Today's Verse: Amos 5:4-5

Friday, September 18, 2015

This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba."
— Amos 5:4-5
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Do you "go to church"? I hope not! Don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating you skip worship and fellowship this Sunday! We're told not to forsake gathering together as believers (Hebrews 10:25). But when we assemble as a body of believers, we gather together for encouragement and meeting with God (1 Corinthians 14). We're not GOING to church; we ARE the church! (The New Testament never used the word church to refer to a building!) God warned his people in Old Testament times that simply going to the places of worship and going through the motions was worthless. As much as they valued these holy places - Bethel, Gilgal, and Beersheba - they needed to seek the Lord to find genuine life! I believe that is precisely what God would have us do. And as we seek him together, we get to share fellowship, comfort, and encouragement with each other. As we do, we discover life with him!

My Prayer...

Holy and loving Father, as I face this week's struggles, it is comforting to know I am never away from your loving presence. I love those times when I meet with other believers in your presence, and our worship is powerful and encouraging. While I know you are always with us when we gather together, sometimes my heart, life circumstances, and relationship issues derail my awareness of your presence. This week, dear Father, I pray for our worship assembly to be vibrant and powerful. I pray for your presence to be palpably near. I pray that you will be honored by what we do to encourage each other and praise you. Please use this day to draw us near to you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Where our winding road must end!
Illustration of Amos 5:4-5
Inspirational illustration of Amos 5:4-5 -- 4 This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba."
The Light Within You
Article by Phil Ware
What is your light? Some of us need sunlight all the time, but all of us need God's true light or we lose our way. So let's not settle for our own idols, for what is false and shadow.
Finding Jesus: Reaching for God, Not Substitutes
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Where can we go to experience God and fill the hole inside of us? Phil Ware continues his series of posts on the Immanuel Project, the way Jesus promised we could know and experience God.
I Will Lift My Eyes
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
Despite many warnings from the prophets, Israel began felt entitled because they were God's PEOPLE, in God's PLACE, by God's POWER. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in an online, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to lift our eyes to the LORD and receive our strength, hope, and encouragement from him.
See All 5 Related Resources about Amos 5:4-5

Illustration

Illustration of Amos 5:4-5 — This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba."

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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