The Old Is Out, The new Is In...

Scripture:

Philemon 1:8-16 (ESV)

Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Devotional:

As the year comes to an end I think of endings and beginnings.  Today ends one year and tomorrow begins a new one.  People often talk about starting over, or new beginnings.  Topics of what we will change are discussed.  The beginning of a new year often brings out the hope of new beginnings and changes for the better.

In Philemon Paul opens in with a plea for Onesimus.  Not much is known about Onesimus.  We do know he ran away and was a slave or bondservant to Philemon.  We also know that while with Paul his life is changed.  Paul pleas with Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as he was before but as a brother in Christ.  Onesiumus has been given a new beginning.  His life changed forever for several reasons.

After receiving and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior we too are given a new beginning.  Colossians 2:12 (ESV) “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”  Our old lives come to an end.  We are given a new birth, a spiritual birth.  With this spiritual birth comes a new beginning, a new life.  It doesn’t mean all our troubles are gone.  It doesn’t mean our earthly circumstance are now magically changed and we are living lives of kings and queens.  It does mean that we have eternal hope in Christ.  It does mean that the Holy Spirit dwells in us and God is with us through everything.  Regardless of the outcome here on earth in this life we have an eternal life full of the richness that God gives. 

With our acceptance of Jesus, we are given new lives and a fresh start.  It is up to us with what we do with this new beginning.  As we leave the old year behind and the new year begins, we can have a fresh start.  We too can have a new beginning.  Our sins can be forgiven.  Our lives can be transformed.  We can start fresh.  As one year ends and a new year begins think about how and where you would like a fresh start, a new beginning.  We cannot go back in time, but we can make a difference with the time we have left…

Christmas Lights

Scripture:

Matthew 2:1-12(ESV)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Devotional:

I know I have said it before, but Christmas is my favorite time of year.  I just love the lights and decorations.  Growing up I always wished for white Christmases.  I love the soft crunch as you walk on freshly fallen snow.  I love how things seem a bit quieter than normal.  Everything seems so peaceful during a good snowfall.  I remember one time when I was a kid my best friend slept over.  During the night it started to snow.  At about three in the morning we snuck outside to play in the snow as it fell.  We watched it fall through the lights shining outside.  Being kids we just had fun running around and playing in it.

When Jesus was born something was seen that was much better than snow falling.  A star appeared over Bethlehem.  This star guided the wisemen to baby Jesus.  Well we really do not know how old Jesus was when they appeared.  But the first Christmas light was shinning bright for all to see.  I wonder how many people wondered at a new star shinning in the sky.  How many people sought to find out what it was or why?  How many visitors did Jesus receive?

What about today?  How many people celebrate Jesus’s birthday?  How many people will pause in wonder or reflect on why we celebrate.  It is too easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle going on around us.  We can also let our fears get in the way.  I do encourage us to slow down some and reflect on the real meaning behind our celebrations.  When you see the lights think about that first Christmas light shinning high in the sky.    Let us be like the wisemen and follow the star that will lead us to Jesus.  Look at the lights and decorations and let your thoughts focus on Him.  Let us remember the real meaning for Christmas.  Then share it with someone…

It Really Is The Most Wonderful Time

Merry Christmas,

Scripture:
Matthew 1:18-23 (ESV)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).

Devotional:

Christmas, as the song says it is the most wonderful time of year,  also there is, hearts will be glowing… it’s the best time of the year.  This is truly my favorite time of year.  I love the all the decorations and all the lights.  It can create its own beauty all around us.  It is a time for love, and compassion.  Where people do tend to give a little more than normal.  People’s hearts tend to warm toward others.  Everyone wants to give to others.  Some also like to receive gifts.  Christmas is the celebration of the best gift ever.  We celebrate the birth of our Savior.  A gift for each of us if we would only accept. 

Take a moment to think about Christmas and what it means.  Think about all your traditions and all that goes on this year.  Think about all you have, about all that God has given.  As we approach Christmas let our hearts warm.  Let our love spread to others around.  Let us prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas.  Let us look to Christ.  Share the good news with others this year as you prepare for and celebrate Christmas.  After all it really and truly is the most wonderful time of the year.  Enjoy the lights and all the decorations.  Enjoy the season, but remember why we celebrate…

Who Would You Choose?

Hosea continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 8:1-4 (ESV)

Set the trumpet to your lips!
    One like a vulture is over the house of the Lord,
because they have transgressed my covenant
    and rebelled against my law.
To me they cry,
    “My God, we—Israel—know you.”
Israel has spurned the good;
    the enemy shall pursue him.

They made kings, but not through me.
    They set up princes, but I knew it not.
With their silver and gold they made idols
    for their own destruction.

Devotional:

We elect leaders all the time.  As kids we pick team captains.  Clubs pick someone to be the club president or leader.  We have CEOs that run businesses. Board members are chosen and elected.  Some nations even elect their leaders.  But how many of these “leaders” are chosen by God.  Let me put it this way. How often do we seek God in choosing someone to lead?  How often do we pray before selecting a leader for a business or country?  Do we look to see if that leader is a man or woman of God?  Do we verify that they live a life of integrity?  Most importantly, do we ask God about them? 

Israel chose leaders without seeking God and look where it got them.  They eventually went astray.  They abandoned God.  They turned to earthly means and other nations.  In the end nothing saved them.  There is only one who can save.  Do we have eyes on Him?  It doesn’t matter what you are doing.  In all things we need to place Christ first.  God needs to be in the forefront of all that we do and that includes choosing a team captain, CEO, or…  Finally is God first in your Life?

Who Do You Call?

Hosea continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 7:8-16 (ESV)

Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples;
    Ephraim is a cake not turned.
Strangers devour his strength,
    and he knows it not;
gray hairs are sprinkled upon him,
    and he knows it not.
The pride of Israel testifies to his face;
    yet they do not return to the Lord their God,
    nor seek him, for all this.

Ephraim is like a dove,
    silly and without sense,
    calling to Egypt, going to Assyria.
As they go, I will spread over them my net;
    I will bring them down like birds of the heavens;
    I will discipline them according to the report made to their congregation.
Woe to them, for they have strayed from me!
    Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against me!
I would redeem them,
    but they speak lies against me.

They do not cry to me from the heart,
    but they wail upon their beds;
for grain and wine they gash themselves;
    they rebel against me.
Although I trained and strengthened their arms,
    yet they devise evil against me.
They return, but not upward;
    they are like a treacherous bow;
their princes shall fall by the sword
    because of the insolence of their tongue.
This shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.

Devotional:

When invasions came and enemies approached Ephraim failed to turn to God.  They sought refuge, protection, and deliverance from other countries.  They did not turn to God.  Their reliance went elsewhere.   Today let us think about one thing.  When times of trouble comes who do you turn to?  Who is it that I turn to?  The obvious answer should be God.  Take a moment and reflect over the years in your life.  Think about all the times you had troubles or things didn’t go well.  How did you handle it?

I wish I could say that every time I had troubles in my life I cried out to God.  That God waved his hands and the troubles were gone.  The truth is that more times than I care to admit I tried to fix things myself and my way.  Only then did I turn to God and say, “I can’t fix it God.  What can you do?”  Sure, there are times when I turn to God first.  I start out by praying and crying out to Him.  As I grow older and hopefully wiser it happens more often and becomes a natural first step.  God doesn’t promise to take away our troubles, strife, and hardships.  He does promise to be with us.  He does promise to make us stronger if we allow Him to work in our lives. 

Israel turned away from her first love.  Israel suffered because of it.  Who do you turn to?  Who is your focus on?  Think of it like this.  Your car will not run and is in the middle of the street.  You can struggle and struggle to push your car down the block or to the side of the road. Around you are a few small kids who can help you push.  Three or four of you push and push. You struggle to move the car.  Off to the side of the road waiting and watching are a couple of large men.  They are obviously body builders who lift massive amounts of weight.  They could easily help you push the car down the road.  Do you struggle by yourself or possibly with the help of a few children?  Do you call to the side of the road and ask the body builders for help?

God is more than big enough, smart enough, wise enough to handle whatever comes your way.  Will you struggle on your own?  Will you call upon God?  The car gets pushed not teleported.  God will help you.  He will be there with you.  You do not have to go at it alone.  Do you go at it alone?  Who do you call?

Does God Remember?

Hosea continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 7:1-7 (ESV)

when I would heal Israel,
    the iniquity of Ephraim is revealed,
    and the evil deeds of Samaria,
for they deal falsely;
    the thief breaks in,
    and the bandits raid outside.
But they do not consider
    that I remember all their evil.
Now their deeds surround them;
    they are before my face.
By their evil they make the king glad,
    and the princes by their treachery.
They are all adulterers;
    they are like a heated oven
whose baker ceases to stir the fire,
    from the kneading of the dough
    until it is leavened.
On the day of our king, the princes
    became sick with the heat of wine;
    he stretched out his hand with mockers.
For with hearts like an oven they approach their intrigue;
    all night their anger smolders;
    in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.
All of them are hot as an oven,
    and they devour their rulers.
All their kings have fallen,
    and none of them calls upon me.

Devotional:

How long do you remember the wrongs others have done to you?  How long do you hold it against them?  Here God is saying that He remembers the evils they did.  While the nation is wallowing in sin judgement comes.  “But they do not consider that I remember all their evil.”  God has a memory that does not fail.  He remembers everything.  He knows everything.  Israel has left her first and true love.  Her sin is great.  God’s judgement comes upon the people.  God also remembers us, and he remembers our sins.  He knows everything we have done.  His judgement awaits us.

I know what you are thinking.  ‘But wait, I thought God doesn’t remember our sins.  He casts them as far as the East is from the West…”  Well maybe you are right and maybe you are wrong.  My question to you is where is your faith?  Is Christ your savior?  Do you worship other gods?  Who is your first love?  If you think you don’t have to decide, guess again.  Indecision is a decision of omission.  Judgement comes to each of us.  If you stand on your own, you stand condemned in judgement.  If Christ is your savior, then God does cast your sins away and remembers them no more.  God chooses to forget.  So, do you want to stand as the Israelites did in Hosea?  Do you want God to remember?  Do you want to face God’s judgement?  Jesus is the way, the life, the truth.  Jesus faced and took on God’s judgement for you.  Because of what He has done we are redeemed.  We are cleansed and can be with God.  God wants our relationship with Him.  He wants us to believe.  Judgement comes regardless.  Does God remember, or did He forget?  You choose…

If We Turn To Him

Hosea Continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 6 (ESV)

“Come, let us return to the Lord;
    for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
    he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
    on the third day he will raise us up,
    that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
    his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
    as the spring rains that water the earth.”

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?

    What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
    like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;
    I have slain them by the words of my mouth,
    and my judgment goes forth as the light.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
    the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

But like Adam they transgressed the covenant;
    there they dealt faithlessly with me.
Gilead is a city of evildoers,
    tracked with blood.
As robbers lie in wait for a man,
    so the priests band together;
they murder on the way to Shechem;
    they commit villainy.

In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing;
    Ephraim's whoredom is there; Israel is defiled.

For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed.

When I restore the fortunes of my people,

Devotional:

A fallen people sent into exile.  They had forsaken the Lord and strayed.  God’s judgement would come, and the people of Israel would suffer the consequences of their actions and rejections.  We too have rejected God and His teachings.  Judgement will come.  Romans 14:11 “for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’”  Hosea 6 begins with “Come let us return to the Lord…”  We too can return to the Lord.  God will heal His people.  The beginning of the chapter refers to healing and restoration.  “…on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.”

Jesus died for our transgressions; judgement has been given.  We are guilty.  Romans also states that all have sinned, the wages of sin is death.  We have sin in our lives.  We will see death.  There is one hope.  Hosea 6 shares with us that there is healing, and a way will be provided.  Jesus came and He died.  But on the third day he arose from the dead bringing with Him new life.  Jesus took on our judgement.  If we turn to Him we will be saved.

He Is Waiting For Us

Hosea continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 5:11-15 (ESV)

Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment,
    because he was determined to go after filth.
But I am like a moth to Ephraim,
    and like dry rot to the house of Judah.
When Ephraim saw his sickness,
    and Judah his wound,
then Ephraim went to Assyria,
    and sent to the great king.
But he is not able to cure you
    or heal your wound.
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim,
    and like a young lion to the house of Judah.
I, even I, will tear and go away;
    I will carry off, and no one shall rescue.
I will return again to my place,
    until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face,
    and in their distress earnestly seek me.

Devotional:

Israel will be in distress, in exile, a conquered nation.  Israel will turn to other nations and people to help or rescue them.  It will not do any good.  God’s wrath and judgement will come to them.

How often do we seek something else?  For some when they get sick or hurt instead of going to the doctor, they find the self help cure.  We seek old remedies and look to others.  When our car breaks down, we try to fix it ourselves.  In some cases, we can find that essential oil or vitamin that can help. But there are times when you just must see the doctor.  Fixing your car is the same way.  Some people can do oil changes or replace breaks.  Some can even do more than that.  But unless you are a mechanic there comes a point when you just can’t fix it. 

We get these crazy ideas that we do not need God.  We think if my good outweighs my bad I am OK and good to go.  Some think salvation is in their own hands.  A belief that I do not need anyone, or anything is common.  The thought that there is nothing out there after death, there is no heaven or hell is dangerous and an effective tool for the enemy. 

The truth is that Jesus is the way the truth and life.  There is no other way into heaven.  We have no other options or choices.  Until we turn to Christ, we are just fooling ourselves.  Hosea 5:15 “I will return again to my place, until…”  It may seem that God has abandoned us.  We may seem alone.  God may have returned to His place.  But he has not abandoned us.  He is waiting for us “they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.”  All we have to do is acknowledge Him.  We need to confess our sins.  We need to accept Christ as our Savior.  The truth is God hasn’t abandoned us or left us.  He is not going to force Himself upon us.  He will be there.  He will not abandon us.  He is just waiting for us to turn around…

Which Are You?

Hosea continued...

Scripture:

Hosea 5:1-7 (ESV)

Hear this, O priests!
    Pay attention, O house of Israel!
Give ear, O house of the king!
    For the judgment is for you;
for you have been a snare at Mizpah
    and a net spread upon Tabor.
And the revolters have gone deep into slaughter,
    but I will discipline all of them.

I know Ephraim,
    and Israel is not hidden from me;
for now, O Ephraim, you have played the whore;
    Israel is defiled.
Their deeds do not permit them
    to return to their God.
For the spirit of whoredom is within them,
    and they know not the Lord.

The pride of Israel testifies to his face;
    Israel and Ephraim shall stumble in his guilt;
    Judah also shall stumble with them.
With their flocks and herds they shall go
    to seek the Lord,
but they will not find him;
    he has withdrawn from them.
They have dealt faithlessly with the Lord;
    for they have borne alien children.
    Now the new moon shall devour them with their fields.

Devotional:

“Hear this, O priest!”  Chapter five opens with God calling them.  He is grabbing their attention.  God is informing them & Israel that enough is enough.  They have strayed from Him.  They have taught falsely to the people and as a result been led astray.  God’s punishment is at hand.  God will judge the priests, and all who will lead His people astray. 

Those that lead and teach are held to a higher standard.  They will be severely dealt with.  2 Peter 2:1 (ESV):

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Peter gives warning to those who would teach falsely.  Their destruction will be swift.  Throughout the Bible God gives warnings about false teaching and leading His people astray.  Today we have many false beliefs and teachings.  Christians are being led astray all the time.  Our enemy will give partial truths to weave his deception.  I see a lot of similarities from Israel before they were exiled and our society today.  We have false teachers. We have accepted lies as truth.  We have lost our first love, Christ. 

If we think we can skip judgement, or it will not happen to us we are mistaken.  Israel was the superpower of the day.  They were on top and didn’t think anything would happen to them.  Why do I think that?  Simple if they were seeking God first.  If they remembered their history, they would not have wandered from God.  Look at people you know and that are around you.  Believers who know they can fall or are in the middle of their own battles tend to cling closer to Christ.  Those who are on top of the world tend to forget they need God.  Which are you?  Do you need God, no matter where you are at in life?  Or are you on top of the world thinking you can do it yourself?  I know I do not want to be counted among the false teachers.  I do not want to be one who thinks I can do it.  I want my life to center around Christ.  I pray all that I share comes from Him.  I pray that my words are in fact His. 

This doesn’t mean we will not make mistakes or get something wrong.  We must focus on Jesus.  We need to take what other people teach us and compare it to what the Bible says.  Do not take what is taught for granted.  Verify and double check.  We can teach one another.  We can help one another.  We need to hold one another accountable.

Which are you?  Is God your focus?  Are you on top of the world and do not need anyone?  It must be lonely up there…  Again, which are you???

What Are You Searching For?

Hosea continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 4:10-19 (ESV)

They shall eat, but not be satisfied;
    they shall play the whore, but not multiply,
because they have forsaken the Lord
    to cherish whoredom, wine, and new wine,
    which take away the understanding.
My people inquire of a piece of wood,
    and their walking staff gives them oracles.
For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray,
    and they have left their God to play the whore.
They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains
    and burn offerings on the hills,
under oak, poplar, and terebinth,
    because their shade is good.

Therefore your daughters play the whore,
    and your brides commit adultery.
I will not punish your daughters when they play the whore,
    nor your brides when they commit adultery;
for the men themselves go aside with prostitutes
    and sacrifice with cult prostitutes,
and a people without understanding shall come to ruin.

Though you play the whore, O Israel,
    let not Judah become guilty.
Enter not into Gilgal,
    nor go up to Beth-aven,
    and swear not, “As the Lord lives.”
Like a stubborn heifer,
    Israel is stubborn;
can the Lord now feed them
    like a lamb in a broad pasture?

Ephraim is joined to idols;
    leave him alone.
When their drink is gone, they give themselves to whoring;   their rulers dearly love shame.
A wind has wrapped them in its wings,
    and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

Devotional:

People are searching for something.  People search for anything.  There is a void or emptiness inside that cannot be filled.  The priests and profits allowed the Israel nation to go astray.  They sought other gods and worshiped idols.  God was displeased, hurt, and angry.  His chosen people left and sought out a new “husband.”  Eventually though they would find themselves empty.  Something big would be missing.  In the end they would eventually realize their mistakes.  God would allow hardships and even exile.  God would turn over His people to their enemies.  Unfortunately, ignorance is not an excuse.  Ignorance does not give you a “get out of jail free” card.  The end of verse 14 states, “and a people without understanding shall come to ruin.”

Today people are searching.  People are hungry. But they do not realize what it is they are searching for.  They do not what they hunger for.  Ignorance is not bliss.  If you walk through a mine field not knowing the mines are not there will not prevent you from stepping on one.  Not knowing Jesus will not lead you to heaven.  On that last day of judgement each and everyone of us will stand before God.  Claiming ignorance will not give you a pass.  Romans 14:11 (ESV) “for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’”

Are you hungry?  Are you searching?  God is the only one who can fill and satisfy that void in your heart, in your life.  Do not let false teaching lead you astray.  Do not let lies fill your head.  Seek out the truth.  Seek out the only one who can save.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and life.

Always Be In The Truth

Hosea continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 4:7- 9 (ESV)

The more they increased,
    the more they sinned against me;
    I will change their glory into shame.
They feed on the sin of my people;
    they are greedy for their iniquity.
And it shall be like people, like priest;
    I will punish them for their ways
    and repay them for their deeds.

Devotional:

The priests’ sinned, they failed to teach God’s people His ways.  Israel has gone astray partly because of the priests.  One thing is for sure.  God will not tolerate false teachings and leading His people away from Him.  Throughout the Bible God warns against false teachings.  In Ezeliel 13:9 we are told this,

My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.

In Jeremiah 23:16,

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.”

God is clear not to lead His people in false teachings.  That was happening and what Hosea warned against.  Look around us today.  Do you see people like those profits?  How much false teaching is there?  Never take someone else’s word for something.  Verify what you are taught by comparing it to what God says in the Bible.  If it doesn’t match up, then don’t listen.  If your church or small group is not teaching truth, it is time to move on.  It is OK to question.  It is OK to confront someone.  We must do it in such a way that we do not fall into sin.  We still need to love and be there to support.  We are to correct one another when necessary.  2 Timothy 2:23-26,

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord's servant[e] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Be sure not to fall into false teachings.  Verify what is taught.  Verify what you teach.  In a loving and caring way, it is OK to approach others to try and help them see what they are doing is wrong.  Do not be confrontational.  Do not do so in anger or bitterness.  Do not be harsh.  But always be in the TRUTH.  Always verify what you are told, taught, or teach with the Bible.  God loves everyone.  He wants all of us to know Him.  He wants everyone to be saved…

Ignorance is Not Bliss

Hosea continued...

Scripture:

Hosea 4:1-6  (ESV)

Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel,
    for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,
    and no knowledge of God in the land;
there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery;
    they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Therefore the land mourns,
    and all who dwell in it languish,
and also the beasts of the field
    and the birds of the heavens,
    and even the fish of the sea are taken away.

Yet let no one contend,
    and let none accuse,
    for with you is my contention, O priest.
You shall stumble by day;
    the prophet also shall stumble with you by night;
    and I will destroy your mother.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
    because you have rejected knowledge,
    I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the law of your God,
    I also will forget your children.

Devotional:

Matthew 18:6 (ESV) …but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Throughout the bible there are scriptures against false teachings and leading God’s people astray.  The first six verses in chapter four indicate that the priests and profits were not teaching God’s laws to the people.  They had fallen ignorant and slipped away from God.  The problem is that ignorance is not bliss.  God didn’t turn a blind eye just because His didn’t know any better.  Verse six states, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge,”.  Because of the priests and profits failed to teach God’s laws and teach the truth to the people God rejected them as well.  God held them to a higher standard, and they failed.  The last half of verse six states “I reject you from being a priest to me.  And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” 

Israel became ignorant of who God is and His laws.  The priests and profits had stopped teaching the people.  They slipped and fell away from their first love.  The truth is that ignorance is not bliss.  God did not spare Israel just because they didn’t know better.  The same applies to us today.  So even if we could say we do not know anything about God or Jesus we still have sin in our lives.  Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” yes that includes those who claim ignorance.  Do not be fooled.  Do not let ignorance condemn you or your friends and neighbors…

His Love and Redemption

Hosea continued...

Scripture:
Hosea 3 (ESV)

And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.

Devotional:

Hosea goes out and redeems or buys back his wife.  Hosea takes back a woman who was unfaithful.  Here God is showing Israel that a time will come when He will redeem His people.  God will buy them back.  But the price God pays is much more than several shekels.  Our redemption cost a life. 

Some might think, “so what, not a big deal…”  Others might think it such a simple matter.  But the truth is different.  Yes, it cast a life.  However, it wasn’t just any life.  The price was much more than a goat or lamb.  The price paid for our redemption was pain and suffering.  It was humiliation and agony.  Christ was beaten.  He wasn’t just hung upon the cross.  Jesus was nailed to the cross.  Jesus hung there in humiliation and shame.  He was in agony.  Yet this paled in comparison to being completely separated from God.

Christ’s death and resurrection are our redemption.  It is a gift to us.  We do not deserve it. We do not have to pay anything for it.  It is given to us.  BUT do not ever think it is cheap.  The price for your redemption, and mine, is very high indeed.  What is the most valuable thing we could ever receive?  The best possible gift given is being reunited with God.  Being given a place in heaven.  Being given life with Him for all eternity.  Hosea’s purchasing his wife and being reunited with her is God’s example of His love and redemption for us.  God went to great lengths and spared no expense for you.  What do you (we) do for Him?

We Are The Bride

Hosea Continued...

Scripture:

Hosea 2: 18-23 (ESV)

And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.

“And in that day I will answer, declares the Lord,
    I will answer the heavens,
    and they shall answer the earth,
and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil,
    and they shall answer Jezreel,
    and I will sow her for myself in the land.
And I will have mercy on No Mercy,
    and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’;
    and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’”

Devotional:

In these verses God is talking about a time when the relationship between Israel and Himself will be renewed.  There will be mercy instead of no mercy.  Instead of “Not My People” Once again they will be “You are My People.”  While God’s anger and justice are real so is His love and Mercy.

Maybe its just me but this scream of God’s plan along for mankind.  He reclaimed His people not by the sword or by war.  God not only reclaimed Israel but he reclaimed all mankind.  Through the line of David came the Messiah.  Through Jesus we have been purchased, redeemed, or reclaimed.  A new covenant was made, an everlasting one.  We are God’s people, His children.  Any who accept Jesus as God’s son and believes He died on the cross and rose again will have eternal life.  John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

God foretold throughout the Old Testament how He would redeem mankind.  It would be through a new covenant.  Christ is the groom; we are the bride.  God is the groom, Israel the bride.