Isaiah spoke of "God with Us' (Immanuel) as the 'shoot from the stump' and Jeremiah the 'righteous branch' (The Lord is our Righteousness) that would 'spring up for David.' Ezekiel will alter the image a bit to a 'sprig from the lofty top of the cedar.' So who is the baby in the manger in the eyes of the major prophets?

A branch... in what way could a branch bring hope to a nation in despair? How does that branch help us understand God's love for us?

During the month of December our focus is on "Christmas Through the Eyes of the Prophets." What was it that Isaiah saw and predicted... and how did the angel and Matthew see that it also pointed to Jesus?

"...a virgin shall conceive and bear a son!"

They were complacent and complied with those attacking their relative Judah, so the message of Obadiah to Edom was one of judgment. However, there was also a word of hope for God's people (Israel and Judah). What message should we hear as a nation, as a church, and individually?

God has blessed us in so many ways, but are we truly thankful? As Paul was closing his first letter to the Christians at Thessalonica he admonished them (and thereby us) to "give thanks in all circumstances." In fact, he identifies it as "the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess. 5:18) Are we truly thankful "in all circumstances"?

When Amos saw the first two visions - locusts and fire - he knew that the judgment was more than Israel could handle. But then visions concerning the 'fact' of judgment became a vision regarding the reason for the judgment - Israel had not lived up to the standard. When you examine your life by means of 'the plumb line', are you passing or failing?

The book of Amos begins with oracles from God ("Thus saith the Lord..."). But chapter 3 begins the first of three sermons ("Hear this word..., 3:1; 4:1; and 5:1) dealing with the doom of Israel, the depravity in Israel, and the dirge (lament) to be sung over Israel. The option, which we also have, is to repent!

There is only one God and He is sovereign over all the earth... all nations. As He has demonstrated His judgment on other nations, then why not us? The call is to repent... to be obedient to His Word.

Are you ready for "the day of the Lord"? We have too often separated ourselves from God by our choice of living sinful lifestyles and choices. However, it is not too late to answer the call to return!

Regardless of what you are going through, God is in your midst... calling for you to return. But remember, we need to rend our hearts and not our clothing -- internal contrition, not external show.