Peer Pressure

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd January 30, 2016 - Filed in Devotional - 11,771 views
  Amaziah also said to Amos, 'You seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: but don't prophesy again any more at Bethel; for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal house!' Then Amos answered Amaziah, 'I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore trees; and Yahweh took me from following the flock, and Yahweh said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' Now therefore listen to the word of Yahweh' Amos 7:12 WEB
  
  Amos was a shepherd and took care of fig trees, but the Lord called him to go prophesy to the people of Israel. When he did, Amaziah, who was the priest of the king's sanctuary told him to stop talking, and leave the area. So we have an experienced royal priest who was a friend of the king, without the word of the Lord. Contrasted with Amos, the simple shepherd who carried the anointed word of the Lord.
  
  God adores the little ones. He gives His word to them and fulfills His word with signs following. Everything Amos said came true, and then he went on to tell Amaziah that his wife would soon be a prostitute in the city. That was a bold step of faith and I am sure that it was frowned on by the elite priests that were present.
  
  Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Peter, James, and John were just uneducated, common fishermen, but they preached with a fire and boldness that astonished those listening to them (Acts 4:13).
  
  Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector in Luke 18:10. The Pharisees were the religious elite, while the tax collectors were the lowest of the low and classed below prostitutes. After their prayers, Jesus said that the tax collector was more justified than the Pharisee.
  
  When the Lord calls you to do something, don't let someone with more experience, more education, a higher position, and a negative attitude, hold you back from what God is doing in your life. When the Lord gives you the dream and then opens the door for you, step through it. He is more than able to support you. If you feel insignificant today, then you are a perfect candidate to be filled with His presence.
  
  Prayer: Father, fill me with Your presence. Draw my heart to You. Speak to me and through me. I choose You today and pray that You fulfill Your perfect will in my life. Guide me, teach me, and let me grow in faith, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: Good morning! Just a reminder that we will be starting The Love Dare on Monday :)! This is a great opportunity to grow in God''s wisdom in your relationships, whether that be your marriage, family or friends. To sign up, just go to the announcements area on the home page, and you should see the link. You will then get an email for 40 days starting Monday with a new lesson and challenge. God bless :)!