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August 30, 2024 | ||
Dear Church Family, Hard words are hard to hear! We don’t like to have someone tell us we’re wrong or need to change. But those hard words can be words of life, especially if they’re really true. Even though we don’t like to hear them, we need to listen to them. In the book of Amos, God calls a shepherd to be his spokesperson to Israel with hard words of judgment, due to their ongoing sin. Even with this judgment, though, we see a call to listen and repent.
When we humble ourselves before God, we find a God who is gracious and quick to forgive. The key, though, is that we have to receive His Word and respond appropriately. As I was reading Amos 7 this morning, I saw the exact opposite. Amos has difficult words for the nation, but the response of Amaziah, the priest of Bethel is truly tragic:
Instead of humbly repenting and pleading with the Lord to relent, Amaziah rejects the Word of the Lord and sends Amos away. This made me think about how I respond to news from God that I don’t want to hear. Do I humble myself, even if it’s painful, or do I reject it because it’s not what I want to hear? Do I try to send it away, or do I invite God’s truth in and place myself under it? How has God been trying to speak to you? Have there been hard words of truth that you haven’t wanted to hear? Have you tried to brush them aside or ignored them? Depending on your response, they can either be words of life or words of death. Choose life. –Pastor Dave What’s Happening at Gospel Life:No Youth Group this Sunday: We will take a break this Sunday, but we’ll be back on Sunday, September 8th, from 5-7 pm at the Bronleewes’ house. Communion: We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper as part of our Sunday morning service on Sunday, September 8th. Through the ordinance of communion, we remember the sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins. Church Potluck: We’re having our next church potluck on Sunday, September 29th, right after the morning worship service. Come celebrate with us and bring one of your favorite dishes to share with the group. Request Prayer: It’s important for us to be praying for each other as a church! If you ever need prayer, we would love to come alongside you. You can always turn in a prayer request on Sundays using the Connection Card, but you can also submit a prayer request online at any time: https://gospellifebiblechurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/368653 This Coming Sunday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW5IMNeRoI99I-QNoGMnuWDy6Y5svTt_c | ||
Hard Words can be Words of Life
