What do you think of when you hear the phrase "the day of the Lord"? There are many references referring to many different events, still most think of the triumphal return of the Lord and judgment. Maybe we should think instead of any "decisive action by God to bring his plans to completion"! In that way, we might see the "locusts" of our day as something we need to address.

Hosea is an object lesson in action and words! Through Hosea God reveals the extent of His love and the extent He will go through to make sure we receive Mercy and we are Sons of the Living God.

A divided heart leads to a distorted understanding. Have we strayed so far that we are unlikely candidates for restoration? We need to seek the Lord with true repentance from the heart - both individually and corporately as the church.

There are a few things that God desires/requires for us to be restored. Rather than going through the motions, in our text for today we are reminded that he desires steadfast love and knowledge of Him. Where are you in this?

God's love is such that, even when we continue to rebel, He is still there luring us back -- leaving the 99 to find the 1 that is lost.

God's love for us is of such a nature that only the bizarre can help us begin to understand. For Hosea it meant marrying a woman who would prove to be unfaithful so that he could speak to the people of the depth of God's love.

What would you want to use to close such a great letter of the New Testament? Paul pointed to what really matters, that we are a new creation! As such, we should bear the identifying marks -- sacrificial love for our fellow human beings.

How can we "keep in step with the Spirit"? (5:25) We make sure that we are (1) responsive to others, (2) realistic about ourselves, and, regarding the trust we have been given, that we are (3) responsible to God.

How do we put into practice what Paul has been teaching in Chapters 1-4 of Galatians? The application comes about by understanding the nature of our freedom, the real meaning of the law, and walking/living by means of the Spirit.

Why did Jesus choose Passover? Could it be that we are living in 'the new Exodus'? Paul writes, "For Freedom Christ has set us free." Can you 'through love serve one another'?