Fri.’s Devo - A Warning From Hosea

Read: Hosea 4:1-5:15; 2 John 1:1-13; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 29:9-11 Hosea let the people know that he and God knew everything they were doing and then he named their sins. He could find no faithfulness, no kindness and no knowledge of God in the land. We know that there were others who were prophesying the same thing and they were not participating in the evil deeds he mentioned, but it was the leaders and most of the people who were. He told them that they couldn’t pass the blame to anyone else, but must examine their own life. *** God was charging the priests with drunkenness and having false prophets. God didn’t recognize them as priests since they were’t worshiping him. They had chosen to worship idols who could’t help them one bit, over the glory of God who was all-powerful and mighty. They had become foolish, causing their daughters and dauther-in-law’s to commit sexual sins. Their men sinned with the temple prostitutes, yet they refused to understand that this was sin. *** Israel was stubborn and since she was bent on idolatry, she would be destroyed. Hosea called out the royal family. They would be judged for leading their nation into idolatry. Their arrogance testified against them. Their false religion would devour them. On the day of judgment they would become ashes as nothing in them would be found worthy to stand. *** When Israel and Judah saw how sick they were, it was too late. God would tear them to pieces and they would not be rescued by anyone. God would wait for the day when they would admit their guilt and turn to him. *** In John, he wrote to Martha because deceivers had come into her home to lead her from the truth. He wanted to warn her not to listen to their doctrine and be influenced to believe their lies. John had met some of the followers from there who were a testimony of how they walked in truth. He reminded them again to walk in love for one another. He also reminded them of the ones who taught that Jesus didn’t appear in the flesh as God. That teaching is anti-christ material. *** The only way to have a relationship with God was to embrace the son, Jesus Christ who came in the flesh and died for our sins. *** Lord, may we stand strong in the truth. Thank you that you are truth and you give us discernment to walk with you. May our lives bless you today.