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Today’s readings’

Psalm 89:9-13

Romans 9:1-21

Hose 11:12-14:9

Jeremiah 29:11 says I know the plans I have for you . to give you a hope and a future. God uses people that we don’t like to bring about blessings for us. But if we don’t trust and obey what God is doing through our circumstances, then we miss out on the blessing he has in stored for us. What we need to realize is that 1) God rules it all, 2) He chooses who he uses, 3) Wrath belongs to God. Because God is in control , I can have self-control. Amen.

God Rules it All

Psalm 89:9-13 says “ You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” - Psalm 89:9

There’s lots of noise in society, they crash back and forth like the surging sea. Yet God rules over them all. When Jesus stilled the waters they said, “ What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:24-27). Through all this noise from the sea of people God is walking over them like Jesus walked on the waters.We too can walk over man water like Peter when our eyes are fixed on Jesus.

God Chooses Who He Uses…

People often envy Israel being the “ chosen people” in whom God picked to deliver His message of salvation to the world. Israel then rejected Jesus, because he didn’t fit their human expectation or idol. But in Romans 9 Paul shows us that God chooses who he uses, and it’s not left up to us. I know… living in America we have lots of choices, but in God’s kingdom, and in reality, there are things we don’t have control over which was my first point “ God is in control”. While God listens to our humble prayers, like he did for Hezekiah ( 2 Kings 20:5 ) we have to remember that we are not God. When we try to play the role of God, that’s when destruction comes… which leads me to my next point…

Wrath is God’s

In Hosea, we see God first confronting his people in chapter 13 then comforting them in chapter 14.

“ Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open. Like a lion I will devour them; a wild animal will tear them apart.” - (Hosea 13: 8)

But then we see God comforting his people:

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely,

for my anger has turned away from them.” ( Hosea 14:4)

Romans 2:4 speaks of how God’s “ Kindness” is to lead us to repentance…BUT if we don’t repent the only thing we can expect is wrath.

The flip side of this is that, “ As Christians” we must not take it upon ourselves to be the ones who try to distribute God’s wrath . It’s not our job as Romans 12:19 pointed out.

Even Moses wasn’t let into the Promise Land because he didn’t leave wrath to God. Paul tells us to “leave room” for God’s wrath. Our job as Christians are to testify the truth, and trust God .

The slippery slope of wrath is that we can fool ourselves to start believing that we should be the

Romans 12:19 says, “ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”

Conclusion

God rules it all, He chooses who he uses to break down evil, and replace it with good. Because God is in control, I have can have self-control.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. - Galatians 6:8

• Psalm 89-19 •

• Romans 8:18-29 •

• Hosea 10:12 •

Psalm 89:1 says " I will sing of the Lord's great Love forever; with my mouth, I will make your faithfulness known through all generations!

Romans 8:18-29 says " I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Hosea 10:12 says " Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until he comes and showers righteousness on you. "

Sow into promoting the word of God by become a supporter of Mic Solo Studios: www.micsolo.com/support 

Host: Micahel aka Mala Jones

Guest:

Aaron and Peola Scott, Lawrence Webb, and a special

Song: " I Choose " by Saracha produced at Mic Solo Studios.

Bible: TNIV by Inspired By...The Bible Experience

Today's Readings

As we walked through today's passages I keep being reminded of how idolatry ( spiritual prostitution) robs a person from their true potential. When we run after false gods, and " setup kings" (Hosea 8:4) without God's consent, we become slaves to a harsh master. God created us to love and to enjoy his love forever. But when we toss his word behind our back by not making it a priority, then we prostitute ourselves and misuse the gifts he has given us.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father. remind us that we belong to you and that our gifts are for you. Let us not turn to another or worship false gods, but live out the purpose in which we created. Amen.

Key: Fulfill your purpose by staying faithful to God's word.

Today's Reading:

Have you ever been in desperate times? Sometimes we get "upright" mixed up with "uptight" and become apathetic or unfeeling. But this life we walk with Christ is not one of robotic nature, the struggle is real! But the salvation from God is even more real! It's in these times of desperation we need to turn to God and cry out as we reflected on yesterday. But when we cry out we need to be genuine and do not turn to a false god as Israelites did on their beds in (Hosea 6:14)

The bibleinoneyear.org give us a good summary of the help we have in God:

Host: Michael aka Malan Jones

Co-host: Aaron & Peola Scott, Jessie Miller, and Lawrence Webb

" O, Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you." -Psalm 88:1

God is not shocked by our raw emotions. We can be transparent with him and vulnerable about the way we feel. But we must recognize that he is the cure " The God who saves me". We must turn to him in these moments of pain because only he has the real cure. People have turned to other things like drugs, sex, and other substances which left them in an even more broken state, but when we turn to God he turns our life around for the good.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father you know our pain, and suffering. Hear our cry and restore us , Amen.

" For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. " -Romans 6:23 says

Sin is a horrible employer because after it has used you up it kills you " the wages of sin is death". But when you work for God, you're in a family business and the gift you receive  as a child of God is an eternal life. In this world full of distractions and idols we often forget just how good God is in giving himself through Christ so we could have a new reality.

Prayer:  Dear Father may we always realize the gift you have given through Jesus, and be workers of righteousness that receive eternal life, Amen.

" My people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge"-Hosea 4:6

There are many diseases but there are also many cures, yet if we don't know what's available, then we will remain sick. There are many cures found in nature, in the leaves of trees, but if we don't know how to extract them, then our disease will persist. In the same way, if we don't know the promise found in the "tree" that is the cross, then we will continue in our sin-sickness.

Prayer: Gracious Father, open our eyes so that we may see your goodness, and take hold of it. Amen.

Today’s Readings

Psalm 87:1-7

Romans 6:1-14

Hosea 1:1-2:23

Born in Zion

Psalm 87:6 says,  “ ‘The Lord will write in the register of the people: ‘ This one was born in Zion’ As they make music they will sing, ‘ All my fountains are in you.’”

Zion is not limited to a certain ethnic group or people, but to everyone who commits their life to Jesus. In Psalm 87:4 we see God’s promise to include people from every nation in Zion because they “ acknowledge” him.  Also Zion is a very musical, and joyful place with lots of singing, it is better than Disneyland.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father thank you that I am a citizen of heaven, because of Jesus, and that my source of life is found in you.

Under Grace

Romans 6:14 says “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”

As a believer, we don’t serve God from fear, but from joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength! (Nehemiah 8:10). Because Jesus died for us, and paid the price for our salvation, we now have a choice to do the right thing. Before Christ, we had no reason (except for fear of punishment) to obey God since our works would never be good enough anyway to make it to heaven. But since Jesus paid our debt, we now have the freedom to offer ourselves up to do good works.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, please open my eyes to the many good works you have for me today and help me to do them in the joy you have provided. Amen.

We Aren’t Slaves

Hosea 2:16 says “In that day,” declares the Lord “you will call me ‘my husband’: you will no longer call me ‘my master’.

God is relational.  The relationship we have in Christ turns us from a slave to a family member. There’s a different level of commitment for a person who is your spouse compared to someone who just works for you. Your spouse has your heart, while a servant or slave is just there to pay off a debt. Christ paid our debt, and made us right with God so we no longer view God as someone we need to pay a debt to rather someone, we want to rejoice in.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we are no longer slaves to fear or sin, but we are registered in the family of Zion. We obey you out of joy, and no obligation. Thank you for all you’ve done. Amen!

Today's Readings

Proverbs 17:15-24

Romans 5:12-21

Amos 8:1-9:15

Proverbs 17:24 says " A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. There are people that always want bigger, and better for themselves. They buy more, and more stuff, thinking it will bring them success, but true success comes from keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. " A discerning man keeps wisdom in view. To be discerning means to make good judgments, it's important that we make good judgments or decisions because continually making bad choices eventually will lead one to death. But when wisdom is in view, the life we live a life of good choice.

Pray: Heavenly Father, your wisdom is above everyone else. Please give me your wisdom so I will make the best decisions. Amen.

In Romans 5:12-21 we see such grace bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ. We see that one person can make a difference because death came through Adam, and life came through Jesus Christ. God truly does love us, and he doesn't want anyone to die in hell, but he wants people to live a joyful eternity. We see the heart of God in Christ.

Pray: Dear heavenly Father help me always realize your gift, and keep Jesus in my view.

In Amos 8:1-9:15 we see God's fury but also see his restoration of humanity. We must keep our eyes on doing right, and not perverting honest scales. The wrath of God was coming upon these people because they had forsaken God's word. Like proverbs, 17:24 showed us about people whose eyes were on the world, so were these people that weren't concerned about knowing God, but only making money (Amos 8:5-6). When we see the end of things then it helps us make good judgments about what really matters. These people only sought the immediate material gain and didn't see the coming judgment upon them.  It's important to keep God's judgment in view because it will not only make us thankful for Christ but give us a sense of urgency to minister the gospel to the world without Christ.

Pray: Heavenly Father, help us to realize that you are the ultimate judge, and we will have to give an account to you on the day of judgment. True wisdom is knowing you, and listening to your voice. May you be our vision every single day. Amen.

Psalm 86:11-17

Psalm 86:11-17 says " Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. " Proverbs 29:25 says " Fear of man is a trap, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe". There are so many threats and distractions in our world, but the only voice that really matters is what God is saying. When we focus our attention on what God has to say, the storms of life come to peace.

Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, give us an undivided heart to hear your word, and fear you alone. Amen.

Romans 4:18 says " Against all hope, Abraham in hoped"  and in verse 20 it says " He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. Abraham was " fully persuaded" ( v.21) and had an undivided heart when it came to the promises of God because HE KNEW THE POWER OF GOD.

Pray: Dear heavenly Father I pray we have an unwavering faith like Abraham, please show us your power so that we may trust in your word alone. Amen.

Amos 6:1- 7:17  says " Woe to you, who are complacent in Zion". People in the church become complacent once they have success, and things are going well for them. But there is a danger of pride when this happens. Our position or success never puts us above God's word. God's people had become comfortable with their church programs, and boasting on what they had done (v.13). Yet are boast should be in nothing else except in what God has done.  Because of Israel's pride and rejection of His instruction, God was going to bring destruction.

Proverbs 17:15-245

Psalm 86:1-10

Romans 4:1-15

Amos 5:1-27

In Psalms 86:1-10,  David sings to God " Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy". How is it that King David who is a ruler of many people " poor and needy"? This shows us that before God we are all poor and needy...some recognize it, some don't. It's good when we realize our broken state before God and we need His Salvation.  He says " Guard my life, for I am devoted to you" (v. 2). When we are devoted to God he keeps you safe and keeps you in a place of peace. David lifted his soul to God, the very essence of his being is lifted to God in song. In the same way, God will save us from all hurts, harms, and dangers when we lift up everything we are to him. The safest place to be is in God's will. We must realize that there is no one else who saves, but God " Among the gods, there is none like you." ( v. 8) Salvation alone comes from God. Seek Him and live.

Pray: Dear heavenly Father I cry out to you... because from you comes salvation! Save me from all my enemies. I trust in you, I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Amen.

In Romans 4:1-15,  Paul talks about the faith of Abraham. Abraham was credited for believing the word of God when it came to him, and because of that God entrusted him with being the Father of many nations. Many try to seek to be right with God through works, but the only way to be right with God is through faith in Jesus Christ who is the heart of God. Our works are a result of gratitude, and thanksgiving, not of fear and punishment. God is a relational God and looks at our hearts ( 1 Samuel 16:7). He sees if we are truly seeking His heart and not just his hand. When people just seek God's hand then the whole relationship is based on rewards and punishment. They wonder " what is God going to give me or am I going to get slapped?".  But when we seek his face we want to see him smile, just as we do with anyone we love because their pleasure gives us joy. When we seek God's righteousness, we put our faith in Jesus Christ, not our self-righteous acts which are as trash to him.

Pray: It's not by my power, and good works, that I have salvation, but Dear Father it is from you. I am your child, I find myself in you. Thank you that you have redeemed me, and call me to a life of faith. May my faith be evident through my actions but done from a heart of love, and not of fear. Amen.

In Amos 5:1-27. We see people seeking their own desires. They throw a party for God but don't invite him. They don't care about what he cares about,  and they create idols to please themselves. Amos 5:5 says " Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal ". Bethel means " House of God ". So many people get caught up in going to church instead of being the church. Verse 21-22 says " I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I  cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offering and grain offerings, I will not accept them" then in Verse 23 he says " Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps, But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!". The church is not a building, it's a people. We must seek to bring people to the revelation of Jesus Christ so they can have a redeemed imagination that comes from a relationship with God.

Pray: Dear Heavenly Father forgive me for times I have put materialism over seeking your people. I pray for a heart that uses money and loves people.  I pray for a heart that seeks your Kingdom and transforms it one heart at a time. Amen.