“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.” ~Hosea 9:10

Today’s verse is another example of the continuing saga of the Israelites journey as God’s chosen people. The book of Hosea was written by the Prophet Hosea and according to many scholars he is often referred to as the “Prophet of Doom.” The Israelites had once again strayed away from God and began worshipping idols again and soon found themselves bound to the idols/other gods becoming more like them every day. God’s anger grew with every step they took that led them further from Himself. I cannot even imagine the hurt and pain that God endured watching the people He loved turned away from Him. You realize (we) all people stray from God. I am not making this statement to rationalize, we are sinful and try as we may, we still sin. The closer we are to God the less we stray or get distracted, when we allow the distance to grow our connection to God weakens. Imagine this: you have a piece of metal and a magnet, what happens when you bring them closer to one another(?) they connect, usually a strong connection. What happens when you pull them away from one another (?) the further apart they are the less they draw one another in. Have you ever tried to connect two magnets together (?). Magnets have poles, a North Pole and a South Pole and they can only connect with opposites. A fascinating visual that has always energized me about magnets is the strength they have when connected north to south and south to north using “U” shaped magnets. They remind me of our relationship with God, when we connect north/south we form a bond and stay together. When we are the same poles we actual repel/push away. Let me be clear, the pushing away is always us and never God, we are the reluctant ones, the rebellious ones, God wants us, He loves us. He would never push us away but He will discipline us.
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+magnets+work+for+kids&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgrc=Vr3BmwK1qgU-lM:

In Hebrews 12:6-11 it says, “…because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline —then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

We have seen through Hosea and Hebrews “power” the power of God to discipline those He loves. We also saw “power” in the disobedience of the Israelites. We recognize our own “power” to connect or stray from God. It is God’s “Power” and God’s unconditional Love, Grace and Mercy that secures us to His salvation and forgiveness.

Here’s some verses about “POWER” I pray they offer comfort, rest, assurance and guidance for your continued journey through Lent. ~God Bless You!

Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Isaiah 40:29
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Ephesians 6:11
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Nehemiah 8:10
“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~James 1:2-4

I was at a Bob Evans restaurant yesterday and I had just ordered my food and across from me is a lady who is close to my age and was having a late lunch or early dinner with her mother. It is a beautiful site to me. I am happy they are able to spend time together and talk. I am not close enough to hear the details of their conversation but I did hear their laughter and the subtle gestures they lovingly gave  one another. I am not jealous, just recognizing the love between them. It made me think of my mom and how much I loved her and reminded me that I had looked forward to spending time with her, just as these two women were doing. Dealing with and journeying through a loss, no matter who it is, is difficult to say the least. I’ve learned and gained much knowledge and maturity since my mom passed away. I often describe it as an “unexpected” loss; however, the reality is we all will die some day and we all will eventually lose someone very dear to us.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…” ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Too often in life comparisons are made within every aspect of our lives, whether it is things like, “the loss of my job is more harmful because…the loss of my mother is more devastating that yours because…I am more valued than you because…his sins/faults/indiscretions are worse than mine because… Life is important, every single life is important. Loss is devastating, no matter who it is or who you are. Wrong is wrong no matter who you are, no matter how much money you have…no matter how big your house may be…no matter what zip code you live in…no matter your religious beliefs…no matter the color of your skin…no matter what language you speak. God does not have a hierarchy of the levels of sin. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And God does not stop here, He offers redemption “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” ~Romans 3:24. God also loves each and every person born, after all God is the creator of all things.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” ~John 1:1-4

I realize that this posting has went in a couple of different directions and I would like to try to corral it all back in by stating the title of this post: What Now (?) Now What, these two words have different meanings based upon how they are grouped together. *At least I think they do, let me try to explain. When I say “What now?” it feels like I can’t take anymore! When I say “Now what?” it feels like I tried something and it didn’t work, what other options do I have. It may just be “splitting hairs” as the saying goes. It may only make sense in my mind (!).

All this words to explain a couple of simple truths.
1. Life is a gift, do not take it for granted. It will not stop for you or me.
2. Everyone matters, no one should have to prove their worthiness.

~Blessings and Peace~
References:
https://www.biblegateway.com