Let’s Pray; Father God, let this touch someone’s heart today. I thank You in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
The God of the unexpected works through our weaknesses, leads us to appreciate someone we previously disliked or distrusted, and surprises us with gifts from unexpected sources. What a joy it is to serve Him! I used to work for Margaret Powers and I would take out her trash. The silver trash cans with covers. Sometimes I would drop the cover and it would roll in the next yard. This lady would yell at me and I would apologize. Then it got so when she would see me she would just yell at me for nothing and Margaret Powers told me to just ignore her. So I did. Then one day that lady was sick and she called me over. I didn’t know if I should walk in her yard or talk to her. So I ignored her and went in The hallway of Margaret’s and rung her bell. Margret rung the bell and let me in. Then Margaret said Susan can you go next door to Carol’s and go to the store for her. I was like who is Carol? Margret said the lady I told you to ignore. Margret told me she was sick and she had called her and asked her if I could go to the store for her. So I did. So as I got to know Miss Carol I found out she wasn’t as mean as she made her self to be. In fact I found out she worked with my mom in a shoe shop. My mom was happy she was able to visit Miss Carol also. God works in mysterious ways. We are so blessed to know God’s goodness through or lives. Hosea 11:1-7 Proves God’s love to us. God’s discipline is as much a sign of His love as any of His mercy actions. When Israel were weak and helpless as children, foolish and froward as children, then God loved them; he bore them as the nurse does the sucking child, nourished them, and suffered their manners. All who are grown up, ought often to reflect upon the goodness of God to them in their childhood. Loving parental discipline is the key to understanding God’s actions and guidelines to sinful mankind, who are in the process of destroying themselves in the freedom and knowledge of the tree of good and evil.
Let’s read Hosea 11:1-7: When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels. And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for the amazing story of Hosea, all though I only shared a few verses I hope who ever reads this will continue reading this chapter. Thank You for the Judah’s example of ruling with You Lord, in everything and being faithful to all the saints. Whose life became such a beautiful picture of Your love for Israel and such a wonderful comfort for all Your children. I thank You and praise You that You are a faithful God, and that in Your mercy You have done all that is necessary for me to be forgiven of my sins, past, present and future through Jesus Christ. I thank You and praise You that by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, I am eternally Yours. I thank You and praise You that nothing can separate us from Your love, and that no one can pluck us out of Your hands. Let my calling be a light that never ever goes out. Keep me faithful and humble in You. I Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:12
"Only Life Changes" 