3D Devotional 7.22.2019

Monday, July 22, 2019      Rotten on the inside                                  Amos 8:1-6
Behind my grandmothers’ house was a very large pear tree. Growing up, we spent a lot of time playing in that tree. It was a perfect hide-away. The low, draping limbs were easy to climb. The shade protected us from the scorching south Alabama sun.   The pears were not only delicious but served as ammunition for inevitable battles between cousins.   When the fruit was over-ripe, we learned to squeeze the outside of the pear to determine if it was rotten in the inside.  Incidentally, rotten pears made the best weapons in a pear fight.
Our 3D scripture today comes from the Old Testament prophet, Amos.  If you read last Monday, you will remember, Amos, was by trade, a shepherd.  He  had a personal relationship with God. They communicated through a series of dreams debating God’s dissatisfaction with the people. This 3D is about fruit.
3D Scripture Reading – Amos 8:1-6 NIV:  This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: a basket of ripe fruit. 2 “What do you see, Amos?” he asked.  “A basket of ripe fruit,” I answered.  Then the Lord said to me, “The time is ripe for my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.  3 “In that day,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “the songs in the temple will turn to wailing.[a] Many, many bodies—flung everywhere! Silence!”  4 Hear this, you who trample the needy  and do away with the poor of the land,5 saying, “When will the New Moon be over  that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market heat?”—skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales,6 buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat.
3D interpretation: - God was talking about fruit that looks good on the outside but when you cut it open, it's rotten to the core. This is a metaphor for people who look good on the outside but inside they are corrupt. Money, control, and power. Jesus needs to be brought back to the center of the church.
Think about this: What are you like on the inside? God knows, but have you examined what is at your core? God is not concerned about money, power or control. He is concerned about your salvation, helping for the needy, and justice for the oppressed. It’s not too late to change. You can return God to your “center” by asking for forgiveness and following Him faithfully.

Mark Condra
Lay Leader