Your Faith Journey 216

Sunday (1/15)
This week we are continuing the journey through the Minor Prophets section of the Old Testament of the Bible until the Lenten season begins. You will be invited to read Matthew’s Gospel during Lent, and then this devotional will guide you to read and study portions of most of the New Testament documents throughout 2023.
 
Keep in mind that the books in the Bible called “Minor Prophets” were given that distinction because of their shorter length than the prophetic scrolls of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. For this week we will read portions of the books of the prophets Amos and Obadiah. The New Interpreter’s Bible One Volume Commentary published by Abingdon Press states in the overview of the book of Amos, “The book of Amos is renowned for championing social justice…Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. appealed to the powerful words of Amos 5:24 as part of his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech…Amos is often considered to have been the first writing prophet.” His prophetic ministry took place during “the long reign of Jeroboam II, who ruled Israel during the first half of the eighth century BCE…The luxurious lifestyles enjoyed by those in power came at the expense of the poor, and the court system was corrupt.” The commentary overview goes on to share that, “the central focus of the book is…the all-powerful God will judge Israel because of its social injustice and military pride…the god of their rituals and temples was a very different deity, not the God of the exodus…Israel’s political, economic, and religious system stood condemned…” Thankfully, “beyond the judgment lay the hope of a restored land and a proper relationship with God (9:11-15).”
 
Obadiah is the shortest of the Old Testament books. The overview of his book in the NIB commentary states, “Nothing is known about the prophet. His name…means ‘worshiper of Yahweh’…The book…was written sometime between the late sixth century and the early fifth century BCE. The prophet’s message, which is directed primarily against Edom, focuses on the ‘day of the LORD.’ For Edom, this day will be dreadful; for Israel, it will be hopeful and promising.”
 
If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Joel in 2022 and 2023, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible using the link below. The video summarizes the scriptures of the ancient Jewish people that became the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It is available on YouTube.
TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:
 
Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:
1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.
2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.
3. What do these verses reveal about God?
4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?
5. What do these verses teach me about myself?
6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?
Which of these characters would I be?
In what ways is their story similar to my story?
7. Read, study, and discuss the verses with another person or small group.
8. Use a Study Bible. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.
 
*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.
 
 
Monday (1/16)
Read the verse from Psalm 33 that is below to begin your devotional time:
“The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.” – Psalm 50:6 NIV
 
If you did not watch it last week, you are encouraged to watch The Prophets video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube as an overview of the prophetic writings and books of the Old Testament before you begin reading and studying two of the Minor Prophets this week:
The Prophets by the Bible Project
 
Consider watching the Overview: Amos video on Youtube by the Bible Project before beginning to read the verses today:
Overview: Amos by the Bible Project
 
Read Amos 1 and 2. If you are using a Study Bible, it will be helpful to read the Introduction for this book. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the biblical text.
 
Pray for leaders and citizens of Israel and America, as well as for those who are poor and in need throughout the world.
 
 
Tuesday (1/17)
Read Psalm 50:6 as a reminder of the justice of the Lord.
 
Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. If you struggle to listen, focus on the physical sounds you hear. The Spirit of the Lord can use the noises you hear to help you set your thoughts on the One who enables your to hear and perceive.
 
Read Amos 3:1-2, 11-15, and 4:1-13. You may find it helpful to choose questions from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time. If you are using a Study Bible, consider reading the study notes to understand the chapters more clearly.
 
Read Hebrews 12:5-6 NLT listed below as a reminder of what God’s discipline reveals:
“My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the LORD disciplines those he loves,
and punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
 
Pray for nations living through war and violence, such as Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, etc., and pray for Christians and Jews who have wandered away from the Lord.
 
 
Wednesday (1/18)
Read Psalm 50:6.
 
Read Amos 5. As you read the bible verses, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal a
word, phrase, or verse from the biblical text that is specifically for you for today.
 
Read Hebrews 12:10b-11 NLT listed below as a reminder of the good that comes from God’s discipline:
“God’s discipline is always good for us,
so that we might share in his holiness.
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—
it’s painful! But afterwards there will be a
peaceful harvest of right living for those who
are trained in this way.”
 
Pray for justice to flow like a river with an ongoing stream here in the USA and
throughout the world (v. 24). Pray for lawmakers, lawyers, judges, police officers, and those who work in the court and judicial systems. Pray for those who are suffering because of injustices and corrupt within the legal and political systems.
 
 
Thursday (1/19)
Read Psalm 50:6 as a reminder to turn to God for justice.
 
Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. Be still physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritual, knowing that God is in charge and in control (Psalm 46:10). Don’t let your mind drift towards to-do-lists or tasks, but stop long enough to let your thoughts cease so that your only focus is being with the Lord.
 
Read Amos 8, the title of the beginning section of chapter 9, and 9:11-15. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the biblical text.
 
Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:
Adoration (praise the Lord)
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)
 
 
Friday (1/20)
Read Psalm 50:6.
 
Consider watching the Overview: Obadiah video on Youtube by the Bible Project before reading the verses today:
Overview: Obadiah by the Bible Project
 
Read Obadiah 1. If you are using a Study Bible, it will be helpful to read the
Introduction for this book. You may also want to read the study notes to understand the chapter and book more clearly.
 
Pray for people who have to deliver a difficult message today, as well as for the recipients of those messages that are heart wrenching and hard to hear.
 
 
Saturday (1/21)
How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us. Because of our very busy culture and over-scheduled lives you may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.
 
Read Exodus 20:1-21 giving special attention to what the text reveals about the Sabbath, God, and worship. “WORSHIP” is the Sabbath theme for this weekend. What is God’s message to you from the Ten Commandments?
 
  • What needs to happen so that you can set aside part or all of a day this weekend for the Lord?

 

  • What causes you to struggle with “not working” for a day? Is it a lack of trust in God, an overfilled life throughout the week, or something else?

 

  • As you read the verses did you notice that the Sabbath day is “holy,” which means it is set apart from the other six days of the week? How are you going to set the Sabbath day apart from the other days of the week?

 

  • Do you need to take things off of your to-do-list and set a more sustainable pace for 2023 so that you are prioritizing stopping, resting, and worshiping?

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

Read Psalm 95:1-7a about worshipping the Lord our Maker. Seek to set aside time today or tomorrow to stop, rest, and assemble with others to worship our Creator and Sustainer of life.

 

  • What is a song that helps you to worship the Lord? You could listen to it right now to help you to sing and praise our God.

 

  • You may find in helpful to write a list of things to thank God for today.

 

  • Notice in verse 6 the posture the psalmist describes for worshiping God. During your time of prayer, try bowing down and kneeling before our Lord and Maker.
 
Pray and live in response to our God offering thanksgiving to our Savior. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read today as a guide for your prayer.

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