Hosea 14:1-3 - "You're down but you're not out." 66 LL talks about how these verses are the model for repentance, for crying from your heart as you lay in the ditch of your sin. "Requiring relief from your pain is wailing on your bed. I want you to repent, to cry from your heart, identifying how you've hurt Me and incited My anger, and to give up all hope of finding satisfaction for your soul from anyone or anything but Me." What is the greatest good of my life? I've so hung on to my reputation, my recognized ministry, my worth as an individual based on what others think...but, no, I must "let go" of demanding any good other than the good of knowing my God. What is my greatest good this day?
Hosea 14: 7-8 "God is the One Who answers me and satisfies me. Everything you need is to be found in Him."
Hosea 12:6 - What am I waiting for? Wait and Expect God to show up. You are waiting for God not for any man to do anything. Don't ever give up on Him. And Hosea 11:1, don't run off when others call to you. Remember, He may be waylaid.
What lingers with me from the Book of Hosea is this quote from 66 LL: "You will be irresistibly drawn to My Love and able to give it to others when you discover in your own experience that the Love I have planted in your heart can never be destroyed by rejection, betrayal, criticism, or any other form of unlove you receive. True love reveals itself as the strongest of all passions when your impulse to hate those who hurt you is fully felt." Have mercy, O God, on my impulses to hate---may we owe no man anything but to love them. Would you help me to get to that better place?
"My frightened children will come running from the west. Like frightened birds they'll come from Egypt,
ReplyDeletefrom Assyria like scared doves. I'll move them back into their homes."
God's Word!"
Praying for revival...come home...come home...ye who are weary...come home.
Come back, return to God, confess with repentant prayers and admit that 'Assyria' can't help me. My self-sufficiency is the 'god' I so often rely on. Do I REALLY believe that God is my last hope?
ReplyDeleteNo, not if my actions prove otherwise. So, here's where God is speaking:
Hosea 14:1-3 = TRUE REPENTANCE
Needing to go there this morning after reading Bev's post, 66LL and Scotty Smith's prayer at his "Heavenward" blog. I tried to be the "4th member of the Trinity" in
someones life...tried to fix them instead of listening and loving them with God's love.
"My son came to your world to make possible that kind of love...When the sword pierced My Son's side, the life of love began to spread like a good infection into everyone who bowed before the cross." pg. 141 66LL
When I humble myself at the cross, He will give me more Grace. There is no other way. So I thank Him for Grace that is greater than my sin and for Grace that enables me to right a wrong. His forgiveness has been granted...praying she will forgive.
Bev, just know you are loved and in all of our prayers. Your heart is one set on pilgrimage...a heart that longs for God's Presence in the midst of pain and lonliness. He will not fail you.
May we all go "from strength to strength" this week in our different journeys.
FG Forever Grateful!!
Forgot to ask for prayers in the situation mentioned above. Please pray. Thanks! FG
ReplyDeleteHow I pray I don’t resort to God as my last hope, but my first and only. My own resolve and “resourcefulness” is what got me into the mess I am in. My wandering heart focuses on every distraction but the depth of the ditch of my sin and the magnitude of His relentless love.
ReplyDeleteSow righteousness, reap love. It’s time to till the ready earth, digging in with God—Until He arrives ripe for the harvest.
FG-I smiled at your realization of trying to be the fourth member of the Trinity to someone-I know it well. Praying with you in this situation this morning.
Look for an email later today on our retreat. Love to you all.
Thanks so much for your prayers! Forgiveness granted and a really good heart to heart conversation.
ReplyDeleteFG