Amos 5-9
Finish up the book of Amos now with the BIBLE READER to the right of this post or at http://www.biblegateway.com/
ARE YOU THE BODY?
Have you ever heard of the song "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns? It's one of my favorites. And, even though it was written thousands of years after the scripture in today's reading was written... it's basically telling the same message. This is just one of the many ways the Word of God is still living among us.
I encourage you to check out the song on YouTube with the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4wojcSO9Ww
Anyway, the chorus goes "If we are the body, why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't his hands healing? Why aren't his words teaching?"
It makes me think a little about how people call themselves Christians. They got to church, they pray before meals, they go through communion... the whole 9 yards. Does that mean they're the body of Christ?
If you truly call yourself a follower of Jesus, you need to ask as He would. Sure, we're all prone to some mishaps and sins-- because NO one is perfect. But there's no use in doing all the fancy Christian rituals if you don't have faith in Jesus and aren't willing to be His hands into the world.
I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
Amos 5:21-23
You might be reading this, thinking "Wow, God! That was pretty harsh!" But once you think about it for awhile... the people were making all these offerings and singing praise-- even though they NEVER helped out the needy. They didn't judge others with justice, and on the inside, they were NOT followers of God.
Going to church and praying-- they're great things. If you make sure they have an effect on your inside, they can be great things to strengthen your faith. But if you just go to church for the heck of it, and pray because everyone else does-- and you don't do things to show your faith-- what does it matter?
God is looking for acts of worship through everyday life. We can worship by doing ANYTHING that is in His name. If you're willing to call yourself the body of Christ, you need to act as hands and feet that worship all day long.
I hope you can understand that today, and forever!
Peace out.
www.urbanministry.org/body-christ-mosaic
Finish up the book of Amos now with the BIBLE READER to the right of this post or at http://www.biblegateway.com/
ARE YOU THE BODY?
Have you ever heard of the song "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns? It's one of my favorites. And, even though it was written thousands of years after the scripture in today's reading was written... it's basically telling the same message. This is just one of the many ways the Word of God is still living among us.
I encourage you to check out the song on YouTube with the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4wojcSO9Ww
Anyway, the chorus goes "If we are the body, why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't his hands healing? Why aren't his words teaching?"
It makes me think a little about how people call themselves Christians. They got to church, they pray before meals, they go through communion... the whole 9 yards. Does that mean they're the body of Christ?
If you truly call yourself a follower of Jesus, you need to ask as He would. Sure, we're all prone to some mishaps and sins-- because NO one is perfect. But there's no use in doing all the fancy Christian rituals if you don't have faith in Jesus and aren't willing to be His hands into the world.
I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
Amos 5:21-23
You might be reading this, thinking "Wow, God! That was pretty harsh!" But once you think about it for awhile... the people were making all these offerings and singing praise-- even though they NEVER helped out the needy. They didn't judge others with justice, and on the inside, they were NOT followers of God.
Going to church and praying-- they're great things. If you make sure they have an effect on your inside, they can be great things to strengthen your faith. But if you just go to church for the heck of it, and pray because everyone else does-- and you don't do things to show your faith-- what does it matter?
God is looking for acts of worship through everyday life. We can worship by doing ANYTHING that is in His name. If you're willing to call yourself the body of Christ, you need to act as hands and feet that worship all day long.
I hope you can understand that today, and forever!
Peace out.
www.urbanministry.org/body-christ-mosaic
Comments