Most Known Uknown: Jonah

As we continue to look at the most known unknown characters of the biblical narrative we come across arguably the most known of the unknown Jonah. The story of Jonah is well-known in many circles as it tells of God's sovereignty and how God offers all the opportunity to repent and experience his mercy.  Jonah was a reluctant prophet who had a great disdain for the people of Nineveh so much so that he try to avoid is calling altogether.   As the narrative goes Jonah ends up in the belly of a great fish and relents to the will of God for his life.

Jonah teaches us an important life lesson and that is don't allow disdain for someone or something keep you from fulfilling your God given purpose.  Anger can prevent you from doing what you know God would have you to do.  This is the danger that the book of Jonah teaches us.  Who is anger keeping you from blessing?  For Jonah it was the people of Nineveh but the question becomes who are the people of Nineveh in your life?

Moral of the story don't allow disdain to destroy you!!  For God has a greater purpose for your life which is to bring Godself glory through your life.

Scripture Reference: Book of Jonah

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Most Known Uknown: Amos

Most people are more familiar with Famous Amos Cookies than the Amos of the biblical text.  Amos was prophet who prophesied around 760 BC. What I like about Amos was he was concern with the socio-economic oppression prevalent in his day.  Amos was concern about injustice I imagine he would be all over the Trayvon Martin situation and the countless others like it that happen every day.   Amos asked the infamous question, " How can two walk together unless they be agreed?"  That's an interesting question we all would like to think that we are walking with the Lord. In fact one of the infamous songs of the old church is called, "Walk With Me Lord," but how many of our lives are pleasing to God. Remember how can to walk together unless they be agreed?

Amos teaches us an important lesson about worship as well.  Amos 5 deals with true worship you see the people had become mundane and ritualistic in their worship. However Yahweh issues a strong warning via Amos in chapter 5 of the book of Amos letting the people know Yahweh does not delight in vain sacrifices.  How many of our lives are like that:

• Not going to church because we delight to worship God but because we know we ought to go.
• Not reading our bible because we delight in growing in grace, knowledge and truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ but because we because we think we ought to.

Amos reveals that God is concern with the reason why we do what we do more so than the act itself.  God wants our affection more than he wants some ritual act.  This is your boy Amos and you have just been served.

Scripture Reference:  Book of Amos

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Most Known Unknown: Joel

As we continue to navigate through some of the most known unknown characters of the bible we arrive at Joel.  You know Joel the one who names mean Yahweh is God.  Now that's some kind of name.  Joel prophesied about the impending destruction of the people of God if they did not repent. Joel utilizes locust invasion, which had destroyed the crops.  This was only a foreshadowing of what was to come if the people didn't repent.

The book of Joel teaches us a important lesson that is the Day of the Lord is coming.  It will either be a day of rejoicing for the believer who strives to do the will of God or a day of judgement for  the ungodly and unrepentant.  Both views of the Day of the Lord are present in the book of Joel.  The question then becomes will you be ready?  What are the locust in your life seeking to devour you?  For the people in Joel's time the locust devoured the vineyards and the fig trees which were symbols of peace and prosperity that had become the source of their joy and contentment oppose to God being the source.  The devastation was so severe that their entire economy was turned upside down for the people of Joel's day harvest time was a time of celebration and great joy but it had turned bitter. When you are out of fellowship with God in their case breaking the covenant the result is devastation.

The book of Joel teaches us that when are not actively growing or seeking to growing in our relationship with God the results are devastation.  It's dangerous not to pray aka talking and listening to God.  It's dangerous not to read the Bible aka spending time with God.  I don't know about you but I feel like the songwriter who said," When the song is over and the music stops do you know Jesus does He live in your heart."  That's the only thing that really matters and unlike the people of Joel's time we live in the time that he prophesied about when he said God will pour out his spirit on all flesh.  Thank God for the Spirit of God that leads us into a deeper fellowship with God.

Scripture Reference: Joel

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Most Known Unknown: Hosea

As we continue to take a look at some of the most known unknown characters of the biblical narrative we arrive at Hosea.  Admittedly if you know one of the minor prophets he would probably be one of the one's you know but perhaps not.  Hosea tells the story of God's unwavering love for Israel.  Though Israel prostituted itself to the god of fertility (Baal) God's love for his chosen people remained intact.  To demonstrate Israel unfaithfulness towards the covenant they had made with God.  God uses a relationship between the prophet Hosea and an adulterous prostitute name Gomer to demonstrate Israel's unfaithfulness to his covenant.

The book of Hosea teaches us an important lesson and that is God loves us despite us!  Though we are unfaithful to his precepts God still loves us.  Though we are unfaithful to his commands God still love us.  There is no book that depicts the compassion God has for his people like the book of Hosea.  No greater love story has ever been written greater than the love depicted in the book of Hosea.  The image of  a God who pursues his unfaithful lover despite her indiscretions. 

Rejoice today in the God of our salvation a God who loves us despite us.  A God who loves you when you don't love others.  A God who loves you when you don't love yourself.  A God who loves you just because that's who God is.  Hey, I'm no Rob Bell but love truly does win in the book of Hosea.  So be thankful and grateful to a God who can love you like that!!

Scripture Reference: Hosea

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Most Known Uknown: Obadiah- You are your Brother's Keeper

Growing up in the south one of my favorite groups was Triple Six Mafia or Three 6 Mafia.  They were the self-proclaimed most known unknown. I imagine that's how many of the minor prophets feel.  People are somewhat familiar with their names but don't really know them. For next few days I want to introduce to you the biblical version of Triple 6 Mafia.

Obadiah whose name means servant of Yahweh teaches us an important lesson and that is we are our brother's keeper.  Short story shorter Obadiah tells the story of Judah and Edom who are descendants of Jacob and Esau.  In Judah's worst day as they were being taking captive Edom stood aloof and watch as their brother was being destroyed.  Not only did they not help their brother but they delighted in their misfortune.  As a result Yahweh's anger was kindled against Edom which teaches you and I that God is concern about how we treat our brother and sister.  The ability to help our brother and neglecting to do so is sin in the sight of our God.  So when:

• You see your brother being taking advantage of and you sit idly by Yahweh's anger may be kindled against you.
• You see your brother about to make a decision that you know will result in much pain and misery and you sit idly by Yahweh's anger may be kindled against you.
• Rejoice when others fail or fall short Yahweh's anger may be kindled against you.

God holds us accountable for how we treat our brothers and sisters so let us learn this lesson from Obadiah.  Even though:

• Cain didn't keep Abel
• Nor did Nino Brow keep his brother

We are called to be our brother's keeper.  

Scripture Reference:  Obadiah 1-20

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Sins of My Skin: Affirmation of Others

In my experience as an African American and in a broad range of conversations that I have had with other African Americans I have discovered a common thread the need of affirmation from others. Many live their lives in hopes to receive adoration and affirmation from their peers.  That's really what that outfit is about because you are bothered if no one notices it.  That's really what that hair do is about because you are bothered if someone doesn't like it.  That's really what that car is about  that's why you have to tell everybody about it. That's really what the house is about because you are bothered if no one comes over.  That's really what that vacation is about that's why you have to check in and post pictures everywhere you go.  This need for affirmation is so subconscious that we are not even aware that we are doing it or desiring it.  All of these things help give people a sense of identity/image. 

The gospel offers you affirmation from God when you seek to understand the gospel truth God gives you a new identity and new image.  No longer is it based on what you have but it is based on who you have.  No longer is it based on how good you look to others but it is based on do you look like Him. God seeks to be the one who gives you affirmation!!  Isn't God's affirmation the only one that's going to matter on that DAY anyway?  You do know that you are the apple of God's eye? 


Scripture Reference: Psalms 17:8a

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

The Heart Of A Believer

One my favorite songs is by Shekinah Glory is called, "Yes." The lyrics simply say will your heart and soul say yes. The prophet Jeremiah says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV)" What's interesting is that in Jewish thinking or Hebrew understanding the heart often times refers to the mind. In fact some translation even translate the passage to read, "The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9 Net Bible)" Often times that's how we go through life in our hearts we say yes to God's will and our soul agrees but our minds are often focused on any and everything other than the will of God. A few questions:

· What do you spend most of your day thinking about? Is it the will of God for your life?

· What do you think about when you first wake up? Is it how can your participate in what God is doing in your community?

· What do you think about before you go to bed? Is it an evaluation of how you can grow in your walk with God?

Often times what we feel in our hearts and what we make up our minds to do aren't in harmony with one another. When this happens we been have deceived:

· When you say you love Jesus with everything but fail to support the kingdom of God.

· When you say you believe Jesus is the door but are a proponent of religious tolerance.

· When you say love God but hate your brother whom you see every day.

· When you say God gave you an assignment but you doing everything but that assignment.

Beloved don't be deceived ask God to help your heart and mind to be centered on Him and his purposes.

 Scripture Reference Jeremiah 17:9

 God bless,

Bondservant Hollis