June 14 -- "Break Up the Fallow Ground"

Today's Reading: Hosea 10 & 11 

"Break Up the Fallow Ground"

In Hosea 10:12, we are given a powerful call to action from the prophet. It is a call to cultivate a heart of surrender to the Lord. Just as a farmer reaps a harvest from what he has sown, we will reap a harvest of spiritual blessings if we respond to the prophet’s call.

The imagery of sowing, reaping, and breaking up fallow ground paints a vivid picture of spiritual cultivation. Just as a farmer diligently tills the soil before planting, we are called to prepare our hearts for God's work through repentance and righteousness. We must break up the hardened areas of our lives, allowing God's transformative grace to penetrate and produce a bountiful harvest of His steadfast love.

Today, we find ourselves in a world often hardened by sin and distractions. It's easy to become complacent and let our hearts grow hard. But God beckons us to take action. Get out the rototiller of God’s penetrating Spirit and turn that hardness into soft, gentle, fertile soil. Let's examine our lives, identify areas of hardness or unrighteousness, and earnestly seek God's forgiveness and guidance.

Then, we can sow seeds of righteousness by intentionally engaging in acts of love, kindness, and obedience. Reap the abundant harvest of God's steadfast love as we align our lives with His will.

Dear brothers and sisters, the time is now to seek the Lord with all our hearts. Break up the fallow ground within you through sincere repentance and surrender. Let the Word of God and the Holy Spirit till the soil of your soul. Cultivate a heart that is soft, receptive, and ready to receive the rain of God's righteousness. May we sow generously in the lives of others, scattering seeds of love, grace, and compassion. And as we do, anticipate a rich harvest of God's steadfast love in your life and in the lives of those around you.

When we break up the fallow ground of our hearts and cultivate a life of obedience, repentance, and love, we prepare ourselves to receive God's righteousness in abundance.

June 13 -- "They Forgot Their Maker"

Today's Reading: Hosea 8 & 9 

"They Forgot Their Maker"

We are exhorted a total of 169 times in the Bible to "remember" or "do not forget" our Maker. The frequency of these words suggests that God wants us to remember Him and His works. He wants us to remember His promises, His commandments, and His love for us. He also wants us to remember the lessons of the past, so that we do not repeat the same mistakes.

In Hosea 8:14, we witness the tragic reality of God's chosen people, Israel, forgetting their Maker. Israel, God’s chosen and blessed people had forgotten God and all that He had done for them. Despite the repeated directives and admonitions to remember the Lord and follow His ways, they turned to false gods and strayed from the ancient paths.

Israel's forgetfulness of their Maker can be attributed to several factors: disobedience, idolatry, worldly influence, neglect of God’s word, pride and self-sufficiency, rejection of the prophetic messages, persecution, adversity, and their failure to pass down faith and a vibrant relationship with God to successive generations.

All of these factors resulted in a gradual erosion of spiritual values, leading to forgetfulness of God's significance in their lives. Ultimately, Israel forgot their Maker altogether. This forgetfulness led to stumbling and wandering in the wrong direction.

Tragically, Israel's forgetfulness of God broke the covenant relationship they had with Him. They strayed from the covenant's terms, abandoning the divine protection, blessings, and guidance that came with their obedience to God. These outcomes serve as a solemn reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring our Maker, for forgetting Him can lead to grave spiritual and personal consequences.

As followers of Christ, we must be vigilant and diligent to avoid falling into this same form of forgetfulness. To avoid forgetting our Maker, we must engage with Him daily. Spend time in daily prayer and in God’s word, participate in a faith community, continually seek God’s will, practice gratitude, and maintain humility and dependence on Him. And always, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

June 12 -- "Refreshing Showers from the Lord"

Today's Reading: Hosea 6 & 7 

"Refreshing Showers from the Lord"

Here, Hosea is calling the people of Israel to genuine repentance and to return to the Lord. He uses the metaphor of rain to convey the certainty of God's presence and favor when the people seek Him sincerely. The imagery of God coming to His people like the dawn and refreshing rain emphasizes God's reliability and the spiritual rejuvenation that comes from a deep, committed relationship with Him.

The phrase "his going out is sure as the dawn" highlights the unwavering nature of God's divine approaching presence, much like the dawn's predictable arrival. It assures us that God's faithfulness is steadfast and can be counted upon just as the dawn follows the night. The comparison to the "showers" and "spring rains" vividly portrays God's abundant blessings, grace, and restoration that come upon us when we earnestly seek Him.

Hosea urges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of God and strive for an intimate, experiential knowledge of Him. He calls for a relentless pursuit of God, in which we can experience the refreshing showers of God’s presence. Just as the land eagerly receives the nourishing rain, we should hunger and thirst for God's presence, allowing His Word and Spirit to permeate our lives.

Our pursuit of God should be persistent and sincere, seeking Him with dedication and longing. This involves a daily commitment to growing in faith and understanding of His nature and His will for our lives.

Today, let's rise with a renewed determination to know the Lord more intimately. Like the dawn that unfailingly follows the night, God's presence and blessings are certain when we earnestly seek Him. Let us not be content with shallow encounters but press on in our quest for a deeper relationship with God. When spiritual dryness threatens, remember that God is faithful to shower us with His grace and mercy.

June 11 -- "Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"

Today's Reading: Hosea 4 & 5 

"Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"

Today’s verse reflects a sobering reality: a lack of knowledge can ruin you. More literally, this verse says people can be destroyed "due to a lack of knowledge.” This serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of spiritual ignorance. It encompasses humanity’s vulnerability to deception resulting in disobedience to God, a loss of spiritual significance, generational consequences, and – if not addressed – loss of eternal life. It also emphasizes the vital importance of pursuing a deep, intimate knowledge of God and His Word to safeguard our spiritual well-being and walk in His ways.

In this context, "knowledge" refers primarily to knowledge of God and His ways, as revealed in His Word. With this foundational knowledge, God's people become spiritually resilient. They can discern true teachings, resist worldly influences, and stay anchored in the truth. Just as physical health thrives on a proper diet and exercise, spiritual health flourishes with a nourishing diet of God's Word and a lifestyle of walking in His ways.

Without this foundational knowledge, God's people become spiritually vulnerable. They are susceptible to false teachings, worldly influences, and a gradual drifting away from the truth.

For modern-day Christ followers, this passage serves as a stark reminder of the importance of knowing and living by God's Word. Just as Israel suffered due to their ignorance and rejection of God's commandments, we too can face spiritual consequences when we neglect our relationship with God and His teachings. This ignorance can lead to moral decay and a departure from God's blessings, as seen in contemporary society's struggles with ethical and spiritual issues.

To apply this lesson, we need to prioritize studying Scripture and living according to its principles. Commit to regular Bible study and prayer, seeking to understand God's will and implement it in daily life. Reflect on passages like 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which emphasizes the usefulness of Scripture in teaching and equipping believers for every good work. Make intentional efforts to deepen your knowledge of God and His Word, thereby fortifying your spiritual life and positively influencing those around you.

June 10 -- "Betrothed in Righteousness"

 Today's Reading: Hosea 2 & 3

"Betrothed in Righteousness"

In these verses from the book of Hosea, we find a powerful image of God's love and commitment to His people by promising to “betroth you forever.” "Betrothed" is a term that refers to a mutual promise or engagement between two people to marry each other in the future. It signifies a serious and binding agreement to marry.

The future of our betrothal to God is profoundly significant and rooted in the promises and teachings found in the Bible. Our betrothal to God, symbolized as a spiritual union between believers and God, is primarily described in the New Testament in terms of our relationship with Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the bridegroom, and the Church as His bride. Here's what the Bible reveals about the future of this betrothal:

Marriage Supper of the Lamb: In the book of Revelation, it is prophesied that there will be a grand celebration called the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb." This event signifies the ultimate union between Christ and His Church (believers). It represents the culmination of our betrothal to God and the eternal fellowship we will enjoy with Him in heaven.

Eternal Life: The future of our betrothal to God is eternal life with Him. In John 3:16, Jesus declares that whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life. This eternal life is not just an extension of our earthly existence but a spiritual union with God that transcends time and space.

Transformation and Holiness: The future of our betrothal to God also involves our transformation into His likeness. Believers are called to grow in holiness and become more like Christ as we await His return.

The Second Coming: The return of Jesus Christ is a central event in the future of our betrothal to God. At His Second Coming, He will gather His bride (the Church) to Himself, and believers will be forever united with Him in a perfect and unbreakable bond.

The future of our betrothal to God is a glorious and eternal union with God through faith in Jesus Christ. It includes the promise of eternal life, a heavenly celebration, transformation into His likeness, and the ultimate joy of being in His presence for all eternity. This future is one of hope, redemption, and perfect love for those who have entrusted their lives to God through Jesus Christ.

June 9 -- "Praise to the Ends of the Earth"

Today's Reading: Psalm 47, 48 & Hosea 1 

"Praise to the Ends of the Earth"

Just as God's name is known throughout the world, His praise is also widespread. Psalm 48:10 beautifully illustrates the global impact and character of God. The psalmist acknowledges that just as God's name is renowned and glorious, His actions and judgments are marked by perfect righteousness. This verse invites us to delve deeper into the essence of God's nature.

First of all, it highlights the significance of God's name. In Biblical times, a person's name was a reflection of their character and identity. God's name, "Yahweh - "He Who Is," represents His attributes—His eternal character, His love, holiness, wisdom, and power. Throughout the Bible, we see His name exalted and revered. It's a name above all names.

Secondly, the verse underscores the worldwide reach of God's praise. The psalmist's declaration that God's praise extends to the ends of the earth reminds us that the knowledge of God isn't limited to a specific region or group of people. It encompasses all nations, cultures, ethnicities, and languages. God's fame and renown transcend geographical boundaries.

Additionally, the mention of God's "right hand filled with righteousness" emphasizes His justice. God's right hand symbolizes His strength and authority, and it is consistently associated with acts of deliverance, salvation, and justice throughout the Bible. God's judgments are not arbitrary; they are righteous and fair.

We can apply this verse to our lives by recognizing the uniqueness and majesty of God's name. It's not just a label; it's a representation of His character. When we pray in Jesus' name or proclaim God's name in worship, we acknowledge His attributes and invite His presence into our lives.

Today, let us exhort one another to magnify the name of the Lord in all that we do. Our lives should be a continual proclamation of His greatness and righteousness. Let us boldly and joyfully declare His name, knowing that it has the power to reach the ends of the earth and transform lives. As we live out our faith with integrity and seek justice in our world, we participate in the global praise of our righteous and glorious God.

June 8 -- "Faithful in Every Work"

 Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 30 & 31

"Faithful in Every Work"

By choosing to be faithful in your service to God, you're tapping into a wellspring of love, guidance, and strength.

In today’s verse, we encounter an inspiring account of a faithful servant of God: King Hezekiah. Hezekiah's life exemplified wholehearted dedication to God's service. This verse highlights three key aspects of his devotion: commitment to God's house, obedience to God's law, and a relentless pursuit of God. Commitment to God's House: Hezekiah dedicated himself to the service of God's house, the Temple. In our lives, this calls us to prioritize the gathering of believers, active involvement in church ministries, and contributing to the growth of God's kingdom.

Obedience to God's Law: Hezekiah diligently followed God's commandments. As believers, we must seek to obey God's Word in every aspect of our lives. This includes not only moral conduct but also seeking His guidance in our decisions, relationships, and ambitions.

Relentless Pursuit of God: Hezekiah "sought his God" with unwavering determination. Our spiritual growth requires constant communion with God through prayer, reading His Word, and pursuing an intimate relationship with Him. In our busy lives, let's remember the importance of seeking God daily.

Today, let's follow King Hezekiah's example by wholeheartedly committing ourselves to God's service, obeying His Word, and relentlessly seeking Him. As we do, we can trust that, like Hezekiah, we will prosper in our faith journey. Remember the promise of James 4:8 (ESV), "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

May your life be marked by a passionate pursuit of God, unwavering commitment to His house, and faithful obedience to His Word. In doing so, you will find true prosperity in your walk with the Lord.