Do you remember the news coverage of the 2019 fire at Notre Dame cathedral? I won’t forget the image of flames leaping through the roof and spire. Seeing such a beautiful, iconic structure scorched made my heart sink.
In our reading today, we see something on fire during the ancient era known as the divided kingdom. Something beautiful was burning. Israel was designed to be a model of what the world desperately needed: an expression of a unified people following and loving the one true God and loving their neighbors (Leviticus 19:18).
Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
—Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Yet the Israelites were no longer a unified nation under God. Instead, they fought amongst themselves and split into northern Israel and southern Judah. They were separated from Him, each other, and the nations around them by rejecting God’s ways.
They have rejected the instruction of the LORD and have not kept his statutes.
—Amos 2:4
But God was not silent. His message through prophets like Amos was loud and clear. Amos began by calling out the violence and injustice of the surrounding nations. No one was exempt as He proclaimed God’s judgment on Syria, Philistia, Phoenicia, Edom, Ammon, and Moab. Their sins were many: genocide, slavery, and greed for land and power.
Amos didn’t stop there. It was about to get personal. God also called him to declare judgment on Judah and Israel. Instead of being a light to the nations, the divided kingdom had joined the darkness of their idolatrous neighbors. God’s people rejected His commands, worshiped false gods, oppressed the poor, and sold people into slavery. Their sins were many, and their reflection of God was scorched.
God had warned them, saying, “be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery” (Deuteronomy 6:12). Sin often starts by forgetting—forgetting who God is, who we are as His people, and what we are called to do by His power.
The Israelites did forget, and so do we. There’s a reason Deuteronomy 6:4–5 was an ancient daily prayer and is still recited today. It’s the Shema (a Hebrew word for “listen, hear”), and it calls people back to the reality of the one true God. We forget Him when we reject His ways and ride the currents around us. We forget that we’ve been called for a purpose—to reflect God by knowing Him, loving Him, and living in ways that eventually bless us and the world around us.
God is not silent about sin that scorches. Are we listening? If we are, we’ll also hear of beauty from ashes and of the Light who breaks through the darkness. Like Notre Dame, we are damaged but not destroyed. Read on in Amos and beyond. Read on and hear!
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59 thoughts on "Led Astray by Lies"
WORKED FOR ME
So important to remember we sit not in the counsel of the wicked but of the one true God.
May i never forget and may I always reflect. Amen
It is so easy to forget what God has done, who we are, and our mission which is EXACTLY why God (even before He led the Israelites out of Egypt) set up a RITUAL TO REMEMBER (the Passover)! Remember your need for rescue; remember my deliverance; remember my mighty acts and deeds!!! We are so often “Faith amnesiacs!” May I remember and be a reflection of that remembrance to ALL!
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Thankful for some time w My Savior this morning.
Talk about God’s commandments when you walk along the road, when you sit, when you lie down…don’t forget lest you walk, stand, sit with the wicked
Psalm 1:1
[1] Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
Wow!!! What a punch to the gut!!Thank you so much for sharing this.❤️
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Thank you SEARCHING for remembering me and many of the sisters ❤️ I’m catching up on some of the reading today.
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5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. – Deuteronomy 6:5
“Sin happens when we forget God” how true is this. Staying focused on His word and working for Him daily is where I find rest.
Thanks for the prayer and thoughtful Post @Mercy. Yes and Amen!
Today’s reading was fire. I read the the Holman Bible Handbook and came across this quote which spoke to me:
“The people of God had fallen asleep in the the comfort of the privileges of salvation and needed to be jolted into the awareness that the only assured certainty of the possession of those privileges was the evidence of a life committed without reserve to being holy as their Savior God is holy. “(J.A. Motyer)
I am to remember that my LOVE for God is walked out in obedience and holiness, nothing less. God forgive me, Jesus strengthen me, Holy Spirit equip me.
Thanks @Susan. Prayers for you and your precious husband @Nancy S.
Deuteronomy 6:4 reminded me that just like Israel is supposed to be one + not separate… so are our marriages. We see what happens when there’s separation in this devotion. The same goes for marriages. Israel wasn’t meant to be split + neither is marriage. You’re rejecting God’s ways when you split them. Felt led to share ❤️
What a good word from scripture & the f/u devo. God is not silent about sin that scorches. Sin burns. Oh Lord, we pray for mercy and grace as we walk in this world. May we never forget Whose we are. Thank you for taking our ashes and turning them into something beautiful. May we see with your eyes, your heart, and love you with all our heart, our soul, and our strength.
Great reminder to never forget who God is and what He has called us to be
I almost went to bed before reading this lesson today, but the Lord laid it on me to open up my Bible and I am so thankful I listened. Like many of you have said, what a powerful reminder. I pray we not forget the wonders and blessings the Lord our God has promised us. May we continue to obey, worship and honor him in all things we do, may we not forget like the Israelites did. May we wear these words like symbols on our foreheads “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
It’s so easy to forget all of the things when things get busy! Getting back to remembering the purpose of our lives through God is essential!
Amen
What a word today. A much needed reminder in my life.
One thing that stood out to me in the theme of Amos is an absolutely refuse to sin compromising or crowd blending. The office of a true prophet that is called to expose and tear down evil structures and demonic altars is one of the hardest. And God called Amos –a humble farmer, to speak words of daggers, a complimentary punch to the face to those who listen ( no less) – for the sake of quickening of what’s little that is still alive, for the sake of obedience to God’s calling. And if the hearers take heed, they still have a chance. Words of correction are often time hard to swallow, but only the wise will take correction. If you pay attention when you are corrected, you are wise. If you refuse to learn, you are hurting yourself. If you accept correction, you will become wiser (Proverbs 15:31-32). By knowledge shall the just be delivered (Proverbs 11:9). If we repent, God is just to cleanse us of the sin. It’s not our abilities or capacity to change or cleanse ourselves, who can know their fault? Our ability is only to repent from the conviction of sin brought to our attention by the Holy Spirit, and God, the Almighty God who sees all things through us like an X-ray.. will change those lifelong sinful ways from past generations. Who knows if the habit we have now is sowed by an alcoholic grandparent? Who knows if the complaining/whining tendency we turn to (instead of gratitude and thanksgiving) was long imparted by a bitter parent since we were a child? Or the tendency to sow discord, strife, comparison, pointing fingers instead of pursuing peace and pray for others? Reading the Bible daily helps, it shows you yourself. Someone somehow in the past has sowed evil seeds into the hearts of the young us. May God open our eyes to see which ones we need to repent from, and may we sit still, trusting, surrendering, seeing God cleanse us and uproot evil habits and tendency from our families/ bloodlines, so that our children won’t have to face the devils we are facing now. “The lies that their ancestors followed have led them astray! (Amos 2:4). May God raise more true and bold prophets like Amos who call evil evil in our day and age (maybe He already has, and the world has already persecuted them well and called them fake prophets or all kinds of names to discredit them). May God have mercy on the prophets for our sake, so we can take heed. By His grace, may we have eyes to see, ears to hear, discernment to know who’s who (prophet of God vs. prophet of Baal). May the nations be awaken from the long time sleep that was lulled through smooth lies. These are my sincere prayers. Be blessed dear sisters.
When we aren’t loving God that affects how we treat the people around us. I pray that I would see the people around me the way God wants me to see them. I pray that I would see them as God’s creation.
Whatever results from my intellect, my actions, my words, my being, let it be clearly representative and honoring to the LORD. If I love Him with all of my whole being, everything that flows out of me should represent that love and devotion to Him, and should in turn represent HIM. His image in me is then on display and it is Him people see. This is the natural order of life that God intended before the Fall of mankind.
I’m also reading the Bible in a year. I was struck by how often the Israelites turn towards God and then away..repeat. I do the same! Why is it so easy to see this in others and not ourselves? I have tried to change some things in my daily life to help me keep my eyes UP on God. Start with my Bible studies first thing. Listening to christian music in my car. Looking at out at the wonder of the earth. But I often forget which leads to sin. I want to remember just who God is and who I am as His child. Lord help me to keep my focus on you daily!
Help me to have the ears to hear, and a heart that listens to you, Lord! Thankful for God’s word that will not return void!
Help me to have the ears to hear, and a heart that listens to you, fa
GM She’s! Very convicting reading today, HRT is also really good! Nice to meet all the new She’s!
I think of the division of all the Christians today, and also our own individual church homes that tend to become inclusive or divided. May we each open our eyes to love on everyone and make them feel included, without approving of a person’s sins. (But we all were there before Jesus Christ!) Our Savior! Let us be strong in Him and Heed to his words and authority!
Good to see you @kathy and the analogy!
The Glory be always to Our LORD Jesus Christ and to Our heavenly father.Amen!
And for kingdom be fore ever and ever.
We usually don’t understand Gods perpouse instantly and my words is impossible to understand most times but just as the Father is one with the son, so will God at the End will surely joint everything all at once together.
So far and for the long times only God knows how how he puts the pieces in these world because he is the Creator.
Just note that he split his spirit in different ways. And just his figure reflects in different form under his winds
Same does God permits to happen as he only knows how create kingdoms everywhere because he uses people and Angels in different forms. So be patience in our Heavenly Father because I can Not explain things that you or no one can hear or know.
In Jesus name continue your serving even stronger ways.
U am not God but I love to magnify his name for others can come to God aswell.
My name is Ley or Ram Dia.
When people here didn’t have no hope then we wait on God to Respond. And that is how he still have waithing because his time is No time existed in his eternity and he will show up when our time be. God Bless. to the righteous people that is everywhere. Good bless again!
7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. – Deuteronomy 6:7. The Lord is laying on my heart the importance of our oral history. That we are called into community to share, listen, learn and remember. I feel convicted that I have not been as diligent in remembering and sharing stories of the past and how God’s thread is in all of my families past stories. Praise be to God.
Ugh. I accidentally posted before finishing my thoughts. I wanted to share Gretchen Saffles devotional book “The Well Watered Woman”. It fits nicely with what Amos is saying. Instead of being examples of God’s goodness… we tend to look like the world in our pursuit of comfort, success, appearance and pleasure. We say “All I need is Jesus” but act like we need more. Health, promotions, homes, relationships etc. All this sounds like I’m being judgmental. But it was a wake up call for me. Do I really believe Jesus is ALL I need? Or do I secretly believe I only need Jesus AND …..? (Fill in the blank) More importantly what do others see? Do they see Jesus and a faith filled life? Praise God for his tender mercies which are available and made new every morning.
Oh, the ways we forget…”to reflect God by knowing Him and living in ways that eventually bless us and the world around us.”
♥️ yes!!
I am currently reading a devotional that was sent to me as a birthday present by a dear friend. It’s called the well watered woman by Gretchen Saffles. You can purchase it at on
To teach my kids to Love the Lord with all their Heart, Soul, and Mind.
The part about the rich and poor man in church really caught my attention. Even churches can get clique-y and start to brim with the who’s-who’s. We must focus on what we see in each other’s hearts.
God’s people are now spread across the earth now, rather than just the communities we see in the Bible, his kingdom is where we carry it in our hearts and minds and share it. No country or city can do that. The kingdom is God is here now. And I finally understand that.
I just prayed this morning before I even started this study that God help me remember what I read and apply it to my life, I said “you know me Lord, always forgetting..” He provides always. I love Him so much. I hope I’m making Him proud down here.
Good morning and welcome to all the new sisters! The versus in James 2:5 stuck out to me this morning. I have witnessed the most powerful faith in people in a third world country, that put my faith to shame. It was humbling and I will never forget it, the joy in their eyes as they prayed and sang, I can’t put into words. How RICH they are I believe! I am leaving for WY today to visit my daughter and family for a week and hope I can keep up with you all, it’s always a little hectic there.
Welcome @Iesha, @Antonette @Amber and @Catherine! This is a great community of She’s to learn, grow, pray with and confide in.
@Kathy, your teaching analogy was helpful.
It is easy to look at others and compare, and think our sin isn’t as bad as their sin. The scripture from James is so convicting.
This is a reality check. We always need to come back to God’s grace.
This passage in James stood out to me today along with Parties quote below.
James 2:13 – There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. NLT
PATTI SAULS – Thank you for this insightful devo! “God is not silent about sin that scorches. Are we listening? If we are, we’ll also hear of beauty from ashes and of the Light who breaks through the darkness. Like Notre Dame, we are damaged but not destroyed.”
SUSAN – You’re welcome!
My thoughts exactly!
Lord, I pray that I would listen and hear, trust and obey! Help me to look like Jesus to the world around me and love like You loved! ❤️
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The people of Judah and Israel only had their experiences and still would forget what God had done and we so often think them to be crazy when we have even more proof of God’s faithfulness through our lives, but also God’s Word and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies in Jesus and we too forget God and all He’s done, especially when we’re going through a storm. God help me and help us all to see your faithfulness in the little things every day that remind us of your faithfulness when we’re going through the big things.
My hope is that there will be justice for the vast corruption throughout our country and this world. We see little evidence of justice brought by those in charge anymore. Live and let live is the mantra of so many. God’s ways will prevail. I am holding on to that assurance. I love Patti’s devotions for us – they are always so clear. ❤️
WOW!!! These are such God-inspiring Scriptures and devotional!!! They brought so many images and other items to mind. Starting with the Scripture from James 2: 1 “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?” This brought to mind a song I remember hearing when I would listen to Country/Western music — “The Outlaw’s Prayer” by Johnny Paycheck. I believe I might have mentioned it before but it cuts to the heart of this Scripture.
Then when Patti said “We forget Him when we reject His ways and ride the currents around us. We forget that we’ve been called for a purpose—to reflect God by knowing Him, loving Him, and living in ways that eventually bless us and the world around us.” This cut deep into me but it is also true. How many times have I rejected His ways and rode the currents around me — too, too, too many to count. Thank you Patti for making me more aware of this.
Sorry about the rambling but sometimes I feel like I’m led to express multiple things and talk about the Lord in different ways.
Be blessed and be mindful of rejecting God, Christ and the Holy Spirit in all you do today and always.
Amen.
How often I forget God’s past faithfulness to me! I’m thankful for his gentle correction to bring me back time and again. Even his judgement is mercy!
The statement that “sin often starts with forgetting” is so convicting to me. Lord, help me to REMEMBER who You are and who I am in You, and from that place, help me to obey from the heart! ♥️
How quickly we forget God’s faithfulness and His love for us. When life feels like it’s cruising we easily forget and let things slide until we’ve lost sight of God and His will for us. I do read about the Israelites and think how’d you get there, but I have many times been blind to my own sin, my own self-righteousness.
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Father that I love You because You loved me first. That I keep Your words hidden in my heart and don’t sin against them. That I never forget the Grace and righteousness bought by the precious Blood of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen
Reading through these listed sins, of perhaps the worst, biggest or most offensive in our minds – and wondering how many “smaller” unlisted sins were being committed? When I read the passage from James, it says to me that there is no degree of sin – sin is sin and all sin is against God. Lord, I pray for Your guidance and for awareness of my shortcomings in obeying You.
For each of our countries – Lord, please have mercy on us. May our leaders at all levels turn to You.
Amen, CRYSTAL ORDAZ. I have “talked” to the children of Israel many times when reading through their journey – telling them, No, no, no – don’t do that! It won’t end well!
But as you said, we do the same things.
KATHY – love the teaching analogy, so true.
Welcome to all our new sisters! ANTONETTE, LESHA, AMBER, CATHERINE, KAYLA, MIKAYLA, VICTORIA
AG – love that phrase, Binge the Bible!
SUSAN – looking for forward to “seeing” you more!
DOROTHY – love the confirmation of your new job that you are making a difference ❤️
HEIDI – praying for you and for Kin
Missing some sisters! TINA, CHURCHMOUSE, ERB, MAURA, GRAMSIESUE, VICTORIA E, JENNIFER LOVES JESUS, both ANGIE’s, KARRIE, TAMI C, LEHUA K and others
Thinking about and praying for LYNNE FROM AL, AIMEE ROGERS and NANCY S
I am a high school art teacher. (Friday is our last day! Thank You, Jesus!) One of my biggest frustrations with my students is that they DO. NOT. LISTEN! I put instructions on the board, go over those instructions, demonstrate those instructions and inevitably I have a student (or students) who then look at me and say, “Now, what am I supposed to do?” It makes me a little bit of a crazy person.
But…I do the same thing with God. He has clearly told me what I’m to do. He has written it down. He has demonstrated it through His Son Jesus and yet, I still ask the question, “Now, what am I supposed to do?”
Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. Today, help me to remember who You are, who I am as Your child, and what You have called me to do. I love you.
Amen, CRYSTAL ORDAZ.
“Sin often starts by forgetting—forgetting who God is, who we are as His people, and what we are called to do by His power.”
God knows we cannot live His way without His power. I am so foolish to even imagine I could.
KATIE L – praying you are resting in God about the upcoming court date.
MIA FAITH – how is your 14-year-old grandchild recovering?
TAYLOR – how is Wendy?
Lord, I pray that we stay sensitive to your presence and never forget who you are and who we are…it’s so easy to look back in history and say…why do they keep turning their backs on you? But we do the same today…help us become the beauty from ashes and stay that way ♥️