If the LORD is God, follow him;~ Jack Graham

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”

-- 1 Kings 18:21

 

There comes a time in each of our lives when we have to decide whom we will serve. And that is exactly the choice that Elijah was presenting to Israel in today’s verse.

He knew that if revival was going to take place in Israel, it would begin with the people who had surrendered wholeheartedly to God. But the people were divided in their hearts between serving God and Baal. So Elijah, full of the spirit of God, told them they could serve one or the other, but not both!

Today, the same is true for you and me. We must choose. Now, you may say, “We don’t have idols today.” But we do! 

If you love anything more than you love God, you have an idol. If you serve anything more than you serve God, you have an idol. If you worship anything more than you worship God, you have an idol.

So who is your God? Who will you serve with your whole heart? Choose today whom you will serve and let it be settled forever.

WHO IS YOU GOD? WHO WILL YOU SERVE WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART?

Jesus is betrayed, arrested and tried ~ WOW 7 minute Bible

Luke 22:47-23:11,13-25; Psalm 110:4-7; Proverbs 20:7

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him.
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."

But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."
And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them."
But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"

Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."
But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"

Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?" And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.

As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, "If You are the Christ, tell us."

But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe. And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God."
Then they all said, "Are You then the Son of God?"
So He said to them, "You rightly say that I am."

And they said, "What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."

Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King."
Then Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?"
He answered him and said, "It is as you say."

So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no fault in this Man."

But they were the more fierce, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place."

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him" (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

And they all cried out at once, saying, "Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas"-who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!"

Then he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go."

But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Luke 22:47-23:11, 13-25

WORSHIP
The LORD has sworn
And will not relent,
"You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek."
The Lord is at Your right hand;
He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.
He shall judge among the nations,
He shall fill the places with dead bodies,
He shall execute the heads of many countries.
He shall drink of the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He shall lift up the head.
Psalm 110:4-7

WISDOM
The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 20:7

The starfish thrower ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “Under HIS Influence – Yes, Lord” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 10/3-4/09,
Message# MB391; Daily Devotional #4 - “The Starfish Thrower”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): While listening to Pastor Mark’s latest teaching in the “Under HIS Influence” series, I am reminded of a touching story I read, “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eisley. The story begins with a writer who walks along the beach each morning for inspiration. He comes upon a young man who is casting starfish into the water. When the writer asks the young man why he is undertaking such a task, he replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." The writer responds, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!" As the young man bent over, picked up another starfish, and tossed it into the ocean, he replied, “It made a difference to that one.” Many interpret the story as one of man’s self-sacrifice for other men, while others interpret it as man’s self-sacrifice for nature. No matter how the story is interpreted, it is most often perceived as a heartwarming story. It is possible that since we are wired to seek God, whether we acknowledge it or not, we innately see this as a story of God’s value and love for each and every one of us.


Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): The starfish in the story were subject to the tides and the elements. Prior to being washed up on shore, they are tossed about aimlessly. Prior to our acceptance of Jesus Christ, with no purpose or value to our lives, we found ourselves to be subject to whatever life event had our attention. Our lives were full of deception, and our joy was short-lived. Eventually the starfish in the story were cast onto the shore where they were left to die, incapable of saving themselves. Some of their lives were saved by the grace of the Star Thrower. As Christ Followers, we too at some point recognized our helplessness and inability to save ourselves. We recognized our need for our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Star Thrower in the story values each and every starfish and attempts to undertake the seemingly hopeless task of throwing them all back into the ocean. Likewise, Jesus undertook the burden of carrying the sin of the entire world on His shoulders (1 Peter 2:24). Just as the Star Thrower attempts to throw each and every starfish back into the ocean where they may have life, God has shown His love for each of us and has revealed to us through his Word His wish that not one of us perish (2 Peter 3:9).


Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): There is one question remaining. While describing the starfish he was throwing back into the sea, the original version included the line, “The stars throw well, one can help them.” To serve God’s purpose for us and have truly fulfilling lives we must be willing to be moved and shaped by God that we may “throw well.” In order to do this, we must be willing to hear God’s voice and be willing to say, “Yes,” when He calls us to do His work. We must be willing to be reshaped into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Will you lie in the immoveable forces of the sun and sand to slowly fade away, or will you “throw well” into eternal life?

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Ephesians 2:1-10

Ready to shine? ~ Jon Courson

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.

2 Thessalonians 1:5

‘The fact that you are persecuted and put down is proof that you’re a part of the Kingdom,’ declares Paul. He would say the same thing to Timothy by writing, ‘Yea, all those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,’ (2 Timothy 3:12).

Hmm.

So often I pray to avoid pressures, problems, and persecutions, when, in reality, it is those very things which would have produced Christ-like qualities within me. There is really no other way.

If you want to be like Jesus, hard times are inevitable.

‘I want to shine like a diamond in the Kingdom,’ we say. You know what a diamond is? It’s a chunk of worthless coal which has undergone tremendous amounts of pressure over many, many years. So if you say in your heart, ‘I want to reflect Jesus,’ know this: there is no other way that will happen than to go through fiery trials over great lengths of time — which is why Peter talks about our faith being purified by fiery trials (I Peter 4:12), and why James says, ‘Count it all joy when you go through these trials,’ (James 1:2).

Although I know this in theory, I still find myself praying, ‘Lord, I don’t want to deal with this. Lord, I don’t want to go through that. Lord, do I have to go there? Lord, get me out of here!’ In reality, such prayers are unwise because they can actually hinder the work the Lord was doing in me through those very difficulties.

Consequently, I am praying less and less, ‘Lord, help me Yourself,’ and more and more, ‘Lord, help Yourself to me. I am tired of directing You. Put me wherever You see I’ll be happy and most fruitful. You know best.’

A call to arms ~ Chuck Swindoll

Galatians 5-6

This thing called life is an awfully long journey. For some, it seems an endless trip, filled with thankless responsibilities and relentless tasks, disappointments and deadlines, and daily demands.

Being imperfect doesn't help. Every so often we make stupid decisions. We say things we wish we could retrieve. Selfishly, we look out for number one and later regret it. We act impulsively and realize, after the fact, how foolish we were, how dumb we looked. On top of all that, we hurt the ones we love the most. All this stuff caves in on us at certain times, and we wonder how anybody could ever love us . . . especially God.

When we start thinking like this, we need to turn our mind to the "one anothers" in the New Testament. Here's just a sampling: Love one another, build up one another, live in peace with one another, confess your sins to one another, speak to one another, admonish one another, comfort one another, pray for one another.

I deliberately saved my favorite for last: "Bear one another's burdens" (Gal. 6:2).

Imagine two mountain hikers trudging along, each carrying a backpack. The one on the left has a tiny, light pack that a kid could carry, while the poor soul on the right is so loaded down we can't even see his head or his body.

Let's imagine what he might be lugging in that pack down that long road. It could be a long-standing grudge that's poisoning his insides. It might be a broken relationship with his wife or one of his kids. That pack could be loaded with unpaid bills, all of them overdue.

The question is, Where can that fella on the right go to unload so the fella on the left can help "bear the burden"? By sitting in church alongside a few hundred or a couple thousand other folks? Hardly. What he needs most is to be involved in an adult fellowship in a small-group setting, a place where there is person-to-person caring and the opportunity for authentic sharing. Where he will feel free, without embarrassment or shame, to tell his secret or state his struggle; where someone will listen, help him unload, and give him fresh strength.

Adult fellowships and small groups are not miniature church services. They are pockets of people who love Christ and believe in helping one another. They don't point fingers or preach or compare. They are your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Once you begin unloading that pack, you'll discover how much easier the journey seems.

Are you involved in a small fellowship group? If not, consider joining or starting a group---especially if your load is too heavy.

Jesus our healer ~ Raul Ries

The God of Healing

“And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was
full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him,
saying, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’”

Luke 5:12

When Jesus came into the city the leper reached out to Him. He fell on his face and worshiped Him! This leper believed in Jesus Christ and humbly sought the Lord’s mercy and grace to heal his wounds. The leper didn’t demand that God heal him- like many preachers today. There are groups today who name it and claim it, literally commanding God to do certain things in their lives. However, God is not our magic genie. He desires that we seek His will in our lives.

This leper did just that. Though he wanted to be healed, he didn’t demand that God heal him. Instead, the leper had faith that Jesus could heal him, if it was his will to do so. He sought God’s will for his life first!


Thought for the Day:

When the leper sought God’s will first, he found his healing.

Grow in grace through living by faith ~ Bob Hoekstra

Growing in Grace through Living by Faith

Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)

In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).

Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.

This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."

O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.

God's details are explicit ~ Bob Coy

Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions."-Genesis 15:13-14 (NKJV)

Yesterday we studied the prophecy God gave to Abraham concerning his descendants. They would become a mighty nation, and this was perfectly fulfilled through the formation of the nation of Israel. That was the prophetic word God gave in Genesis 12. Then, in Genesis 15, the Lord added more details to this declaration.

In addition to becoming a mighty nation, Abraham's descendants would also "be strangers in a land that is not theirs" and afflicted for "four hundred years." But eventually they would come out of this period of persecution "with great possessions." If you know your Bible history, you know that these conditions were perfectly met. The children of Israel became enslaved in Egypt for approximately four hundred years (Exodus 12:40), and they left with the Egyptian nation's wealth in their possession (Exodus 12:36). Historians generally date the giving of this prophecy at 2000 B.C. and the fulfillment at 1450 B.C., which means God perfectly forecasted the birth and deliverance of Israel 550 years in advance!

Some contend that biblical prophecies are so general and vague that "they could eventually be fulfilled by anyone or anything." General and vague, really? Is four hundred a general number, or specific? Is the plundering of great possessions vague or specific? Any thinking person must admit that biblical prophecy is incredibly detailed. And with each detail, it becomes increasingly impossible for man to deny the supernatural status of these prophecies.

Be thankful that God is detail oriented and that He carries this characteristic over to His prophecies, for the detail in prophecy makes it all the more amazing and astounding!

Discuss with your group how you see God being a God of details. Share an experience you had this week where you were reminded that God cares about details.

Dig into Genesis 15:1–14. What details does God disclose in these verses? What’s the significance of the specifics Abraham was given? What do you sense God is specifically asking you to do? What is your next step of obedience?

Decide as a group to demonstrate real faith. What step of faith could you take that would mean complete dependence on our faithful Father? Challenge the group to put their faith into action by serving together in an outreach activity. Is your group ready for a short-term mission trip?

Speaking through sickness ~ Charles Stanley

Acts 9:1-19

We never enjoy illness or affliction. After all, what good could possibly result from our ailments? God would never make us sick for any reason?would He?

The answer, surprisingly, is yes. Affliction is one of the Lord's most powerful tools for getting our attention when we're not listening. If a period of illness is what it takes to refocus us on Him, then that's exactly what He will do.

Think about the apostle Paul. When we hear his name, we recall the Christ-minded missionary who spread the gospel during the first century. But this wasn't always the case. When we are first introduced to him, he is known as Saul, Christianity's most vicious enemy (Acts 9:1-2). So how did God get Saul's attention?

The Acts account explains that the Lord appeared in a brilliant flash of light that only Saul could see. After revealing Himself, Jesus left Saul completely blind. This enemy of the church was now brought low, having to be led into town by hand, completely at the mercy of others.

What went through Saul's mind during those three days of blindness? No doubt his thoughts were full of one thing: his encounter with Christ. By removing his sight, God took away all distractions during this vital time in the man's life.

God's primary goal is our ultimate good, not our comfort or short-term happiness?He wants what is best for us in light of eternity. At times this means He'll lay us flat on our backs for a season. If you experience such hardship, do pray for healing, but also pray for His message to you in your sickness.

Is vengeance disqualifying you as a leader? (90-4) ~ Barry Werner

Is vengeance disqualifying you as a leader? (90-4)

October 8th, 2009 in Conflict Management, Leader Qualifications, Relationships | leave a response

Many things can disqualify someone from godly leadership. Unrestrained vengeance is one of the most effective disqualifiers for a leader. God tells us that vengeance belongs to Him: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” Leaders who cannot humble themselves to serve God and those He has raised up will eventually act out of selfish motives and hurt themselves, their team and even the Kingdom. Read 2 Samuel 3:6-39.

Abner had been a general in King Saul’s army and after Saul’s death was the primary military leader holding the opposition forces together under Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth. On a more personal note, Abner was the man who had killed one of David’s nephews, Asahel, in a battle several years earlier. After a falling out between Abner and Ish-Bosheth, Abner contacted David and an alliance was made that in effect would unite the entire nation of Israel under David’s rule.

Following their meeting, David trusted Abner to keep his word and sent him away to unite Saul’s army with David’s men but David’s general, his nephew Joab, brother of Asahel, did not trust Abner and wanted vengeance for the death of his brother.

Joab moved secretly to deal with Abner and plotted to kill him. He determined to kill Abner not because he believed he was a threat to David or the kingdom but out of personal vengeance. Joab sent messengers to Abner to arrange a face-to-face meeting and when Abner arrived Joab killed him in cold blood. In David’s mind this incidence of vengeance disqualified Joab for leadership and David even pronounced a curse on his family.

When Joab lost sight of his true calling, he launched out to serve his own selfish interests. In the end, his actions cost him everything (see 1 Kings 2:28-35).

What items may be in your past that are still festering and if not dealt with have the chance to destroy your right to lead?

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Tags: Humility, Leadership methods, Vengeance
« Have you planned for changes in your team? (90-3)

Willing to be a Barnabas? ~ Greg Laurie

Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
— Acts 9:27


You would think that upon returning to Jerusalem after his conversion that Paul would have been greeted as a hero: "Can you believe it? Our worst enemy has now become a follower of Jesus! Isn't this glorious? Isn't this wonderful? God has saved the notorious Saul, and he is now a fellow believer!" But that is not what happened at all. In fact, when Paul returned to Jerusalem, the church didn't believe that he was really converted. They thought it was some kind of trap. Here he was, a new believer, and they didn't think he was even converted.

Enter an unsung hero, Barnabas. Effectively the believers were saying, "You can't come to our worship service, Saul. We don't trust you." But Barnabas essentially said, "Paul, you come with me." Then he took him and brought him to the apostles.

That is what we need to do with new believers. We need to take them to church with us, because the greatest danger a new believer faces after making a commitment to Christ is falling through the cracks and going back to their old friends and their old ways. They need a brother or sister in Christ, an Ananias or a Barnabas who will take them and say, "You are coming with me to church."

Someone did that for me. His name was Mark, and after I became a Christian, he took me to church and took me under his wing. I needed someone like that. Everyone wants to be a Paul or a Simon Peter, but who will be a Barnabas? It doesn't matter whether you are a hero or an unsung hero; just don't be a zero. Just do something, and realize that God has a place for each of us to be used for His glory.

What must "I" do? ~ Mike MacIntosh

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"

And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
Mark 10:17-21

Are you willing to receive what Jesus has to give you? This is a loaded question because Jesus has so much to give. Sometimes our questions to the Lord are faulty and selfish, just like this wealthy young ruler. He wasn't asking what it took to inherit eternal life or to have peace with God. He was selfishly asking what he could get out of Jesus; "What's in it for me?" And we need to be so careful to ask the Lord with a pure heart. You can believe, and even live out, many of the 10 Commandments, but that doesn't make you a Christian. So when Jesus told this man to sell his possessions and give to the poor, He put him in his place.

Now notice that Jesus didn't say these words to trouble the young man. Verse 21 says that Jesus "looked at him and loved him." So maybe your questions have been a bit faulty and self-serving. Maybe you've been looking for God to "bail you out" of things in your life, treating Him no better than a personal genie. But God wants you to come to Him with a sincere heart and a willingness to serve and do whatever He asks of you.

Philippians 4:6 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." He wants you to make requests because He's the only one that can answer and fulfill them. But be sure that you come to Him with complete honesty and integrity. He listens to your requests and He loves you very much, just like the rich young ruler. Ask in faith and accept, in that same faith, His response. Then, whatever the tasks He has for you, take up that cross and follow Him with your whole heart.

The beginning of wisdom ~ Joyce Meyer

The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.
— Psalm 111:10

If you will read the book of Proverbs and look at all the radical promises that are made to the person who walks in wisdom, and then realize that reverence and worship are the beginning of wisdom, you will quickly see why reverence and worship are so important.

The Bible says that those who walk in wisdom will be wealthy. They will live a long life. They will be exceedingly happy. They will be blessed, so blessed that they will be envied (See Proverbs 3:1-18). But there is no such thing as wisdom without worship.

Many people today are seeking knowledge, and knowledge is good, but wisdom is better. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. Knowledge without wisdom can cause one to be puffed up, or filled with pride, which will ultimately ruin his life. A wise person will always be knowledgeable, but not all knowledgeable people are wise. I believe that in our society today, we exalt knowledge more than we should. Education seems to be most people's main goal, and yet our world today is rapidly declining morally.

Education is good, but it is not better than wisdom. God's Word tells us to cry out for wisdom; seek it as we would silver and gold; make it a vital necessity in life. There is nothing more important than wisdom, and the beginning of it is reverence and worship. The worshiper will be taught wisdom by God.

Twitter proverbs from Rick Warren

• t's stupid to let people from your past continue to hurt u today thru memory. They can't hurt u anymore unless u allow it.about 11 hours ago from web

• Holding on to past hurts is like driving looking at the rearview mirror.You'll crash.Your past is past! Let it go. Phil3:13about 11 hours ago from web

• Heresy-hunting lets u to ignore the mess in your own life. God is more concerned about your hypocrisy than other's heresy.about 19 hours ago from web

• I'll follow anyone attending Catalyst 09 who lets me know you're there.Send me your favorite insights.Praying for u #CAT0910:26 PM Oct 7th from web

• For every book on serving,there's a 100 written on leading.Which have u read more of & what does that tell u? Matt20:264:38 PM Oct 7th from web

1. I hate missing Catalyst this yr.I believe in Next Gen & I'm praying for u! Please tweet me the best insights u hear.#CAT0912:19 PM Oct 7th from web
2. True success:Having those who know me best,respect me most.“I will lead a life of integrity in my own home” Psalm101:2(LB)11:56 AM Oct 7th from web

• Paul's last request:Bring my books! 2Tim4:13 In Dec-begin a wkly webcast on essential books.Began mylibrary@16. 20,000vols11:26 PM Oct 6th from web

• Show me ur library& I'll predict ur future in ministry.Cant build without tools! I buy used hardback instead of new pb.11:07 PM Oct 6th from web

1. WorshipWars arent new.Benjamin Keach wrote "A Breach Repaired" in1691 His controversial innovation? Congregational sInging!6:02 PM Oct 6th from web

1. @Ann Dunagan- AMEN Rick! God isn't Republican, Democrat- or even American! His heart is for the WHOLE WORLD & HIS KINGDOM!10:44 AM Oct 6th from web

• Joshua:"Are you for us or for our enemies?" Angel:"NEITHER! I'm commander of God's army"Josh5:14 Pastors cant be partisans!10:38 AM Oct 6th from web

• Balance ur preaching:“Edification,Exhortation & Comfort”1Cor.14:3 BUILD UP(doctrinal)FIRE UP(motivational)HOLD UP(pastoral)12:29 AM Oct 6th from web

• 95% of criticism is caused by envy, ego, or erroneous info.The 3rd is usually motivated by first 2. James3:16=why confusion12:00 PM Oct 5th from web

• RT @carlester I'm reading & studying Purpose Driven Life over the next 40 days. Do you know anyone who wants to join me?11:17 PM Oct 4th from web

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Words that heal the real problem ~ Kay Arthur

We love to hear good words. We love to hear good news. We love to hear “Hey, we’re in trouble, but it’s gonna be all right. We can make it.” And you know what? That is wonderful to hear and that is wonderful to believe unless they are deceptive words, unless they are words that gloss over where you are, that do not deal with the problem. We’re gonna talk about words that deal with the problem and bring healing.

In Jeremiah you find that the people were loving what they were hearing. They were hearing, “Peace, peace,” and there was no peace. (See Jeremiah 6:14) Judgment was coming. Judgment had to come because the people had forsaken God and they refused to return. But the people didn’t know it. The people simply listened to the false prophets instead of listening to this one lone voice of Jeremiah who was living right among them. They preferred the, the voice of the multitude.

Listen to what it says in Jeremiah chapter 5, verse 30. .=[An appalling thing has happened, it’s happened] in [our] land: the prophets prophesy falsely…the priests rule on their own authority; and [the] people love it so…!‘. He says, .=…But what will [they] do at the end of it?‘. (Jeremiah 5:30-31)

They love it, but what are they going to at the end? Why? Because what’s happening is instead of ruling according to God’s authority, according to the plumb line of God’s Word, which the people don’t want to hear, they .=…rule on their own authority….‘. (Jeremiah 5:30)

And this is why, believe it or not, this is why, Beloved, there are so many in America that are trying to silence the voice of Christians. They don’t want Christians bringing up God. They don’t want them to talk about Him or holiness or righteousness or judgment. And you know what? God’s judging us, and how many people have heard the warning of God that this judgment was coming?

I’ve been telling people, not because I’m some great prophet. But I’ve been telling people because I read the Word of God. Joel Rosenberg is a dear friend of mine. He and Lynn are dear friends. And he’s been writing these novels, and he’s been telling people, and they think he’s another Nostradamus. But he’s reading the same Book that I’m reading. We did programs together. Many of you commented on how blessed you were by those. And, and you can go online to “preceptsforlife.com” and you can order those. But I’m telling you that people do not want to hear truth. They love deception.

And so this is where we left off. In Jeremiah chapter 9, in verse 5 it says .=Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth, they have taught their tongues to speak lies; [and] they weary themselves committing iniquity.‘. (Jeremiah 9:5) He says, .=Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit….‘. There’s deceit all around you. .=…Through deceit they refuse to know Me….‘. (Jeremiah 9:6)

They don’t want to know God. And you see it’s knowing God that delivers you from deception. It’s knowing the Word of God that sets you free from that deception.

So now we come to a “therefore”in verse 7. Because through deceit they refuse to know Him, .Therefore thus says the LORD…=Behold, I will refine them and assay them; for what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?‘. (Jeremiah 9:7) What else can I do? I can only assay them.

Now to assay them means, I’m going to take them and I’m going to put them in the fire. That’s the way silver is refined. In my book “As Silver Refined: Learning to Embrace Life’s Disappointments,” I open with this illustration of how silver is refined. Now remember he uses that same illustration in Jeremiah chapter 6 in verse 27 when He says, .=I have made you and assayer and a tester among My people….‘. (Jeremiah 6:27)

He says in verse 29 .The bellows blow fiercely, the lead is consumed by…fire; [but] in vain the refining goes on, [because] the wicked are not separated.. (Jeremiah 6:29) And so he says .They call them rejected silver….. (Jeremiah 6:30) And he’s saying “Because you’re dwelling in the midst of deceit then I’m going to have to assay you. There’s nothing else that I can do. I’m going to have to put you in the fire.”

He says .=Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit; with his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, but inwardly [he’s setting] an ambush for him.‘. (Jeremiah 9:8) He’s going after him. And God asks the question .=Shall I not punish them for these things?‘ declares the LORD. =On a nation such as this shall I not avenge Myself?‘. (Jeremiah 9:9) Answer Me. I’m God. I’m righteous. I’m lovingkindness. But I am righteous, and I am justice. And I’m gonna have to do it. I’ve got to avenge Myself, My character on a people like this.

And you know what’s so amazing about this. On Tish B’Av every single year in every Jewish synagogue around the world, do you know what they read? Tish B’Av, the ninth of Av, according to the Jewish calendar, not the Gentile calendar. But according to the Jewish calendar, on the ninth of the month of Av, which falls every time the same time, they stand in the synagogues, and they read Jeremiah chapter 8, verse 13 that begins .=I will surely snatch them away…,‘. (Jeremiah 8:13) and then talks about the destruction that’s going to come on the land. And they read all the way through chapter 9, which is what we’re studying right now, all the way to verse 22. And 22 says this, .Speak, =Thus says the LORD, .The corpses of men will fall like dung on the open field, and like the sheaf after the reaper…no one will gather them..‘. (Jeremiah 9:22) The sheaves just laying in the field because the reaper has gone through. They read that every Tish B’Av. Now you say, well, what’s Tish B’Av? It’s the day when the temple was destroyed. Jeremiah was there. Jeremiah saw it. It was the day when the temple was brought down. Solomon’s temple was taken to the ground on Tish B’Av.

But you know what’s so incredible? Eventually the temple was rebuilt. It came to be known as Herod’s temple. It was the temple where Jesus went as a child. It was the temple where He went as an adult. It was the temple where He healed people. That temple, Herod’s temple was destroyed also. Not by the Babylonians. It was destroyed by the Romans. And do you know when it was destroyed? On the very same day of the very same month Tish B’Av, God is sovereign. He’s in charge of history.

And they didn’t realize as they were hearing these words from Jeremiah pre-586 B.C. They didn’t realize that someday that those words would be read over and over and over again, year after year as a reminder of the holiness of God, of the lovingkindness of God, of the justice of God, of the righteousness of God, and of their great sinfulness and the deception by which they were deceived. It’s amazing, isn’t it?

Well, let me go on. He says, verse 10 .=For the mountains I will take up a weeping and [a] wailing…for the pastures of the wilderness a dirge…,‘. a funeral song, .=…because they [have] laid waste so that no one passes through, and the lowing of…cattle is not heard; both the birds of the sky and the beasts have fled; they are gone.‘. (Jeremiah 9:10) In other words, it is devastation. There’s no life there, no life there. .=I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins….‘. (Jeremiah 9:11) Now listen, deception ruins a land. Deception ruins a nation. .=…A haunt of jackals…I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.‘. (Jeremiah 9:11) He says, .=Who is the wise man that [he] may understand this…?‘. (Jeremiah 9:12) Is there anybody out here that’s wise that might understand this? .=…Who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why is this land ruined, laid waste like a desert, so that no one passes through?‘. (Jeremiah 9:12) Where’s somebody to pronounce this? Where is somebody to say this? Why is this land this way?

And then he says as he asks why is the land ruined, .The LORD said, =Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, [they] have not .obeyed. My voice….‘. (Jeremiah 9:13) Circle it with a blue circle. Put a slash around it. They .=… have not obeyed My voice nor walked according to it.‘. (Jeremiah 9:13) They’re deceived. They’re hardened. They’ve got their heels dug in. This is why it’s a desolation.

Listen, deception leads to destruction and desolation. And you see it just mirrored over and over and over in the lives of so many, many people. He says .=…they have forsaken [Me] My law which I set before them…[they] have not obeyed My voice nor walked according to it, but [they] have walked after the stubbornness of their heart and after the Baals, as their fathers taught them.‘. (Jeremiah 9:13-14) They were not taught about the Lord. They were not taught about the Lord.

I want to ask you a question young person. Were you taught about the Lord? Did your daddy know the Word of God? Did your daddy teach you the Word of God? Did you sit as a family and hear the Word of the Lord? Did you discuss it when you went over and when you sat down, and when you rose up? Did you discuss it? Was it taught to you? He says, oh, .Therefore…the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel [says] =…I will feed [these]…people…wormwood….‘. (Jeremiah 9:15) Bitterness, bitterness. We’ll talk about and there’s good news at the end.

Has this been a hard week, Beloved? I mean we’ve been talking about deception. Doesn’t it break your heart? Understand. Listen to what he says. .…Why is the land ruined [and] laid waste like a desert, so that no one passes through? The LORD said, =Because they have forsaken My law…, [they] have not obeyed My voice nor walked according to it, but [they] have walked after the stubbornness of their heart…after the Baals, as their fathers taught them.‘. (Jeremiah 9:12-14)

Therefore, now catch this, because of the deception, because they trusted in the fact that they had the temple and they trusted in the fact that they had the law, but they didn’t know God and they didn’t pay attention to the ordinances of God, and they didn’t walk in the right way, .Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, =Behold, I will feed…this people, with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.‘. (Jeremiah 9:15) I’m gonna do it, why?

Listen, He was the fountain of living waters. They could have had living water, but what did they do? They forsook Him. He’s called to them to return. They have refused to return. They have refused to repent. They have held continually to their apostasies. They love the deception. They love the false teaching. They love ear-tickling news. They love it, and so God is going to give them, poisonous water to drink. Imagine a person grasping their throat after they’ve drunk the water, and they know, and it’s down, and it’s poison. He says, .=I will scatter them among the nations [where] neither they nor their fathers have known….‘. (Jeremiah 9:16) I’m gonna send them to lands that they have never seen. .=…And I will send the sword after them until I have annihilated them.‘. (Jeremiah 9:16)

You know as I think about that I think about novel that I wrote, “Israel, My Beloved”. It begins with the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., before Christ. It’s a book that Jews have loved and they have understood. And it’s revealed to them their history because I take them from that to the scattering all around the world. And what you see is they go to Spain, and there’s a Spanish inquisition. You go to Russia, and there are Pogroms. You go to Germany, and to Poland and there’s the Holocaust. Constantly they are fleeing, and God is going after them with the sword to devour them. I think it was a third of the population of the Jews perished in the Holocaust? And you Jews may be saying to me, “I’ve been listening to this program, but you make me mad.”

Listen, Precious One, I didn’t say this. God’s got His arms open to you. He wants you to return to Him. He wants you to believe Him. He wants you to get into His Word. If Israel would repent right now, if Israel would return to the Lord, my goodness, things would change in Israel and in the Middle East. But they fear man more than they fear God.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, =Consider and call for the mourning women, that they may come…send for the wailing women, that they may come! Let them make haste [let them]…take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may shed tears and our eyelids flow with water. For the voice of wailing is heard from Zion, .How we are ruined…!.‘. (Jeremiah 9:17-19) Deception ruins you. It says .=.…We are put to shame…..‘. Deception brings shame. .=.…For we have left the land…..‘. Deception brings judgment. .=.…Because they have cast down our dwellings..‘ Now hear the word of the LORD, O…women, and let your ear receive the word of His mouth….. (Jeremiah 9:19-20) This is what I want you to do, I want you to .…Teach your daughters [how to] wail….. (Jeremiah 9:20) I want you to teach them how to cry. I want you to teach your .…neighbor a dirge. For death has come…through our windows; it has entered our palaces to cut off the children from the streets, the young men from the town squares. Speak, =Thus says the LORD, .The corpses of men will fall like dung on the open field, and like the sheaf after the reaper, [and] no one will gather them..‘. (Jeremiah 9:20-22) And the scroll is closed on Tish B’Av. That’s where it stops on the day of the destruction of the temple.

But I want to take it a little bit farther. In verse 23 it says, .Thus says the LORD, =Let not [the] wise man boast of his wisdom….‘. (Jeremiah 9:23) So many men are haughty because of their education, because of their P.H.D.’s and their other things that they have achieved, because of their wisdom. He says “Don’t boast in your wisdom.” He says, .=…let not the mighty man boast of his might….‘. (Jeremiah 9:23)

Don’t boast because you’re in this place of power. Don’t boast because you’ve finally been elected, and you’ve finally been chosen, and you’re there, and you’ve arrived. .=…Let not a rich man boast of his riches,‘. (Jeremiah 9:23) and all that you have accumulated while those poor people have nothing. Don’t boast in that. .=But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me….‘. (Jeremiah 9:24)

Now, that is something to really boast about that you understand God, that you know Him. That word “know” is “yada”. That word is, “know in an intimate way.” He says rejoice in the fact that you know Me. He says .=…that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth….‘. (Jeremiah 9:24) You’re not deceived. If you’re not boasting in your wisdom, if you’re not boasting in your strength, if you’re not boasting in your riches, but if your only boast is hey, I know God. I know God. I know that He’s filled with lovingkindness. It’s gonna be a key word in Lamentations after Jerusalem is destroyed. I know God. He’s a God of justice. We got what we deserved. I know God. He’s a God of righteousness, declares the LORD, .=…I delight in these things….‘. (Jeremiah 9:24)

Do you know that in Jeremiah chapter 23, and this is so neat, but in Jeremiah chapter 23 in verse 5 he takes us all the way and he fast forwards us to the future, the future of Israel. And it says, .=Behold…days are coming…when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch…He will reign as king and act wisely [He] will do justice and righteousness in the land.‘. (Jeremiah 23:5) On the earth; who is this? This is Messiah. .=In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel [shall] dwell securely; and this is His name by which he will be called, .The LORD our righteousness..‘. (Jeremiah 23:6)

Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness, Precious One, this is what’s coming. This is the healing that is coming. But it will be coming as God executes justice, and righteousness, and lovingkindness in the earth through Messiah. So what are the very last words of chapter 9?

It’s this, .=Behold…days are coming,‘ declares the LORD, =that I will punish all who are circumcised and yet uncircumcised—Egypt and Judah, [even some of those circumcised] and Edom and the sons of Ammon, and Moab and all [of the inhabitants of] the desert who clip the hair on their temples; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised of heart.‘. (Jeremiah 9:25-26) They’re deceived. They’re deceived. Beware of deception.

Love so amazing ~ Bob Caldwell

Love So Amazing

Hosea 1:1-5:15

3:1-2 Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans." So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley.

There is no revelation or teaching about who God is that can come near to the vision of God we see in scripture. Through the prophet Hosea, we see a description of the love God has for His people that will forever elevate the glory of God's love and grace above all other "gods," philosophies, and ideologies of man.

To do this, God uses a graphic example of His divine love in the prophet Hosea's relationship with and marriage to a prostitute. After she had been redeemed from a life of prostitution through marriage, she later turned her back on her husband and returned to prostitution (1:2). This is how God sees Israel and all who have ever cast off His relationship for the love of other gods. This is like a wife who turns her back on a giving, loving husband for a man who promises a better life free from the commitment, only to live a life of prostitution and slavery. Like Israel, we all must admit that when we give ourselves over to the gods of our lust we quickly find out that all gods but God will strip us bare. We are left as victims of sin's destruction, vanity, and slavery (2:11-13).

At such times in our lives, God will step back and allow the painful consequences of life apart from Him to speak louder than any other voice can speak. But in no way does God stop there. He does this only to awaken us to His love, a love that seeks to draw us to a decision of our will driven by love. God will lure us with cords of love, not with chains of forced control. He promises to comfort us rather than beat us for our unfaithfulness. He desires that we would call Him "Husband," not "Master." His response to our betrayal and unfaithfulness, if we will repent and return to Him, is a promise of unending love and faithfulness by grace. Not only that, but He promises all the joy and pleasure of an abundance of grain, new wine, and oil (2:14-23).

God wants us to see this picture so passionately that He tells His servant Hosea to do the unthinkable. Hosea is commanded to seek out his wife who had returned to prostitution and buy her back from what we would call a "pimp" (men who sold women as slaves at an auction when finished using them). Hosea finds his wife in such a situation and offers the highest bid to buy her back from her slavery. Yes, God told Him to "go again" and love her, even to the point of buying her out of prostitution (3:1-2).

Such is the love of God. You will find love in its perfect expression nowhere else but in God.

That we so easily spurn this abundant bliss that only God can give us is tragic proof of the blinding, desensitizing power of our fallen natures. May God give us grace to see His love that surpasses all human experience, and may we be filled with all the fullness that only His love can give (Eph. 3:17-20).

NKJV BIBLE TEXT

Hosea 1:1-5:15

1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
The Family of Hosea

2 When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea:

"Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry
And children of harlotry,
For the land has committed great harlotry
By departing from the LORD."

3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4 Then the LORD said to him:

"Call his name Jezreel,
For in a little while
I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu,
And bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.

5 It shall come to pass in that day
That I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel."

6 And she conceived again and bore a daughter. Then God said to him:

"Call her name Lo-Ruhamah,
For I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel,
But I will utterly take them away.

7 Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah,
Will save them by the LORD their God,
And will not save them by bow,
Nor by sword or battle,
By horses or horsemen."

8 Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. 9 Then God said:

"Call his name Lo-Ammi,
For you are not My people,
And I will not be your God.
The Restoration of Israel

10 "Yet the number of the children of Israel
Shall be as the sand of the sea,
Which cannot be measured or numbered.
And it shall come to pass
In the place where it was said to them,
'You are not My people,'
There it shall be said to them,
'You are sons of the living God.'

11 Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel
Shall be gathered together,
And appoint for themselves one head;
And they shall come up out of the land,
For great will be the day of Jezreel!
Chapter 2

1 Say to your brethren, ‘My people,'
And to your sisters, ‘Mercyis shown.'
God's Unfaithful People

2 "Bring charges against your mother, bring charges;
For she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband!
Let her put away her harlotries from her sight,
And her adulteries from between her breasts;

3 Lest I strip her naked
And expose her, as in the day she was born,
And make her like a wilderness,
And set her like a dry land,
And slay her with thirst.

4 "I will not have mercy on her children,
For they are the children of harlotry.

5 For their mother has played the harlot;
She who conceived them has behaved shamefully.
For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers,
Who give me my bread and my water,
My wool and my linen,
My oil and my drink.'

6 "Therefore, behold,
I will hedge up your way with thorns,
And wall her in,
So that she cannot find her paths.

7 She will chase her lovers,
But not overtake them;
Yes, she will seek them, but not find them.
Then she will say,
'I will go and return to my first husband,
For then it was better for me than now.'

8 For she did not know
That I gave her grain, new wine, and oil,
And multiplied her silver and gold—
Which they prepared for Baal.

9 "Therefore I will return and take away
My grain in its time
And My new wine in its season,
And will take back My wool and My linen,
Given to cover her nakedness.

10 Now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers,
And no one shall deliver her from My hand.

11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease,
Her feast days,
Her New Moons,
Her Sabbaths—
All her appointed feasts.

12 "And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees,
Of which she has said,
'These are my wages that my lovers have given me.'
So I will make them a forest,
And the beasts of the field shall eat them.

13 I will punish her
For the days of the Baals to which she burned incense.
She decked herself with her earrings and jewelry,
And went after her lovers;
But Me she forgot," says the LORD.
God's Mercy on His People

14 "Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
Will bring her into the wilderness,
And speak comfort to her.

15 I will give her her vineyards from there,
And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope;
She shall sing there,
As in the days of her youth,
As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.

16 "And it shall be, in that day,"

Says the LORD,

"That you will call Me ‘My Husband,'
And no longer call Me ‘My Master,'

17 For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals,
And they shall be remembered by their name no more.

18 In that day I will make a covenant for them
With the beasts of the field,
With the birds of the air,
And with the creeping things of the ground.
Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth,
To make them lie down safely.

19 "I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;

20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the LORD.

21 "It shall come to pass in that day
That I will answer," says the LORD;
"I will answer the heavens,
And they shall answer the earth.

22 The earth shall answer
With grain,
With new wine,
And with oil;
They shall answer Jezreel.

23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were not My people,
'You are My people!'
And they shall say, ‘You are my God!'"
Hosea 3 Israel Will Return to God

1 Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans."

2 So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley. 3 And I said to her, "You shall stay with me many days; you shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man—so, too, will I be toward you."

4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days.
Hosea 4 God's Charge Against Israel

1 Hear the word of the LORD,
You children of Israel,
For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land:

"There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land.

2 By swearing and lying,
Killing and stealing and committing adultery,
They break all restraint,
With bloodshed upon bloodshed.

3 Therefore the land will mourn;
And everyone who dwells there will waste away
With the beasts of the field
And the birds of the air;
Even the fish of the sea will be taken away.

4 "Now let no man contend, or rebuke another;
For your people are like those who contend with the priest.

5 Therefore you shall stumble in the day;
The prophet also shall stumble with you in the night;
And I will destroy your mother.

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.

7 "The more they increased,
The more they sinned against Me;
I will change their glory into shame.

8 They eat up the sin of My people;
They set their heart on their iniquity.

9 And it shall be: like people, like priest.
So I will punish them for their ways,
And reward them for their deeds.

10 For they shall eat, but not have enough;
They shall commit harlotry, but not increase;
Because they have ceased obeying the LORD.
The Idolatry of Israel

11 "Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart.

12 My people ask counsel from their wooden idols,
And their staff informs them.
For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray,
And they have played the harlot against their God.

13 They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops,
And burn incense on the hills,
Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,
Because their shade is good.
Therefore your daughters commit harlotry,
And your brides commit adultery.

14 "I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry,
Nor your brides when they commit adultery;
For the men themselves go apart with harlots,
And offer sacrifices with a ritual harlot.
Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.

15 "Though you, Israel, play the harlot,
Let not Judah offend.
Do not come up to Gilgal,
Nor go up to Beth Aven,
Nor swear an oath, saying, ‘As the LORD lives'—

16 "For Israel is stubborn
Like a stubborn calf;
Now the LORD will let them forage
Like a lamb in open country.

17 "Ephraim is joined to idols,
Let him alone.

18 Their drink is rebellion,
They commit harlotry continually.
Her rulers dearly love dishonor.

19 The wind has wrapped her up in its wings,
And they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.
Hosea 5 Impending Judgment on Israel and Judah

1 "Hear this, O priests!
Take heed, O house of Israel!
Give ear, O house of the king!
For yours is the judgment,
Because you have been a snare to Mizpah
And a net spread on Tabor.

2 The revolters are deeply involved in slaughter,
Though I rebuke them all.

3 I know Ephraim,
And Israel is not hidden from Me;
For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry;
Israel is defiled.

4 "They do not direct their deeds
Toward turning to their God,
For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst,
And they do not know the LORD.

5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face;
Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity;
Judah also stumbles with them.

6 "With their flocks and herds
They shall go to seek the LORD,
But they will not find Him;
He has withdrawn Himself from them.

7 They have dealt treacherously with the LORD,
For they have begotten pagan children.
Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage.

8 "Blow the ram's horn in Gibeah,
The trumpet in Ramah!
Cry aloud at Beth Aven,
'Look behind you, O Benjamin!'

9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke;
Among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure.

10 "The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark;
I will pour out My wrath on them like water.

11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment,
Because he willingly walked by human precept.

12 Therefore I will be to Ephraim like a moth,
And to the house of Judah like rottenness.

13 "When Ephraim saw his sickness,
And Judah saw his wound,
Then Ephraim went to Assyria
And sent to King Jareb;
Yet he cannot cure you,
Nor heal you of your wound.

14 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim,
And like a young lion to the house of Judah.
I, even I, will tear them and go away;
I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.

15 I will return again to My place
Till they acknowledge their offense.
Then they will seek My face;
In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me."

STUDY NOTES

Hosea 1:1-5:15

v. 1 the word of the Lord came to him ? Hosea's authority rests upon the fact that his message and commission came to him unmistakably from the Lord. Thus, his message to the nation was by divine inspiration (Jer. 1:2, 4; Eze. 1:3; Joel 1:1; Jonah 1:1; Zech. 1:1; 2 Peter 1:21).

Hosea ? Howshea (Heb.), meaning salvation. Hosea was a prophet and preacher to the Northern Kingdom of Israel around the middle of the eighth century BC. Since Solomon's death, Rehoboam (Solomon's son) and Jeroboam (one of Solomon's chief officers) divided the kingdom of Israel north and south. The ten northern tribes were then called Israel and ruled by Jeroboam a former chief officer of Solomon. The southern kingdom, Judah, was composed of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and ruled by Solomon's son Rehoboam.

In the days of ? Listing the kings of the southern kingdom gives historical orientation to the time of Hosea's ministry to the northern kingdom. This technique is done repeatedly in the times of the kings. The kings of the north were dated by the reigns of kings of the south and visa versa.

Uzziah ? Son of Amaziah, and 10th king of Judah, came to the throne at the age of 16. He reigned for 52 years.

Jotham ? The 11th king and son of Uzziah and the sole survivor of the family massacre by Abimelech (Judg. 9:5)

Ahaz ? The 12th king of Judah, who shared the throne with his father Jotham. He was an ungodly king, worshiping the pagan god Molech.

Hezekiah ?The 13th king of Judah; he was known as a godly king.

Jeroboam ?The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after King Solomon died and Israel was split north and south. Rehoboam, Solomon's son, became king of the southern kingdom of Judah, while Jeroboam, one of Solomon's former chief officers, became king of the northern kingdom of Israel.

v. 2 harlotry ? zanuwn (Heb.) adultery, fornication, prostitution. The LORD was asking Hosea to marry a prostitute and care for her children born out of prostitution to illustrate how abhorrent and unacceptable the unfaithfulness of God's people of Israel was to the LORD.

For the land has committed great harlotry ? The people dwelling in the northern kingdom had committed spiritual harlotry by worshiping the idols set up by wicked king Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:26-33; 13:33, 34).

v. 3 Gomer ? Gomer (Heb.) complete

v. 4 Jezreel ? Yizre‘e'l (Heb.) God sows or God will disperse, as when seed is sown. Probably intimating the approaching judgment of God via the speedy dispersion of Israel. Jezreel was also the name of a great valley near Mount Carmel extending from Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea. This valley was often used as a battlefield and will be used as part of God's chastening of Israel as foretold in the next verse.

v. 5 I will break the bow of Israel ? The bow is a powerful and lethal long-distance weapon. God is declaring that He is about to greatly weaken Israel's military power, making them vulnerable to any attacking nation.

in the valley of Jezreel ?From north to south, this valley reaches the mountains of Ephraim up to the mountains of Galilee. From east to west, it reached from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Later it would be called the great Plain of Esdraelon.

v. 6 Lo ? Ruhamah-Lo' Ruchamah (Heb.) without compassion or mercy

v. 7 yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah ? At this time in history the southern kingdom of Judah had not yet fallen into the degree of idolatry that the northern kingdom of Israel had. God would therefore judge the northern kingdom first. In time however, both kingdoms would fall and go into captivity under God's judgment.

will save them by the Lord their God ? Nations depend upon their military might for protection. God is saying that Judah will be saved by His hand rather than their military devices.

v. 9 Lo ? Ammi-Lo Ammiy (Heb.) not my people

v. 10 as the sand of the sea ? a sum which cannot be measured or numbered

You are not My people ? Quoted in 1 Peter 2:9-10 in reference to the church.

v. 11 one head ?Refers to the future conversion and restoration of the Jews and Israelites under one head, Jesus Christ. One day there will be one flock and one shepherd.

for great will be the day of Jezreel ?An allusion to the word Jezreel. God, who sowed them among the nations in His wrath, shall reap and gather them in His mercy (Rom. 11:15).
Hosea 2

v. 1 my people?mercy is shown ? The LORD now gives Hosea a message of restoration and future hope of once more being called God's people to deliver to the people of Israel.

v. 2 bring charges against your mother ? The allegory from chapter 1 continues as the LORD brings a condemnation against Israel comparing her to an adulterous wife.

v. 3 strip?expose?slay with thirst ? The LORD threatens to not only shame Israel but to also take away even her basic needs for survival.

v. 4 children of harlotry ? Again the allegory continues and equates the inhabitants of adulterous Israel as illegitimate children and not children of God.

v. 5 my lovers ? Referring to the idols which Israel had given themselves over to. Israel mistakenly credited false idols with meeting their needs.

v. 6 I will hedge up?wall her in ? The LORD pledges to take control and limit Israel's actions and block their path.

v. 7 I will go and return to my first husband ? The LORD will chasten Israel until she once more desires to return to Him (her first husband).

v. 8 she did not know that I gave ? Israel falsely believed that her idols were providing for her (v. 5), but their provider was actually the LORD.

Baal ? Ba`al (Heb.) simply means, lord. He was the main idol and supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites whom Israel was now worshiping.

v. 9 take away My grain?My new ?My wool?My linen ? All these things were blessings given to Israel from God. And now He declares that He will take them back and leave Israel naked.

v. 10 lewdness ? nabluwth (Heb.) immodesty, shamelessness. Israel's behavior towards and devotion to her idols was folly and wickedness in God's eyes.

v. 11 mirth ? masows (Heb.) exultation, joy, rejoicing. The LORD here decrees that He will put an end to all Israel's holidays and religious celebrations.

v. 12 destroy her vines and her fig trees ? This was the fruitful produce of the land that Israel was so proud of and gave thanks to her idols (lovers) for.

v. 15 Valley of Achor ? Achor (Heb.) means trouble. This valley was so named from Achan, who was stoned in it in the days of Joshua (Josh 7:1-24). The signification of its name is the valley of trouble, because that Achan both troubled Israel by his evil actions, which brought them into distress; and because he was here troubled himself and his family, being punished for his sin there.

a door of hope ?The valley of Achor was at the entrance or doorway of the Promised Land and gave them hope when the Israelites approached the land of Canaan. God now speaks of this valley allegorically to promise a door of future hope for Israel.

v. 16 ‘My Husband,'?‘My Master.' ? God speaks of a future day when Israel's relationship with God will change for the good. Instead of a master/servant relationship, Israel will have a husband/wife relationship with her God.

v. 17 the Baals?remembered?no more ? In this predicted future time of restoration, Israel's former idols will not only cease to be worshiped, but also ceased to be remembered.

v. 18 covenant ? beriyth (Heb.) an alliance of friendship, a treaty of peace. God promises here a blessed day when He will make even the wild animals have peace and harmony with Israel.

v. 19 betroth ? aras (Heb.) to engage for marriage

righteousness ? tsedeq (Heb.) the right (natural, moral or legal)

justice ? mishpat (Heb.) judgment; a verdict, especially a sentence or formal decree

lovingkindness ? checed (Heb.) goodness, kindness, mercy, favor

mercy ? racham (Heb.) compassion

v. 20 faithfulness ? emuwnah (Heb.) literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity.

the LORD ? YHVH or YHWH, Yahweh (Heb.) The existing One. This word is known as the tetragrammaton. Whenever we see the word LORD in the Old Testament in all capital letters it represents this Hebrew word for the proper and personal name of the One True God. The Name of God was considered so holy that the Jews would never attempt to verbally pronounce this name. Thus, the exact pronunciation is uncertain because there are no vowels in this name. This Divine name is commonly pronounced, Jehovah or Yahweh in English.

v. 21 I will answer the heavens, And they shall answer the earth ? God will restore fruitfulness and productivity of the land by hearing the earth's cry for rain and answering from heaven.

v. 22 They shall answer Jezreel ? Jezreel means the Lord sows. Thus the earth will respond to God's blessings with produce and praise unto God.

v. 23 her ?those born of Israel

Hosea 3

v. 1 just like the love of the LORD ? Hosea's love and commitment to his unfaithful, adulterous wife was to illustrate God's enduring love to unfaithful Israel.

raisin cakes of the pagans ? These were food offerings traditionally offered up to the idol Baal as an act of worship.

v. 2 fifteen shekels of silver ? This was half the price of a female slave. This would be an insulting dowry to pay for a bride.

homers ? lethek (Heb.) a measure for dry goods

barley ? the lowest quality of provision

v. 3 so, too, will I be toward you ? Or, during this time, you will not have sexual intercourse with anyone, not even with me.

v. 4 sacred pillar ? matstsebah (Heb.) A religious memorial stone or obelisk usually used for idolatrous worship.

ephod ? ephowd (Heb.) outer garment

teraphim ? teraphiym (Heb.) a kind of idol used in household shrine or worship

v. 5 return?David their king ? Israel will return to serve God under a leader from the royal line of David. This was ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

the latter days ? In the end times when the Messiah reigns.

Hosea 4

v. 1 Hear the word of the LORD ? This phrase, found only here in Hosea, identifies that God speaking to His people through a prophet (Is. 1:10, Jer. 2:4, Eze. 6:3).

a charge against ? From here to the end of the book of Hosea the LORD lays out a long list of specific sins and offenses Israel has committed for which she deserves judgment.

no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God ? The basis of all Israel's sins is stated here. She has rejected truth, goodness, and the knowledge of the One True God.

v. 2 swearing?lying, Killing?stealing?committing adultery? ? a list of sins, which parallels breaking all 10 of the great commandments (Ex. 20:13-16; Deut. 5:17-20)

bloodshed upon bloodshed ? The LORD describes the scale of Israel's sin as one act of bloodshed that follows another without any break between (2 Kings 15:8-16, 25; Micah 7:2).

v. 3 Therefore the land will mourn ? God's judgment upon Israel affects not only the human inhabitants but also has a detrimental influence upon her wildlife.

v. 4 contend ? riyb or ruwb (Heb.) to strive, grapple or quarrel

rebuke ? yakach (Heb.) to argue; to decide, justify or convict

like those who contend with the priest ? The people of Israel were so far from receiving correction and reproof considerately from any good men that they will rise up against, and strive with even the priests, to whom not to obey was a punishable by death (Deut. 17:12).

v. 5 destroy your mother ? This could refer to either the entire nation of Israel itself of which the inhabitants are considered her children, or to Samaria, which was at that time the capitol city of the northern kingdom of Israel.

v. 6 lack of knowledge ? God's people Israel were about to be destroyed because they lacked the basic knowledge and understanding of God's word. This was because the priests were not properly instructing the people and because the people were rejecting the knowledge of God's law that was available to them.

reject you from being priest for Me ?addressed to the priestly line in the northern kingdom of Israel

forgotten?forget ? shakach (Heb.) to forget, ignore, to cease to care

v. 7 they increased ? referring to the number and power of Israel's priests

glory ? kabowd (Heb.) honor, abundance

shame ? qalown (Heb.) disgrace, dishonor, humiliation

v. 8 They eat up the sin ? The priests would eat the animal sacrifices and sin offerings presented by the people. Thus, the priests were actually feeding themselves off of the sins of the people.

They set their heart on their iniquity ? Rather than teaching God's people not to sin, the priests actually looked forward to the process of the people's sin and sacrifice that filled their bellies.

v. 9 like people, like priest ? The priests were corrupt. And so the people were also corrupt. Thus, both will be properly punished.

v. 10 eat, but not have enough ? Their food will not satisfy or fill them. Therefore, their hunger will remain.

harlotry ? zanah (Heb.) to commit fornication, be a prostitute

increase ? parats (Heb.) to break out in many applications, direct and indirect (literal and figurative) in this case; to prosper

v. 11 enslave the heart ? a depiction of addiction

v. 12 their staff informs them ? alluding to divining rods or wooden idols (Eze. 21:21-22)

the spirit of harlotry ? the mindset of unfaithfulness towards God

v. 13 sacrifices on the mountaintops?hills ? The pagan nations would set up places of worship in high places thinking they were closer to the gods (Hosea 10:8; Deut. 12:2; 1 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 17:10). Israel copied this idolatrous technique rather than worshiping the true God at the Temple in Jerusalem as instructed by the LORD.

oaks, poplars, and terebinths ? These trees were used by the pagans in idol worship and nature worship. The groves of these trees were meeting places combining sexual activity and idol worship (Jer. 2:20; 3:6.)

harlotry?adultery ? These idols were worshipped by acts of prostitution. They became drunk from much wine in their idol worship (Hosea 4:11) and as a result their sexual passions were given no boundaries.

v. 14 I will not punish ? The men of this time would readily punish their women for immorality. But God declares here that to punish them while the men were freely allowed to pursue sexual immorality would be hypocrisy.

ritual harlot ? qedeshah (Heb.) a female temple prostitute

do not understand ? refuse to understand

v. 15 Let not Judah offend ? The southern kingdom of Israel was called Judah after the split. The LORD was in essence saying here, May Judah avoid such sin.

Gilgal ? the dwelling place of prophets in northern Israel about four miles from Shiloh and Bethel

Beth Aven ? Beyth ‘Aven (Heb.) house of vanity or house of iniquity; a city east of Bethel, site unknown

As the LORD lives ? The customary way to swear an oath using the name of God.

v. 16 forage Like a lamb in open country ? A lamb is vulnerable and could not survive open country without a shepherd. Therefore the LORD is declaring that He will leave Israel defenseless.

v. 17 Ephraim ? Ephrayim (Heb.) The tribe of Israel descended from the second son of Joseph (Gen. 41:52, 46:20)

v. 18 Their drink is rebellion ? as if to say, their diet is sin

v. 19 The wind has wrapped her up in its wings ? Likely a metaphor of the threshing floor where the wind blows away the chaff and useless byproduct of the wheat (Hosea 13:3, Ps. 1:4).
Chapter 5

v. 1 Because you have been a snare ? Israel's irresponsible leadership mentioned above will be judged by God because instead of leading the people to deliverance they have, by their examples, ensnared them in sin.

Mizpah ? Mitspah (Heb.) watchtower; the name of several places in Israel. This could be a play on words, the place that should have been on the alert (watchtower) was instead ensnared.

Tabor ? A mountain at the southeastern edge of Jezreel Valley. The LORD was likely referring to the site of well-known idolatrous events at that time which shamelessly illustrated Israel's corruption.

v. 2 The revolters ? the apostate king, priests, and people who have turned away from God to worship idols

v. 3 Ephraim ? The tribe of Ephraim was always foremost of the tribes of the northern kingdom. For 400 years in early history, it, with Manasseh and Benjamin, its two dependent tribes, held the pre-eminence in the whole nation. But now Ephraim is here addressed as foremost in idolatry and will be used from this point forward as representing all of the northern kingdom of Israel.

v. 4 the spirit of harlotry ? the very nature of the northern kingdom of Israel and the tribe of Ephraim was unfaithful to God in every regard

v. 5 the pride of Israel ? the arrogance of Israel

Judah also stumbles with them ? The southern kingdom (Judah) follows in the same idolatrous example as her northern counterpart into judgment.

v. 6 ?their flocks and herds ? Offering them as sacrifices to the LORD

v. 7 pagan children ? illegitimate children who did not belong to the LORD

New Moon ? a time of religious festivities

v. 8 blow the ram's horn?trumpet ? an alarm used to warn God's people of an invading army

Gibeah?Ramah ? Cities within the southern kingdom of Judah. The implication is that Judah is not safe or exempt from this decree of judgment from the LORD.

Beth Aven ? A city once belonging to Judah but at this time was just within the borders of the northern kingdom of Israel.

v. 9 I make known what is sure ? This prophecy of judgment from God is certain to come to pass.

v. 10 princes of Judah ? the political leadership of the southern kingdom

like those who remove a landmark ? The borders of each person's property at this time was often marked with a large rock or tree. A common act of dishonesty was to steal land simply moving the rocks or cutting down the trees.

v. 11 human precept ? Refers to the corrupt standards and idolatrous priorities of man rather than the true and righteous standards of God. At this time Jeroboam, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel had commanded his people not to worship in Jerusalem (the southern kingdom) but rather to worship the golden calves he had erected at the cities of Dan in the north and Bethel in the south of Israel.

v. 12 like a moth ? Moths eat holes in wool and other valued fabric. The LORD is declaring a judgment of rottenness and decay upon His people.

house of Judah ? the southern kingdom consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin

v. 13 sickness?wound ? Metaphorical language used to describe the damage these two countries had received from their enemies and natural disaster as a result of God's judgment.

Assyria ? The great and powerful country lying on the Tigris (Gen. 2:14) the capital of which was Nineveh.

King Jareb ? Instead of trusting in the LORD for help, the tribe of Ephraim ran to this king of Assyria who was unable to help them. Jareb means contender.

v. 14 like a lion ? Like a ferocious predator. The LORD again uses metaphorical language to declare that Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) and Judah (the southern kingdom) will not escape His fierce judgment.

15 Till they acknowledge their offense ? The LORD threatens to withdraw His presence and favor from His people until they show signs of true repentance and seek His face. Although this is truly a dreadful judgment, there is yet hope in this decree.

PRAYER FOCUS

"Then the LORD said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.' So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley." –Hosea 3:1-2

Lord, we read in Your Word about how we are to forgive. We know that Jesus told us to forgive our brother "seventy times seven." Yet, You know our hearts, God, and You know that forgiveness is hard, and we do not do it as often or as easily as we need to. Hosea's writings show us Your heart, God. Replace our hearts with Yours, so that we may forgive like You do.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT AND PRAYER REQUEST

TRANSFORMING VISION RETREAT

The Transforming Vision Retreat was a life-altering time for all of us who attended. God is faithful to respond when His children come together seeking more of Him. It was a time of conviction, cleansing, and joy. I highly recommend this event to anyone desiring a closer walk with God.

Prayer Points

* for the disciplers, that God would pour the gifts of His Spirit into them.
* for those being discipled, that they would remain steadfast in seeking Him.