"Woe to those who live in luxury and expect everyone else to serve them----plumb line" Amos 4-6; Revelation 7

Amos 6:4  Woe to those who live in luxury and expect everyone else to serve them! Woe to those who live only for today, indifferent to the fate of others! Woe to the playboys, the playgirls, who think life is a party held just for them! Woe to those addicted to feeling good—life without pain!  those obsessed with looking good—life without wrinkles! They could not care less about their country going to ruin. Luke 9:62  

Put your hand to the plow 
with tears running down and 
questions swirling round.
And don't look back
for there's nothing you lack.
5 Loaves & 2 Fish in a sack.

People say every day that they want to follow Christ with all their heart.  
Use the plumbline of the Word of God  (Amos 7:7) in Luke, Chapter Nine, to reveal what's not straight, what's going on inside of your hearts:
* Verse 40 - Do you believe in His Power to change the very circumstances you are in?
* Verse 44 - Do you realize there are some Words that may not be sinking into your ears and hearts?
* Verse 46  - Are you climbing the social ladder? Who is great? Is it Beth Moore? John Piper? Are there people whom you ignore---pass over their comments, don't return their friendship?
* Verse 47 - Do you see the competition in your own heart to be somebody great, as you measure days by people's responses and what's worked in your favor? 
* Verse 53 - How do you treat those who do not want Christ as their LORD?

Jesus turned the world upside down. 
And He had nowhere to lay His Head.
Fold up your social ladders.
Withdraw from the blogging competition. 
Adjourn your family from the courtroom.  
Play like a little child today in humility and gratitude.  
Live in the risky poverty that your Sovereign LORD has arranged for you.  
I am so preaching this sermon to myself.
He is oh-so-more concerned about you than you will ever know.  He sees what is happening and He is writing the next chapter.  Let Him write it.

Put your hands to the plow. Let the tears fall. And don't look back.

PHOTO: OH, the Joy in holding you! I pray for you both that you will spend all of your days putting your hands to the plow!

12/16