Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,

that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body,

according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

"Immediately after telling the people to prepare to meet God in Amos 4:12,

Amos reminded them of God's surpassing greatness,

For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind and declares to man what are His thoughts,

He who makes dawn into darkness and treads on the high places of the earth,

The Lord God of hosts is His name. Amos 4:13

He knows and controls all physical matter and He knows our thoughts.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight,

but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.Hebrews 4:13

God is not only ever present in life, but He will also be present after death.

Just as Amos admonished Israel to prepare, Solomon taught all to give thought to God.

Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

For too many people, meeting God at death will be a first introduction.

This is not because God did not make Himself known,

but because they ignored all that God has said and done.

God has spoken, but they have not listened.

God does not want you to come ignorant and unprepared.

He sent His prophets, and later His son and the apostles, telling men to prepare.

He also furnished conclusive proof that the judgment meeting will come.

Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance,

God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent,

because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed,

having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31

We can never be good enough to meet God on our own terms or accomplishments.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness,

but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Peter told a man in sin,

Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours,

and pray the Lord that if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. Acts 8:22

It is essential that we are prepared to meet God.

The alternative is simply too horrible to contemplate.

And cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness;

in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth...

these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life...

these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.

Matthew 25:30,41 and 2 Thessalonians 1:9"

From http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-amos-4-12.htm

Last night in prayer I "got" 1 Corinthians 16:9

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

A great door for effective work has opened to me,

A wide-open door for a great work here,

and there are many who oppose me.

It's a great door. It's an effective work.

But there are many adversaries, many who oppose.

Do we draw back because of opposition?

God has given us defensive weapons and offensive.

Through prayer we can move mountains.

While it's true God can save by few as well as by many,

how much more can be accomplished with more warriors in the prayer room!

God move Your people to pray!