Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday September 19, 2009 and we are beginning our studies in the book of Hosea, please read chapters 1-6 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-september-19.php

Today's Message: Spiritual Adultery
It is difficult to think that we act as spiritual adulterers when we put other things before our God and His Word. However, anything that takes place of God is spiritual adultery

The book of Hosea is the twenty-eighth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains fourteen chapters. The author of the book is Hosea and it was written to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The purpose of the book was to alert Israel to her sinful condition and bring her back to God. What we are to learn from the book is that experience fosters understanding and compassion from God.

The Northern Kingdom of Israel had no godly influence at all, out of the nineteen kings to reign not one of them attempted to lead the people to worship in Jerusalem as God had instructed. Hosea was a prophet who lived and prophesied just before the destruction of Israel in 722 BC. To illustrate and warn the people, He commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute, whom would become unfaithful to him. “The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD. So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son. And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel, in the valley of Jezreel. And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. ” - Hosea 1:2-6. Hosea represents God and his wife represents the unfaithful, idolatrous house of Israel. The word Jezreel means, God scatters, and is probably indicative of the fact that God was going to punish and scatter the nation for its sinfulness. Still today, families are scattered all over the world because of this. After the Assyrians defeated the northern kingdom of Israel, those who were left scattered (See II Kings 18-19).

Hosea's wife left him for all the pleasures she thought other men could give her, he was heartbroken. He had a legal right to have her stoned and put to death, but he still loved her and chose to redeem her. Hosea purchased his wife's debt and brought her back home, then she turned from her wicked ways. “Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.” - Hosea 3:1-5. This is an exact mirror of Jesus Christ, because we are sinners we have a debt to pay and that debt is death. However, Jesus purchased that debt for us with His Blood and now we have been redeemed. Right now we can not see our king, but one day, sooner than we think, Jesus will return and every person who accepted Him will fear the Lord, and enjoy His physical presence and goodness.

Those that seek a relationship with God, must apply Christ to their lives, and become His willing people. Not only are we to fear the Lord and his greatness, but the Lord and his goodness, meaning not only His majesty, but His mercy. Though the first fear of God arise from a view of His holy majesty and righteous vengeance, yet the experience of mercy and grace through Jesus Christ, will lead the heart to reverence so kind and glorious a Friend and Father, and to fear offending him.

Today's Prayer:

Dear God,
Lord, although You do not walk visibly among us You do reveal Yourself through the minds, the hearts, and the actions of Your followers. May Your light shine forth from us so that the unbeliever can sift through the confusing ungodly messages of this world and the counterfeits of this age.  May they see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is You in the flesh. We especially lift up to You our loved ones who have chosen the wrong path.  We pray that You would dispel their doubts and fears and replace them with confidence, courage, peace, and love toward Your Son. In Jesus' Name...........Amen.
Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
God Bless You,
Christina

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