Today's passage shows us that God definitely doesn't let sin go unpunished.  We may think that we can do whatever and get away with it or wonder if it's worth the effort to do what's right when it seems like so many around us are getting away with doing wrong.  However, today's reading shows us that God does and will punish for sin.

I'd like to bring out another concept though that was started in yesterday's reading (the beginning of Isaiah 1) and mix it with something that was said at the end of today's reading (Isaiah 5).  Isaiah 1:2 talks about how God is a parent and Israel is His children that He has raised.  Isaiah 5:1-4 talks about how He had done everything He could to bless and make Israel fruitful.  He even asks in Isaiah 5:4, "What more could I have done?"

For those of us who are parents, I think this bings encouragement even though it is a depressing thought.  If God who is the perfect parent and does everything right still has kids that go astray, why should we beat ourselves up when our kids do the same?  Now, does that mean that we shouldn't even try to raise them correctly?  No way!  The Bible makes is clear that we have a responsibility to raise children unto the Lord and to model it by example.  It also states that planting these seeds will normally lead to fruitful obedience.  However, I see many good parents greave and beat themselves up when their older children struggle and turn away.  Were their things they could have done better?  Probably, we can always improve.  Just remember though, if God, the perfect parent, had wayward kids, we shouldn't think that even if we were better parents it might have different results.  People (kids) have sinful natures that are bent towards rebellion against God.  Our job as parents is to train them in what's right but it is still thier responsibility to repent and ask God to make them into new creatures and set them free from that bondage of sin.

We see Isaiah’s message of sorrow for Israel and Judah in these readings, then the toppling of the empire by the Assyrians.  To make matters worse, the people of Israel are transported and exiled to Assyria.  Furthermore, the king of Assyria transplants people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim to resettle in the towns of Samaria replacing the people of Israel.

But what strikes me about the majority of this days reading, is the disobedience of our Lord’s people through worshiping idols.  A few days ago, one of the passages referred to them praying to a piece of wood.  When you put something like that in perspective against our living God, it is laughable, scary, but still laughable, but is it really?  Let’s read on…….

In our Crown study, we discuss money, possessions, investing, wealth, giving, work, and a great deal more.  But what has been on my heart this week is Psalm 115:2-6, and which really fits well with our reading this week and today.  See, the Lord’s people had been on a self-destructive path for quite some time through idol worshiping, sin, pride, and even sacrificing their children to fire (2 Kings 17:17). 

What really brings Psalm 115 to light is how we as a nation and people can fall into the same kind of idol worshiping that the people of Israel did, so let’s look at these verses and put them together with the picture below starting with verse 2:  “Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?”  3. Our God is in heaven, he does whatever pleases him.  4. But their idols are silver and gold (sometimes paper), made by the hands of men.  5. They have mouths, but cannot speak (I don’t think Mr. Jackson has much to say), eyes, but they cannot see (pretty blind stare), 6. they have ears, but cannot hear (I said you are a $20 bill), noses, but they cannot smell.

I am not saying money is bad, it is a necessary commodity.  But when a person’s focus is solely on obtaining it to where it is controlling their lives, then it now becomes a matter of the heart, and the “wrong god”.  Give it some thought.

Have a blessed and wonderful weekend……………..Larry

Hosea 9:1-14:9

We have all rooted for the underdog at one time or another, were inspired by a rags to riches story, today's reading is the polar opposite.  Today we find Israel who has found success by God's hand believe that it was by their hand that they succeeded.

From the beginning scripture in Hosea 9:1, states; " O people of Israel do not rejoice as other nations do.  For you have been unfaithful to your God, hiring yourselves out like prostitutes,..."  God's message is clear when in Hosea 10: 1, God says, " How prosperous Israel is-, a luxuriant vine loaded with fruit.  But the richer the people get the more pagan altars they build.

Israel fell into the trap of believing their success was by them.  It wasn't.  It is important that we also remain humble in our success and knowledge.  It seems like the more technological advance we become we push God further and further from His due.  Rest assure He will only take it so long.

As our culture "progresses" into allowing what God has declared sin into an acceptable behavior I was reminded of a quote from Leo Tolstoy that was in the youth Sunday school lesson which read;

“Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.”

My prayer this day is that I may never forget who is in control.  Just so I make it perfectly clear,, it's not me.
I think incorporating responses such as, " To God be the glory."  and "Praise God" would be a delighted additions to our vocabulary and would brighten God's Day.

Be a blessing.................Art

    I can’t think of anything more damaging to a relationship than infidelity. Hosea 7 describes Israel’s love for wickedness. It says she was filled with thieves and bandits (so someone or something is being robbed). Her adultery was aflame with lust (so there was indiscriminate idolatry); she was intoxicated with wine, and had a
heart full of smoldering lies and plots of deceit. Neither the type of girl you would be proud to take home to meet your parents; nor the type of girl, you would want your son to bring home. Nevertheless this was the type of woman that was married to Hosea. Yet God tells Hosea to “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover.” Because “This will illustrate the LORD still loves Israel”. If God’s grace can forgive this type of betrayal, is there any betrayal that we can’t forgive as well?
    We all want the best for our loved ones. We labor to provide for our family. So, when those we care about most smolder plots of deceit in their hearts, develop an entitlement attitude, and rob us of the ability to trust them, we can respond in a variety of ways. But during these times I believe God is waiting for us to seek him out. I came to this conclusion because Hosea 7:10 says “yet they don’t return to the LORD their God or even try to find him.” This implies that in all of Israel’s wickedness, the LORD was waiting for them to return to Him. Just as he waits for each of us regardless of the state we are in.  

It was pretty depressing to read about all the punishment and destruction to come but God would be a joke if He wasn't just and dealt with the horrible sins they were committing like ripping open pregnant women.  Today you might not think God punishes sin, especially when you see someone choose to accept Christ after they have done horrible things.  However, the wrath and punishment of God was poured out on Jesus when He was on the cross.  That's why it was such a horrible thing and we should never treat the cross lightly.  Without it, that wrath and punishment would be coming towards each one of us and will come at anyone who does not accept Jesus.

Anyways, what a great way to end today's readings though with a picture of God on His throne in Isaiah 6.  Yes, it shows that He is all powerful and ready to punish sins but it also shows us how He is in control of all things going on, even when wickedness seems to be so great in the world.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"  (Isaiah 6:3 ESV)

Today we see God’s impending judgment on Israel’s Neighbor’s, as well as Judah and Israel as foretold by Amos.   God has even given Amos witness decrees, insight as to why they have failed to learn, a call to repentance, and warning of coming judgments’.  Looks like a pretty complete package of prophecy to me.

I can’t help but relate to chapter 5, verse 19 where the Lord has given Amos insight into the coming judgment for His people, “In that day you will be like a man who runs from a lion---only to meet a bear.  Escaping from the bear, he leans his hand against a wall in his house—and he’s bitten by a snake.”  I have had days like that wrenching on cars.  I first get shocked by a spark plug wire, I rise up and hit my head on the hood, then stumble into the next bay only to slip and fall in some anti-freeze left on the floor.  Those are days that I probably should have just stayed in bed.  And for God’s chosen people, these warnings are of grave consequences for living a life of deceit, arrogance, sin and pride, and I couldn’t help but notice a great deal of parallel in their life style with that of our own country.  Pretty scary stuff when you put it in perspective.

The other day I flipped on the TV and saw a boy running through a cornfield with some belongings from someone chasing him on a horse.  Gene Hackman caught the boy (his son) and asked young Wyatt Earp where he was going.  They had some conversation about him running away to join the Civil War, with the next scene showing the boy riding on the back of his father’s horse talking about getting the corn in and responsibility.  What struck me about the whole scene is when Gene Hackman said to the boy, “You know I’m gonna have to whoop ya.”  His father loves him, but is going to discipline him for trying to run away.  We see the same caring attitude in our Lord’s words in 3:2:  “From among all the families on the earth, I have been intimate with you alone.  That is why I must punish you for all your sins.”  Yep, Israel and Judah are gonna get a whooping.

As you have read this week, we have seen time after time where the kingdom turns to sin and idolatry with each respective king.  Finally the Lord says:  “Enough”, just as our earthly fathers do.   But we need to remember that our Heavenly Father is intimate with us as well.  Remember the sacrifice He gave in His only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.  I don’t think He can be more intimate than that.  With that, let us also try to be more intimate with our Lord and keep Matthew 22:36-40 close to our hearts:  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”   Have a blessed and wonderful weekend……..Larry

As I was reading today's Scriptures I once again found some similarities between several of Judah's kings.  King Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not like his ancestor David......Am,aziah did not destroy the pagan shrines and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there. ( 2 Kings 3-4). 2nd Chronicles 25:2 says, " Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not wholeheartedly."

King Uzziah,, "He did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done.  But he did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there. (2 Kings 3-4)

Even God's prophet Jonah runs from the Lord, choosing to go the opposite way rather than obey God's command to deliver the redemptive message to Nineveh.  After God's persuasive intervention into Jonah's travel plans he lands on Nineveh, and delivers God's message. The people of Nineveh after hearing God's message repent and God changes his mind and does not destroy Nineveh. Rather than feeling good about God's mercy, Jonah becomes upset and angry with God., for not getting things his way.

As I read these accounts, it was easy to criticize Johah and the kings for wanting things their own way.  It is easy to follow God's will when it matches our own will, it's only when we have to make the decision to follow God when we want something else that our faith is tested.  Last week in Sunday school this quote was a centerpiece...Let it be a centerpiece of our lives as well.   Blessings...............Art

Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.

Abraham Lincoln

    I am struck by the fact that the all of the kings of Israel were evil. They all failed to destroy the Asherah pole, high places, and turn Israel from the sins they committed following Jeroboam. Nevertheless the kings frequently call on God and He heard their pleas. Jehoahaz prayed for deliverance when they were oppressed by the Aramean king. His son, Jehoash went to Elisha when Isreal was threaten by the Arameans again during his reign. Each time God delivered Israel. 
     2 Kings 13:5 says “So, the LORD provide someone to rescue the Israelites”. We don’t know who it was but God used someone in response to Jehoahaz’s pray. With Jehoash, God used Elisha. Elisha placed his hands on Jehoash as he held the bow. Consequently the arrows it shot were the Lord’s arrows of victory. 
     God gives us
a bow in the form of, His word. The Bible is place in our hands. God also gives
us people in the way of pastors, teachers, prophets, and church leaders to teach
us how to use it. The arrows are ANYTHING and EVERYTHING
God in trusts us with. Consequently when we shoot them in the direction God
tells us to, they become ARROWS of
VICTORY. All of this challenges me to stay in God’s word, seek the council
of Godly men, diligently mange that what has been entrusted to me and PRAISE
HIM FOR THE VICTORIES.

As I read the readings for today, the thought that came to mind is the fact that it is God’s Spirit that does miraculous and great things, not man.  In today’s readings, we saw the torch passed from Elijah to Elisha.  Elisha looked up to Elijah as his mentor that he couldn’t live without.  He didn’t want to lose him and surely didn’t think he could ever do the things he did.  However, before Elijah left, he asked Elisha what he wanted him to do for him.  Elisha asked for twice as much of the Holy Spirit’s blessing and power than Elijah had.  Elijah wasn’t sure if the Lord would give him that but the Lord ended up doing it.  We saw the Spirit of God doing even greater things through Elisha than he did through Elijah.

You might think that Elisha could do just whatever he wanted after seeing how he cursed those boys and bears came out to tear them up.  However, notice that when the Shunammite woman came about her dead son, Elisha said that he wasn’t sure what she was distraught about because the Lord had not revealed it to him.  Then, when he said to just go and put the staff on the boy, the boy still wasn’t healed.  All this to say, we should not make much of a person but of God.  God is the one that does miraculous and great things.

So here’s something to think about after reading all this.  Do you have a godly person in your life that you look up to and say, “I could never be like that person or do the great spiritual things that they do?”  Realize that it is not that person that is doing the great things but God.  That person is just being obedient and yielded to what God wants them to do.  Start obeying and yielding to God more, believing that God wants to use you, too, to do great things.  Just realize that your idea of great things may be different than His and that you may not even realize sometimes the great things He is doing.  It may not be until heaven when you see the powerful things God was doing through your life.  Just keep following and obeying Jesus.

 I couldn't help but shake my head and say to myself “what were these people thinking” as I read about the different kings and the trials and tribulations of Israel this week.  Time and again they are confronted with the Lord’s Prophets Elijah, Micaiah and Elisha (referred to as troublemakers, enemies), whether it was by their own request or by the Lord’s intervention and still they would complain and question God’s authority.

1 Kings 22:8 says a great deal about the attitudes associated with the kingdom at that time. “The king of Israel (Ahab) replied to Jehoshaphat (king of Judah), “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him.  He never prophesies anything but trouble for me!  His name is Micaiah son of Imlah..”

So, unless you prophesy something that I like, or you are a “Yes” man, then please don’t counsel with me, even though I request an audience with you.

Sound familiar?  Sometimes when seeking advice, we also (me included) have a tendency to discard the advice or counsel of individuals close to us, or argue with them concerning what the outcome of that situation might look like (hmm, throw in a little pride to boot).  Yes, sometimes it hurts to hear the “truth” or a “different point of view” about circumstances that could affect us professionally, personally or financially, and the kings of this time would have been well served to take the advice of one of their own from the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs contains numerous verses on wisdom and counsel, and I would recommend that you take some time, submit to the Lord, seek them out, and apply them to you daily life.  Today, one such verse comes to mind, it is Proverbs 19:20:  “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” 

Lastly, someone once told me, “Larry, if I didn't care, I wouldn't say anything to you”.  Ouch, lesson learned.  These so called “pesky troublemakers” were and are inspired by God, and He loves you very much.  Remember, the good Lord gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.  So seek out Godly counsel, and remember to be a good listener and act upon His advice.

Have a blessed and wonderful weekend……………Larry