Get to “Know” God

Sometimes when we are given a gift we feel like we "owe" the person doing the giving.  Although we don't "owe" them anything, most close relationships that we have are built on a "give and take" basis.  For instance, if you desire to spend time with someone and are always the one calling them to ask them how they are doing or inviting them out and that person NEVER responds enthusiastically or takes the time to call you... the relationship might not last too long... right? 

In the book of Hosea, God uses the prophet Hosea to show Israel how they have treated God in return for ALL that He had done for them.  In a nutshell, God is trying to show them how they have committed adultery by forgetting the Lord, worshiping idols, and sinning against Him in many ways. God states of Israel in Hosea 2:8 that "She doesn't realize that it was I who gave her everything she has..." and in Hosea 4:6 that "My people are being destroyed because they don't know me..."

This is so sad to consider that a nation (Israel) that had been made by God, rescued by God, and promised so much if they would continue to obey the Lord had forgotten all of this.  God said that they were BEING DESTROYED because they didn't know Him anymore. Let us not become like the Israelites and forget who made us, rescued us, and promised us so much by the blood of His Son.  Even amongst the hustle and bustle of this season, let us not forget the One who has given us our breath, our church, our family and friends, the ability to go to the store any time we need/want food, and most importantly HIMSELF in the form of Jesus Christ.  We pray that all of us can confidently say, "I KNOW my Maker."  Remember that to know Him we must willingly give ourselves to Him through prayer and the reading of His Word.  If we do this, He tells us in Hosea 6:3 that He WILL SURELY RESPOND!  This is AN AWESOME PROMISE for EACH OF US!  It states, "Oh, that we might know the Lord!  Let us press on to know him!  Then he will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring."

For those of us that have family and/or friends whom have gone astray... let us also take to heart God's heart for these Israelites who have strayed so far from Him.  He states in Hosea 2:14, "But then I will win her back once again.  I will lead her out into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.  I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.  She will give herself to me there..."  Notice that God Himself will LEAD HER TO THE DESERT!!!  This is a way that He wins back the most stubborn of hearts.  Let us KEEP praying for those we love so much.  Praise God for His wisdom and knowledge! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! WE LOVE YOU AND THANK GOD FOR EACH OF YOU!