distraction

AMOS THE LORD’S MESSENGER (Part 2)

(June 29, 2023) Brian Bell continues sharing his mediation in Amos… 

What lessons we can learn from the prophet Amos!

In this article I turn our attention to Amos 7:10-17. As I read these verses I see three ‘lessons’ from which we may profit.

1) The challenge Amos faced
In verse 10 we find the challenge to Amos comes from Amaziah who is identified as the priest of Bethel. At this time in Israel’s divided history Bethel in the northern kingdom was a ‘false’ centre of worship, as distinct from Jerusalem which was situated in the southern kingdom of Judah.

 Amaziah brought false accusations against Amos, including –

  • Plotting against king Jeroboam, then ruler of the northern kingdom
  • Inciting rebellion
  • Speaking for personal or financial gain

It is never easy to face accusations or allegations against us and it can be particularly difficult when they come from people who like Amaziah claim to have a ‘spiritual standing.’

(more…)

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

stuasrt-reynolds(November 17, 2016) Stuart Reynolds calls for Bible-based Christian living…

For years Lights! Camera! Action! has been the call  on the movie sets of our world as the crew begin another ‘take.’

Christians live on a world-stage where the performance is not make-believe but the profession of a living testimony where Christ is ‘clearly portrayed’ (Galatians 3:1).

The context in which Paul wrote was one of …

  • Disappointment of wasted effort in what stands undone because it was abandoned – ‘I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you’ (Gal. 4:11).
  • Distraction of worldly wisdom, so subtle yet so strong to close God’s voice in favour of ‘other’ voices – ‘After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?’ (Gal. 3:3). 
  • Deception of wickedness in plundering and poisoning the masses, calling what is good, ‘wicked’ – ‘Who has bewitched you?’  (Gal. 3:1).
  • Desertion of workers who once toiled for the gospel – ‘I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ’ (Gal. 1:6).

We too, in our day, face the same pressures and suffer the same challenges: We need another ‘take’…our own version of ‘Lights! Camera! Action!’ Not a new call – but a renewed, rediscovered call to attention, concentration and demonstration. (more…)

THE FOCUS OF TRUE WORSHIP

Jim McClure
‘Where is the best place to worship?’ asks a concerned Christian.

Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, responds:

There is a sense in which worship of God should be central to our lives as Christians regardless wherever we are or whatever we are doing. However, in this article I want to address what we do when we formally come together to worship God. (more…)