SF, Stagecoach, NV
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
If anyone reading this, thinks you must be
raised to be an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher (Ephesians
4:11 ), to work for God in a ministry of any kind, I’d
like you to meet Amos.
Amos was a humble sheepherder, not a son
of a prophet or minister, just a man (lay-person) like you and I. A man who provided for his family and loved
God, UNTILL…
God said, Amos;
I want you to go to My People Israel and tell them…
I have to admit, my first response might
have been, “Is that you Lord?” Or
“satan, GET THEE BEHIND ME!” But Amos
had a relationship with the Lord, because he knew His voice (John 10:25 -30) and didn’t doubt it was God.
Read AMOS
Chapter 7, where God gave him a series of visions to show
him who, where, what and why He wanted Amos to speak. Amos had no doubt it was God guiding him, he
just obeyed, as we should do – IF it
agrees with the Word.
We know the prophesy in Joel 2:28, but would you leave your
home or just say to someone, what God wants them to hear like Amos did? Joel knew these days were coming and we’d
need to prophesy to mankind. That’s why
we’re assured today that this is now our job. In Acts
2:17 -18 “And it shall come to pass in
the last days, saith God, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your
sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men
shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on My servants and on My
handmaidens I will pour out in those days My Spirit, and they shall prophesy.” It
doesn’t matter if you receive a “prophetic word” or a “word of knowledge” for
someone, because the Holy Spirit “distributes
to each one individually as He wills”.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
“But the manifestation of the Spirit
is given to each one for the profit of
all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to
another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the
same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the
working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to
another different kinds of
tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these
things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
I’d like to share a few insights about
Amos’ visions in this chapter. After
reading 7:1-3, I saw God
showing Amos a vision of the destruction of Israel Israel Israel Israel Israel
Here’s what I saw as unique, not that Amos
had a vision because many in the Old Testament had dreams and visions. But:
- In a vision/dream from God, you can speak –
ask questions or intercede, not just watch, but participate.
- In your vision/dream from God, you can have a
one-on-one encounter with Him.
- Like Abraham and Amos, we can intercede/pray
for the situation or person God reveals to us, and can possible change His
mind.
Surprised you have that capability? You shouldn’t be, in fact you should be
asking the Lord for dreams or visions, because it’s the easiest way for Him to
give us the answers or warnings in life we need to finish our race.
I’m sure Amos was relieved when God revoked
His punishment for Israel
A crooked (unbalanced) house will fall, so
God guides us with His plum-line (His Word) to keep us on the straight and
narrow path to Heaven. Since our house was
built on sand at birth, He wants to exchange it for the solid Rock of Jesus –
that means we’re “under construction” ever learning, practicing and seeking a
personal relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
But here’s the kicker, IF we refuse to
stay on His plum-line and continue on our own path, there will be punishment as
Amos warned the Israelites. God
disciplines the ones He loves and yes, we can pray and intercede for anyone;
person, nation or situation, but without repentance (change) God’s justice will
be given to each individual eventually.
For me, Amos is the fulfillment of the
Word in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God has chosen the foolish things of
the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the
world to put to shame the things which are mighty;”. And who better to reveal a “word” to a king,
dictator, person or minister, what God says… then using someone they see as “less
qualified” then themselves?
One last note, in 7:10 -17 did you notice God took care of Amos’ adversary Amaziah with His
justice? So never fear when you deliver
a message of God’s, because it’s not up to you if they receive it or not – just
speak His words exactly and the rest is up to the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:19-21 NKJ
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to
heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of
Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will
of man, but holy men of God spoke as
they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Be blessed in the doors
you open to the Lord in these latter days.
sf
