And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.

Hosea 2:14-23

And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD. Hosea 2:19-20

I continue my study of Hosea, and my focus this morning is Hosea 2:14-23, where God shares how He is a merciful God, and how He will restore Israel, despite her unfaithfulness.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In a parallel to how Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit where Satan tempted Him (and angels ministered to Him) - see Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1–13 - God shares how He will in the future restore Israel; He will lead her into the wilderness and "speak[s] tenderly to her."  What an incredible portrait of mercy - although He is disappointed with Israel's faithfulness, He is full of love and mercy for her.  His mercy is further described how He will give her vineyards and hope, how He will provide peace and stability, and provisions. What a great God!  The text points to Jesus through the description of God's mercy in vv19-20 (and surrounding text) where it says "in that day" God will betroth Israel to Him not for a time - forever.  Similar to text elsewhere (see Ephesians 4:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21) how Jesus justifies, declares us righteous in His eyes, God will restore Israel and "betroth [Israel] to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth [Israel] to me in faithfulness."  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V15 shares how Israel responds to God's mercy by returning to God and loving Him as she once did after He rescued her from Egypt (see also Israel's song of praise in Exodus 15:1-19).  In yet another parallel to scripture elsewhere, Israel's repentance and return to love of God mirrors the return of the prodigal son to his father (Luke 15:11-32). 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid remaining in sin by returning to Him who forgives. Claim the promise of forgiveness and eternal life offered by Christ.  Follow the example of the prodigal son.  Confess, repent, believe, and be saved. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your rich mercy and for saving me - for declaring me not guilty of my sin and showering me with incredible mercies that never cease and are new every morning.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the LORD.

Hosea 2:1-13

And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry, and went after her lovers and forgot me, declares the LORD. Hosea 2:13

I continue my study of Hosea, and my focus this morning is Hosea 2:1-13, where God shares with Israel his judgement upon them for her unfaithfulness.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Building on my post yesterday, where I discussed how God is jealous for us (vs of us), here we see God laying out the case for Israel's unfaithfulness and His judgement for her.  God describes how His punishment will impact Israel's inhabitants, their children (v4), the land/animals (wool) (vv3,9), and He will strip her of any cause for celebration (v11). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Israel has yoked itself to Baal (vv8,13) - making her unfaithful to God - breaking the top 2 most important commandments to love God and to not make any gods before the One True God.  Israel's unfaithfulness begets more unfaithfulness as they fail to remember (v8) that God provides all that they possess (every good and perfect gift comes from above - James 1:17), instead thinking it was these other gods that provided what they have. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid forgetting who God is and what He has done for us.  We must claim the promise that God saves and seals us for eternity.  We should go to God daily, to acknowledge our need for His mercies that never cease and are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, for the mercies that never cease and that are new every morning. You are faithful and You provide for all!  Thank You for Your faithfulness to me and for never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel.

 Hosea 1:1-11

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel. Hosea 1:10-11

I've started a study of Hosea, the first book of the minor prophets (named for their brevity in comparison to the major prophets books which are longer).  My focus this morning is Hosea 1:1-11, where the Lord commands the prophet Hosea to take a prostitute as a wife - mirroring how God feels about Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V2: To make it clear that God sees Israel as unfaithful, God commands Hosea to take a prostitute as his wife. God is a jealous God, yet He is not jealous like a husband or wife of an unfaithful spouse.  He is not jealous of the worldly objects of our affections - He is jealous for us.  John Piper puts it this way: He is jealous and has zeal "for his own worth, [and] also for our joy."  In vv10-11, we see God promising restoration of Israel and Judah, including unification under one (vs two) king - pointing to Jesus.        
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv4-9 God punishes how He sees fit - in this case, Israel is punished more harshly than Judah - yet both the northern (Israel) and southern kingdom (were sinful).  We must acknowledge that all sin and fall short of the glory of God - so not one person can claim to be sinless and all are deserving of punishment (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 1 John 1:8). V7 makes it clear that it is not their strength that saves them but by His mercy and hand alone.  In the same way, God alone saves and we should not boast of earning our salvation.      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid unfaithfulness to God - falling in love with things of this world above God.  We are to claim the promise that God is always faithful - He made a promise to Abraham, and He makes a promise to all believers, and all of His promises find their yes in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).  We are to follow the example of Christ who forgives. Love God and love others as God loves and forgives us.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, despite my sin and unfaithfulness.  Thank You for Your faithfulness to me and for never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[T]rain yourself for godliness;for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

 1 Timothy 4:1-10

[T]rain yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7b-8

I completed my quick study of Jude (given it's only one chapter), and this morning, for one more time, before I jump into a new study, I pause to dive into 1 Timothy 4:1-10, text that is basis for our church's sermon today and our subsequent small group time.  My focus is how to "train for Godliness" as the affirmative commandment in vv7b-8. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Everything created by God is good - v4.  This is of course referencing food in v3 "that God created," but it can be extended into all of Creation because God is the Creator of all things.  Training in Godliness "is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (v8).  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People train themselves for various purposes, including physical and bodily training - but how often do they train themselves in Godliness.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid silly myths that add to/subtract or twist the Word to suit a worldly point of view or one that suits a personal preference vs that of God. Claim the promise that "Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Follow the example of the Bereans from Acts 17:11 who "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."  Hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of the mind "that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Endure: "[L]et us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame[;]" Hebrews 12:1-2. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, and for giving me Your Word, prayer, corporate worship, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ - spiritual disciplines that I can use to train myself for Godliness. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

 1 Timothy 4:1-10

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

I completed my quick study of Jude (given it's only one chapter), and this morning, before I jump into a new study, I pause to dive into 1 Timothy 4:1-10, text that is basis for our church's sermon tomorrow and our subsequent small group time.  Paul warns us about apostasy by those whose superficial faith is easily swayed by false teaching.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv1-5: God reveals to us through scripture (via the Holy Spirit) that during "later times" (see also Jesus' warning about end times from Matthew 24:4-5, 10-11), many will fall away or "depart from the faith" by falling prey to false teaching.  One of the false teachings referenced here in the text is how certain foods were to be avoided (v3) - Paul directly rebuts this in vv4-5.  Regarding food, v4 shares that "everything created by God is good." An example of the false teachers referred to in the text would be Judaizers, who believed that aspects (either in their entirety or in part) of the ceremonial law (circumcision, types of foods to eat, etc.) were required for Christians.  Jesus fulfilled the law and through and with Him we have a New Covenant based on His shed blood - only the moral (vs ceremonial) law remains intact for believers. Judaizers reflect a trends that continues by those who add to, subtract, or twist God's Word for their selfish gain.  Vv7-8 warns us to avoid "silly myths" and to "train yourself for godliness."  V10 shares how God saves all, "especially of those who believe." This parsing of words implies that God, in using the word "all," includes all races, etc. and does not discriminate in who He saves - only that You must confess, repent, and believe (Romans 10:10-11).
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The departing of some from the faith does not imply that you can lose your salvation - if you truly believed and persevered in the faith than you will not fall away.  If you do fall away, it is either that you never truly believed or that you did not persevere. See also this post from John Piper.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid falling prey to false teachers and false teaching - also do not add to, subtract from, or twist the Word for your selfish gain.  Claim the promise that God alone saves and that it is faith alone that saves - we do not earn it.  Follow the example of Paul who toil and strived and trained himself for Godliness by seeking Him with all his heart. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for coming to fulfill the law and for saving me so that I am not slave to the law but instead slave to Christ.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’

 Judges 6-7

The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Judges 7:2

I completed my quick study of Jude (given it's only one chapter), and before I jump into a new study, I paused to study Judges 6-7 and text used for my Friday morning men's Bible study.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is full of grace, mercy, patience, etc.  Even though the people of Israel "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (Judges 6:1), after He gave Israel into the hands of the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the people of the East, He heard and responded to the cries of Israel asking for His help, and sent an angel/prophet of the Lord  (vv6:6-12), He calls Gideon to lead Israel against Midian and assures Gideon that "He will be with [him]" (vv6:13-16).  Even though scripture (Deuteronomy 6:16 shares that we are not to put God to the test, He allows Gideon to ask for signs that He is who He says He is (v6:17).  God meets Gideon in his fears and doubts again and reassures Him that God will be with Gideon as He calls Gideon to go up and save Israel from Midian.  He once again demonstrates His grace and mercy as He allows Gideon to test Him (ask for signs) - and God delivers not just once this request for a sign but three times (vv19-24, vv36-40).  God is rich in mercy!  Ultimately, God delivers Israel from Midian (Judges 7) and He makes it clear that it is not the might of Gideon or his men, but the might of God.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We often doubt God will be with us, or that He really does want us to do "big" things - God wants us to be clear that He will never leave or forsake us. Repeatedly God assures His people that He not only wants us to do big things but that He will equip us, He will be with us, and that we will be clear that it is His might and power that allows us to do big things - see also Deuteronomy 31:6–8, Joshua 1:5, Matthew 28:16-20, and Hebrews 13:5. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid doubting God so much that fail to trust Him.  We must claim the promise that He is able to do all things and with/through Him we are all to do all things - and He gets all the credit!  Follow the example of Gideon and so many other Biblical heroes who had faith and trusted in Him - in good and lean times. Believe and have faith - go to Him with your doubts, concerns, etc. as He wants to give you a peace that surpasses all understanding. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for staying with me through all of my doubts, concerns, anxiety, etc. I know that with and through You I am able to do all things and that You deserve all the credit and praise - You are a great God!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

 Jude 1:24-25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

I complete my quick study of Jude (given it's only one chapter), as this morning I focus on Jude 1:24-25, where Jude offers a doxology (short verse or hymn of praise to God - expressed as either Biblical text as it is here or the Thomas Ken doxology written in 1674) Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V24: God is able to do all things - believers know this - He is omnipotent. In the text, He is praised for being able (a) to keep believers from stumbling or losing our salvation (falling away), and (b) to present believers as blameless before Him with great joy.  God justifies (doctrine of justification) us by freeing us from the otherwise guilty verdict all humanity should have for being broken and sinful, and deserving of death (Romans 6:23).  God also does this with great joy!  God is also praised in v25 for His glory, majesty (sovereign power, authority, or dignity; greatness or splendor of quality or character), dominion (supreme authority/sovereignty) and authority.  Our God reigns, He is good, He saves, etc.  There is so much that is praiseworthy about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Any Christian doxology reinforces how all of Creation was created for God's glory and to display God's glory.  We exist for His glory - not for our own desires of the flesh.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeking your own desires of the flesh.  Claim the promise of how God saves and He is able to do all things.  Follow the example of Jude and others that praise His name.  Be grateful and thankful for how good He is!

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You saving me, justifying me as not guilty in Your court (the most important court), and for pouring out mercies for me that never cease and that are new every morning.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.