I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
The Ultimate Teacher
Everybody needs a teacher. A baby needs to learn how to sleep, walk, and eat solid foods. A child needs to learn how to speak and write.
In every season of life, we need teachers to help us grow in knowledge and wisdom. While there’s a lot we can learn from people, we need to learn to grow spiritually as well—and God has given us the tools necessary to grow in every season.
God’s Word was given to teach us about God. As we read Scripture, we can see God’s character in how He interacts with His people over the span of history. We can learn about God’s laws and the ways in which He desires His people to live. We can also learn about ways in which we can love those around us.
We are also given the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Part of the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives is to instruct us and guide us into righteous living. Righteousness is living according to God’s way. The Spirit teaches us about God’s heart and desires for our life.
All of these things help us grow spiritually. Just as a parent uses every method possible to help their child grow, so also God uses many ways to help us grow spiritually, because He loves us.
God doesn’t grow angry with us when we mess up. He doesn’t grow tired of us when we make a mistake. He continues to teach us and counsel us because of His great love for us.
However, we can’t learn from God if we’re not spending time with Him. In order to grow spiritually, we must be in His Word daily. And we need to be talking to Him in prayer.
Take some time today to spend time with God and study His Word. Talk with God about where you are in life, and what you want to learn from your relationship with Him.
Reordering Our Priorities
The northern tribes of Israel in Amos' time seemed like they were doing all the right things. They offered sacrifices to God and were exact in their religious observations. And yet, the book of Amos is written to them as a warning—a warning that destruction that would befall them if they refused to change?
Why?
Because they had neglected the true heart of loving and worshiping God.
While they were doing many of the "right" things, it's what they weren't doing that God wanted to address. They failed to take care of the poor and needy. They turned their eyes away from injustice. Many had turned to idols for help and prayer.
Through Amos, God told the people of Israel that it is just as important to be righteous inwardly as it is outwardly. We cannot say we love God and others when we fail to help people who are within our power to help.
Just as James 1:27 tells us, true religion includes helping orphans, widows, and those who are in distress. James goes on to write ...
