Amos was a prophet who made pleas to his people and made some predictions of the destruction of Israel ! He was unpopular because he ministered at the peak of Israel’s material and political success. Israel was enjoying a prosperous reign under Jeroboam II, who had expanded Israel’s territory and secured it from external threats. However as Hosea observed and Moses predicted (Deut. 6:4-10, Hosea 2:5-13), this prosperity caused the people to forget God! Amos strongly denounced the rich and privileged classes who were using their power to exploit the poor. He also condemned the false religion practiced at the altar of Bethel. As a result, Amaziah, the false high priest of Bethel opposed him. Some how false religion and materialism are linked together! These are two beasts that work together to consume the poor. America today faces the same problem as did Israel then as false religion promotes materialism. Prosperity preaching sells big in America! The books, CD’s, ect, rake in hundreds of millions of dollars every year. All want to get on the band wagon by producing more books for profit! We have one Bible that covers all our needs! What would happen if millions of Christian’s in America just went out and took their hundreds of millions of dollars and went out individually and helped the poor? One thing that would diminish is the anti-Christian bias in America. Make no mistake there are many ministries in America doing a great work. The problem is too many live a wealthy lifestyle with airplanes, mansions, luxury cars, ect, that oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not want America to end up in judgment as Israel did in the days of Amos the prophet! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: bible
The Respectful Are Respected! 1 Timothy 5:1-4
Instructions from God for a good outcome in your life! Respect elders. Encourage elders. Treat the younger as your brothers and sisters. Care for widows. What happens inside our homes counts! Important! The Christian home is the alternative community that is opposite to the dark, broken dysfunctional world that we live in. Politicians just reflect our broken culture. Church should be different. Debt free and living for others! Live more responsible with more to give away! Problem is the world does not see us any different from them. Just reminds them of themselves and what they hate. We must reinvent a new way of living. When the Church lives most unlike the world it has it’s greatest impact of reaching the world for Christ. Honor those in front of us. The older are farther along and have met things we have not. Wisdom comes from God and through time! Remember the word time means “to honor.” Old is gold. American culture spends between 90-100 Billion dollars each year for anti-aging gimmicks. Hopeless and expensive ways to try to stay young. The Bible teaches that grey hair is a gift from God. The elderly have great opportunities to help the younger. Many of the young today do not know how to ask questions. Be responsible to help widows. Seek out widows in need. John 19:25-27. Take care of your mother. With all the suffering and pain of the Cross and near death Jesus thought about his mother. A disciple took her from the execution place to care for her in his home. Why did not James take care of her? Mary was also his mother. If you read Acts Chapter 12 you will see James was killed a short time later. Joseph her husband had already passed away. Mary was vulnerable and Jesus saw it. John was the older disciple. Take care of a widow not related to you. James 1:27. Pure religion is to take care of widows and orphans and to keep your heart pure. Be family for them. Do 3 things. Find a widow. Look for them. Find, love and serve them. If you do you will come back here one year later and be a changed person. Joy and peace will enter into you. Honor your parents. Repay your parents. Practice your religion. Look not at them as a burden. Ask them how you can help them. Problem is not all parents are honorable. You could have had dysfunctional and abusive parents. Romans 12:17-18. Repay evil for evil? No! Do not become who you hate! Live at peace with everyone. Forgive. Break the cycle of family violence. Honor parents who are not honorable. Ephesians 6:2. Honor your Father and Mother and life will go well with you. The peace of God will accompany obedience. As a parent myself I do not always get it right. Neither will you. You get one shot in life at parenting. Parents work hard and then kids are gone. When we forgive we give away what we get back. Parents do the best they can at the time. Would we do differently if we could do over again? Yes. God gives us His Grace! Source; Pastor Brady Boyd, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Message given on Sunday, October 13, 2013. Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Damascus No More! Isaiah 17:1 Amos 1:3
On our blog we have previously posted two articles about Damascus Syria. See June 2013 and September 2012 postings. It looks like these two Bible Prophecies are going to be fulfilled very soon! If Assad is forced out of Damascus he could again use chemical weapons so the city could never be inhabited again. He could attack Israel in retaliation along with Iran with Russia backing to fulfill the fourth and last war on Israel in completing Amos 1:3. Read your Bible! Front page news! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
The Church Of Jesus Christ Needs To Put In Writing!
Worried they could be sued by gay couples, some churches are changing their bylaws to reflect their view that the Bible allows marriage only between one man and one woman. Judges and courts like to see things in writing. So does our God as He put it in writing to us and gave us our Bible! The Mercy or Judgment given to us is based on His Word and has been given to us in the Bible. Source; Fox News Report. Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Most Misinterpreted Scripture In the Bible! Matthew 7:1
A poll was taken among unbelievers and they were asked what word comes to their minds when they hear the word, “Evangelical Christian.” A overwhelming majority said the word that comes to their mind is; “Judgmental.” Most of them quote Matthew 7:1 to support their views. What is lacking here is for them to read the rest of chapter 7. It is always easier to be critical of others sin than our own sin. We treat others sin different from our own. There is a big difference between judging and evaluating someone. We get discernment from God’s Word! The Greek word used for judgment in verse one is the word,”Krima.” It means to judge, condemn and execute. Like Jesus was given at Calvary. We can say something is wrong without judging. We can take a moral stand without being a jerk. We need not be evaluator and chief. We do need to draw the line on impure thoughts and actions. Cool parents are bad parents! You are not your children’s best friends but you are in authority over them and responsible to God for them! We set boundaries in our family for their safety. Judgmental people are constant fault finders. They think your problems are because God is out to get you for your faults. They are always looking for the wrong and not what is right. They always remind others of their past mistakes. We all have flaws and need Christ. Following are a list of opposites judgment verses evaluate; Judge-emotional anger. Evaluate-restore them (kindness). Judge-Pride (better than you). Evaluate-I want to help (Grace). Judge-stay away (fear). Evaluate-restore them (Kingdom). Verse 2- Same way be judged. Give-away get back. Forgive-forgiven. Heal-healing. Pour out Grace abundantly! John 8:3-6. Woman caught in adultery. What did Jesus write on the ground? No one knows? Maybe the names of the ladies the Pharisee’s were seeing? They knew all about the law yet guilty. Older left first. Why? Maybe more to remember? Sometimes when we get older we forget how broken we were before we came to Christ. Don’t get over your salvation! Where are your accusers? Jesus asked her to leave her sin and stop it. Jesus gives us an invitation to take up our Cross and follow Him. We want to pray for two groups this morning. The worst kind of abuse is spiritual abuse. Spiritual leaders who abuse the flock. These people are hurt the deepest. We need grace not judgment. Forgive! We need ocean’s of Grace! New way of living. Judgmental people assume the worst in people. A product does not know it’s purpose. Only the designer or creator knows a products true purpose. Find your Creator and learn your true purpose in Christ! Source; Sermon notes taken from message by Pastor Brady Boyd, New Life Church, given in Colorado Springs, Colorado on August 11, 2013. Thankyou.James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Swear! What Does It Mean? Genesis 21:23, Matthew 23:16-23
This word is interesting but not understood by most. As a child I was taught not to swear. What my parents meant was using bad words that would defame God. The old saying is do not let people swear by you or at you! So many advertisements in America use this word to try to sell their products. In the Bible the word has two different meanings depending on whether Old or New Testament. In the Old Testament the word first appears in Genesis 21:23. The Hebrew word is “Shaba.” It means to make an oath or declaration 7 times. Seven is the number of completeness. Seven days in a week, 7 years, 70, ect. I remember as a child my parents would say I am only going to tell you one time! If not all hell broke loose for me! The word is a short cut to say something 7 times. God swore to multiply and Bless Abraham’s descendants. God swore by His Holiness to lead Israel into captivity. (Amos 4:2) The Lord swears by Himself since there is none greater. Abimelech and Phicol asked Abraham to swear his kindness and integrity to them and their descendants. David’s men adjured him not to go into battle again. The Land of Canaan became the Promised Land gave to His people based on an oath. Thousands of years later the nation of Israel today stands as a testimony! Now let us look at the word “swear” as used in the New Testament. The Greek word is “Omnuo.” It means to stand up or establish. Jesus repeats this word to the Pharisees and scribes as follows in Matthew 23:16-23; Woe unto you who swear by the temple, by gold, altar, by the gift,ect. Jesus was telling them you cannot lift up or establish yourselves by these things! Actually, the one who they could be lifted up and established by Christ they rejected! I love my Pastor, family and friends but none of them can establish me before God! Jesus is interceding for us right now! We are to pray for one another bur remember no one can save you or others including your Pastor except Christ and Christ alone! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
New Life Church Sermon Notes. June 23, 2013
Scripture; Matthew 5; 33-35 1. Mean what you say and say what you mean – Honesty, Integrity. 2. Low Trust = Many Laws. We hear out of Washington everyday the following; “We will write another law so this never happens again!” 3. High Trust = Few Laws. 4. Build trust in our families. 5. Lack of trust causes us to withdraw from relationships. In Jesus day no one could trust the Roman government. They deceived the people with unjust taxes, excess spending, bribes, deception, ect. The religious leaders in Jesus day also wrote more laws as trust declined. 6. Jesus gave us a new way of being human. 7. God is an oath maker and a promise keeper – No double talk. 8. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Five common lies or exaggerations told by Christians; 1. I will pray for you. 2. It is great to see you. 3. I am doing great. 4. I have read all the above and agree with the terms. 5. I love you brother. Three questions arise when we hear one or more of the five statements. 1. Is he or she hyping something? 2. Is he springing something? 3. Is he trying to sell me something? People try to exaggerate and manipulate people. Insecurity causes exaggeration. Would you love me if you saw the real me? Adam and Eve hid from God. Our vulnerabilities project a lifestyle. To manipulate is selfish. Words are used in a deceptive way to try to get a desired outcome. The Bible calls it witchcraft. The witch uses shame, guilt, fear and twists words to get people to believe something that is not true. This is demonic. Powerful but demonic. God is truth and love and not shame. Talk openly to your children about the beauty of God’s creation including sex and the purpose of it. Adolescence who are shamed about sex will have a great difficulty entering into a healthy sexual relationship when they are married. Please see Ephesians 4:14-15. Speak the truth in love. How do we speak the truth in love? Answer the following questions. 1. Have you prayed for them? 2. Do I see good and potential in them? 3. Will I be helpful to them? 4. Am I rested? God made an oath and promises to us. They are as follows; 1. I will be with you always. 2. Nothing can take you from my Father’s hand. 3. I will not leave you as orphans. 4. I will send the Holy Spirit to you. 5. I will give you rest. 6. I will build my church. Comment; What we admire about Pastor Brady Boyd is his transparency! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
US Intervention in Syria? Genesis 16:12
Over 93000 casualties in Syria over past two years. Iran and Russia are supporting Syria. The US was to pull all forces out of Iraq next month but the US military leaders say will not be possible with all sides feuding and elections next month. Will have to stay to see if stability will come? Afghanistan falling apart as we prepare to leave. Libya was a disaster for us in trying to get a democracy going? Giving tons of money to Egypt to try to buy stability? With hundreds of billions of dollars of debt fighting the muslims over past 12 years where are we going? Do we give up and surrender to tyranny? What does the Bible say about this problem? The Bible says the descendants of Ishmael will be wild men and every man against his brother. One of the few things I did agree with was President Obama’s do nothing policy on Syria! It looks like he is changing since use of chemical weapons in region? In Islam there are no good and bad guys! They are all bad! The military weapons we would give them would be turned on us sooner or later. I would suggest to our elected leaders to make decisions based on Biblical values and not just jump into a fight knowing the spending of our blood and money would be in vain trying to help an enemy who abhors our American values! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Sons of God / Daughters of Men Genesis 6:1
Over history three main theories are advanced to explain this. The first theory is the “sons of god” are fallen angels and the daughters of men are mortals. This ancient viewpoint hinges in part on the assumption that Jude 1:6-7 refers to these angels. If this sin is perpetuated by angels then why is man punished in the flood? Christ said in Matthew 22:30 that angels do not marry. There is some difficulty in understanding mortals as descendants of angels and not from Adam.(Acts 17:26) The second theory is that the “sons of god” are from the Godly line of Seth while the “daughters of men” are of the line of Cain. The sin which they are charged is common to the whole scripture, especially the Pentateuch; the intermarriage of the chosen people of God with those who are unholy. How can these men be considered holy when the Bible states only Noah was holy. (Genesis 6:8-9) Why is the “sons of god” not used with this meaning in any other place? Why only sons and not daughters are associated with the line of Seth? The last theory is very popular among conservatives. Recent archaeological evidence suggests that the term “sons of god” was sometimes used to describe kings (Exodus 21:6, 22:8, Psalm 82:6-7) Therefore the ‘sons of god” are immoral kings who use their power to take women and use them at their will. Well pick your pleasure or poison on your choice here? Regardless these were acts of immorality. Who are the “sons of god” today? Who are the “daughters of men” today? God has sons and daughters! Who are the sons and daughters of men today? The sons and daughters of god are those who have accepted Jesus Christ into their lives! Born gain! The sons and daughters of men are those who have only had the first birth or natural birth and not the second birth! They have either rejected Christ or are living out of ignorance or do not have the knowledge and revelation about Him. Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Godliness !
Enoch walked with God; he enjoyed a relationship with God. We could accurately say he was devoted to God. This is the meaning of Godliness. The New Testament word for Godliness, in its original meaning, conveys the idea of a personal attitude toward God that results in actions that are pleasing to God. This personal attitude toward God is what we call devotion to God. But it is always devotion in action. It is not just a warm, emotional feeling about God, the kind we may get from a hymn of worship. Neither is devotion to God merely a time of private Bible reading and prayer, a practice we sometimes call “devotions.” Although this practice is vitally important to a godly person, we must not think of it as defining devotion for us. Devotion is not an activity; it is an attitude toward God. This attitude is composed of the fear of God, the love of God and the desire for God. Godliness is the result of having God at the center of your thoughts! Source; Jerry Bridges, Copyright 1985. Comment; We as Christians can if not careful turn God on and off like a light switch! This is religion and not relationship. If we turn God on Sunday and turn Him off Monday through Saturday we are practicing religion and are not in relationship with Christ! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com