“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hos 6:1-3).
God pictures His relationship to His wayward people in the prophet Hosea’s relationship to his adulterous wife, Gomer. Gomer didn’t just drift away, nor was she seduced unaware. Chapter 2:5-7 says she pursued other lovers. She had children by men other than her husband. She thought they would give her “my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink” (2:5).
However, God declared, “she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal” (2:8). She not only didn’t acknowledge God, didn’t even thank Him for His gifts, but she used His gifts to worship a false god. Later God likened Israel as a child whom He loved and taught to walk, yet “they did not know that I healed them” (11:3).
“The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD” (Zec 1:2-4).
“Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him” (2Ch 30:8-9).
Candace Hensel, Aliviah and Kaeden, Yolanda Garcia, Tim Allen, Christine Elisabeth, Virginia Lavery and family, Mark Danko, Charlotte. Judith Weir and family, Jim Partain, Nola NZ, Kimberly Palmer, Bro Jim Ludwig an aneurism, Bro Yaqub Sadiq, his wife Shella, his mother Alice Bibi, his brother Hanook, and the Pakistani saints, The youth of this generation, Kim Deese, Jennifer Myers to be cancer free and for mental health problems, Sis Sarah Riley, Ricky Riley, Bro Joey Curcio heart condition, Michael, Dwana Lynn, and Jayce Hartman, Tina Inness for strength, Theresa Hampton had back fusion that didn't take. Paula Schaidt going through depression and anxiety desires to get closer to the Lord, Jenifer Samuel, Shawn Salyer pray for me and my Wife Kathy Salyer she is trying to find a job after she had total knee replacement surgery, Bro Chris Hart, Robin Foley and family, Nicola Collison & Dave Legg’s old driving school car so I can buy another car for me. Ruth Leigh Niemeyer. Melanie S Crowe my prodigal son needs to come back to Jesus and my family. My Mom needs healing of dementia- even in her senior years. Wanda Jean Winfrey, Please pray for me.. my husband and me have been separated for five months. I have been taking this really hard. Barbara Carter from Jonesboro, AR. Johna D. Septimo help me pray for a complete healing for my high cholesterol go back to normal and my uric acid go back to normal, and my son
Dave R-nhel complete healing for cough. Lee Ann Oliver MacFeat, Roger Epps wife Cheryl has ALS, Janet Doffee Healing for my eyes macular degeneration please, Lori Campbell, (Bro Larry Danko’s sister) Cancer, Tonya Becker hurt back, and right leg. Cory McNabb having GI issues.
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa 55:6-11).
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Peter focuses on providing guidance and encouragement to elders and young people in the church, as well as all Christians in general.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus, urges the elders of the church to shepherd the flock of God willingly and eagerly, not for dishonest gain but to serve. He emphasizes the importance of being examples to the flock and mentions that when Christ, the Chief Shepherd, appears, they will receive an unfading crown of glory.
Peter then advises younger members, to submit to the elders and clothe themselves with humility towards one another. He emphasizes that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Peter encourages believers to cast all their anxiety on God because He cares for them. The word "cast" implies a deliberate and active release of one's burdens. It suggests a conscious decision to transfer the weight of anxiety from oneself to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and concern.
"Remember who you are. Don't compromise for anyone, for any reason. You are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth.”
~ Lysa TerKeurst~
"Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.”
~ Elisabeth Elliot ~"There is no one who is insignificant in the purpose of God.”
~ Alistair Begg ~When you feel knocked down, while you are down there... pray. Nothing else will lift you back up as high again.
Taking our spirituality to a higher level means taking risks and embracing situations out of our comfort zone and knowing God will always be there to guide us through those challenging times.
Sometimes we make plans and get disappointed when our plans go under and fail but that is mainly because God is in our lives and he has plans for us too and that is a bigger and better plan, so don't get discouraged.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that the things that hurt us the worst can still work out for the best, right? The Lord is able to turn our tears into joy and our sorrows into gladness. He can cause anything, despite how awful it is, to benefit us in the end.
Some say the Bible is antiquated, but those who follow the precepts contained in it find it provides a reliable path to peace and contentment. Does it tell you how to gain wealth and popularity? No. You may get it if you follow its commands. You will definitely stand out in a crowd. But God’s definition of success is not the world’s definition.