Will God Use You?

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 using a swarm of locusts, devouring the kings’ spring crop.  When Amos saw this, he interceded for Israel, asking for God’s pardon (forgiveness), because Israel had become so small, they’d be wiped out.  And keep in mind Amos was from the tribe of Judah, not an Israelite.  Yet when Amos interceded, God relented and revoked His sentence on Israel.  This happened again in 7:4-6, only this time the sentence was for Israel to be devoured by fire.  Again Amos interceded and God relented.

     Here’s what I saw as unique, not that Amos had a vision because many in the Old Testament had dreams and visions.  But:

1. In a vision/dream from God, you can speak – ask questions or intercede, not just watch, but participate.
2. In your vision/dream from God, you can have a one-on-one encounter with Him.
3. 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, but God also revealed in 7:7-9, that only for a time would He relent with His Mercy.  The choice will be theirs.  Since God is the same; yesterday, today and forever this word holds true for each of us – the choice is ours how we live.

     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