Sep 10 2024

Today's Bible Verse

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

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In this verse from Amos, the prophet is warning Israel about the coming judgment if they do not repent of their sins. Verse three illustrates the main problem: Israel and the Lord are not together in their hearts or minds, and as a result, the Lord's favor is leaving Israel.

We cannot have communion with the Lord if we do not agree with Him. Agreed means that we are reconciled to Him, our sins fully repented of. Israel had broken their covenant with the Lord, and, as a result, God withdrew His fellowship from them. The Lord will not inevitably remain with us if we continue to reject Him over a period of time. His fellowship comes at a price—repentance of sin and turning to Him for salvation.

Agreeing with God also entails trying to know Him more and more each day. In our lives this involves studying the Bible, praying, and looking for ways to minister and bless other people. As we do these things, the Lord's presence will be with us. He will walk with us and help us when we call to Him.

It is important for us to remember that the Lord shows us grace readily and knows that we live in a fallen world. But He is also a just God, and He does not accept us with unrepentance in our hearts. As we turn to Him, He will reveal places in our lives where He is calling us to greater intimacy and alignment with His Word. He will help us to agree with Him so that we can continue to have fellowship with Him that transforms us.

Thus, while this verse in Amos is a sober warning to remain holy, we know God is love and that He will not try to trap us in wrongdoing. Instead, we can ask Him which places of our lives we need to open up to Him so that He can make changes. As we respond to Him, we will become more like Him and walk in even deeper fellowship.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, you are so good to me. I cherish fellowship with you. There is nothing like you and I want to honor you with all of my days. Reveal to me where my heart is divided and help me to repent and change. I love you, Jesus. In your name, amen.

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Sep 09 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

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Yesterday's Bible study

In this verse, Jesus tells His disciples that He desires for them to obey Him because obedience will bring them joy. If we follow Jesus' commandments, we will find the path of life and joy—and this is exactly what the Lord wants for us.

When we follow after the Lord, His joy will be within us. This means our relationship with Him will be a source of life. As we walk with the Lord in greater intimacy, we will grow in our understanding of Him as the source and provider of everything good in our lives. We will not be afraid of things in this world, knowing that what truly gives us rest and life cannot be shaken by any earthly thing.

It is easy for me to get caught up in things like striving for holiness and work and checking the boxes of Bible study and prayer time. I sometimes forget that the Lord's desire is that I walk in joy with Him. I get so caught up in doing that I forget about being—being His child, His creation, and His friend. As a result, I can find myself doing a lot of what I think is right, but missing out on the blessings that come from them.

If this resonates with you, then take some time to sit with the Lord. Instead of focusing on doing something, focus on resting in His presence, reveling in His goodness and love for you. The Lord already loves us infinitely more than we will ever understand, and we don't have to do anything to prove ourselves worthy. Jesus has declared each of us worthy, once and for all.

When we are filled with the joy of the Lord, we will be able to obey without growing weary. We'll be able to see our lives as responses to the love that God has already given us—not attempts to earn what He already has said is our own. This is the pathway to joy.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank you for being a God of joy. This verse says that you want to fill me up with joy, so help me to receive it, Lord. Help me to focus less on doing and more on resting in your presence. I want to serve and not be emptied and to experience the love you have for me. I love you, Jesus. In your name, amen.


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