We Christians have a responsibility Ephesians 4:3-6

  Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. BLESSED BY GOD!!

   When you read my devotions it may strike a chord with you, however, please remember I am speaking to myself.  Hopefully, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit I will do what God wants me to.

 Ephesians 4: 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

  Unity of the Holy Spirit is an important role of the Spirit.  He leads, but we have to be willing to be led and to do our part to keep the peace.  So, how do we do this?  By focusing on the only true and living GOD.  In our world today it is all about ME - ME - ME!  

  People take "selfies" eating, drinking, meals they prepared, all about the lowly little ME!  

   We have a responsibility if we call ourselves Christians.  UNITY and SHARING THE GOOD NEWS!  Verse 4 - ONE body and ONE spirit.  By accepting Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOUR we belong to one body and united under one head - JESUS CHRIST himself.

  Each of us have different abilities and by coming together we make one united and wonderful body to do Christ's work.  When you look at verse 6 - "who is over all and through all and in all" God is in us all and living through us which shows God is active, alive and present in this world.  God is in you, Jesus walking with you, and the Holy Spirit leading you -- so -- how will you treat them throughout this day?  

   Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Who in heavens name are you? Do you call yourself a CHRISTIAN?

Hello everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!!!

  Who are you?  Really?  Do you call your self a Christian?  Let us read, listen, and absorb what Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1-2  about unity and maturity in the body of Christ.

  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

  Verse 1 - God has chosen YOU to be Christ's representative on earth.  Paul challenges us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received.  We have the wonderful privilege of being called CHRIST'S very own.

  In doing so we must be (v.2) humble, gentle, patient, understanding and peaceful.  People are watching you, one who calls his/herself a Christian.  Can they see Christ in you?  How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10?

  Look at forbearing one another - this means we must accept and love other Christians no matter their faults.  If we see faults then we need to be patient, develop a relationship with that person, and dwell on his/her strengths rather than the weaknesses.  

  Try praying for him/her AND yourself so there will be unity in the body of Christ.  More on unity tomorrow.  It has been a good day, God is good, enjoy tonight and know God loves you. Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Obedience and faith! Exodus 3 & 4

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!

   Well, I just finished doing this study when a glitch came in, struck, and it all disappeared.  So here we go again.

  Exodus 3 & 4.  Moses is tending sheep and sees a bush burning, yet not consumed.   He goes over to check it out, as he get close God calls his name, Moses, Moses.  Moses replies Here I am.  God tells him to take off his sandals as he was on Holy Ground.

   Now when talking about obedience and faith think about this.  A father has a son climb up on a ladder, above the fathers head and tells the boy to jump into the fathers waiting arms.  This take both faith and obedience from the child, aka CHILD LIKE FAITH!  Which is what we should have.

   We'll look at Moses obedience and faith.  The two run together.  So, here Moses is talking to God.  What an awesome experience. God says I want you to bring the Israelites out of Egypt as I have heard their cry.  Now, obedience and faith are not showing up in Moses here.

   Moses says who am I that Pharaoh would listen to me.  God says I will be with you.  Where is Moses' faith?  Moses just is not sure and he stands and argues with God about this.  Thankfully for him, God is patient.  You can read all about this in Exodus 3.

   Then in verse 4 God demonstrates HIS authority over everything in the world. Moses, what do you have in your hand.  A staff is the reply. God says throw it down.  Moses does and it turns into a snake of which Moses fled.  God tells Moses to grab the snake by the tail.

   Now, don't you imagine Moses is probably thinking God does not understand that this is a reptile, a snake, something that bites and can kill.  And you want me to do what????   God, you just don't understand things down here on earth. But, probably out of reluctant obedience, Moses grabs the tail of the snake and BANG!!! it is now back to being his staff.

   God had to push Moses into being obedient and faithful.  After seeing these miracles, and a biggy, speaking directly to GOD, you would think Moses would be ready to go.  With God on his side he should have been excited. God had Moses put his hand in his cloak, pull it out and it was leprous, then put his hand back into his cloak, draw it out and it was clean.  God also mentioned turning some Nile water red.  You would think this was enough. NOOOOO!

   Now Moses comes back with his being slow of tongue.  Moses is arguing with God again.   We can look at this and respond with something like, "Come on Moses, it is God, just do what HE is asking.  HE is on your side.  BUT, before we do this:

    TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LIFE AND SEE HOW OFTEN YOU ARGUE WITH GOD AND ARE NOT OBEDIENT AND FAITHFUL.  Yep,  he who is without sin may cast the first stone.   Don't we do the same thing?  Obedience and faith work together for our good; yet we still question.  May this little bit about Moses help us think about our life with God - am I obedient and faithful?  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Responsibility - resist -- huh? Never heard of such a thing!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

  Pastor spoke on this Sunday, Easter Sunday about responsibility.  Think about the first person to really take responsibility for what is going on.  The Israelites?  NO!!  The priests?  NO!!  Any of the .......ITES in the Bible?  NO!!  You or me? NO!!

   The first real person to take responsibility for everything that is going on in the world was none other than Jesus Christ, Son of the living God.  Jesus took responsibility for all the sin, the evil in the world and had it laid on his back, carried the weight of the cross and hung, shedding HIS BLOOD for you and for me.

   Passing the buck started with Adam and Eve - it was not my fault the serpent; she gave it to me, he let me do it.  Sounds a lot like kid games that we never grow out of doesn't it?

   Ever watch a t.v. cop movie.  Yep, it is never anyones fault; always someone else.  Peer pressure, foreign ideas or thoughts, greed, crowd or people pleasing are ways we get pushed to do something we would not ordinarily do.

   Often we need to refer to Acts 7: 51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

  No, I didn't resist the Holy Spirit, but you see, everyone else was doing it.  HUH??  But, but --Romans 13:2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

  We see this in our church.  People are told to leave Salvation Army living quarters and WHY?  Because they DID NOT FOLLOW THE RULES!

  We have to remember and be aware of who the "evil one" is.  No, he will not appear in a red hot suit, a tail, horns and a pitch fork.  Evil comes as a "LIGHT", spinning a 'tale' designed to lead you away.  If you don't go to church and fellowship today I will offer you............! So, we have to remember what James tells us in chapter 4: 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  You have the ability, the responsibility to resist!!  Will you?  Will you do what is right and holy in God's eyes?  God has given you the power through Jesus who left us with the Holy Spirit.  Will you use your powers for good?  Thanks for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

RESIST - DON'T GET CAUGHT IN THE TRAP!

Why do we call it GOOD FRIDAY? JOHN 19:30

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good! SO VERY BLESSED - ESPECIALLY THIS DAY!!!

   Why do people call this GOOD FRIDAY.  Many will say this was the day Jesus was tried, sentenced, crucified and died -- it is not a good day.  But I am one who believes it truly is a GOOD FRIDAY!  Why?

Please remember, prior to this people were praising Jesus and shouting as HE rode humbly into the city 

  First, the lies and trial of Jesus:

The condemning of an innocent man and then HIS beating

Jesus carries HIS cross and then helped by Simon

Jesus at Golgotha and nailed to the cross

Then hung between two thieves

The sky goes dark at noon the day of the crucifixion--

  

John 19:30

Jesus saying IT IS FINISHED!

So, why is this GOOD FRIDAY?

And because of God sacrificing HIS SON for our sins we have new life!  

THAT IS WHY IT IS GOOD FRIDAY!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL--

IN CHRIST'S LOVE AND GRACE

JOHNNY

The thief, robbers come to steal, kill and destroy John 10:10

Good morning my dear Christian friends.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

  So often we struggle with the toils of daily life and wonder when will it all stop.  Why does this happen; why does that happen?  I can't afford to spend more money. I don't have the time. And we could go on and on.

  Jesus is our shepherd and in HIM we should want no more.  

Look at John 10: 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Let us break this down and look for a moment; THE THIEF COMETH NOT, BUT FOR TO STEAL - the thief is intent on invading your personal area, to come in, un-invited with only malice on his mind.

   AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY - think here in terms of satan and his demons.  They come to kill and destroy - yes - they want to kill and destroy the idea, the fact, that we can have eternal life through our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST.  They are as a cancer, circling, penetrating lives to bring them down to their level - the level of living in HELL for eternity.

  But, there is hope against these 'thieves' and that hope remains in JESUS CHRIST.  Look at the next part of verse 10: I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY! 

   The sheep (us) will live as our shepherd (Jesus) has come to protect and save us.  We are saved through the blood of Jesus and this provides us life.  But, not just life, but life more abundantly.  We are not of the wicked mans state where our rewards are what we garner while here on earth. Our rewards are in Jesus Christ, where our spiritual life will be eternal.

  To conclude let us back up to verse 9 and read what Jesus says with sincerity and let it fill our heart with joy and gladness: 

     9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Jesus is the door - pray for us all to enter in.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Proverbs - chapter 20 - warnings and instructions

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

  Today, let us look at a little of Proverbs 20. This begins many warnings in this chapter and the following chapters as well.  It is good reading and a wake up call.

   20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

   Look at 'wine is a mocker' and think what this may mean to you.  Ever see someone who drank too much wine?  It seems their personality changes and they become 'all knowing', or ' loud and obnoxious ' , maybe docile and some 'mean'.  Strong drink is raging - ever see a brawl due to alcohol - "it ain't pretty".  And why do we engage?  Some just for social, have a drink or two and quit. No Problem.

   The problem occurs when too much of the fermented ale is taken in and the personality changes.  Often, with more than we need, we become so much smarter and know it all. WRONG ASSUMPTION! We are actually NOT WISE! 

2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

What is verse 2 telling us?  It is saying that those who are in power have the potential to generate much fear and bring great wrath on the people under him.  DON'T POKE THE BEAR!!  Do not do things which will bring anger to this person as they have the power to do harm to the ones who do.

3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

  Here we are being told it is honorable to stop, do not continue to case strife or problems.  Only the fool meddles.  I have seen this where someone in power will "plant a seed" with someone they are trying to get rid of.  Then that person pursues a course from this "seed" or "suggestion" and then experiences consequences that were not please.  You have probably met the FOOL who meddles, stirs up problems for no particular reason except to satisfy himself.

   So what are we saying here today?  Friends, beware of what you do, what you drink; follow the rules, and quit meddling.  Be a step above the fool, the drunkard, and do what is right in the sight of God. Thank you for tolerating me today.  This did speak to me and may it be words of wisdom to you. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Can a murder, a mass murder go to heaven? Can a thief go to heaven?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!!

  I want to challenge you to think about the question in the subject line.  Can a murderer, a mass murderer, a serial killer go to heaven?   While you are digesting this a moment let we ask these questions:  Can a robber go to heaven?  Can a thief go to heaven?  Can a liar go to heaven?  Can a hypocrite go to heaven?

   Then comes the question - which is the lesser sin?  OR, is there a lesser sin?  What is the difference between a little 'white' lie and a bold face black lie?

  Well, let us look at some sources that I would believe quite credible.  First, Billy Graham shares with us that all life is sacred in God's eyes.  In the Old Testament if a life was taken by a man, then he would give his life as well. Exodus 20:13 of the commandments says we shall not murder.

   So, can a murderer be forgiven?  Well, let us look further.  Do you know, or know of someone who has intentionally killed?  Well, I do believe we all have, specially if you are a Christian and have studied your Bible.  One killer, murderer, that we all tend to hold is high esteem is a man who was named Saul of Tarsus; later becoming Paul.  Here is a man who held or watched the cloaks of men who were stoning Stephen.  Folks, he was as involved as if he had cast the first stone and he totally approved.  He relished in persecuting the Christians as he was a zealous Pharisee.  So, now we have a man who has killed. 

     Well, what about a "LESSER SIN" (if their be such a thing) such as stealing.  When Jesus was hung on the cross, according to texts and tradition, he was hung between 2 thieves.  Can a thief be saved?  Well, let us look at what took place.  The one thief chided Jesus saying if you really are the Christ save yourself and us.  The other thief rebuffed the first thief saying: (Luke 23; 40-41)   Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

This thief had the correct perspective, but see what happens next: (Luke 23: 42-43)42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

  So, now I ask you, can a thief be forgiven?  Here is a quote from Billy Graham put out by his association, and I quote: "Never forget: None of us deserves God’s forgiveness and salvation. No matter who we are, the Bible says we all have sinned, and we all deserve only God’s judgment. But the good news is this: God loves us, and Christ came into the world to save us. When we repent of our sins and receive Him into our hearts, God has promised to forgive us—completely and fully."

  Well, what about when we are saved?  Don't we need to accept Christ early in life and then study the scriptures?  The answer is NO.  The thief went with Jesus that day; how awesome is that?  Does it matter that one has been a Christian 40, 50, 60+ years and another only days?  Jesus spoke this parable about the man who hired the workers in his vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16   The men who worked all day, 12 hours worked for a penny; the men who came in the 11th hour also received a penny. 

       Does it matter when we come to Christ? We have learned that we can be saved, even at the very hour of our death, and yet this is not the reality for all. It comes down to a matter of faith. It is never too late to repent, and to announce your faith in Jesus!  The important fact is: Do you accept Jesus Christ as your saviour?  Then you are now a true child of God, a believer, a Christian.  So, whether I am a Billy Graham, spending my life working for Christ, OR, a thief on the cross who only accepted Christ a few hours - I am a child of God, raised from a spiritual death through the grace and power of Jesus' resurrection.

   Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

God's response to the Israelites through Hosea Chapters 9-14

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!!!

  You are able to read chapters 9-14 by yourself.  If you wish not to read, but to listen click here on Hosea 9-14. 

  God is responding through Hosea and telling the people how they had prostituted their belief in God through the Baal's of the Gentiles.  Chapter 13: 9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.

  The people are being reminded by God that in and of themselves they will destroy themselves and the only means of help in any way is through GOD.

   The Assyrians, Egyptians, Philistines, and any other ".....ites" are not help.  The only help is through the living God.

   How oft doth we fail to remember this easy, simple, yet complicated fact.  So often we tend to want to work for what we have, putting all our confidence in self and failing to remember WHO has made everything possible.

   I am the first to raise my hand and say, no, yell -- GUILTY!  May we all remember verse 9 except change it slightly:  O Johnny, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.

  Thank you for reading with me today.  I don't mean to cut Hosea short, however, it repeats the same story and then the response from God.  Ye, ole wicked people hath fallen away; you help is in God! Have a wonderful and blessed day and weekend.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Hosea 8: 12-14 Turning away from God is dangerous!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  BLESSED!!

   

12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

  The laws were written for them, the Israelites, yet they acted as if those laws did not apply to them. Sometimes we sit in church, listen to the sermon, and think of all the people we know that should be hearing this. This is what Israel was doing constantly.  The Israelites should have listened and studied the word more, as should we when we think the lesson or sermon is applying to others.

13 They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the Lord accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

  Sometimes we become ritualistic in what we do. Example: When you say the LORD's prayer do you actually think about what is being said or just go through the motions?  Were the Israelites just "going through the motions" to possibly gain community approval or just avoid doing something different? Maybe we do what we think God wants making up for some bad behavior or possibly to gain God's favor.  We cannot just go through the motions as God will "acceppteth them not".  It is important to focus on God and act with true devotion.  

The last sentence-"they will return to Egypt" referring to the time they were slaves in Egypt.

14 For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.

  Where is Israel placing its confidence at this time? They went to military strength, strong defenses and their economic stability. Does this sound like the world today?

   Yet the moral decay was apparent. They were removing traces of GOD throughout the land, as America and many nations do today.  And what will become of the nations that do so?  When a nation, Israel, (or America) forgets its Maker, the strength, no matter how strong, will prove to be worthless when put to the test.  Why?  Because God, the gentleman HE is, has pulled back as the nation(s) have said leave us, we are strong by ourself. 

  Wow, a lot to think about in these 3 verses.  Pray for our president, America and its people to keep God in our lives, in our cities, counties, and states.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Hosea 8:7-11

Hello fellow Christians. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.BLESSED!!!

  Okay, let us muddle through Hosea 8:7-11 together.

 7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

 The seed that is sown is blown about by the wind. It may grow in different places, but now good meal and if there is meal their enemies will come and take it.

8 Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

Israel is overrun by Gentiles, yet they will be treated poorly, more as undeserving "animals" than as people.

9 For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

They (people of Israel) go to set up an alliance with the Assyrians.  But they go alone, without God.  Just as a wild ass or donkey is very stubborn and independent so is Ephraim. The hiring of lovers means God looks upon them as committing adultry and turning away from HIM.

10 Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

In this verse, because they are trying to reach a deal with other nations, they believe this will relieve their troubles. However, God will gather them (this denotes mercy on God's part) but they will be punished for not following God commandments.

11 Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.

Israel (Ephraim) build altars to false gods, whereby they are engaged and participating in sin by worshiping these false idols.

How oft doth we fall to this same fate?  We read about the Israelites and think how stupid, don't you know what God did for you?  Dummies!!!  Then.........then......THEN------we do the very same think.  We put various "false gods" ahead of the one true living GOD.  How have you sinned with a false god?

Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Hosea 8: 1-6 Sound the alarm, get ready for captivity!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!!!

  Well, let us view Hosea 8 beginning with verses 1-4.  Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.  2 Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee.  3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.  4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.

 He shall come as an eagle refers to Assyria coming to attack Israel and place the people in captivity. 2 Kings 15:28-29.    The people now call out to God, but this call of repentance comes too late since they had refused to give up their idols.  Let us reflect here a moment.  Does this sound like us today?  Would you give up all you have for Jesus?  Or, are the material possessions more important than eternal life?  

  5 Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?

6 For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

 Okay, GOD AIN'T HAPPY!!!  Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom and sometimes it stands for the whole kingdom of Israel.  Jeroboam 1 had set up worship of calf idols in Bethel and Dan and encouraged the people to worship them. (1 Kings 12:25-33)  

  Sooooo, what is happening here?  The people are worshiping the CREATED, and not,  repeat NOT THE CREATOR!   The people go to an image that is created by man, told to worship this idol created by man, and then this takes the place of the living GOD.   W H Y ?

  Power and social position was important to Jeroboam and this verse from 1 Kings tells us:  27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.

   Yes, he was afraid the people would turn back to the LORD, away from him, and then he would be killed.  NO!  He wanted his power and prestige.  As my New York friend would say, WHOA!  This sounds like many today. Yes, you and me - we like the position we are in BUT we have to be cautious that what we have does not become our idols.  Tell me what you think. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

 Johnny

Hosea 7 - The response of Jehovah to Ephraim (begins at 6:4)

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Well, Hosea is quite an interesting book.  We are now in chapter 7, which is a continuation of chapter 6 verse 4 with God's response. Here is Hosea 7.  

   I will do just summaries and you can read the chapter and verses as we go.

Beginning, God sees and knows everything that Ephraim (Israel) has done. They are sinning greatly with no remorse.  The people carry on as if no one is watching, but God sees all.

   Verse 6 "hey have made ready their heart like an oven"  is referring to their lust for power. Verse 7 -  have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen -  Three Israelite kings were assassinated during Hosea's lifetime - Zechariah, Shallum, and Pekahiah.  They ignored God and his word resulting in doom for them.

  In Verse 8/9 God's people intermarried with foreign people and then began to live as the ways of the unbelievers.  The unbelievers became the pivotal point of Israel turning away from God.

  Verse 10 can relate to us as well:  ARROGANCE - turning away from God because they did not need HIS help.  Yep, the ole "I can do it myself".

   Verses 11-15 Speaks to the fact that Israel turns away from God and goes first to Egypt, then Assyria for help. Read these verses slowly and think about them. 

  God says they are as doves and HE will cast a net and bring them down.  HE will punish them for their evil, sorrow will come.  God wanted to redeem them but they spoke lies about Him.  When they cry out they are not sincere; just as the person who is caught doing wrong and then cries out-- not out of repentance but out of regret they were caught.  They turn to foreign gods to no avail. Verse 15 God says he trained them, made them strong, then they plot evil against Him.

  Verse 16 - They don't look to God; and the word says useless as a crooked bow.  A crooked bow will miss its target, leaving its owner open to harm in battle.  What Hosea is saying is LIFE WITHOUT GOD IS AS UNRELIABLE AS A CROOKED BOW.

   Without God's direction, our thoughts and life is filled with lust, cheating, selfishness, deceit, and totally wrapped in sin.  How, then, can we reach our potential?  By following and listening to God and HIS word.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny