A Famine for the Words of the Lord

[deacon blues]

Amos 8:11-12 (NKJV)

11 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.”

We are living in a day in which there is much confusion about God and the things of God. People are abandoning traditional Christianity for religions of the Far East and Middle East. A survey of religion in America conducted in 1990 and then again in 2001 reflected this trend.

The growth of Christianity including all denominations was 5.3% from 1990 to 2001. The growth for non-Christian religious groups was 69.1%. Hinduism grew by 237.4%, Buddhism expanded by 169.8%, and Islam stretched by 109.5%. Why such major growth by these non-traditional religions in America? It’s simple: people are not finding God in their traditional Christian experience, so they are beginning to search for Him in other religions.

Paul talks about powerless religion in II Timothy 3:5 that in the last days people will have a “form of godliness” but they will deny what can truly make them godly. Empty religion can never satisfy the soul and so man continues to search with substitutes for the real thing.

There is a hunger for God. There is a craving for God to speak. There is a spiritual drought taking place. People are walking through dry, arid places in their souls. Do you feel that way? Is there something yearning for more of God?

You can have more of Him if you want. You can get closer to Him if you try. Search for Him in prayer, read the Bible, meditate on Him, fast, give, attend worship services, Bible studies, and get involved helping those in need.

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Amos 8:11-12 (NKJV)

11 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.”

We are living in a day in which there is much confusion about God and the things of God. People are abandoning traditional Christianity for religions of the Far East and Middle East. A survey of religion in America conducted in 1990 and then again in 2001 reflected this trend.

The growth of Christianity including all denominations was 5.3% from 1990 to 2001. The growth for non-Christian religious groups was 69.1%. Hinduism grew by 237.4%, Buddhism expanded by 169.8%, and Islam stretched by 109.5%. Why such major growth by these non-traditional religions in America? It’s simple: people are not finding God in their traditional Christian experience, so they are beginning to search for Him in other religions.

Paul talks about powerless religion in II Timothy 3:5 that in the last days people will have a “form of godliness” but they will deny what can truly make them godly. Empty religion can never satisfy the soul and so man continues to search with substitutes for the real thing.

There is a hunger for God. There is a craving for God to speak. There is a spiritual drought taking place. People are walking through dry, arid places in their souls. Do you feel that way? Is there something yearning for more of God?

You can have more of Him if you want. You can get closer to Him if you try. Search for Him in prayer, read the Bible, meditate on Him, fast, give, attend worship services, Bible studies, and get involved helping those in need.

Bro. DeaconBlues,

Very good, well written article! Thank you, Brother!

Blessings,

Falla39

[Rhoni]

Looks like that is the only way to get it nowadays, especially since the churches close for all holidays and don't have communion & Footwashing anymore.

I am really bummed about this you know!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Looks like that is the only way to get it nowadays, especially since the churches close for all holidays and don't have communion & Footwashing anymore.

I am really bummed about this you know!

I know, Rhonda, but it goes deeper than what we can even know.

It is not just in some not following the long time traditions we have held...in some of those things we can not be as stringent and yet be saved.

But when there is a famine as is mentioned in the Scripture text, that being for the Word, there is great danger.

It can be that the Word of truth is not preached, or is preached in such a watered down way that the hungry soul must look elsewhere, as deac posted.

But there is also the imposed famine of the believer.

The Word of truth is preached, but their hearts are seared by what they think they know.

They want a watered down gospel that makes no demands on their time or money or carnal desires.

Discriminating eaters are really not hungry...they just want something that appeals to them and makes them warm and fuzzy.

This 'feel-good religion' is just that...religion and nothing more.

There is no substance...nothing that brings true and lasting conversion. It is the reason that people can sit in the church house or stand and bring a Word, yet be living a shabby life.

When we can do this and use the Word to justify our life, there is a famine in us...we have head knowledge without heart conviction.

So the famine can rest on both the giver and the receiver...just my thoughts...

[OneAccord]

Another great post from the pen... er, heart, of a brother who is evidenly seeking after rigteousness. I'm doing a liitle study about the Tabernacle of Moses and it seems everything I have read this morning (which isn't a lot) goes along with what I believe the Lord is laying on my heart. Will try to get around to writing as time allows. Just to comment on Deacs thought...those who "hunger and THRIST after righteousness SHALL be filled". God will fill the need as we seek after Him.

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Amos 8:11-12 (NKJV)

11 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.”

We are living in a day in which there is much confusion about God and the things of God. People are abandoning traditional Christianity for religions of the Far East and Middle East. A survey of religion in America conducted in 1990 and then again in 2001 reflected this trend.

The growth of Christianity including all denominations was 5.3% from 1990 to 2001. The growth for non-Christian religious groups was 69.1%. Hinduism grew by 237.4%, Buddhism expanded by 169.8%, and Islam stretched by 109.5%. Why such major growth by these non-traditional religions in America? It’s simple: people are not finding God in their traditional Christian experience, so they are beginning to search for Him in other religions.

Paul talks about powerless religion in II Timothy 3:5 that in the last days people will have a “form of godliness” but they will deny what can truly make them godly. Empty religion can never satisfy the soul and so man continues to search with substitutes for the real thing.

There is a hunger for God. There is a craving for God to speak. There is a spiritual drought taking place. People are walking through dry, arid places in their souls. Do you feel that way? Is there something yearning for more of God?

You can have more of Him if you want. You can get closer to Him if you try. Search for Him in prayer, read the Bible, meditate on Him, fast, give, attend worship services, Bible studies, and get involved helping those in need.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Barb

I know, Rhonda, but it goes deeper than what we can even know.

It is not just in some not following the long time traditions we have held...in some of those things we can not be as stringent and yet be saved.

But when there is a famine as is mentioned in the Scripture text, that being for the Word, there is great danger.

It can be that the Word of truth is not preached, or is preached in such a watered down way that the hungry soul must look elsewhere, as deac posted.

But there is also the imposed famine of the believer.

The Word of truth is preached, but their hearts are seared by what they think they know.

They want a watered down gospel that makes no demands on their time or money or carnal desires.

Discriminating eaters are really not hungry...they just want something that appeals to them and makes them warm and fuzzy.

This 'feel-good religion' is just that...religion and nothing more.

There is no substance...nothing that brings true and lasting conversion. It is the reason that people can sit in the church house or stand and bring a Word, yet be living a shabby life.

When we can do this and use the Word to justify our life, there is a famine in us...we have head knowledge without heart conviction.

So the famine can rest on both the giver and the receiver...just my thoughts...

Sis. Barb,

Excellent thoughts. Today even the feel good messages don't feel all that good. I was thinking about some, like myself, who have heard really good word preaching through the years and this surface beginner stuff just doesn't hit the spot.

That is when personal practice of the disciplines comes in. If I didn't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ on a daily level through my own prayer life, study of the word, and fasting...I'd dry up and wither away.

Blessings, Rhoni

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Amos 8:11-12 (NKJV)

11 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.”

We are living in a day in which there is much confusion about God and the things of God. People are abandoning traditional Christianity for religions of the Far East and Middle East. A survey of religion in America conducted in 1990 and then again in 2001 reflected this trend.

The growth of Christianity including all denominations was 5.3% from 1990 to 2001. The growth for non-Christian religious groups was 69.1%. Hinduism grew by 237.4%, Buddhism expanded by 169.8%, and Islam stretched by 109.5%. Why such major growth by these non-traditional religions in America? It’s simple: people are not finding God in their traditional Christian experience, so they are beginning to search for Him in other religions.

Paul talks about powerless religion in II Timothy 3:5 that in the last days people will have a “form of godliness” but they will deny what can truly make them godly. Empty religion can never satisfy the soul and so man continues to search with substitutes for the real thing.

There is a hunger for God. There is a craving for God to speak. There is a spiritual drought taking place. People are walking through dry, arid places in their souls. Do you feel that way? Is there something yearning for more of God?

You can have more of Him if you want. You can get closer to Him if you try. Search for Him in prayer, read the Bible, meditate on Him, fast, give, attend worship services, Bible studies, and get involved helping those in need.

Excellent thoughts, DB.

Do you know if immigration was factored into those statistics? The U.S. has seen a lot of immigration from Muslim and Hindu nations as well as the rest of Asia in the last couple of decades. These were people who were generally screened out by restrictive immigration policies in the past that were intended to keep America "Christian."

[Sam]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

...
The growth of Christianity including all denominations was 5.3% from 1990 to 2001. The growth for non-Christian religious groups was 69.1%. Hinduism grew by 237.4%, Buddhism expanded by 169.8%, and Islam stretched by 109.5%. Why such major growth by these non-traditional religions in America? It’s simple: people are not finding God in their traditional Christian experience, so they are beginning to search for Him in other religions.
...

Great article, deacon blues.
I'm wondering about your stats.
Are these figures for the whole world or for the U.S?
What is your source for those figures?

Not questioning you, just wondering.

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Looks like that is the only way to get it nowadays, especially since the churches close for all holidays and don't have communion & Footwashing anymore.

I am really bummed about this you know!

come on over to our church we are having it tomorrow...love you friend.

[Sister Alvear]

One of the reasons the church doesn´t grow people spend their time fighting each other...
I have learned to leave certain people alone...if they want to fight they will not get the pleasure to fight with me I am too busy in the harvest..it is not the critic that counts anyway...and I don´t spend my time at their houses or with ther type friends...I choose people who want to win the world for Christ.