter what you have done, sin is sin, if you repent {genuinely say sorry}, it can be your day for a new start.

Let us rejoice and be glad.

God Bless

O F J

Psalm 118 verse 24

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

God’s compassion never fails, they are new every morning, for great is His faithfulness.

God  is into new days, if life seems to be getting you down, remember God is in the day making business, there is a new day for you just around the corner.

A new day rolls off God’s assembly line every twenty four hours. Each one is a new opportunity for each one of us.

The day the Lord made us this day, He granted victory over powerful enemies or brought deliverance from oppression.

Psalm 126 verse 3 The Lord had done great things for us we were joyful.

Never forget the Lord has done great things for us. In the New Testament, the day of God’s new creation, the resurrection of Jesus, with the promise of deliverance from “the last enemy death”   ! Corinthians 15 verse 26

Let today be the day the Lord has made for you, come enter into it and all the wonderful things the Lord has done for you.

Every day is a new day in your walk with the Lord, because God’s compassion never fails.

The new day starts with God’s salvation plan, brings us to justification and onto the road of sanctification.

During the coming days we will help you understand these Three words Salvation, Justification and Sanctification.

God Bless

O F J