(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 6:1-11) With their mouths, and perhaps even with their hearts, Israel commits themselves to returning to the Lord. They say, “Come, let us return to the Lord.” Yes, they got it!? They know that they have done wrong, and are sorry for their unfaithfulness. They realize that it is the Lord that will […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 5:1-15) In today’s Scripture, the Lord declares that the deeds of Israel will not allow them to return to their God, but even if they did try to return, they would not find Him. The reason that they would not find Him is because He has withdrawn from them. Instead of the Lord, […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 4:1-19) In today’s Scripture, the word of the Lord continues to make a case against the northern kingdom of Israel. There is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. The land mourns, and all of creation is decaying for lack of knowledge. We also read that the people have […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 3:1-5) 1 Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” Love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 2:1-23) “The grass is always greener on the other side,” is a term we often use to describe our tendency to look at others, other places, and other situations as better than ours. For believers, it could represent constantly looking out to find a better situation in life, not realizing sometimes that where […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 1:1-11) Have we ever had the experience making a point, and what everyone focused more on was how we were making the point, than the actual point itself? Have we ever used an example or illustration to elaborate on what we were trying to communicate, and rather than leading to understanding, led to […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Philippians 4:10-23) In today’s Scripture, Paul writes, 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Philippians 4:1-9) Paul encouraged his beloved, his joy and crown, the fruit of his labor to stand firm in the Lord. Standing firm in the Lord speaks of a journey of endurance, patience in the midst of trials, and a commitment til the end. Paul cared deeply not just about the salvation of the […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Philippians 3:12-21) Christ Jesus has already prepared the path for us to walk through by the enduring work of the Holy Spirit. Yet how easy is it for us to actually walk in the steps and attitude of Christ? If we move past seeing salvation as the destination and realize that the goal and […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Philippians 3:1-11) 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is not trouble to me, and it is safeguard for you. Does Paul repeat himself in his letters? Yes, indeed he does, but he says the same things again because of their importance, and because we so easily […]