Hosea 1 - Fitting into God's plans for Hosea meant marrying a whore. My life is full of confusion at this juncture. If I was Hosea's mother, I would be really confused that God wanted this for my son---my thoughts, my ways are not God's thoughts and ways. HE doesn't want "their horsepower and manpower." It will be God Who saves! God doesn't exist for Hosea, for me, for you. We exist for Him. "The furthering of God's Glory, not the fixing of our lives."
Hosea 2 - Gomer, the whore, didn't know that it was God all along Who wined and dined and adorned her. "Here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again. I'm taking her back out into the wilderness
...I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope." Hosea 2:15 - When they finally hit rock bottom, maybe they'll come looking for me."
Hosea 6 - "Come on, let's go back to God. He hurt us, but he'll heal us. ...We're ready to study God, eager for God-knowledge. As sure as dawn breaks, so sure is his daily arrival. He comes as rain comes, as spring rain refreshing the ground." Hosea 6:7 - I'm after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings."
We don't have internet at the place where we are staying so I will try to be creative and post a little ahead. I'm @ Starbucks tonight near San Antonio.
ReplyDeleteSo "taken" with this passage of a God Who asks Hosea to marry a whore who kept on being unfaithful. Hosea knew something about God that I don't know that he embraced this.
Acres of Hope...what a beautiful thought. Turn our valleys of suffering into acres of hope, dear God!
This is the first weekend I've been alone in, well, er, I don't know when I've been alone in days and years gone by. Have thought a whole lot about life. Am I fitting into God's plans rather than HIS fitting into mine? IDK. Struggling this sultry humid night with aloneness. So missing my children being at home. Sitting @ Starbucks watching a mom loving on her toddler soooo sweet and longing for days gone by...God, help me live in the painful present.
ReplyDeleteSweet friend, this is a different season of your life...you will adjust to it just being you and Bob...believe me,you will adjust. Just hold on to His righteous right hand..remember His right arm is around your shoulders and holding your right hand. He may be taking you thru the fire, but you just hold on!!!
ReplyDeleteHosea 1 – This Whole Country Has Become a Whorehouse… In what ways am I Gomer, finding other loves, prostituting ourselves instead of serving God faithfully?
ReplyDeleteHosea 2 - And then I'll marry you for good—forever! I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness. Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go. You'll know me, God, for who I really am. One Day, we’ll know God fully! One Day we’ll love purely. One Day, for good, forever!
Hosea 3 Then God ordered me, "Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who's in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife. Love her the way I, God, love. Help us, Lord, to love the way You love.
Hosea 4 - "No one is faithful. No one loves. No one knows the first thing about God. Not one of us is faithful or begins to love the way He loves.
Hosea 5 - When they finally hit rock bottom, maybe they'll come looking for me." Do I turn to God as my last resort?
Hosea 6 - Come on, let's go back to God. He hurt us, but he'll heal us. He hit us hard, but he'll put us right again. In a couple of days we'll feel better. By the third day he'll have made us brand-new. Three days—one on a Cross, two in the ground, and on the third day, it’s resurrection time!
Hosea 7 - I'm the one who gave them good minds and healthy bodies, and how am I repaid? With evil scheming! They turn, but not to me— turn here, then there, like a weather vane. Steady our course, Lord. Fix our sights on You. No more evil scheming, but thankful hearts for good minds and healthy bodies. Bless each of the Pearl girls this Lord’s Day with Your direction and mercy and love. Amen.
Bev, I am so thankful for your faithfulness here on this blog. It isn't easy and yet you do find "creative" ways to help us keep up each day. Just want you to know it doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated. Mary Lou's words are wise--cling to Him. It is a transition, a season--but morning comes. It's been a long, dark night of wrestling but His love is better than life. His mercies fall fresh. And the veil is lifted. Praying for you this Sunday morning. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh, Hosea, my ears are burning reading about how sin-sick these people are.
ReplyDeleteHow did it feel, Hosea, when God told you what kind of woman to marry?
How did it feel, Hosea, when you had to take her back? After her profession was in your face?
How does it feel, God, today? You made each one of us to have a pure and holy relationship with You. But count us, now...how many look at You with eyes of adoration? With hearts beating with passion for one Word from Your love letter that sends chills through our body?
Father, I trembled in my legs yesterday when I felt Your Spirit during praise and worship at the simulcast. Beth and Travis in Chicago. Me in a church in Georgia. A fellowship hall set aside to broadcast the event live! I could feel Your Spirit through and through...how I love You! And tears dripped down my face when Beth spoke what You have spoken to me since my husband left. Kindness. Love. Faithfulness. Like Father, like daughter. The Love Chapter:
1 Cor. 13:6
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
I saw that banner of scripture on the screen as Travis and his praise team were singing at the end.
Love rejoices with the truth!
Faithful and true!
Father, may we turn from our unfaithfulness and seek You. Call out Your Bride...holding fast to her First Love...speaking in wisdom...the Law of Kindness on her tongue.
I say I love You.
May I always act like it, too.
I Cor 13:6 - that touches me tonight. Rejoices with the Truth. No delighting in evil towards anyone. Seeking Justice belongs to our God---His Justice is always redemptive.
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