- araratchurch
- Nov 19, 2023
- 3 min read
“Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy.” “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’ I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.””
Hosea 14:3, 8 NKJV
Let’s be honest, if you develop a taste for junk food, food that is actually nourishing, can become uninteresting or bland.
Oh yes, we love the sugar highs and the sumptuous texture and mouth-feel of fatty foods. And yes, additives can “excite” tastebuds to increase the level of your eating pleasure.
Now, the problem with all of the attributes making us crave junk foods is that they make us desire foods offering no actual benefit for our body. Indeed, a steady diet of junk foods can lead to a bloated body, mostly devoid of vitality.
Now, the tendency toward preferring junk food can definitely wreak havoc on our physical bodies. But, there is a type of junk food that can wreak havoc on our eternal souls.
The Lord made a sad observation in terms of His people’s tendency to try to find their source, their satisfaction, in things the world can offer.
“For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and they have hewn for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns which cannot hold water. Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why has he become a captive and a prey?”
Jeremiah 2:13-14 AMPC
And, the tendency to look for satisfaction and help from other sources, often ended in calamity. Indeed, as we see in the above scripture, this tendency often led to their captivity and destruction.
Tragically, when the Lord pleaded with His people to return, they often rejected Him, choosing rather to continue to trust in those things which would never bring freedom and peace.
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not, And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”— Therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses”— Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!”
Isaiah 30:15-16 NKJV
In our opening scripture, we see that in returning to the Lord, the people would reject the things they used to look to for help and hope, and turn from the idols of their own making, looking only to the Lord as their source of everything.
Child of God, the world may offer things that please the flesh senses, just as a sugary soda can be quite enjoyable to a thirsty person. However, just as what the thirsty person really needs is water, just so, the thirsty soul needs living water.
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
John 7:37-39 NKJV
Let us come to the Lord, and by way of His Holy Spirit, receive that life-giving water only He can provide. Why do we wait?
“The singers as well as the players on instruments shall say, All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you [city of our God].”
Psalm 87:7 AMPC
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Nov 19, 2023
- 4 min read
“Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.”
Hosea 14:2 NKJV
Sadly, I believe that our current society has engendered in the young people of our day, a sense of entitlement, rendering many of them completely ungrateful.
Now, if you’ve dealt with children much, you know that gratitude is learned. That is the reason why you will often hear parents say to a child who has just received something from someone, “What do you say?” Of course, we all know that the answer the parent is prompting, is “Thank you!”
Recently, one of my little granddaughters was crying and putting on quite the scene concerning something that she had wanted, but did not get.
When I asked her what was wrong, she responded that she was unhappy about the thing that did not go the way she wanted. I spoke to her, saying, “You are not unhappy. You are ungrateful.”
I then went on to explain to her that, although she had received many wonderful things and had been able to do many wonderful things, she now can only think about what she didn’t get. And that is being ungrateful.
In the account of Jesus healing 10 lepers, we see Him asking a very important question when only one returned to give Him thanks.
“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.””
Luke 17:12-19 NKJV
The question as to where all the people are who have received from the Lord, yet have not returned with praise, is one I’m sure the Lord is still asking.
And, as rude as it is to not offer thanks to people who have done good things for us, it is a fatal error for those who have been blessed (forgiveness is also a blessing) of the Lord, yet never offer Him praise.
““Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.””
Psalms 50:22-23 NKJV
Yes, forgetting the goodness of God, leads to destruction. You see, ingratitude toward God is tantamount to making ourselves “worthy” or “entitled” to what He has done for us. And that attitude, is definitely a fast-track to destruction!
If we truly recognize the “pit from which we were dug,” and the hopelessness of our condition without the Lord’s intervention, praise will be the natural response.
Jesus told a story to a judgmental Pharisee, explaining the connection between gratitude and understanding the depth of our sin.
“Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.””
Luke 7:39-47 NKJV
Now, we know that no one has been given “little” from the Lord. But—I truly believe—the point the Lord was making is that those who perceive that what they have been given is just a little (like this Pharisee), tend not to respond with great gratitude and affection.
In our opening scripture we see that part of returning to the Lord, is to enter into a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving for what He has done for us.
The writer of Hebrews explains that being able to identify with Christ, is worth the reproach that will surely come from others, and, is also worthy of our “sacrifice” of praise!
“Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
Hebrews 13:12-15 NKJV
Remember, without praise, there is no return. Oh, beloved, let’s praise Him!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Nov 16, 2023
- 4 min read
“Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.”
Hosea 14:2 NKJV
In the 70s and 80s there was a sitcom in which one of the characters—a really “cool dude”—could not bring himself to apologize. This aspect concerning him was presented very humorously; he would try to form the words with his mouth, but just couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Now, that was a really funny story in that sitcom. Sadly, and not funny at all, is the fact that there are actually people who will not truly confess their sin, even before the Lord.
Allow me to clarify: The words saying that you are sorry, are not enough.
You see, whereas words are extremely important, God also sees our heart. Therefore, our words of confession, must be a reflection of the cry of our heart.
As well, coming before the Lord and confessing, while also offering an excuse for why you did what you did, still falls short of what true confession, true repentance, really is.
You see, we must view and present our sin to God with no attending frame of reference that basically implies we weren’t REALLY wrong, only technically wrong.
Please understand, our sin is seen only within the context of whether we did or did not deviate from obedience to God.
What other people may have contributed to our actions, or their part in our sin, will be part of THEIR judgment. Our part, concerning our sin, is to confess in an attitude of repentance, offering no defense for ourselves, only pleading for the mercy extended through Jesus Christ.
The proverbial writer observed that trying to hide one’s sin in any way, is disastrous. But, confession with repentance, brings relief through mercy.
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Proverbs 28:13 NKJV
David knew by experience that trying to ignore his sin, or conceal his sin, led to his being in a terrible state.
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
Psalms 32:1-4 NKJV
As well, the psalmist also recognized that when he truly acknowledged his sins, he received forgiveness. Yes, mercy “covers” sin in the right way!
I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.”
Psalms 32:5-6 NKJV
Notice, David also knew that the time comes when a person may not be able to find that place of repentance. Therefore, the time for confession and repentance is always now, lest we end up like Esau, who lost everything and could find no way back.
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.”
Hebrews 12:14-17 NKJV
In our opening scripture we see that the Lord instructs His errant people to return to the Him by confessing, repenting, and asking for mercy.
Indeed, earlier in the book of Hosea we see that the Lord will not move to help the people, until they confess and turn to Him.
“I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.””
Hosea 5:15 NKJV
Child of God, let no iniquity remain uncovered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Let us make confession and repentance a way of life—not that we doubt that the Lord has forgiven us—but that when we do find ourselves deviating from His way of being and doing (again), we quickly confess, allowing His Spirit to re-orient us back in the way we should go.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
I John 1:8-10 NKJV
Tomorrow we will discuss the second part of our opening scripture.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!