Relationship

“What do you see, Amos?” Amos 8:2 NASB

Many were skeptical about the messages delivered by Amos. Some, like Amaziah the priest, did not believe that Amos had heard from God, or that his prophecies were legitimate.

After all, Amaziah felt that he himself was the authority on such things. He had been trained for spiritual leadership. He was expected to know God and guide His people in spiritual things. And Amos was just a shepherd, a businessman.

Convinced, Amaziah told King Jeroboam, “Amos has conspired against you.” Amaziah thought he could end Amos’ ministry by commanding him to leave Judah and prophesy elsewhere.

Amos could have responded in many ways. He could have tried to defend himself or argue. Instead, he simply pointed to his relationship with God Himself. He knew he wasn’t a prophet or even the son of a prophet. He was just “a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.”

But Amos also knew that he had a personal relationship with God. We see that relationship when God asked him, “What do you see, Amos?” This question demonstrates that God knew Amos, as a person. And Amos knew God.

In spite of Amaziah’s accusations, Amos did not have an agenda or even personal plans. He simply was God’s servant. And he was ready to obey Him and do His will, regardless of what Amaziah and others might have concluded.

Today, that same God seeks to have a loving relationship with each of us. With you! He wants us to be confident in that personal relationship. To be able to turn to Him for the guidance we need. To rest in our confidence in Him. To be ready to follow Him wherever He leads us. God wants us to be like Amos and do whatever He calls us to do.

In your life, ask God to speak to you. Seek to deepen your relationship with Him, to know Him more intimately than ever before, and to trust Him completely.

Prayer

Father, thank You for loving me. Help me to have a more intimate relationship with You. Speak to me. Guide me. Teach me Your ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen     

In a study about building strong relationships, there’s no better place to start your journey than with your relationship with the Lord. If that’s not in order, all your other relationships will be out of order, too (Matthew 6:33). So ask yourself: “How much time do I spend fellowshipping with my heavenly Father?” For most people, that’s an embarrassing question. They get nervous at the very suggestion that a mere human being could fellowship with God. But they shouldn’t. In fact, if they were getting their information from the Bible, living and talking and acting like whom the Bible says they are in Jesus, they’d be living as though Jesus were their very best friend. God Himself has said in His Word that He wants to get into a close relationship with us. First Corinthians 1:9 says that He’s called us into fellowship with Him! Fellowship. We’ve been invited to fellowship with the Most High God, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. That’s the highest honour that could ever be conferred on us! Take a moment to get hold of that. You weren’t just called to escape hell by the skin of your teeth. You weren’t just called to be a church member. You weren’t just called to be healed and prosperous. All those things are glorious, but that’s not all he’s called you to. You’re called to fellowship with Him, to walk with Him, talk with Him and discuss the things of life with Him. Emergency praying may give you relief. But fellowship — the intimacy of everyday closeness — is what gives you joy. You see, fellowship, is not just a relationship, it’s beyond that. You can have a relationship without fellowship, but it’s like having a marriage without love. The basic structure is there, but the heart of it is missing. Here’s the bottom line: You’ll never truly know God’s will and His way for you — you’ll never know Him for who He really is — until you learn to fellowship with Him, develop a good friendship with Him, and bless Him with your friendship. So begin right now. Make the decision that you will be one of those people they call a “Word person”. I mean you will put God’s Word as first place and final authority in your life. No matter what the world says, no matter what your feelings say — you will walk with God and make your friendship with Him the most important thing in your life. That’s when things will change for you. That’s when you’ll begin to discover that you’re really like your heavenly Father and that you can relax in His presence. That’s when you’ll begin to see all your other relationships fall into order.

FAITH IN ACTION God wants you to know HIM! What is something God has recently said to you? What can you do to make sure fellowship with the Lord is top priority in your life? Today, commit to taking time each day to fellowship with Him!

And remember ... JESUS IS LORD!