Micah 3:11&12

Micah was giving the religious leaders a right good telling off, cuz they were only preaching and teaching if they got paid.

Jesus came to this earth to teach us how to love and serve one another.

Servanthood is lost the minute we "minister" for personal gain.

Preaching and teaching shouldnt be done with the idea of mega bucks in the back of your mind.

When God calls you and asks you to do something. . . . do it! even if there is nothing (obvious to you) in it for you.

Micah also warns people to avoid bribes. Even in modern times we see examples of the church (or other religions) taking bribes. Middle eastern countries governments pay their places of worship to promote their ideas.

We must remember that Judah was destroyed primarily because of the behaviour of their leaders. However, the people were far from innocent. At no point during the corruption of their country did they turn to God or call for justice.

Love you x

F.R.O.G

Micah 3: 5-8

Micah (unlike Jonah!) stayed true to his calling and continued to do and say exactly what God wanted him to. Also, in contrast, the false prophets of the time were in for some trouble!

We must still be aware of false-prophets today, not all those who claim to have messages from God really do. In verses 5-7 we get a taster of what God has in store for these false teachers.

In verse 8 Micah acknowledges that it is God who is to be praised for the works that Micah is doing. He recognises that the power within his ministry is from God.

Our strength and power comes from the same source today!

Jesus told His followers that they would recieve the power and ability to witness about Him when the Holy Spirit came to them (Acts 1:8).

You can't rely on your own strength to witness, because the devil will use fear to stop you in your tracks.

Fear of humility. Fear of rejection.

It is only when we fully rely on God and the power of the Holy Spirit can we live and witness for Him.

Next time you're in the church, take a look at the back wall . . . .

Love you x

One rule for one . . .

Micah 3:3&4

In these next two verses we see more of the same from Micah. He is still banging on about the leaders and teachers. They are using their positions of power for selfish gains.

They had no respect or compassion for those they should really have been serving.

They mistreated people in order to satisfy their own desires and then had the cheek to turn around and ask God for help when they found themselves in trouble.

This "one rule for one, one rule for another" attitude reminds me of the story in the bible of the guy who owes a king crap-loads of money (and has no way of paying him back!), but the king has pity on him and cancels the debt. Then that same guy goes up to one of his mates and threatens him for a couple of quid!

We can also fall into the trap of only calling on God when we need something.

It seems that only in times of trouble do people turn towards prayer.

This is wrong. God shouldnt be treated like a lightswitch, only being turned on when we need Him, we should always rely on Him.

Love you x