Instead of going East to Nineveh, Jonah headed West. He didn’t want to do what the Lord commanded. But he found out that you can’t run away from God. Have you tried to run in the opposite direction from God’s call? How’s that working out for you?
Instead of going East to Nineveh, Jonah headed West. He didn’t want to do what the Lord commanded. But he found out that you can’t run away from God. Have you tried to run in the opposite direction from God’s call? How’s that working out for you?
What John the Revelator heard the 24 elders saying to the Lord as they lay down their crowns at His feet in worship. The elders represent the 12 tribes + the 12 disciples. Together, they represent the church complete, for Jesus has made both Jew and Gentile one in Him. They acknowledge the Lord as both Creator and Architect. For God not only created, He designed what He created. And it pleased Him, for He saw that “it was good” (Gen. 1:31). He made you because He wanted you. You are wanted.
Christ’s warning to the church at Laodicea. Because of its location half-way between the mountains and hot springs, Laodicea had trouble getting good water. The snow-capped Phrygian mountains above the city were a source of ice cold water, but b…
The Psalmist wrote this to be sung while climbing the steps to the temple in Jerusalem. A song of ascent for worshipers of YHWH (Yahweh). Perhaps we should have such songs to sing as we go to church, then we would bring our worship into the house with us. I’m not counting on my credit card, my job, my government, even my preacher… I’m counting on the Lord! I know He will come through for me!
This reminds me of how God told Abraham about His impending judgment on Sodom (Gen.18:17). This is a strong statement. The Lord “never… until he reveals…” God has revealed His intent and plans to us through His Word. I’m not sure why He does this. I know He doesn’t have to. It must be because He has chosen us (as He did Abraham) and therefore has decided to reveal his plans to those who are faithful. God reveals His plans so that we have the opportunity to repent and petition Him for ourselves and others.
John had a vision of the Lord Jesus in all His glory on a Sunday morning while exiled on the Isle of Patmos. This happened while John was worshiping on the Lord’s Day. May we encounter Christ in our worship this Sunday morning too!
We labor and go into debt installing marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors and flat screen TVs, then wonder why our spouses are unhappy and our kids ungrateful. Give your house to the Lord. Invite Him to be the Builder. We need Christ to be both foundation and builder at our house and the church house too.
There is an answer for the nation that is under God’s judgment: Return to the Lord and desire to know Him. God is faithful. If we repent and desire to know Him, He will restore us and reveal Himself to us, just as surely as the coming dawn. This is the antidote for the nation that has lost the “knowledge of God” (Hos.4:1). Let us pursue knowing our God and let us teach the nations about Him.
The prophet Hosea was called to warn Israel as a nation. Israel’s unfaithfulness was considered adultery, as God called Himself Husband and Israel, His bride. Hosea warned that God had removed his favor and protection from Israel. Among Israel’s many sins was that there was “no knowledge of God” in the land any more. Is there “knowledge of God” in our nation? If not, be careful where you point the blame because God blamed Israel’s priests (Hos.4:4). Who are today’s priests? (Answer: 1 Peter 2:9).
John made it easy for his readers to understand his letter’s purpose: Assurance of salvation. John says that we can “know” that we have eternal life. Notice he doesn’t say that we can hope, think, wonder, pray… No, he says we can “know” with certainty that if we have received Jesus, we have eternal life!