OCTOBER 6, 2024
READ: Amos 7 (Focus vs. 10-17)
MEMORY VERSE
“The Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, “Go, prophesy.”” Amos 7:15
BACKGROUND
There are fourteen billion trees in the state of Michigan, most of them quite ordinary by most standards. Yet the state hosts an annual “Big Tree Hunt,” a contest to identify those trees that are oldest and biggest, trees that can be honored as a living landmark.
The contest elevates ordinary trees to another level: inside any forest could be an award-winner, just waiting to be noticed. Unlike most people, God always notices the ordinary. He cares about the what and whom that others overlook.
God sent a common man named Amos to Israel during the reign of King Jeroboam. Amos exhorted his people to turn from evil and seek justice but was ostracized and told to be quiet. “Get out, you seer!” they said with scorn. “Go back to the land of Judah . . . and do your prophesying there” (Amos 7:12).
Amos responded, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel’ ” (vv. 14-15).
God knew and noticed Amos when he was just a common shepherd, tending to flocks and trees. Hundreds of years later, Jesus noticed and called out the ordinary Nathanael (John 1:48) and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:4-5) near the fig and sycamore trees.
No matter how obscure we feel, He sees us, loves us, and uses us for His purposes.
By: Karen Pimpo
INSIGHT
Amos (760-750 bc) and Hosea (760-722 bc) were two of the twelve minor prophets sent to minister to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during its final forty years. Denying that he’s a professional prophet, Amos says he’s merely “a shepherd” and “took care of sycamore-fig trees” (Amos 7:14).
A citizen of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Amos was sent as a missionary (vv. 12-13) to warn Israel of God’s judgment for her covenantal unfaithfulness (2:6-9:15). Amos is just a layman God used to deliver His message to His people.
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
Why is it sometimes difficult to believe that God sees you as an individual? How does His awareness communicate His love?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“No matter how obscure we feel, He sees us, loves us, and uses us for His purposes.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the [a]base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not…
To bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
“Your true worth is not determined by the recognition of others. Keep shinning, even if the world fails to acknowledge your brilliance…Your true worth will eventually shine through”
“Sometimes you have to realize that you are appreciated by others even if not recognized by those close to you
PRAYER
“Dear God, thank You for loving me, even when I feel overlooked.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HE KNOWS MY NAME” Francesca Battistelli
Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
Somebody less than perfect
I wouldn’t choose me first if
I was looking for a champion
In fact I’d understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that’s just not my story
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing
I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh
He knows my name oh, oh
I’m not meant to just stay quiet
I’m meant to be a lion
I’ll roar beyond a song
With every moment that I’ve got
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing
I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes…
He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted,
Child of the King
His forever, held in treasure
I am loved
I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name
He knows my name oh, oh
He knows my name
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
1 CORINTHIANS 3
