I was born into a believing family through no merit of my own at all. I was given a mind to think and a heart to feel through no merit of my own at all. I was brought into the hearing of the gospel through no merit of my own at all. My rebellion was subdued, my hardness removed, my blindness overcome, and my deadness awakened through no merit of my own at all. Thus I became a believer in Christ through no merit of my own at all. And so I am an heir of God with Christ through no merit of my own at all. Now when I put forward effort to please the Lord who bought me, this is to me no merit at all, because... it is not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Cor. 15:10)... God is working in me that which is pleasing in His sight. (Heb. 13:21)... He fulfills every resolve for good by His power. (2 Thes. 1:11) And therefore there is no ground for boasting in myself, but only in God’s mighty grace. Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. (1 Cor. 1:31)
John Piper

88 RESISTING GOD

88 RESISTING GOD F O O T ================================

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READING

88 RESISTING GOD

PRAY Make us open to your teaching, sovereign Lord.

READ Amos 3:9-4:13.

THINK What is Amos’ accusation against the people of Israel?

FOCUS The people had gone through two completely opposite experiences,

but neither one had moved them to seek God.

  1. THERE HAD BEEN A PERIOD OF AFFLUENCE (4:1-5). An age of elegance, good living, and ease. No shortages, no worries. Of course, like most affluence, it was won at the expense of others less fortunate (1), but verses 4 and 5 show how these well-to-do people quietened their consciences.
  2. THERE HAD BEEN A PERIOD OF HARDSHIP (4:6-10). As if God said, ‘All right, let’s try something else!’ In no time at all, trouble struck. One would have thought those callous people would have realised how impossible it was to live without God. But no; hardship only made their hearts harder, as we are told five times.

There comes a point at which men no longer have the power to choose – GOD TAKES ACTION (12)! The question is not whether or not God is speaking – he is ALWAYS speaking one way or another. The question is – are we LISTENING? How is God communicating with you right now? —————————————————————- PRAY Look again at 4:1. Consider how valuable to God must be the poor of the world, when such punishment was to be unleashed on those who exploited them. Turn your thoughts into prayer.