11.30.06
Posted in Thoughts on Hosea at 7:42 am by Administrator
Text: Hosea 5:8-11 Theme: Redefining God’s boundaries is dangerous Key verses: Judah’s leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water. Ephraim is oppressed, trampled in judgement, intent on pursuing idols. (v. 10-11) What God said to me: Dwayne, since Adam and Eve, no one has taken very kindly to my boundary lines for them. The evil hearts of men make them want to adventure beyond my law and my standards. But it’s not the sheep that I hold most responsible. It is the spiritual, so-called “godly,” shepherds of my people. Some have tried to justify certain actions and attitudes. Somehow they think they can lead my people according to what they want and think is appropriate. They try to explain away my laws and precepts. What they don’t seem to understand is that those boundary lines can’t be moved. They are like guardrails protecting the traveler from dangers that lie beyond those stealy permanent fixtures. My laws were created out of my love for you and they are not up for debate or reinterpretation. What I said to God: Thank you, Lord, for reminding me today that your Word stands. Forgive us when we want to run off the road and dabble in forbidden areas. We are often intent on pursuing our idols. But those are completely off-limits. I choose to stay within the boundaries you have created for me today. Help me and my family be sensitive to hear your voice of protection and warning when we are tempted to cross or move the lines. I praise you for caring enough to keep me in line!
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11.29.06
Posted in Thoughts on Hosea at 12:29 pm by Administrator
Text: Hosea 5:4-7 Theme: Sin prevents access to God Key verses: Their deeds do not permit them to return to their to God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord. (v. 4) When they go…to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them. (v. 6) What God said to me: Son, obviously I take sin very seriously. Your deeds represent your heart. If your deeds are sinful, so is your heart. If your heart is sinful, so are your deeds. Why seek after another? I am all you ever need. Don’t come trying to snuggle up to me if you’ve been sleeping with your mistress in the next room. Don’t think I will ignore such abomination. Check your heart. Examine your motives. Open the closets of your soul to my inspecting and holy light. If you keep them closed, if you play host to evil, you can’t be a host of mine. What I said to God: Thank you, holy One, for speaking to me this morning. Granted, your words are direct and matter-of-fact. But you know that I need to hear it straight and clear. Praise You for loving me and making me into your image! As for me and my house, we will host and serve the Lord!
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11.27.06
Posted in Thoughts on Hosea at 11:19 am by Administrator
Text: Hosea 5:1-5 Theme: Spiritual leaders have the highest responsibility and accountability Key verses: Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, you Israelites! Listen, O royal house! This judgement is against you. You have been a snare… (v. 1) I will discipline all of them. (v. 2) …Israel is corrupt. (v. 3b) What God said to me: Dwayne, my son, you are also, “Dwayne, my chosen.” But be careful not to rest on your laurels. I have called and equiped you to be a spiritual leader among my people. Therefore, you have a huge stewardship to fill. I didn’t let the Israelite priests off the hook simply because they bore my name and worked in my temple. Fact actually is, I held them to a higher standard because they bore my name and ministered in my house. They had tremendous opportunity to influence my people - and thus the world; yet, they squandered their chance. Either by laziness and apathy or by rebellion, they led the Israelites away from me. They became a snare, a stumbling block, a disgusting hindrance to those I love. Listen, Dwayne. Pay attention. If you act irresponsibly I will pass a similar judgement on you. What I said to God: Wow, God, my first reaction is, “So much for that ‘God is love’ stuff…” But then, you remind me in this quiet moment that this is but more proof of your unending love and mercy. You’re warning me now. You’re giving me a heads up of what could happen if I don’t stay in spiritual shape. You’re clearly committed to helping me stand and still be standing even after “having done all.” Furthermore, you obviously adore your children. You sent you Son to die for them, and you’re not about to sit back and ignore anyone who would lead them - either maliciously or ignorantly - down a path to destruction. Thank you, dear Father, holy God. I adore you for your holiness and might. I thank you for your mercy and protection.
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11.21.06
Posted in Thoughts on Hosea at 9:13 am by Administrator
Text: Hosea 4:15-19 Theme: We Must Reject Rebellious Influence Key Verses: Though you commit adultery, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. (v.15) The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs in a meadow? Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! (v. 16-17) What God said to me: Dwayne, I long to be a shepherd to my people, to lead them, protect them, provide for them. My desire for you is to pasture you like lambs in a peaceful, plenteous meadow. However, I won’t force myself on you. You have to want to be led. You must submit to my leadership and authority. You must acknowledge that I know what is best for you and for all my people. That means shunning the wicked ways of those who don’t follow me. It means taking a stand even if you lose some friends because of it. Don’t laugh with their jokes. Don’t go to their hang-outs. Don’t admire their prosperity while they disregard me and my house. Don’t be duped by their charm and success. Remember, “a whirlwind will sweep them away, and their sacrifices will bring them to shame.” (v. 19) What I Said to God: Thank you, Father and God and Shepherd of my soul. Forgive me for allowing my mind to stray yesterday. Cleanse me of my rebellious thoughts and actions. I humble myself before you this morning, desparate to know you more and more. Protect my family today. May my sons reject the strong influences of this world to go another path, a much more narrow path, your path. As for me and my house, we will serve you, Lord, all the days of our lives! We choose to be lambs, not heifers!
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11.20.06
Posted in Thoughts on Hosea at 11:44 am by Administrator
Text: Hosea 4:14 Theme: God holds men ultimately accountable. Key Verses: I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution…because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes - a people without understanding will come to ruin! What God said to me: Dwayne, often you have been tempted to blame your wife for your actions and for matters at home and in your heart. Somehow you feel justified in your thinking and justified in your sinful ways because you think she failed to do something or she lacked certain sensitivities and skills. But know this: I do not hold her responsible for your mistakes and your lack of faith and perseverance. Whatever the condition of your home and heart may be is your responsibility as the head of that home. Same with a nation - as goes the men, so goes the country. Adam blamed Eve, but I didn’t fall for it, and I didn’t stand for it. Same with you. Be warned - be holy… What I said to God: Holy Lord and Savior, El Elyon, I repent of my blaming, scheming ways, my false-justifications at the expense of my wife and family. Cleanse me, yet still hold me responsible. May I be the man you’ve called to be so I can encourage my wife to be the woman you’ve called her to be.
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11.01.06
Posted in Thoughts on Hosea at 10:23 am by Administrator
Text: Hosea 4:1-13 Theme: Destroyed from lack of Godly knowledge Key verses: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land.” (v. 1b) “Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds…and the fish…are dying.” (v. 3) “But let no man bring a charge, let no man accuse another…” (v. 4) “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.” (v. 6) “…the priests…exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful.” (v. 7) “Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways…They will eat but not have enough…because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves to prostitution, to old wine and new which take away the understanding of my people. They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray.” (v. 9-12) What God said to me: Dwayne, ignorance of my ways and my laws is unnecessary and inexcusable. Furthermore, it is destructive and dangerous. I have provided clear guidelines of what I expect. It is your responsibility as my representatives and as my people to search out and discover what those directives and precepts are. Yet, so few of those who claim they know me take seriously what my Word says. They don’t discipline themselves to learn what is holy and just and wise. Then, even what they know to be right and true, they often ignore and reject - to thier ultimate demise. Wine, lust, adultery, idolatry - all these will lead your heart away from me, clouding your discernment of right and wrong and dulling your sensitivity to what pleases me. At the same time, your family, your children, your world will also suffer and erode around you. What I said to God: Holy One of Israel, Eternal and True God, I cannot fathom your anquish as you watch your people destroy themselves out of rebellious and lazy ignorance. Forgive me for the many days I too have been rebellious and lazy, not wanting to do and thus not doing my Bible study and quiet times with you. May my wife and my children seek after you, hungry to know you more. May our church desparately search your Word for direction and wisdom. Restore us again to hunger and thirst after righteousness.
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