Slavery to Sin Set Free

O. T. #2036 "Slavery to Sin Set Free"

Sept. 30, 2021

Hosea 3-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

"For better or for worse" is a promise found in traditional marriage vows. Sometimes it does not last and the worse becomes reality as one of the spouses commit adultery and the marriage crashes. However, genuine repentance and gracious forgiveness have restored many marriages. Rebuilding damaged trust often takes considerable time, effort, and energy.

Apparently Gomer had returned to her immoral lifestyle. The Lord told  the crushed and rejected Hosea to love her any way and bring her home. By this time, the attractive catch was sold into slavery. Hosea bought back his wife for 15 pieces of silver and 5 bushels of barley and a measure of wine, according to New Living Translation.

He paid the price to redeem, which means to buy back, his wife. What a price Hosea paid! This was actually half the price of purchasing a slave. Gomer's value had sunk to the lowest of low.

LET IT GROW

Friend, no matter how low we have sunk, God is willing to buy us back-to redeem us-and to lift us up again. Jesus Christ paid the price for us as He laid down His life so we could be set free of the penalty of our sins by dying on the cross. Our Redeemer showed His love for you and me! Dear one, have you trusted Him as your Savior?

Hosea's great love was acted out as God's great love for His beloved Israel. Israel had turned to loving other gods and flagons (cake of raisins), which were made from grapes. Theses cakes were prepared for and used in the idolatrous ceremonies and offered to their pagan gods. (verse 1-2)

Gomer was told to live in Hosea's house, for many days, stop her prostitution, and have no sexual relations with another nor with him. That was evidence that she was not pregnant.

Thus, Israel would go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols. But afterward, the people would return and devote themselves to the LORD their God and to David's descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the LORD and of His goodness.

 

LET IT GO

Wash away our guilty stains of sins, Jesus, with Your blood.

We have no righteousness, except for Yours, Jesus.

Set our feet upon the solid rock of Jesus.

 

Go and Love

O. T. #2035 "Go and Love"

Sept. 29, 2021

Hosea 3

LET IT GLOW

We don't know how long Hosea and Gomer had been married, nor how long she had been gone away, forsaking her marriage vows. She was a wife that betrayed her husband. If anyone had the right to divorce, he did, for she was living in adultery. (Deut. 24:1)  Yet he did not. How deeply crushed Hosea must have been by his wife's rejection and defection. Through it all, Hosea remained completely obedient to God. (Keep in mind that Hosea's marriage was an action sermon, demonstration Israel's situation as she was in idolatry, betraying God as they worshiped idols.

Then God gave Hosea another assignment, Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the LORD still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.(verse 1, NLT)

It must have been very humiliating and painful for Hosea to this. How could give this man such a difficult task of His faithful prophet? By doing this, Hosea's life illustrated God's unquenchable love for faithless Israel.

So many have walked down this same path of hurt and humiliation. The Lord gives us strength, forgiveness, and renewed love, as well as direction. Each must seek His will in their situation and make their decisions in it.

LET IT GROW

Go yet, and love... (verse 1, KJV)

There are times that we must forgive another's sins and go, show love and forgiveness of Jesus through you to them.

Sometimes it is us that have left the Lord Jesus, straying into sin. We must them bring our guilty stains, seeking forgiveness, and our sin-sick soul to be washed with the blood of Jesus. Perhaps it is a loved one that is in this place in their life.

I John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The key is to confess. Then Jesus forgives and cleanses us.

LET IT GO

Help us to humble our self before you and confess our sins.

Thank You Jesus for Your forgiveness.

Help us to forgive others, even when they don't apologize.

May we go and love them today.

Door Of Hope

O. T. #2034 "Door of Hope"

Sept. 28, 2021

Hosea 2-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

What a loving and forgiving prophet!  He illustrated with his life the love and forgiveness of our God. Gomer, his wife, had left him and went into prostitution, just as Israel had left the worship of God and went into idolatry.

Some 185 years passed between the time Israel (Northern Kingdom) went into captivity with Assyria (722 BC) and when King Cyrus of Persia sent a remnant of Jews back to Jerusalem to restore the city and the Temple (537 BC). That means that Hosea and his children had died and did not experience the restoration of Israel, the fulfillment of his prophecies.

However, as Tony Evans wrote, "You can't outrun the tenacious love of God."

Gomer would be wooed and brought into a private, face-to-face consultation; and she will be dealt with kindly. (verse 14) Her blessings will be restored (verse 15a); and the occasion of her sin, rightly faced and deserted, will be the occasion of her hope. (verse 15b) (Falwell)

Just as Gomer would call Hosea Ishi (my husband) and not Baali (my lord and master), so would Israel's relationship with God be the same. They would be affectionate and servant of God in the future.

LET IT GROW

In verses 14-23, we read of the restoration of the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, as well as the restoration of Israel. I counted 21 promises, the "I will's" and "will's" of God in these verses:

10. God will win Israel back and speak tenderly to her in the desert. (verse 14)

11. God will return her vineyards and transfer the Valley of Achor into a door of hope during the Millennium. This wonderful hope will result in singing. (verse 14)

12. Then God will take away the many names of Israel's false gods/idols from their lips and they will never mention them again. (verse 17)

13. God will make a covenant with the animals and birds so they do not harm Israel. (verse 18a)

14, He will remove all weapons of war from the land so they live unafraid in peace and safety; (v.18b)

15. God will make them His wife forever. (v.19a)

16. He will show them righteousness and justice, unfailing love, and compassion. (v.19b)

17. He will be faithful to them and make them His children, so they will finally know God as the LORD; (v.20)

18. God will hear and answer them. (v.21a)

19. He will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds and the sky will answer the earth with rain. (v.21b-22) The earth will give grain, grapevines, and olive trees rain.

20. God will raise up Israelites with His mercy, and will show them love and forgiveness. (verse 23a)

21. He will change Israel from "Not my people" to "Now you are My people."

Then Israel will say, "Thou art my God."

 

LET IT GROW

 

As you face problems and trials, remember that God may speak to you in the wilderness times, not just in times of prosperity.(Life Application Study Bible)

The Lord speaks tenderly to us, restores our relationship, and shows compassion to us when we repent of our sins and turn back to Him.Jesus wants to be our Door of Hope so we can enter into a new life. Even when others have been unfaithful to us (spouse, friend), God still loves us.

LET IT GO

Help us forgive and love those who have hurt us, those unfaithful friends, children, or spouse.

Come alive in us, Lord Jesus, so we can show forth Your love and forgiveness.

May we be found faithful ones.

 

 

Love and Forgiveness After Unfaithfulness

O. T. #2033   "Love and Forgiveness After Unfaithfulness"

Sept. 27, 2021

Hosea 2-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

It was difficult for me to correct our children when they were small. However, I realized that because I loved them, they needed disciplined for their own good in order to teach them right from wrong.

So it was concerning Israel. God had given them warning after warning as to what would happen if they did not repent of their idolatry. Discipline was coming in order to turn them back to God.

There are 21 "I will's" that God told Israel would happen if they continued in their sin:

1. He would not have mercy on the children of Israel as long as they were children of idolatry. (verse 4)
2. As they turned to luxurious things, Israel did not acknowledge it was God who provided her essentials and extras, as well as blessed them with all things. Therefore, God was going to fence them in with restraints (slaves to Assyria). (verse 6)
3. God will take away the grain and wine of harvest. (verse 9a)
4. He will take away their wool and linen clothing that He had given to cover their nakedness. (verse 9b)
5. God will discover Israel's lewdness (disgrace) in public. (verse 10)
6. He will put an end to her festivals, celebrations, and Sabbath days that were dedicated to idols. (verse 11)
7. He will destroy her grapevines and fig trees that she claims the idols provided. (verse 12a)
8. God will let them grow into thickets where only wild animals eat the fruit. (verse 12b)
9. He will punish Israel for all those times she burned incense to her images of Baal; when she showed off her jewels to others, thus forgetting about the LORD God. (verse 13a)

[Resource: New Living Translation]

Did God give details of the sins Israel committed or what?

Can we conclude that God desires to be acknowledged for all we have? Do we show ingratitude and hypocrisy as Israel? Are our hearts sincere as we worship God or do we simply go through the motions?

"Be ye holy, for I am holy," appears 8 times in the Bible. God means what He says.

In John 10:9, Jesus said, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

In that verse, the word door means a compact (as looked upon with approval); agreement; in the Hebrew language.

When Jesus is our Savior, we have a agreement that He will always be our Savior,  will not deny us before the Father, that He will always be with us and never leaving us, gives us peace, and is providing a home in heaven for us. What a Savior!

 

 

LET IT GROW

Do you seem to be in a valley of trouble? God can give us a door of hope in our life as Israel. 

Now we read of God's love for an unfaithful Israel, replenishing their hope:

   10. But then God will win Israel back once again. (verse 14a)

   11. God will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her

         there.  (verse 14b)

   12. He will return her vineyards and transform the Valley of

        Trouble (Achor) for a door of hope and she will sing there.        

         (verse 15)

Do we feel deprived, in sorrow, alone, living in a hopeless world?

These last things mentioned will be granted during the Millennium when Christ reigns as King in Israel and the world. Yet, He can be our hope during this trying time.

 

LET IT GO

Jesus, be our Door of Hope.

Keep us in Your love today.

Change our heart of complaining and criticism into a grateful heart.

I don't want to gain the whole world and loose my soul.

A Loving and Faithful Marriage or Not

O. T. #2032 "A Loving and Faithful Marriage or Not"

Sept. 24, 2021

Hosea 2

LET IT GLOW

Are you in need for some encouragement for your marriage? I got some today. I always listen to a local Christian radio station throughout the day. Well, each morning, they try to give a situation that is up lifting. Here is one given today that applies to our lesson:

A couple, Ralph and Dorothy, in California has been married 86 years; he is 104 and she is 103. (When they got married, he was 18 and she was 17.) A bit young we might think for them to remain married all these years. When asked what his secret was for a long marriage, he gave two words-togetherness and compromise. She would go hunting with him. Such an inspiration to us. Maybe the key is to find something we both enjoy doing together, not work. Is your marriage one that inspires others? Hard work, love, treasuring each other, and forgiveness are a must.

1 John 4:8 says, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:10-11)

God's love is a holy love, not a sentimental feeling that condones sin and pampers sinners. (Wiersbe)

By the time Hosea wrote this chapter, his wife Gomer had left her husband and three children. Hosea tells his children to go find her.

In verse 1, the Lord tells the people of Israel to rebuke their leadership.

Ammi means a people; a tribe (as those of Israel); Ruhaman means to love; have compassion; merciful.

As for Israel, they will be a restored people of God and will obtain mercy. This will happen when a nation repents and receives a new heart in fulfillment of the New Covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) (Falwell)

God's mercy is restored to the repentant, revived, and restored nation. This will happen for Israel after Assyria conquers them and Judah is conquered by Babylon. Together, they will reunite as one nation. 

 

LET IT GROW

What Gomer has done, left and became unfaithful to her husband, so Israel has done to God. Israel turned away to idolatries and promiscuous ways. Hosea calls for them to put them away or judgment was coming.

The problem was not what Gomer desired, food, comforts, and life, but the source from which she sought them, her lovers. She thought men other than her husband could provide these things for her. So did Israel as they turned to pagan gods and not Jehovah to provide for their needs. What sins!

Folks, are we guilty of those same sins? Do we work all the time to provide for our self and not be content with what God has provided? Are we giving God first place in our life?

We must be careful not to love the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17), friendly with the world (James 4:4), nor conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2). As believers and part of a local church, we must remain true to our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, until He returns to take His bride home. (Rev. 19:6-9)

We see three important events for Gomer and Israel:

1. her reprobation (verses 2-5)
2. her retribution (verses 6-13)
3. her restitution (verses 14-17).

LET IT GO

Remain a faithful servant of Jesus.

Remain a faithful spouse.

Remember how faithful God is to us and thank Him.

When It Is No More

O. T. #2030  "When It Is No More"

Sept. 22, 2021

Hosea 1-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Here we are again with doom and gloom as we study another prophecy of the destruction of Israel, yet the faithful ones will be restored, though judgment is coming for the northern kingdom, there is hope ahead.

So I thought we could use some encouraging words found in Psalm 91:

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. (verse 2)

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (verse 10)

For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (verse 11)

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation. (verses 15-16)

Previously, we learned the names of the three children of Hosea and Gomer had meanings. God told the prophet what to name them as a life lesson to Israel.

The first son, named Jezereel, whose name meant God wil sow/scatter, represented the dynasty of Jeroboam I  and successor kings that led Israel into idolatry. Also, Jehu, who killed Ahab and Jezebel, would be killed in the Valley of Jezereel, showing God as the revenger of all the bad kings. (Hosea lived to see all of this transpire as Assyria conquered Israel.)

Is there anything that we give our thoughts, money, time to instead of God? Is there something we depend on more than Him? Is our heart loyal to God or another? do we give glory and praise to something else instead of God? Perhaps we have an idol in our life, if so. It is good to self exam every now and then.  

 

LET IT GROW

The second child was a girl named Loruhamah, (Lorro-khaw-maw')which means not pitied; not compassionate; no mercy.

Her name referred to God's compassion for Israel ending and judgment is imminent. He had been patient with the northern kingdom, sending prophets to warn them, but they would not repent of their sins and turn back to God. The love of God would be withdrawn and no more  mercy is shown.

Although God's love is unconditional, our enjoyment of that love is conditional and depends on our faith and obedience. (Wiersbe)

Although the Assyrians were allowed to swallow up Israel, Judah, the southern kingdom, was protected by God. (verse 7)

The third child was a son named Loammi, which means not my people. As God directed Hosea to name this child such, He was showing that the Lord disowned Israel. He had been longsuffering until Israel was incurable. God removed the covenant made with Israel, like a father disowning his son.

... for you are not my people, and I will not be your God. (verse 9)

Israel had withdrawn and removed its residence and ties with Judah in the south, where Jerusalem was, where the Temple and Ark of God resided. God washed His hands of the matter, one might conclude. (Keep in mind that is always a remnant of believers in God.)

We love God because He first loved us. The same hand that wounded, is stretched forth to heal. (Henry)

Are we willing to confess our sins to God and turn from them?

Will we commit our self to His will and guidance? 

LET IT GO

Surrender our all to God, allowing Him to cleanse our heart, remove a heart of stone, and fill it with His love.

Is it well with your soul?

Waiting on the Promises of God

O. T. #2031  "Waiting on the Promises of God"

Sept. 23, 2021

Hosea 1-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

There was hope for Israel after all is said and done. Friend, are you in need of some hope?

Take a look at verses 10 and 11. Even though Israel, the 10 northern tribes, would end as such, it was not their end. They would go into captivity by the Assyrians as punishment for their idolatry and not turning back to God. Later on, Babylon and Persia would conquer their land.

The blessings of God's covenant were conditioned on the Jews' obedience. Israel had disobeyed, but there was still hope.

You are not my people, they will be called: Sons of the living God. (verse 10)

There are 5 great national blessings promised:

1. A remnant of Israel will be as numerous as the grains of sand on the sea.
2. A remnant in the future will be called sons of the living God.
3. The two kingdoms of Israel and Judah will be gathered together and united as one nation.
4. They will appoint one head of that nation-Jesus Christ the Messiah, who is the Son of David.
5. A national restoration will take place when the nation repents and receives a new heart in fulfillment of the New Covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

These things will be fulfilled during the Millennial reign of Jesus. Since Jesus gave Israel hope, He can give us hope, also.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

When God speaks, He stands by His Word to see that it comes to pass, according to Isaiah 55:11. (Blackaby)

Jesus assured us we would receive a hundred times as much when we give up land and family for the furtherance of the gospel. (Mark 10:29-30)

Do you have the confident hope that what God says, He will do? 

 

LET IT GROW

Today, the Jews are sown throughout the Gentile world (Zech. 12:10), but one day God will plant them in their own land and restore to them their glory. As God promised to Abraham, Israel will become like the sand on the seashore. (Gen. 22:7) (Wiersbe)

The grace of God is evident. These promises will be fulfilled for the Jews when they recognize their Messiah at His return, trust Him, and experience His cleansing. Then they will enter into their kingdom, and the promises of the prophets will be fulfilled. (Wiersbe)

Is there something you are waiting on God to bring to pass? Perhaps it is a promise,  or a prayer you keep repeating.

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)

 

LET IT GO

Strengthen our hearts as we wait upon You, Jesus, and wait upon Your timing of fulfillment in our life.

Give us good courage and faith that is growing daily.

May we hold fast faith that You will fulfill Your promises to us.

Meaningful Names

O. T. #2029  " Meaningful Names"

Sept. 21, 2021

Hosea 1-Part 3

And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezereel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezereel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. (verse 4)

LET IT GLOW

What does your name mean? Are you a descendant of one with the same name as yours? Does your family still continue with that name in generations? I found out that my  granddaughter has a similar name as my great-grandmother. I need to tell her, although not done on purpose. That same name is found in my ancestors on both sides of my family. I find it interesting.

Names had meanings back in biblical times. They seemed to signify what the person would be like or their future would be for them. Today we will discover the meanings of several names mentioned in this chapter. They definitely had importance, especially the name of Hosea's three children. so not only was the marriage of Hosea (deliverer; salvation) and Gomer (completion) but also the children were going to present a real spiritual lesson for the nation of Israel.

Do you know what your name means? In Spanish, my name means "beautiful". Not sure I have lived up to that.

Jesus' name means "salvation." Are we using His name in loving ways? So many people us it in a cursing way. I as them to not do so. God is my Heavenly Father and Jesus is my Savior.

 

LET IT GROW

God told Hosea what to name his children for that specific purpose. Let's take a look at the name its meaning of Hosea's first son.

Jezereel means God will sow or God will scatter.

• God was going to scatter the house of Israel, the 10 northern tribes.
• God was to bring the bloodshed of Jezereel on the house of Jehu.

To better understand this, we need a little history lesson, looking back at 2 Kings 9-10. What happened at the Valley of Jezereel?

• King Ahab was married to Jezebel, who worshiped Baal, a pagan god. He continued to worship of idols in Israel. This king and queen had caused people to be killed. Jezebel had Naboth, who owned his family's land in Jezereel, killed so Ahab could own its vineyard.
• The land of the Valley of Jezereel is very fertile soil for various crops even today. It is about a 10 mile valley surrounded by mountains, reaching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. (Nations covet this piece of land.) Note that this valley or plain is also named Armageddon, where the last battle of good and evil will take place during the Tribulation.(Christ is the victor and will establish His thousand year reign, afterwards.)
• Also, Jezebel had many of God's prophets killed, so God used Jehu to kill the family of King Ahab, including his 70 sons, evil wife, relatives. (Ahab had a summer palace in this valley where the killings occurred.) This was predicted some 20 years earlier by Elijah. (1 Kings 21)
• Jehu continued to wipe out significant people in Israel's history, so he carried the killings too far by God's standard. He became king of Israel, but a few years later.

How sad it is that Israel broke away from Judah in the first place, but to turn to idolatry meant God would wipe them off. Later on, Judah became the Israel that God intended-worship only God and obey His commands, keeping His festivals, being a witness to other nations.

Have you thought about the fact that God saw what was happening in Israel throughout all those 200 years that the majority of Israel did not worship God? He appointed prophets to warn them of the consequences of their sins, yet they would not repent and turn away from idols.

Is anything more important to you than worshiping Jesus on the Lord's Day? So you attend church services faithfully? Are you obeying the Bible?

LET IT GO

Let go of things, spend time in the word, love our neighbor.

Share with our family how God has been faithful in our life down through the years.

Be faithful to serving God.

Share salvation with those in our little world.

An Extraordianry Obedience

O. T. #2028  "An Extraordinary Obedience"

Sept. 20, 2021

Hosea 1-Part 1

The Lord has anointed me... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. (Isaiah 61:1,3)

LET IT GLOW

Are you or someone around you experiencing the ashes of a shattered life?

No matter what our past has been, Christ stands ready to forgive and cleanse us-and then make us new. Only Christ can bring hope to lives that have been turned into ashes by the assaults of our enemy, Satan. Christ restores us and gives us a crown of beauty-the beauty of forgiveness, the beauty of hope, joy, and peace. (from Billy Graham's devotional , Wisdom For Each Day)

Hosea 's ministry probably lasted 50-70 years until the Assyrian captivity of Israel, the northern kingdom. His calling of God was during the days Jeroboam was king of those 10 tribes.

What was the first task Hosea had been given by God? In verse 2, he was told to Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms.

Now, I have read several commentaries and they say that Gomer (Hosea's wife) was probably a morally pure woman at the time Hosea married her and that for some reason she became discontent with her life with him, left, and entered harlotry.

God told Hosea what to do and what the consequences would be in the future for his marriage and family. It was not an easy life, but one full of heartbreak for Hosea the prophet.

The pain involved in obedience may benefit those you serve and not your personally, just as it did for Hosea.

Hosea's life was to be one living illustration Israel, what its relationship with God became, and its future. Israel had turned to worshiping calves (idols) of King Jeroboam at Dan or Bethel. (Remember, a king set up a temple there so the Israelites did not have a long journey several times a year to observe festivals in Jerusalem.)

However, we know that the Lord punished His people for their sins, extended His love, and brought them back to Himself. Israel would be reunited with Judah and worship the Only, One, True God.

God often required extraordinary obedience from his prophets who were facing extraordinary times. But when they obeyed, God did extraordinary things and received the glory.

Is He asking you to do something extraordinary or difficult? How will you respond if God does? Will you trust that God knows everything and has a special purpose for His request? 

LET IT GROW

What happened after God spoke to Hosea with a special task? Did he obey the command?

He married Gomer and then she bore him a son. (verse 3) Actually, there were three children born from this union. Their names had significance when God told Hosea what to name them. (We will get into the details next time.)

Don't we hope for a good ending as we read a story or watch a movie? Sometimes I read the ending of a book to get me through it. Likewise, we want Hosea to have a good life, but it was one of heart break. However, love prevailed.

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for Mine anger is turned away from him. (14:4)

The scar and stench of idolatry will be removed from the land of Israel.

His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. (14:6)

I have seen the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Messiah and Savior Jesus prayed before He went to the cross. What a humbling experience. There are 5 giant olive trees that have been dated back to the twelfth century. (A locked, metal fence surround them for protection.) 

 

LET IT GO

                     ... of whatever is keeping us from obeying God.

                     ... and follow faithfully the calling God has for us.

                     ... and turn back to God in our shame and regret.

                     ... and let God turn our ashes into beauty.

                     ... and give God the glory for His mercy and grace.

An Unusual Task

O. T. #2027 "An Unusual Task"

Sept. 17, 2021

Hosea 1

The word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri... (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever had a word from the Lord Jesus directed to you personally? Perhaps the Holy Spirit speaks specifically to you while praying, as an answer to a specific question, or out of the blue He gives a direction. I have been there this year. Sometimes it is a word or phrase or idea that is repeated in a sermon, Scripture, or others. Instead of stepping on our toes, it shoots directly to the heart. And you get the message, the word.

Hosea had a Word of God. In the Hebrew language, word (dabar') can mean several things-a matter; a cause; decree; answer; purpose; task; tidings; saying.

So when a Word of the Lord came to Hosea, it was concerning a matter, was for a purpose, and gave him a task. What was it? We find the answer right away in verse 2:

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.

We don't have any background as to why God would give this direction to Hosea. Perhaps he had fallen in love with this woman Gomer as he saw her daily getting water from the city well. Maybe he saw her around town and she caught his eye, they became acquainted, and she was a great gal. Or maybe none of the above. Maybe Gomer was a good gal and then turn to promiscuity. It could be that Hosea didn't even know her before this.

Whatever, God told Hosea to go and marry a prostitute. She could have been a morally pure woman at the time they married, she became discontent, and went off into harlotry. Consider that for a Jewish man to marry a harlot would have been not acceptable in their society. Hosea was not a priest, however. (Lev. 21:7)

Well, Hosea knew right away that Gomer would be unfaithful to him and she would have children as a result. But his love and forgiveness and restoration would be a life lesson for Israel, since they had done the same to their God as Gomer did to Hosea. That is the Word Hosea was to live out before the people.

How tough it would have been, knowing right away that his marriage and family would not be ideal and certainly gossiped about in the city.

Beloved of God, if your marriage has turn out to be one of an unfaithful spouse, God can heal a broken heart and put it back together, piece by piece.

If unfaithfulness or divorce is in your immediate family, turn to God for a Word of encouragement from Him. He forgives sins, loves unconditionally. He can still use imperfect people for Kingdom purpose.

LET IT GROW

When God called Hosea, he not only gave him a message, He also called him to be a message. (Tony Evans)

Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. Under the reign of Jeroboam II, Israel had prospered materially but had decayed spiritually. the people were greedy and had adopted the immoral behavior and idolatrous religion of the surrounding Canaanites. Hosea's role was to show how Israel had been unfaithful to God, their "husband" and provider, and had married themselves to Baal and the gods of Canaan. He warned that unless they repented of their sin and turned back to God, they were headed for destruction. [Life Application Study Bible]

We know that Israel did not repent, so Assyria conquered them.

Is the bride of Christ, the church, faithful to their bridegroom? Is she turning to programs, things, straying from the Word of God for them?

Are we individually being faithful to our Savior? To our spouse?

LET IT GO

Help us to be faithful to the Faithful One.

Speak to our hearts from Your Word, Jesus.

May we let go of things and cling to You, Almighty God.

An Unusual Prophet of Love

O. T. #2026  "An Unusual Prophet of Love"

Sept. 16, 2021

Introduction to Hosea

Are you one who needs unconditional love, acceptance not based on  good deeds outweighing the bad deeds, like me? Are you in search of encouragement to stay faithful to whatever/whoever? Then join me as we walk down this book less traveled (studied), on a road of faith, love,  and forgiveness.

Here we are studying the first of the 12 Minor Prophets, located at the back of the Old Testament. (Their books are not the length of the Major Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel.) Before getting into the details, let's take a look at the surroundings of Hosea.

Author and Date

Hosea means salvation; just as Joshua and Jesus. God wanted to bring salvation to His people, Israel and Judah. Israel had split into two nations, the Northern Kingdom was made up of 10 sons of Jacob called Israel, and the Southern Kingdom was made up of 2 sons of Jacob (Judah and Benjamin) called Judah.

We jump back in time to the king Jeroboam II in Israel of the north. Hosea's ministry lasted somewhere in the ballpark of 50 years, (755 BC-722 BC) during the last 7 kings of Israel before they were conquered by the Assyrians. We studied about them in 2 Kings 13-20. (Hint: All of Israel's kings were bad and idolaters after the split from Judah.)

Background

King Jeroboam II reigned and enjoyed political peace and material prosperity, yet moral corruption and spiritual bankruptcy was present. Israel's anarchy declined rapidly. Some 30 years later 4 of the 6 last kings were assassinated by their successors. then Assyria overthrew Israel.

Themes

The themes of this book include sin, judgment, forgiving love.We learn of God's loyal love for His covenant people, Israel, in spite of their idolatry. The Lord's true love for His people is unending and will tolerate no rival, nationally and individually.

The personal life of Hosea, his marriage to an unfaithful wife, is a rich metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God, and perhaps ours, too.

How is our relationship with God?

Will others fall in love with Jesus and His Word by following our example? Is Jesus your living hope today?

Is our love for the unlovely unconditional?

If you are feeling unloved, dear one, Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross to take away your sins. Have you trusted Him as your Savior?

 

 

A Faithful Man Called Daniel

O. T. #2025 "A Faithful Man Called Daniel"

Sept. 15, 2021

Summary of Daniel-Part 4

Years ago I wrote the Bible study lessons for a children's camp based in this book. There is so much more than the stories of Daniel in the lions' den and the 3 Hebrew boys who were thrown in the fiery furnace to be shared. There is God's faithfulness, prophecies for the future, and Salvation.

I like the way Tony Evans summed up the prophet Daniel's life:

• Daniel had demonstrated extraordinary faithfulness throughout his life.
• He served God as an exile in a pagan world. (1:3-6)
• He obeyed God's law regardless of the outcome. (1:8-16)
• He delivered God's message loyally. (2:31-45)
• He stood up to kings. (5:13-39)
• He withstood persecution from those who wanted to take his life. (6:1-28)
• He was a student of God's Word. (9:2)
• He was a man of prayer and fasting. (9:3-19;10:2-3, 12)
• Daniel served may kings and saw many kingdoms rise and fall, but his ultimate allegiance was to the agenda of only one King (Jesus).

Charles Swindoll tells us of God's overall scheme in this book and major stages of God's dealings with man:

• The Law-The Israelites did not faithfully obey the Mosaic Law.
• The Church-Made up of Gentiles, non-Jews, and everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Savior by faith becomes an equal member of God's everlasting family and an heir of His promises made to Israel. (Gal. 3:28-29; Eph. 3:6)
• The Rapture-Participants will receive imperishable, immortal bodies. (1Cor. 15:50-53)
• The Great Tribulation-The false prophet, the beast, will attempt to control the world politically, economically, and religiously with satanic powers. During this time, God will unleash His anger in a series of devastating judgments that will culminate in the Battle of Armageddon. (Rev.6-18)
• The Second Advent-Christ will kill all those who sided with the beast during the Tribulation period and will bind Satan for a thousand years. (Rev. 19)
• The Millennial Kingdom-Christ will initiate a thousand-year reign of righteousness on earth. The Lord will destroy unbelievers born during this time and will cast them with Satan into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false prophet are. (Rev. 20)
• The New Creation-God will destroy the old heaven and earth and re-create new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness [will dwell]. (2 Peter 3:13) The Lord shall wipe away every tear from [His people's] eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain. (Rev. 21:4)

Folks, the important thing is to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, and that He is coming back to earth again. The first time He came was to die on the cross so you and I do not have to pay for our sins. Such marvelous love! It is by faith that we are save, not of works.

I hope we will strive to be like Daniel, who believed in a Sovereign God, had a disciplined prayer life, studied the Word of God and believed it, understood spiritual warfare, sought only to glorify God, realized that he had a work to do, was tactful and considerate, had insight into human history, and lived up to his name. Daniel means God is my judge. (Wiersbe)

D.L. Moody preached on Daniel and said in a message, "Daniel thought more of his principles than he did o f earthly honor or the esteem of men. right was right with him. He was going to do right today and let the morrows take care of themselves. That firmness of purpose, in the strength of God, was the secret of his success." (from Bible Characters, written in 1888 by Moody)

Here is our challenge, to stand for what is right, for God's Word, and show the love of Jesus today.

Dare to be a Daniel!

Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known!

(a song written by Phillip.P. Bliss, an associate of Mr. Moody)

Will people speak about our faith and faithfulness to God after we are gone from earth?

Thank you for studying this book of the Bible with me. Have a blessed day!

 

 

 

Where is God?

O. T. #2024   "Where is God?"

Sept. 14, 2021

Summary of Daniel

So many tragic things happen in our world. There are earthquakes, tornadoes, assassins, and drunk drivers who take away lives and material things. Divorce shatters a family and home, as well as terrorists destroy lives. Tragedy happens to people. In our sorrow and despair we may ask, "Where is God?" 

There are some things Daniel discovered about his God:

• God is sovereign. He controlled circumstances of individuals and nations. This all-knowing God is in charge of world events. As God controlled Babylon, He used them to bring repentance to the Jews, He also worked to control the destinies of people during Daniel's lifetime. god controls all human history, past, present, and future.
• God is faithful. He proved it in Daniel's life, delivering him from execution, a den of lions, and from enemies who hated him. Also, in the lives of Daniel's three friends as they were thrown into a fiery furnace and survived. 
• God gave faithful Daniel visions and dreams of the future as prophetic events:

        1. the rise of Gentile supremacy

        2. the rebuilding of Jerusalem

        3. the coming and death of the Messiah, Jesus Christ

        4. the Great Tribulation

        5. the Millennial Kingdom. (Swindoll)

       (The first three events have taken place, but the last two are yet

         to come.)

• God answers prayers. We read of the angels and Jesus coming to Daniel in his visions.
• God loves His people. He has preserved the Jews down through history and us in our times of trouble.
• God is judge over all. Believers will receive their rewards, and unbelievers will receive their punishment at the Great White Throne.
• God keeps His Word. As He keeps His covenant with Israel, so He does what He says He will do.
• God gives hop to captives in a strange land and purpose to lives.
• God gives rest and strength to stand while we wait on His timing and will.
• God receives glory, for He alone in the Only True Living God.
• God is the only One to be worshiped. There is no other god. Satan is limited in his power, as God is all-powerful.

Perhaps you found more characteristics of God as you studied this book. One day we will understand all things, see the whole picture, and our Savior.

May our focus be not on understanding future events, but on serving the Lord Jesus here and now. Have a blessed day, dear one!

           

The Faithfulness of Daniel

O. T. #2023  "The Faithfulness of Daniel"

Sept. 13, 2021

Summary of Daniel-Part 1 

First, I want to thank you dear friends for joining me as we studied the book of Daniel, a book of faith and prophecies. I am so grateful for those men who tackled this book and sacrificed their time to wrote commentaries and share with us. Without them in tuned to God, His leading, and your prayers, I could not have made it through. I know this study has made an impact on my life and I hope yours, too.

So much was written in just 12 chapters, so much of life (70 years) of one man's experiences, and lessons we learn about our Holy God.

Who, What, When, Where, Why

Daniel was among the first Jews taken captive to Babylon. There were three groups taken at various times (605 BC, 597 BC, 586 BC). Nebuchadnezzar was the king of this dominating empire at this time. Daniel served in government there in Babylon under the kings Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus, as well. What an witness of faith in God he had on them.

Tony Evans tells us that a portion of the manuscript of Daniel was discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls and testifies to an older date of writing, which was likely after the end of the Babylonian captivity in the sixth century.

Why were the Jews taken captive to a foreign land? Jeremiah previously taught us of the ungodly last 5 kings in Judah who reigned over Jerusalem and the Temple. They desecrated the holy Temple, worshiping idols there, ignoring the Law. Even though they were warned by prophets to repent of their sins and turn back to God, they did not heed. So God disciplined His people, removed them from Israel. (Yet He showed mercy later to those who remained faith in a foreign land, those who repented, and returned to their Promised Land.)

How

Daniel was taken to Babylon so he could encourage those Jews deported with him. God would give them a hope and a future. Daniel's life illustrated how the people of God were to live, showing what faithfulness to God and His kingdom agenda looked like even when undergoing His discipline. Even when circumstances on earth do not appear favorable, God's people are under His sovereign rule. First hand the Jews learned and experienced God's judgment of sins due to their disobedience.

What proofs of Daniel's strong faith in God are seen?

• It is seen in what he ate and drank, vegetables and water. Daniel refused to eat meat offered to idols (against God's law) and drink wine. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine when he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (1:8)
• In his understanding to interpret Neb's dream of the statue representing empires to reign in the future, Daniel gave glory to his God. But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets...(2:28)
• In Daniel's promotion to administrative advisory in the Babylonian government and chief of the wise men. (2:48)
• In Daniel's three friends with which he associated, especially when thrown into the fiery furnace for not bowing down to worship the golden idol. (verses 17-18) Not only was not a hair on their head singed, nor coats burned, but their bodies did not smell like smoke as they survived the 10 times hotter fire.
• In Daniel's interpreting the handwriting on the wall for king Darius that honored God. (chapter 5)
• In being preserved while spending the night in the hungry lions' den because he would not stop praying to his God, and surviving. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (6:22)
• In the visions of the future that God entrusted to Daniel to record. (chapters 7-12)

Oh, to have the faith of Daniel. Are we willing to be tested in similar way, though? Will we faithful to pray and serve our God today?

 

 

 

 

Resting and Standing While we Wait

O. T. #2022  "Resting and Standing While We Wait"

Sept. 10, 2021

Daniel 12-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Are you waiting, friend? Are you adhering to Jesus while you wait for answered prayers? Are you waiting long for His coming to take you to heaven, remaining faithful? Are you tarrying and waiting for others to believe in Him as Savior? Is our faith growing strong as we wait for the return of Jesus to reign on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords? Daniel was told in verse 13, Blessed is he that waiteth."

Now we look at the last verse, the last thing Jesus told Daniel, But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. (verse 13)

Two words jumped out to me-rest and stand.

Rest means to settle down; to dwell; stay; (be) quiet; remain; set done.

Daniel had the assurance to be present to partake in the glorious event that follow the resurrection of believers. I pray that you have this assurance through having trusted Christ as personal Savior. (Romans 3:23; 5:8; 10:9-10, 13) If not, dear one, ask Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior.

Are we staying faithful in the game of life, going through daily chores, job, having hope in Jesus? Some days, more than others, we are ready and willing to receive our allotted inheritance now.

I like what Sarah Young said in her devotional book, Jesus Calling,  

"Your assignment is to trust Me (Jesus) absolutely, resting in My sovereignty and faithfulness."

Do we need to give up and rely on Jesus for something in our life today? Am I the only one who struggles trusting Jesus absolutely and rest in His sovereign control and faithfulness? We don't have to have all the answers, have it all together, live a perfect life. Jesus trust Him. He will give us strength to carry on.

God told Isaiah in 30:15a, In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

The rest of that verse says Israel would not do so. It is my prayer that we be not like Israel.

 

LET IT GROW

Stand refers to abide; continue; abide; endure; remain; tarry; stand by; stand fast; stand firm; stand still; stand up.

Are we standing by Jesus? Will we stand fast and strong for our faith? Are we standing firm in the Truth? Will we stand still and watch Jesus move in our circumstances and life? Ultimately, will we stand up for Jesus when those around us do not?

As we walk by faith in Jesus, may our fears and worries decrease as our trust increases. May our energy and time be spent serving the Master. Sometimes we need reminding that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus.

Have a blessed day, friend, as you wait, rest in, and stand for Jesus today.

 

 

LET IT GO

Wholeheartedly trust Jesus with everything.

Help us to trust in You at all times and in all things.

Help us rest in Jesus and not worry about what is around the next bend.

Jesus, only You are our Strength, Song, and Salvation.

May our delight be in You, King Jesus, our Redeemer.

We stand in awe of You, our Savior.

Wait Training and Waiting Well

O. T. #2021 "Wait Training and Waiting Well"

Sept. 9, 2021

Daniel 12-Part 7

And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days! (Verse 12b, NLT)

LET IT GLOW

Are you waiting for a prayer to be answered, like me? In our last study, we defined wait as to adhere to; hence to await; long; tarry. Sometimes the wait can be long, as mine has been since January. So let's continue to look at the main points found in Wendy Pope's book, Wait and See:

• Turn our time into Wait Training. Keeping company with God is how we learn to wait well, fight our inner battles, and find rest..
• Read the Truth in the living Word of God, the Bible.
• Pray, talking to God about feelings, etc.
• Praise God. Think on things that are praise worthy, good, kind.
• David's godly character was shaped by every personally intense trial (PIT) he experienced.
• Make God the object of our wait.
• When God calls, do we delay or start on our way?
• Step out of the security of the familiar to find peace in the unfamiliar.
• In our adventures with God, we should expect the unexpected.
• We have to believe the God of possibilities rather than be overwhelmed by the impossibility of our situation.
• What we learn in one wait prepares us for the next wait.

LET IT GROW

Our waiting can feel like a wilderness experience rather than an exhilarating adventure. Don't we get antsy when our wait exceeds our limits of acceptable time?  (We think we have waited long enough.) David had trouble waiting patiently too. In anguish, he cried out to the Lord four times, "How long?" (Ps. 13:1-2)

When we get desperate to end the wait, we often feel we are in despair and :

• Help God by manipulating circumstances to rush our desire outcome. When the waiting is long, the enemy us to move on anyway.
• Turn the object of our wait into an idol. Anything that replaces God in our heart is an idol.
• Or we continue to seek the Lord Jesus, and tend to our sheep.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. How many but's did Paul use? (4) We are hard pressed, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despaired; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.

Back to Wendy's words of encouragement:

• Pauses are places meant to strengthen our resolve, not weaken our faith.
• What we are waiting on is too good to hurry!
• David waited well by focusing on God, not the problems, the people, or the palace.
• Don't let depression, discouragement, or doubt have victory. (Let Jesus bring your victory.)
• Things don't always turn out exactly as we planned, but things always turn out as God planned.
• Sometimes the wait ends better than expected or different than expected.

 

LET IT GO

We must wait well, arise to the challenge, and resist temptations. While waiting, we must continue to love God and love others; keep on doing Kingdom work; sharing what God is doing in our life. Believe God even if my feelings tell me something else. He is faithful and trustworthy.

 

 

What to Do in The Waiting

O. T. #2020 "What to Do in The Waiting"

Sept. 8, 2021

Daniel 12-Part 5

Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (Daniel 12:12)

LET IT GLOW

What word jumps out at you in this final verse spoken to Daniel?Wait has hit me. Well, let me say up front that I have not been a good waiter. The Lord told me vague instructions, so I prepared for it, and here I am, waiting as to how and where to carry them out. I have been waiting for doors to open since January, praying daily about it. And nothing has come to pass. No specific directions. Folks, I am between a rock and a hard spot.

In the Hebrew language, waiteth means to adhere to; hence to await; long; tarry.

I want to wait well, but not doing such a good job at it. Are you in the boat with me? Is there an answer that you are seeking from the Lord? So I realize it is not God's time for this to come to pass. I recall a book written by Wendy Pope, an excellent Bible teacher. I need some wisdom from God's Word.

 I hunted for her book, "Wait and See" and found it under a pile of books. Here are some instructions for us waiters:

• Waiting well looks forward to the future while staying present in the present. Accept God's ways. Trust His ways not doubt His wait.
• In the classroom of waiting with God, walk with Him, enjoy His presence, seek what He wants us to do.
• He is preparing us for what He has prepared for us. Hang on for the ride. don't manipulate the situation.
• Continue to do what we know to do. (Mark 12:30; Phil. 2:13-16)
• Carry out the Truth in obedience; turn to Truth when the wait makes us weary.
• Don't fret, but delight in the Lord Jesus, trusting Him. (Ps. 37)
• Do good for somebody.
• Be a delighter rather than a fretter.
• Do nothing until the command, the impossible thing for us but not for God, is given.
• Prepare in the pauses so we are ready to embrace God's plans.

Isaiah 64:4 says, since ancient times no one has hear, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

That helps me and I hope it helps you. God is working things out for my good and His glory. He is getting us ready, me ready, preparing the way. He is working on our behalf.

 

LET IT GROW

As I wait, I want to surrender my hopes, desires, and dreams to my Great God, rather than the object of my wait.

Daniel did not experience the new Jerusalem and Temple the Jews rebuilt, yet he remained faith to God those 70 years of waiting through the captivity.

David waited about 15 years before he took the throne of Israel. Noah worked 120 years on the Ark. Abraham and Sarah waited nearly a hundred years to become parents. Jesus waited 30 years to start His public ministry. 

We have to allow God to do a work in us before He can do a work through us. Confess our sins. Don't fill our void with worry, plans, fear, food, shopping, social media, but with the Truth.

I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Ps. 16:8)

If God was faithful to those in the Bible, He is going to be faithful to me and you.

Am I asking God to align my heart with His heart? Are my desires His desires?

 

LET IT GO

Let go of my will and wait for His will.

Let go of my plans and wait for His plans.

Count my blessings, name them one by one.

See what the Lord has done.

Thank You, Jesus, for I needed to be reminded of these things.

Rewards Are Coming

O. T. #2019  "Rewards Are Coming"

Sept. 7, 2020

Daniel 12-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Some comforting predictions are mentioned for both the Gentile Christians and the Jews in this chapter. Previously, we spoke about the four groups of people that Daniel learned about at the end of the Tribulation. If you missed it, you may want to read it before continuing with today's lesson.

Swindoll gives three principles that can encourage us in our present about our future:

1. Man honors the famous and soon forgets them, but God honors the unknown and never forgets them. 

                                                                                                         God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. (Hebrews 6:10)

Here on earth, we may never be in the spotlight, receive an applause or recognition of our works of love. When we are forgotten, God sees everything we do, and one day He will abundantly reward us for our faithfulness to Him.

Is our motivation for the receiving of things? Or is it for glorifying God, serving Him, walking deeper with the King Jesus?

LET IT GROW

2. Man gives his rewards now, but God saves His until later. Better to receive an imperishable reward from the Lord when we are in heaven with Him instead of a corruptible one from man while we are still strangers on earth. (Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 11:13-16)

3. Man's methods are connected with time, but God's are connected with eternity. The perspectives of man are generally short-sighted and his ways usually self-centered. The Lord sees all details of the past, present, and future. And He is carefully fulfilling His plan according to His all-good will.

Faithfulness to God has a rich reward, not necessarily in this life, but most certainly in the life to come. (Life Application Study Bible)

It will be worth it all, friend. All the trials, troubles, preserving, waiting will not be significant when we see Jesus, I imagine.

I like how Matthew Henry put it, "It was a comfort to Daniel, it is a comfort to all saints, that whatever their lot is in the days of time, they shall have a happy lot in the end of the days, shall have their lot among the chosen."

When we go out of this world, may it be with a believing hope in Christ and a blessed lot forevermore with Him. Amen!

LET IT GO

Stand up, stand up for Jesus; the strife will not be long.

What ever my lot, Thou hast caused me to say, "It is well, it is well with my soul."

May your day be blessed with peace, love, and joy knowing Jesus.

When It Is Finished, Where Will You Go?

O. T. #2018  "When It Is finished, Where Will You Go?

Sept. 6, 2021

Daniel 12-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Can you imagine what excitement went through this prophet when he understood that after the horrible reign of the evil Antichrist, Satan, and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire?            (Rev. 19:11) And no one shall help them. (Dan. 11:45) We consider all the terrible killings of the Jews by Hitler was beyond words, but this time will be even worst.

In verse 6, we read where an angel asked the Lord, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

The Lord replied, for a time, times, and a half. This refers to the last half of the Tribulation, which totals 7 years. (Jesus spoke this under oath, standing on the water of the river and raising both hands to heaven, so it is certain.)

... and when He shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (verse 7)

The end of the evil ones will certainly be for a certain time. It will be finished. Jesus said on the cross, It is finished. He had accomplished what God had planned, and had fulfilled the sacrifice for sinners like you and me.

Beloved, sin must be paid for and Jesus Christ took our place to pay for our sins. Glory to Jesus! We praise You, O Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world!

Is Jesus your Savior? Have you asked Him to forgive your sins and reign in your heart? Now is the time, if you have not yet done so. One day your life will be finished. Where will you spend eternity?

 

LET IT GLOW

Daniel did not have the prophecy of Zechariah, nor the New Testament to better understand all of this. The literal kingdom on earth will establish Jesus Christ as King and His people will reign with Him for a thousand years. A new government will be established as saints serve the Savior and worship Him.

We must wait for this time with faith and patience. It can happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, a blink.

 

LET IT GO

Hold onto Jesus, for He is holding onto us.

Help us to wait, Lord, for the best is yet to come.

Our Name

O. T. #2017  "Our Name"

Sept. 3, 2021

Daniel 12-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Our name is important to us. It is our identity and sets us apart from others. Our name will be important when time is over, too.

According to Charles Swindoll, there are 4 groups of people and their destinies found in the last chapter of Daniel:

1. Those whose name is written in the book of life. (Rev. 20:12)the list of names of every person who has ever trusted in Christ as Savior will be written in it. Also, those Jews who are saved during the Tribulation will be preserved then. (12:1b)

2. Those who sleep in the dust of the ground.

• All believers and unbelievers who have died will be bodily resurrected at the end of the Tribulation. Believers will be resurrected "to everlasting life" with the Lord Jesus, the first group of believers who trusted Christ during the Church Age. (1 Thess 4:13-17)  They are the church saints. (1 Cor. 15:15) Their resurrection will happened during the time of the Rapture.
• Those saints who lost their lives during the Tribulation. They will be raised from their graves when Christ returns to earth to establish His Millennial Kingdom. (Isaiah 26:19-21)
• Then, unbelievers will go to disgrace and "everlasting contempt" apart from the Lord Jesus. Since works cannot save anyone (Romans 3:21-30), all unbelievers will be sentenced to hell for everlasting punishment. (Matthew 25:41-46)

3. Those who have insight and teach the Scriptures during the Tribulation. (11:33, 35) They will have courage to instruct people in God's Word.

4. Those who lead the many to righteousness. (12:3b) They will evangelize the unsaved during the Tribulation, spreading the good news of salvation despite the intense oppression. They will shine like the stars forever. This may occur at Christ's Second Coming.

 

LET IT GROW

Daniel was commanded to conceal the prophecy and seal up the Book of Daniel until the end of time. (verse 4a)

The New Testament indicates that ever since the earthly ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ, we have been in the end times. (Acts 2:15-17; Hebrews 1:2; James 5:3; 1 Peter 1:20) So the angel's command was valid until the New Testament era. As time passed, serious students of Daniel's book would gain a clearer picture of what it teaches and how and when its prophecies would be fulfilled. 

We know that knowledge has increased during our modern computer era. Back in 1945, knowledge doubled every 25 years. They say it doubles every 12 months, now, instead of every10 years when I was teaching. Soon it will double every 12 hours, as predicted. 

Are we increasing in knowledge of the God's Word?

Are we increasing in faith, obedience, and love of Christ?

 

LET IT GO

Give us a desire to know You more, Jesus.

Fill us with Your Word to share with others.

How wonderful is Thy salvation!

Will You Shine Like Stars in Eternity?

O. T. #2016  " Will You Shine Like Stars in Eternity?"

Sept. 2, 2021

Daniel 12

LET IT GLOW

Daniel saw the seven years of Tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist, Armageddon, and then the return of Christ. He found out that the Archangel Michael would be assigned to deliver and care for the Jews. (Dan. 10:13, 21) God will keep His covenant with Abraham and see to it that the Jewish remnant will enter into their promised kingdom.

Christ Jesus will return to earth (Matt. 24:29-30) with His armies for the victory, taking captive Satan, Antichrist, and the false prophet and cast them into the lake of fire. (Rev. 19:11-21) According to Dan. 11:45, no one shall help the Antichrist as he comes to his end.

Zechariah promises that the nation of Israel will see their Messiah as He comes from heaven, recognize Him, repent of their sins, and trust Him, and the nation will be cleansed. (Zech. 12:10-13:1) Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:11-12), and the Lord shall be king over all the earth. (Zech. 14:9) He will establish His glorious, literal kingdom for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:1-7)

Daniel's people, the Israelites, can have hope, even in the unprecedented distress of the Great Tribulation.

The book is the book of the saved. (Matt. 24:21; Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27)

[Resources: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, Liberty Bible Commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

 

LET IT GROW

When Christ returns in the air to call His church, the dead in Christ will be raised first, and then the living believers will be caught up with them to be with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:13-18) Some say we will reign with Christ for those thousand years on earth. I don't know the sequence of all of this, but at any rate, believers will have everlasting life. Also, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. (Rev. 21:1) 

After the Millennial reign of Christ, there will be two separate resurrections:

1. Believers in Jesus Christ as Savior; And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Dan. 12:3)

To shine in glory is a privilege of all the saved. (1Thess. 2:12 and     1 Peter 5:10)

Jesus said this in John 5:24, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.

2. Unbelievers will be judged at the Great White Throne. (Rev. 20:11-15) The unjust dead will rise after the thousand years, cast into eternal damnation. (John 5:29) Hell is called the "second death" in Rev. 20:14.

If you have been born only once, you can die twice: but if you have been born twice-born again through faith in Christ-you can die only once. This is speaking of the physical and spiritual births and deaths.

Which will you be a part of, dear one?  

 

LET IT GO

Help us to bring others to salvation in Jesus Christ and be ready to shine like the stars in heaven.

Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross so you would not have to pay for your sins. Have you asked Him to forgive your sins and be your Savior?

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes unto the Father except through Him.

 

The Battle and The Victory

O. T. #2015  "The Battle and The Victory"

Sept. 1, 2021

Daniel 11-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

In finishing up this chapter, we know that the Antichrist will establish himself as god, to be worshiped and demand it. (verse 37) As ruler of all the land, he will have his headquarters in Jerusalem. This will be the Great Tribulation. Those who are for the Antichrist will receive the mark of the Beast, yet those who oppose him will not.

At the appointed time, the Battle of Armageddon will transpire. Christ will return from heaven and cast the beast into a lake burning with fire. (Revelation 19:19-20) All those great armies assembled will fight Christ and will be utterly crushed on this battlefield by Him. (Daniel 11:45b-12:1)

 There must  be such a huge number of the opposition that blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (Rev. 14:20)

Folks, we have seen this gigantic field, with mountains on all sides. It is said the blood of this battle will be for 180 miles. It will be a bloody mess.

LET IT GROW

Verse 1 of chapter 12 tells us that Michael will stand up, with his task to aid Israel, God's covenant people, the Jews. At that time, according to Paul in Romans 11:26, all Israel shall be saved...

There is coming a day of great deliverance and salvation for Israel. Christ will return (Zech.14:4); Israel will repent (Zech. 12:9-10); and King Jesus will reign forever over Israel and all the earth (Zech. 14:9). (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Do we realize that the end is approaching? Are we striving to live godly lives and sharing Jesus' salvation?

LET IT GO

Thank You God that Your children will not have to go through the Great Tribulation, but will be caught up with Jesus when the trump sounds.

How are we presenting Christ in our little world?