Literature Ministries International


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February 20, 2018

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The Words of Amos

"The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel." Amos 1:1

Throughout the Scriptures, God brings forth His "mighty men" from the unknown, the uneducated, the ordinary, the fishermen, the shepherds, and from many walks of life that are not in the forefront of society, to accomplish unbelievable tasks and proclaim His message of truth. Amos was just such a man--a simple herdsman, a master shepherd, and a tender of sycamore fruit. God reached out to the hills of the shepherd and spoke to Amos. He had a message from God to man.

As God so often did, He found a shepherd in obscurity. He chose Abraham to "father" the nation of Israel. He chose Moses as he was attending his flock on the backside of the desert in Midian, to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage to Canaan. He reached out to the pasture of Bethlehem and found David to be Israel's greatest king. He found Joseph abandoned in a pit by his brothers and caused him to rise second only to the king of Egypt, for the salvation of that nation and his family. Gideon, Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, John, Peter, Paul, and scores of others were used in miraculous ways as God came upon them in His mighty power.

You might say, "Well, that was back in the days of the prophets, during biblical days. We don't see that kind of man today." But oh we do! Just years ago, the world was rocked by Martin Luther, John Calvin, St. Augustine, John Huss, Hugh Latimer, John Wycliff, and countless others. Then along came John Bunyan, John Wesley, Francis Asbury, and an array of dedicated missionaries, such as Hudson Taylor, David Livingston, John Goforth, C. T. Studd, and the five martyred missionaries to Ecuador. And don't forget the flaming evangelists, such as D. L. Moody, Charles Finney, George Whitefield, Billy Graham, and more.

What is so special about these "chosen vessels" of God? They were all "nobodies" until their hearts were "set aflame by God" and they dedicated their lives to the Lord without reservation. God empowered them with the Holy Spirit and used them to move the world for God. God gave them a vision and a life beyond themselves!

God is looking for a life that will "dare to believe" what HE CAN DO through one who is wholly committed to Him. It's not what we have to offer Christ, but what He has to offer us. He is looking for the servant willing to be used of Him, where he is. Our responsibility is to be faithful, obedient, and prayerful, and to persevere with a sensitive, receptive spirit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The results are God's responsibility. Eternal fruit is the result of His working through us. You are important to God! He has a plan and purpose for your life. He will equip you for every ministry He calls you to do. Seek His will, find your place of service, and pursue with perseverance all that God wants to do in and through your life. He will faithfully lead you and empower you!

© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.


This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2018-02-20


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