MINOR PROPHETS

Today is Saturday.  What a wonderful time we had at church last night during the Valentine Banquet.  Our staff and a few laymen put on a wonderful hour long program that was wonderful.  A play that was a joy to watch and enjoy.  The food was excellent and the fellowhip outstanding.  What a blessing it was!  Today I am in the minor prophets and have just a little while before going to the Men's meeting this morning.  Here are just a few short thoughts: 1) Hosea 14:9-  The last verse in the Book says it well:  "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things?  prudent, and he shall know them?  for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them:  but the transgressors shall fall therein."  This verse sort of sums up the whole book of Hosea.    2) PASS IT ON- Joel 1:3 says:  "Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation."   We are to pass it on!  Sadly, Christians don't always do a good job of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with their own children, and mostly because they are a poor model of a Christian, and their children reject faith on the bases of our examples.  Let us live our lives in word and in deed! 3) SEEK THE LORD- In Amos 5:4-6a it says:  For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:  But seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba:  for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought.  Seek the LORD..."   Now here is what God is saying.... "Seek ME God says... Don't seek the places you have met Me before!  The place in not what is important.... it is Me that you need to seek!"    They were putting faith in a place of refuge when God was their refuge!  We are to love Church, but not for the churches sake, but because we seek God there and learn of Him and worship Him more and more there!   Seek the LORD and not a place! Well, I've got to go for today.  Have a blessed day!   Pastor Mike Mutchler