While waiting on the sidelines for my turn to play pickleball, a woman piped up: “Dee, you’ve lost a ton of weight. How did you do it?”
My first reaction was hurt pride! Not a ton!
But I recovered, recognizing this was a huge opportunity to share about my One True Lover. With a silent cry for help, I dove in: “I gained twenty pounds when my husband died of cancer. I was eating everything in sight to try to dull the pain. It did temporarily, but then it turned around and made me more miserable. My teeth, knees, and confidence all suffered.”
Women nodded in understanding. Encouraged, I continued: “I tried many diets, including good ones like Weight Watchers, but though I’d lose weight, I’d gain it back, and more. I wasn’t getting to the root of why I was eating so much. The lightbulb came on for me when I started listening to YouTube messages from a Christian counselor. David Powlison helped me see what he calls ‘the sin beneath the sin.’ Only God, the True Lover of Our Souls, can meet our deepest needs for comfort, love, and security. But if we don’t believe this, we won’t turn to Him, but instead we will run to His gifts, making them little gods – whether it is food, sex, or sports.
They were listening, but I also saw, at the mention of God, a shadow fall, like some were pulling a shade down. Quickly, I said: “I’m not talking about religion, but about a relationship with a Living God, something I didn’t understand was possible until He came to me as a young mother.”
Then the same women who had initiated the discussion stunned me by asking: “I don’t believe in God, would this work for me?”
I shook my head. “Blaise Pascal said, ‘There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled with any created thing.” God did begin to meet me, but it wasn’t a quick fix; I had to wait on Him. He’d speak to me through a Scripture, or a song, or just envelop me in His peace. It took two years for the weight to come off, but it is staying off, and I am so much happier.
There was a silence, and many looked at me like a cow stares at a new gate, not knowing what to do with it. Then my paddle came up and I was called to play. I had sown my seed, praying some would take.
I do know that it isn’t just unbelievers that are missing out on the abundant life Jesus offers, but we, as believers, can quench the joy He longs for us to have by running to false lovers, like I was running to food.
In Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller tells how he was a twenty-something pastor when Sally, a beautiful woman in his church, turned the light on for him concerning idolatry. Sally felt she was “powerless and invisible unless she had some man in love with her. She could not bear to be alone. As a result, she was willing to remain in relationships with men who were abusive.” She told Keller that she had gone to a counselor, but she didn’t have a very good solution for her. She told her not to depend on men, but to get a career. And while that was good advice to a degree, Sally realized her counselor was asking her to trade a female idol for a male idol. “I didn’t want to have my self-worth dependent on career success any more than on men. I wanted to be free.” The light came on for her through Colossians 3:
Your life is now hidden with Christ in God…and when Christ who is your life appears, you will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:3-4
Keller explained, “What mattered to her now was not what men thought of her, or career success, but what Christ had done for her and how he loved her. So, when she saw a man was interested in her, she would silently say in her heart toward him, You may turn out to be a great guy and maybe even my husband, but you can never be my life. Only Christ is my life.”
Last week our own Laura drove to have time with our own Patti!
Sunday:
1. How did you experience the good life this week because of your relationship with the Lord?
2. Name two things that stood out to you from the opening.
Monday: Looking for Love
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean?
C. Where has she tried to find the good life?
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you?
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul.
Tomorrow night I’m sharing with 200 International students who work in my area for the summer. Please pray I will be clear, anointed, and have favor with them. Also for mike to work well. Thank you.
Tuesday: Betraying Our One True Lover
God told Hosea to marry an adulterous woman to paint a mural for His people that sin is not breaking a rule, but breaking His heart.
4. Read Hosea 2:1-5
A. What point is God making to His people in verses 1-2? How do you see His pain?
B. What warning does He give her [us] in verses 3-4?
C. Why does she continue to go after her lovers according to verse 5?
5. What consequences will He bring to her, and what will be the eventual result according to Hosea 2:6-7? How might this still only be remorse rather than repentance?
6. What consequences have you experienced due to idolatry that brought you to true repentance and not just sorrow for the consequences?
Wednesday: The Root Problem
7. What insight does Hosea 2:8 give into our running after other lovers?
8. How is this similar to what is taught in Romans 1:18-21?
9. Give thanks here for a specific way, in each case, that God has met your need for:
A. Comfort
B. Security
C. Love/Approval
Thursday: One Purpose for The Wilderness
10. Meditate on Hosea 2:14 and share everything you see.
11. Share, if possible, a recent time God spoke to you during a desert or wilderness time. How did He do it?
12. Read Joshua 7 and, in a few sentences, tell what happened. What thoughts do you have about the severity of God?
13. Read Hosea 2:15-17
A. What promise is there in verse 15 for the disobedient who truly repent?
B. How will their relationship with the Lord change according to verse 16? What is the difference?
C. Do you see the Lord as your Master or as your Loving Husband?
Friday: The Now and The Not Yet (Mountain peaks seen ahead)
The last part of Hosea 2 deals with both the time when Christ will come and Gentiles will be grafted in, and also when He returns, and the animals, even the lion and the lamb, will be at peace, and there will be no more sin in our mouths. We are delivered from the PENALTY of sin the moment we believe, from the POWER of sin as we relinquish our idols and trust Him, and from the PRESENCE of sin when we see Him face to face.
14. Read Hosea 2:18 to the end and find verses that have to do with Christ’s first coming and also His second coming.
Saturday:
15. What is your takeaway and why?
134 comments
Sunday:
1. How did you experience the good life this week because of your relationship with the Lord? Oh, so many ways. We had a beautiful wedding yesterday. It was 90 degrees, but just at the moment the ceremony began a nice cloud cover and breeze came to give us all relief as we sat in our hayfield. Our kids wrote their own vows and gave a beautiful testimony of their faith in the Lord and their understanding of their need for dependence on Christ for their marriage. The pastor gave a beautiful message. It was perfect. Aside from this great end to the week, there were many opportunities for great conversation and prayer. I learned some more about my new DIL family and it has me pondering ways to share my faith as the Lord allows.
2. Name two things that stood out to you from the opening.
Oh my goodness! The picture of Laura and Patti together with the grandkids makes me so happy! What a joy when believers can get together. I find myself looking for a reason to drive to Dawn! We are in the same state after all.
I just love the entire opening and the cute beef calf staring. I love the way Dee tied her loss of weight into her faith and filling our God-shaped hearts with idols. And I love the way she describes a shadow falling at the mention of God and how she quickly explained this was not religion, but a relationship with her living God. So great, Dee, that you were able to pick up on all of this and plant the seed that needed to be heard. I keep hoping to be more quick with my thoughts and words in moments like this. Often I find myself thinking of all the things I could have said, after a moment passes. I think I would have been offended at first as well after the comment “a ton of weight!” Great example to us, Dee, of how to do this well. Thank you.
I’m so glad your daughter’s wedding was so beautiful!
Agree on Laura and Patti!
And thanks too for your encouraging words.
Oh, Chris! It sounds like a perfect day! I love that you are pondering ways to share God’s goodness with your DIL’s family.
amen to the way Dee responded with relationship not religion!
Yes, it would be wonderful for you and Dawn to meet! I pray that here hip is healing!
Thank you, Patti.
So happy you had a nice wedding!! Yay! Praise the Lord ❤️
You and Dawn could meet in Lansing when she feels better! It’s so fun to meet up. Patti and I couldn’t stop talking about EVERYTHING! Such fun 😉
I love our picture because it shows the total chaos of my family! Hahaha…Cooper looking away and one of the dogs distracted by him. So funny!
Great idea!
Chris, what a great day you all had for the wedding. I am encouraged by your posts, and I know God will lead you to plant the seeds that your new ‘in-law’ family need to hear. God is with you.
Thank you, Julie!
Wonderful news of the wedding, Chris! I love to hear how God answers prayers, Ephesians 3:20, with the “nice cloud” covering and a “breeze”. god goes beyond what we could ask or imagine! Your DIL is blessed to have you praying for her and her family.
1. How did you experience the good life this week because of your relationship with the Lord?
I just had all of my answers disappear! The highlight from the Lord, was the wonderful visit with Laura and her darling grandchildren, Grace and Cooper. It is our relationship with the Lord that brought our lives together through this wonderful Blog. The time went far too fast, but it was pure joy! Laura is so beautiful, inside and out, and Grace and Cooper are such great kids.We had lots of fun at the park and we hope to do it again. My pups loved them and Katie even got a bit jealous that Piper was on both of their laps at once. 😉 God is so good.
2. Name two things that stood out to you from the opening.
I am reminded of how easily I can make idols of things that are so fleeting. I need to focus on my relationship with Jesus first and always. The world beckons from every corner, every device, and the many distractions of the world…even the ones that appear good. I pray that I can start with Him and end with Him each day.
I also understand that sudden silence when we speak of the Lord. I love that you gave credit to the Lord, Dee! You shared a sweet testimony and I pray that God will touch the hearts (and ears) of those who heard it. Our world, and even our country, wants people to be free to speak against God and in favor of all things that God is against. It is such a sad culture and hard to protect children from it.
Patti, me, too, on this: I am reminded of how easily I can make idols of things that are so fleeting.
1. How did you experience the good life this week because of your relationship with the Lord?
Well the highlight of the week was meeting Patti, Katie, and Piper! We had such fun together and Patti is a lovely person 🥰. The kids loved her dogs and we have all decided we have to do it again! Thank You Lord for bringing us all together on the blog. It’s because of You that we are here.
2. Name two things that stood out to you from the opening.
Can I have the name of the Christian counselor that helped you with your weight? I could use some help too!
You did such a great job with the pickle ball players!!! I wish I could do that.
Such a sweet picture of you four!
Amen, Laura! Thank You Lord for bringing us all together on the blog. It’s because of You that we are here!
Sunday:
Laura and Patti, how fun for the two of you to be able to get together. 🙂
1. How did you experience the good life this week because of your relationship with the Lord? – I believe that I have mentioned my grandson Logan in this group before. He has a hard time controlling his emotions and will argue to no end that you aren’t right. But this past week, I video called him to talk and see how he was doing after starting school. He is now in 7th grade. We had such a sweet conversation, he is realizing that as he gets older the school will not give him many chances to change his attitude. I agreed with him. I also told him that God was watching over him and his grandpa when they were in an accident and after their truck flipping two and a half times, they came out if it with minor injuries and were released that same day. I then finished up last week bible blog here and sent him the scripture from Psalm 34:11-14. He responded back how he could read it, and I told him to get his bible out and start reading it again. He said, yeah, I need to do that. Oh Lord, thank you for hearing my cries and working in Logan’s heart and mind. He wants to be good with a great and new eagerness.
2. Name two things that stood out to you from the opening. – “You may turn out to be a great guy and maybe even my husband, but you can never be my life. Only Christ is my life.” What a turn around to what she was thinking in the past. To now know that only God can give her what she needs that she is now putting Him front and center in her life. The other thing that jumped out at me and is kind of sad is when counselors are needed, it’s so important to make sure you are choosing one that is godly and lines up to what God says in the bible. Sally went from one idol to the other because of the counselor’s advice, but she came to realize that was not what she needed.
Praise God for Logan, Julie!
So happy to hear of Logan and your talk with him!
God told Hosea to marry an adulterous woman to paint a mural for His people that sin is not breaking a rule, but breaking His heart.
4. Read Hosea 2:1-5
A. What point is God making to His people in verses 1-2? How do you see His pain?
God is expressing His disappointment in Israel’s unfaithfulness to His covenant, as He compares it to an unfaithful wife. He urges His children to turn from her and her unfaithful ways. He says that she is not His wife and He is not her husband, for she has broken her vows.
B. What warning does He give her [us] in verses 3-4?
She will receive judgment and punishment for her unfaithfulness an her abandoning God and His covenant with her. Her behavior will bring her hardship.
C. Why does she continue to go after her lovers according to verse 5?
She thinks her lovers will supply her with her needs and desires. So being foolish and impulsive, she is just putting idols in place of God, who is her true lover and provider of the Best of life. She is settling for less, by not keeping the covenant, waiting on God and fully trusting Him for all her needs.
5. What consequences will He bring to her, and what will be the eventual result according to Hosea 2:6-7? How might this still only be remorse rather than repentance?
Israel will experience hardship and isolation; they will not flourish. When they turn back to God, it may only be lip service, in order to get the provisions they need. How this must hurt the heart of God, yet He is faithful to restore and redeem His relationship with His sheep. What a lesson for my wandering heart. Oh, to trust in Him more an more and to let go of my idols, who have nothing to offer my soul.
6. What consequences have you experienced due to idolatry that brought you to true repentance and not just sorrow for the consequences?
I so apologize! I do not know how my answers to Tuesday’s questions popped up here.
I agree, Julie, what a great turn around from idols!
Praise God for this great talk with your dear Logan!
Sunday:
1. How did you experience the good life this week because of your relationship with the Lord?
I am going through a season of transition as my husband steps down from being the “teaching” pastor on Sundays in our small church. I thought I was prepared for the changes, but I am finding that I am not. And yet, I could truly say, the Lord has continually shown His “goodness in the land of the living”. This week, His goodness or the good life I have experienced is His presence and His quiet reminders, “I love you, Bing. Hang on to me. This is only for a season. I am here for you, and for those you love.”
2. Name two things that stood out to you from the opening.
a. Your readiness, Dee, to say a silent prayer and to share your testimony with the ladies waiting for their turn at pickleball. I pray I will be sensitive to those types of opportunities.
b. I have been reflecting more on “the sin beneath the sin” lately. And I am thankful that when God reveals that to me, I feel convicted and loved, revived rather than despondent, forgiven rather than condemned.
And seeing Laura, Patti, and the two kids brings a happy smile to my face!
Awe, Bing. I’m praying now for the Lord to wrap his arms around you and hug you tight. Transitions can really challenge our identity and it’s surprising when we thought we understood our identity in Christ and were so secure in that, but when there is a big change like what you are going through, we find that really we were holding onto another identity along with the Lord. At least that is what I have found in different seasons for me. There’s also the grieving of that position that was once yours. So hard, but we know the Lord has a new place for you. I was just listening to more Elizabeth Elliot and she spoke of a woman who was in charge of her college dorm. Have you heard this one? The woman was a wealthy child of a southern family with servants until she became a Christian and was disinherited and lost all of that. After taking her position at the college dorm she said she came to be a spiritual counselor and found herself carrying mop buckets and toilet paper for the Lord. She was honored to give up wealthy living to serve the Lord in this way. It is such an inspiring story based on 2 Corinthians 4:6. Much love and prayers to you in this transition. By the way, my garden is bursting with tomatoes. How about yours?
Chris, Thank you for sharing the story from Elizabeth Elliot. So good. Is that a podcast?
It was on YouTube. Titled, Giving Your Life Away.
Thank you for the link, Chris!💕
Thank you, Chris! I will take a listen to E. Elliot. She was a wise woman, gone but still speaking to so many of us through her life and writings. Some days are like I am being pulled into a vortex, but strangely, my hand is held fast by Jesus. It is weird because on one hand, I am kind of confused, but on the other, it is almost exciting to experience that steadying presence in the turmoil, and allow the distance between the head and heart to connect.
We had a guest speaker yesterday, and he is doing a series on James. We looked at James 1:1-18, and the verses on trials and temptations got radioactive for me. god wants to use this season to make me mature and stronger. Exactly what I needed to hear.
NW MO tomatoes are not ripening as we had hoped. I have a little harvest that we are sharing with friends. Other gardeners are not as fortunate. One friend told me she planted 16 plants and only got a handful so far. We have too much heat, with clouds and wetness interspersed, and the poor tomatoes did not do too well.
I will continue to pray for you, dear Bing. Change takes time to adjust. I am praying that you and Richard sense the Lord’s leading daily. I pray for peace in your heart as you await God’s next calling for you and Richard.
Thank you, Patti. I am seeing the fruit of our prayers, and I want to continue to just wait “in the gap”.
Monday: Looking for Love
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences.
A woman from Samaria comes to the well for water and Jesus asks her for a drink. She is surprised that being a Jew, he would speak to her. He reveals that he can give her living water and that he knows her spiritual situation.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean? He offers her living water, meaning spiritual healing and life in Christ.
C. Where has she tried to find the good life? She has tried to find the good life with men.
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you? I have made my husband an idol in the past, by expecting too much from him. He is only human and cannot give me all that I need. Recently, I have been seeking answers to my health. For a time, I put too much into it and I could perceive it was becoming an idol. This is life long and I need to watch this.
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul. She told herself, only Christ is her life, not any man-putting man in the correct position. Lord, my health is not everything. I have a life long condition which you have allowed. This is limiting to me in what I am able to do. It cost money to keep medication and supplements available in order to maximize my health and abilities. Help me to see how this “loss” can be used to glorify you. Help me to keep the extent to which I work on improving the situation within your plan and not beyond it. Help me to know what is necessary and do that only. There is so much emphasis in our culture on preserving this life, but we know that eternal life is our focus as believers. Help me to keep that as my focus even as I navigate life here. Help me to see my story in a way that can glorify you.
What a beautiful prayer, Chris. Help me Lord to glorify You!
Chris, as a retired nurse, this resonated with me, and it is powerful: There is so much emphasis in our culture on preserving this life, but we know that eternal life is our focus as believers.
Yes. It is amazing how many alternative medicine options are available and it takes real discernment to look at them and decide whether to implement these sorts of measures. I’m grateful for options but realize there is a limit to what we can expect to receive in terms of healing in this world. After my medical doctor ran out of ideas, I began my search for alternative treatments with his support. It’s been a journey. 😉
Dear Chris, I know long term health can be a struggle, and no one can truly know the depth of that but you, as you deal with it daily. I pray for God to be with you in this daily, as you are so active helping others to fully know Jesus.
Chris you have many wise words here. Thank you.
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences.
Jesus was on His way to Galilee, passing through Samaria. He stopped to rest by Jacob’s well midday. A Samaritan woman came to the well and Jesus asked her for a drink of water. The woman was surprised that Jesus spoke to her, since she was Samaritan, yet Jesus loves all, regardless of social status. Jesus desired to reveal to her, who He was, the Son of God.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean?
Jesus offers her living water, which symbolizes spiritual life, forgiveness and salvation, through believing in Him. He offers her a water that represents a new life, not just a temporary relief from bodily thirst.
C. Where has she tried to find the good life?
She has looked for security and a fulfilled life through relationships with men. These relationships are never perfect, but the life in Jesus in eternal.
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you?
Human love is good, but it is not eternal. I have to work at not letting anything of this earth become an idol. I could easily make idols of my husband, my children, my friendships. All things of this earth will pass away, except our relationship with Jesus and His Father.
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul.
My souls longs for the Lord, yet, Oh, my soul, how you long to be loved by your children and grandchildren, and dear friends. How I love deeply and hold on to things too tightly, even my dogs. I can make my idols of comfort, peace and acceptance the center, but I must never let anything take the place of You, Father in Heaven. Help me to look to You first in every situation and not react to the world and pressures around me. Help me to seek your advice when others pressure me to do things without consulting You. Be my vision and my center. Be my Rock. Be my husband and my best friend.Be my all.
Just read all your good answers and encouragement. Crazy day today — big spiritual warfare on many fronts — including to my speaking to 200 Internationals tomorrow. Appreciate prayer — God knows the situation.
Praying for you Dee!
First let me say, I LOVE that picture of Laura and Julie! How are hearts are being kniited together here, and you were able to get together, such a blessing.
Sunday:
1. How did you experience the good life this week because of your relationship with the Lord? As I have continued reading a Psalm each morning (plus Keller’s book and Spurgeon’s Treasury of David), my eyes, heart, and spirit have been lifted. Most mornings I’ve been able to si on my front port while I read, seeing the beauty of the countryside. To me, that is the good life, being in His presence.
2. Name two things that stood out to you from the opening. What stood out to me was the way Dee took an innocuous question about weight loss and, guided by the Spirit turned it into a conversation about the Lord. The sheer amount of truth you were able to convey in that short amount of time surely will bless, as the Spirit moves in those women.
Dear Lord, How wonderful You are, and Your faithfulness to us knows no boundaries. As Dee speaks tomorrow evening strengthen her and give her an abundance of grace so that her words (YOUR words) would go forth with power to touch the hearts and lives of those students. All things are in Your hand, Lord, and I pray that all things go smoothly during her presentation. Thank you, Jesus, in Your name I pray, amen
Cheryl, I love this: To me, that is the good life, being in His presence.
I RESPONDED BEFORE I SAW YOURS, BING.
LOVE THIS FROM CHERYL:
To me, that is the good life, being in His presence.
Amen to Bing and Dee! Being in His presence!
I just thought of 2 songs penned by two “Lees”!
“Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places”, an oldie by Johnny Lee.
I was lookin’ for love in all the wrong placesLookin’ for love in too many facesSearchin’ their eyes, lookin’ for tracesOf what I’m dreamin’ ofHoping to find a friend and a lover…
And Peggy Lee, Is this all there is? The first time I heard this was from Tim Keller.
And then I fell in love with the most wonderful boy in the worldWe’d take long walks down by the river or just sit for hours gazing into each other’s eyesWe were so very much in love. Then one day, he went awayAnd I thought I’d die, but I didn’t, and when I didn’t, I said to myself”Is that all there is to love?” Is this all there is?
Monday: Looking for Love
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences.
Jesus asked a Samaritan woman at the well for a drink of water. He engaged her in a conversation that addressed her heart more than her mind and religion. He talks to her about the living water that would come from an eternal source. She wanted physical water instead of what Jesus is offering her-Himself as the living water.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean?
The water that will quench her thirst. He is offering her himself as the source of living water.
C. Where has she tried to find the good life?
She was trying to find the good life in human relationships.
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you?
Man’s approval. I have felt rejected, engaged in self-pity, and placed a wall in my relationships with others and with God.
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul.
She expresses what she thought men could give to her, but speaks truth to her soul that Jesus is her life and not a human being.
I don’t like conflicts, Lord. nor disapproval of others who are either in human authority over me or somebody whom I value for their input and reputation. But I speak to my soul that God, the Trinity, is my foremost love. My heart’s desire, my pure delight (praise song) should be to love you, Lord, first and foremost. There is no one like you, no one. You are the faithful One, the One who knows me through and through and loves me unconditionally. Remind me when my loves are disordered. And remind me to focus on Jesus in times of temptations and trials:
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
Tomorrow night I’m sharing with 200 International students who work in my area for the summer. Please pray I will be clear, anointed, and have favor with them. Also for mike to work well. Thank you.
Praying as you have asked, Dee. Lord, we praise you for an Ephesians 3:20 experience for Dee tomorrow as she speaks to these international students. I think of the Ethiopian eunuch that Philip shared the gospel with. He returned to his country and would have had the opportunity to share the gospel with his people. I pray likewise for these students, for the ones whom you would sovereignly call to be your children. Give Dee clarity, your anointing, and favor. And for technology to work efficiently. Thank you, Lord, for answering our prayers.
I resonate with your whole post and love the verse from Hebrews. 🤍
I love that Patti and Laura got together along with Laura’s grandkids…how wonderful and great picture!
😊❤️
Monday: Looking for Love
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences.
Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well and asks her for a drink, which surprises her because Jews didn’t have anything to do with Samaritans.
Jesus tells her He could offer her living water that would quench her thirst and give her eternal life to which she replies, “give me this water.”
Jesus tells her to get her husband and she says she has no husband and Jesus tells her she speaks truth as she’s been married 5 times and she’s not married to the man she’s with now.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean?
He offers her living water and those that drink it will never thirst again. He’s offering her eternal life, a spiritual life that only brings satisfaction through knowing Jesus Christ.
C. Where has she tried to find the good life?
In men.
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you?
In man’s approval. It has become an idol, which takes my eyes off of God and puts them on man which makes my motive about me rather than pleasing God.
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul.
The approval of man will never bring satisfaction in my life. Only Christ’s approval will bring satisfaction.
So true dear Sharon: The approval of man will never bring satisfaction in my life. Only Christ’s approval will bring satisfaction.
Monday: Looking for Love
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences. Jesus sat beside a well in Samaria (alone), when a woman approached. He asked her for water, and she was surprised that he spoke to her. Jesus told her he could provide living water that would satisfy everlastingly.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean? He offers living water that will spring up into everlasting life. Jesus is talking about Himself as the Messiah. Faith in Him leads to everlasting life.
C. Where has she tried to find the good life? She has had five husbands and whether she had been divorced or widowed we don’t know. She may have been looking for a good life early on, but I tend to think she was just looking for security and escape from poverty by now. Was she being foolish, and were there other choices for her in that time? I don’t know.
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you? I’m like Chris, making my husband my idol in the past.It can still creep in sometimes when I expect something from Gary that only the Lord can truly give me. It has hurt me by leaving a root of bitterness (that was hard to get rid of) and hindered my prayer life and relationship with the Lord, and with Gary. Oh the self destructive things we do, that I have done.
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul.
I am no longer in bondage to sin or temptation. By the blood of Jesus, I have been redeemed to newness of life. I am a new creation. Christ lives in me, and God is at work in me. His power gives me the strength to withstand the temptation to snap at Gary. The Holy Spirit guides me bringing scriptures to my mind. My inward man is renewed every day, His grace covers me, and by His grace I will overcome.
I love your talk to your soul and the hope it brings 😊
COMPASSIONATE THOUGHTS TO WONDER WHAT HER CHOICES WERE
Sunday:
1. How did you experience the good life this week because of your relationship with the Lord?
—I am grateful to the Lord for a good week and it is in great measure as a result of my time spent in the Word every morning. In particular Terry had an eye surgery on Thursday and during that time I listened to an interview of Chuck Swindoll by his daughter. It just happened to come up randomly and I had plenty of time to listen to it. Swindoll reveals a side most of us have never known about him. He was the unwanted 3rd child of his parents and they emotionally rejected him throughout his life while overtly embracing and loving his older brother and sister as their obvious favorites. It is a beautiful story of God undertaking in his life and leading him throughout his life and using others to bring out his gifts in spite of his parents rejection of him.
Here is the YouTube link if anyone is interested. It is about one hour long. It will bring tears to your eyes but encourage your heart.
https://youtu.be/DZxexhVSw6U?si=iXIkElDS3ur21PX0
2. Name two things that stood out to you from the opening.
—First the opening provoked some deeper thought in my mind this morning to reevaluate what some of my idols have been and in doing so I found encouragement in the reality of God’s gracious work in my own life over time. There are things that I no longer obsess about. The verses from Colossians were so good to meditate on. There is a depth of richness to those truths.
Secondly what an absolute delight to see the picture of Patti & Laura together with Laura’s grands and the beautiful dogs. 💕
Thank you for the link. I have loved to listen to Chuck in the past and look forward to hearing this.
Thank you for the link, Bev.
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences.
Jesus travels to a water well. He speaks to a Samaritan women and asks her to draw Him some water. She points out that he should not be speaking to her because she is a Samaritan and He is a Jew. He tells her that she should not be concerned with this water, but rather the “living water” that He has to offer. She asks for the living water and Jesus tells her to go get her husband. She replies that she doesn’t have a husband. He knows her entire story, that she actually has had 5 husbands and she has spoken the truth.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean?
Living water, that will make her live forever. He speaks of eternity.
C. Where has she tried to find the good life?
In men.
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you?
In my children, who constantly disappoint me with their actions.
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul.
“You may turn out to be a great guy and maybe even my husband, but you can never be my life. Only Christ is my life.”
Wednesday: The Root Problem
7. What insight does Hosea 2:8 give into our running after other lovers? It is God who supplies for our needs that we spend on the idols.
8. How is this similar to what is taught in Romans 1:18-21? Even though we know the truth of God and his provision for us, our hearts can be darkened when we reject his truth and run after idols.
9. Give thanks here for a specific way, in each case, that God has met your need for:
A. Comfort : so many ways in a material sense, but also spiritually by giving me his word and family who believe. There is no greater comfort than knowing your children and those you love follow the Lord. A friend texted me last night to ask for prayer for a relative who was suddenly dying of cancer and has not walked with the Lord for sometime. They were traveling out of state at the last minute to see if they could make it before he passed. We are on call for their kids who stayed home.
B. Security : again I think of my husband’s steady job for the last 39 years with a great Christian company and many material blessings, but the true gift is eternal life.
C. Love/Approval: Jeremiah 27:7I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
The Lord promises to take care of us and return us to him from our idols-wow. Our sins are forgiven despite our failings and only on the work of Christ on the cross. He loves us beyond measure. We have an incredible Heavenly Father. Our church is having a baptism service on Sunday and I am continually amazed at the work He is doing in our church. We have 16 adult baptisms, 7 professions of faith and 4 infant baptisms this Sunday. I’m excited to see if anyone requests baptism at the service as that is an option. We expect the service to last 3 hours with all the testimonies. It should be amazing! My husband will be out there in the water praying with the adults who are freshly “dunked.” I am truly so excited for Sunday and seeing the Lord moving in this way. Tonight is his last “porn class” as he calls it. LOL. Prayers for that as it has been heavy the last couple of weeks. Also, excited to hear how Dee’s talk went last night. 🤍
How exciting about your upcoming baptism service!
Do pray for me tonight – it’s a church where the pastor stressed that they are an “open church” and is concerned about me giving the talk. That’s all I can say but I do need prayer to be led of His Spirit.
Gracious Lord Jesus, Whatever happens tonight, hide Dee behind the cross. Holy Spirit invade that church with your holy power to silence whatever schemes are devised by the devil. I lift Dee up to you, Father, for strength and Your wisdom as she speaks. We thank and praise You for Your unfailing love. In Jesus name, and for Your glory, amen.
Amen to Cheryl’s beautiful prayer. May God be very present in every way and may He be truly Glorified. Lord, be with dear Dee and give her Your peace, strength and wisdom. And how I pray that You will move in the hearts of the pastor and all who attend. May the Holy Spirit touch each heart in the room. May all tech work properly. May all glory be to you Father in Heaven. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, I pray.
Oh dear. The wedding has me so off on my days. Praying for tonight!
Chris, Your church baptism sounds wonderful. Love that your husband will be out there prayed with the freshly “dunked”adults. 🙏
Monday: Looking for Love
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences.
—It was about noontime in the heat of the day and Jesus stayed alone sitting by Jacob’s well when a Samaritan woman from the village came out to get water. Jesus engaged her in conversation but normally Jews would have nothing to do with Samaritans so very surprised she questioned him and he took opportunity to talk with her about God. He offered her new life, actually eternal life and he revealed to her who He was.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean?
—He offered her living water which was a metaphor for the Holy Spirit Who would produce a fresh bubbling spring within her life resulting in eternal life. She could be spiritually completely satisfied.
C. Where has she tried to find the good life?
—She looked for it in relationships with many husbands. She was looking for a man to love her and satisfy her heart’s desires. She had come up empty and not bothered to marry the current man in her life. I think of the song “my need was great but Your grace was greater…” and how Jesus brought his grace into her life.
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you?
—I think it has been in looking to relationships with others in the desire to be accepted so that I feel acceptable. That attempt is foolishly in light of the reality that Jesus is the One and only relationship that matters. He is the One who by dying on the Cross for me has made me completely acceptable to God my Father and that reality truly satisfies my soul. Looking to others for acceptance I always come up empty and I am disappointed.
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul.
—When I personalize this passage from Ephesians I am greatly blessed and encouraged.
“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you (me) with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your (my) heart(s)as you (I) trust in him. Your (My) roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you (me) strong. And may you (I) have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you (I) experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you (I) will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Ephesians 3:14-19 NLT
Bev, I love that you personalized one of Paul’s prayers. It reminds me that when I have no words of my own to “pray the scripture.”
I agree — such power when we combine prayer and scripture — we know we are in the center of His will.
Dee, I have been praying for you about tonight. It just delights my heart that God has put you in this position of getting to address such a young and varied audience. I hope not to sound disrespectful because I am one but the fact that He is going to use a little old lady to speak to a group of youth is such a great thing. You have so much to offer them. And coming from international backgrounds they are more likely to respect an older person than our American youth do. Also it made me smile that the pastor of the church stressed they are an “open church” whatever that means. I pray that God will truly “open” up that church tonight by the power of the Holy Spirit. May the true freedom of Christ overpower and open hearts to the gospel. We serve a great and wonderful God of love and grace. I will be prayerful today. 💕
Bev — your comments makes me think of what my neighbor told me. He travels on business all over the world — but particularly Asia. He said “Tell them how old you are, because Americans do not respect age, but most in other countries do.” So I will!
I am praying right now. Thank You, Lord, for Dee. She is an amazing woman of God. I am SO excited that she gets to speak to this group of international students! I find that my international students respect me like it used to be here in America. Lord, weave a hedge around her and help these students embrace her loveliness, especially about You! Bless her and those who hear her speak tonight. I love You Lord. You are King!
Dear Bev, I just love the way your heart shines through in your post-your heart for your savior. It is beautiful. My heart is in agreement with everything you’ve written here and oh, how I wish to be as eloquent as you when speaking about my love for the Lord.
I also am in complete agreement with the beautiful prayers said for Dee. I just know the Lord will give her favor in the hearts of the students because her desire is to please Him and share his love.
Oh, Bev! I love your personalized prayer and your entire post! So beautifully written. 🙏 I pray this for each of us on this blog.
Tuesday: Betraying Our One True Lover
God told Hosea to marry an adulterous woman to paint a mural for His people that sin is not breaking a rule, but breaking His heart.
4. Read Hosea 2:1-5
A. What point is God making to His people in verses 1-2? How do you see His pain?
“In that day,”. ..when the people of Judah return to their land from exile they will once again be regarded as “My people and The ones I love.” Redemption would take place.
BUT now chargers are being brought against Israel as she is no longer His wife and He is no longer her husband. Israel is now a prostitute being told to remove her makeup and risqué clothing.
Oh how I think the Lord wants Israel to turn from her idolatry. His heart is breaking that she has chosen to play the harlot over Him. I think that He is really sorry that He has to bring judgement upon her by sending her into exile, but also longs for the day of redemption when He can once again say they are His people, the ones He loves.
B. What warning does He give her [us] in verses 3-4?
He will strip us naked as on the day we were born, leave us to die of thirst, in a dry and barren wilderness. He will no longer show mercy because of our whoredom.
C. Why does she continue to go after her lovers according to verse 5?
Because they gave her bread and water, her wool, flax, oil and her drink.
She is focusing on the good her sin is bringing her…a fleeting pleasure. Hebrews 11:25, (Speaking of Moses refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter), “Choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
5. What consequences will He bring to her, and what will be the eventual result according to Hosea 2:6-7? How might this still only be remorse rather than repentance?
He will fence her in with thorn bushes and block her path with a wall so she loses her way. When she runs after other lovers she won’t be able to catch them. She will search for them but not find them. Then she’ll think, “I might as well return to my husband, for I was better off with him than I am now.”
She’s not returning to her husband because she’s sorry for what she’s done but because she can’t get what she wants and resolves to what she thinks is 2nd best. The longing and desire for other lovers is still there.
6. What consequences have you experienced due to idolatry that brought you to true repentance and not just sorrow for the consequences?
Control is a big one for me. Won’t go into the details but dealing with this idol for over a year and finally realizing that I just had to give it over to the Lord once and for all. Thinking all along that I had by just being silent about the situation, but knowing I was still trying to hold on…no repentance, just sorrow. The Lord finally showed me that I just needed to let go and put it in His hands…”Be still and know that He is God…” What a freeing and peaceful calm that only comes through Christ.
Oh, Sharon, I love your answer to 6. Control is a big one for me, too. This is so good:
The Lord finally showed me that I just needed to let go and put it in His hands…”Be still and know that He is God…” What a freeing and peaceful calm that only comes through Christ.
Praying for you sweet Dee. 🙏
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Amen, Sharon!
thank you all for your prayers!
Monday: Looking for Love
3. Read John 4:7-18
A. Describe what happens in this passage in a few sentences. – Jesus has asked a Samaritan woman for a drink, she knows he is a Jew and shouldn’t be talking to her. Jesus goes on to tell her about the living water only he can provide. She is eager to know more, and Jesus reveals who he is by telling her about her life. She then runs off to her town, not worrying about those who degrade her, to tell them that she met the Messiah.
B. What does Jesus offer her and what does He mean? – He offers her living water. He is revealing to her that through him, she can have eternal life, he is offering her salvation through him.
C. Where has she tried to find the good life? – She has tried finding it with various men, who could give her nothing.
D. Where do you tend to look for love foolishly? How has it hurt you? – I tend to look for love in things that I think I need in my life. I try to find it in my own thoughts and reasoning. But when I do this, I feel guilty for buying something that was not needed at all. My thoughts, if not lined up with God, will not bring me the peace and feeling of being loved that only He can provide to me. My thoughts bring about negativity when they are not from Him.
E. In the story in the opening, review how the woman spoke to her soul when tempted by man. Now, take whatever tempts you and speak to your soul. – She thought that she needed a man in her life to succeed to be happy, but her thinking changed when you counselor made her realize she was holding on to idols. She released all that and became free to see that God is her source of pleasure.
Tomorrow night I’m sharing with 200 International students who work in my area for the summer. Please pray I will be clear, anointed, and have favor with them. Also for mike to work well. Thank you. – Hope your talk went well Dee. God is always with you when you speak. You have such a gentle and loving spirit.
Oh, Julie, I too am tempted to shop/buy things to brighten my mood or fill a need. I have to talk sternly to myself at times to avoid that trap. This week’s blog is helping to reinforce good habits.
I, too, have been guilty of retail therapy! I love your answers, Julie! Love that our thoughts and actions need to lined up with God.
Tuesday: Betraying Our One True Lover
God told Hosea to marry an adulterous woman to paint a mural for His people that sin is not breaking a rule, but breaking His heart.
4. Read Hosea 2:1-5
A. What point is God making to His people in verses 1-2? How do you see His pain? – He is not happy with the actions and of a non repentive heart.
B. What warning does He give her [us] in verses 3-4? – He will make our lives be known to everyone and those around us will fall away from us. We will be alone because of our wicked ways.
C. Why does she continue to go after her lovers according to verse 5? – She thinks that they will be her providers. They will give her what she needs to live.
5. What consequences will He bring to her, and what will be the eventual result according to Hosea 2:6-7? How might this still only be remorse rather than repentance? – The Lord will block her ways; nothing will come to her when she looks for it. She will struggle to the point of being alone and isolated. From these verses she isn’t having a heart change, she is only turning back because she needs help. She isn’t sorry for what she’s done, she just wants and needs so she returns to the husband for help. She doesn’t reach out or cry out to God and ask for forgiveness, she still has a lustful heart.
6. What consequences have you experienced due to idolatry that brought you to true repentance and not just sorrow for the consequences? – Things don’t work out for me when I focus on things other than God. I have a sense of regret and my heart hurts when I follow my own leading.
4. Read Hosea 2:1-5
A. What point is God making to His people in verses 1-2?
The people have forgotten God and sold themselves to the world.
How do you see His pain?
He is angry!
B. What warning does He give her [us] in verses 3-4?
He won’t take care of the people anymore. He won’t take care of the generations either.
C. Why does she continue to go after her lovers according to verse 5?
For “stuff.”
Tuesday: Betraying Our One True Lover
God told Hosea to marry an adulterous woman to paint a mural for His people that sin is not breaking a rule, but breaking His heart.
4. Read Hosea 2:1-5
A. What point is God making to His people in verses 1-2? How do you see His pain? He uses terms of endearment: Ammi and Ruhamah, and pleads with her to leave her adulterous ways.
B. What warning does He give her [us] in verses 3-4? If she does not turn from her wicked ways, He will judge/punish her and withdraw His mercy.
C. Why does she continue to go after her lovers according to verse 5? She claims that her lovers provide her with all the good things that she desires.
5. What consequences will He bring to her, and what will be the eventual result according to Hosea 2:6-7? How might this still only be remorse rather than repentance? He will block her movements (hedge her in) so that when she runs after the lovers, she will not catch up to them. When she gets tired of chasing them, she says she’ll go back to her husband. It seems to me she’s saying that her husband is better than nothing, but she’d leave him in a heartbeat if a lover was available. That’s remorse not repentance.
6. What consequences have you experienced due to idolatry that brought you to true repentance and not just sorrow for the consequences? By making Gary an idol, and being constantly disappointed (or so i told myself), My heart grew bitter and hardened towards him. Built up over 17 years the root was very deep. I was at a conference workshop listening to a message on Naomi, “..just call me Mara! Call me bitter!” As the speaker continued her message, the tears rolled down my face as the Spirit convicted me of my own bitterness. As I spoke later with the godly woman who had been teaching, all I had been doing and feeling poured out. She gently took my hands and said, “Jesus is calling you like Peter to come out of the boat, come to Him.” I was then able to fully repent of my own actions.
Oh, Cheryl! Your answer to 6, brought tears to my eyes. Love your tender heart! How I need to keep my eyes on Jesus every minute.
Cheryl, Thank you for your transparency to share something so personal and life changing. The fruit of repentance is so beautiful.
Cheryl — I too loved your story!
I don’t recall ever sharing that before with anyone, not even my friend who was sharing a room with me at the conference. She sat quietly with me, praying silently, as I waited afterwards to talk with the speaker and asked no questions. The fact that we cannot see each other on this blog has given me courage to really open myself up. Reading everyone’s posts and comments has shown me YOUR hearts, and I feel safe in talking about mine. Although at times a little hard, it’s been a relief and delight to be so open with all of you. We truly are being knit together in love.
I completely agree that this blog has been a special place that allows the kind of vulnerability where we can grow our faith. It’s a rare find.
Cheryl, thank you for being vulnerable in sharing about making Gary your idol. I have done that before with a very few friends. God had to reveal my “relational idolatry” to me, and I am so grateful for the holy spirit who helps me keep this idol in check when it threatens my relationship with Jesus.
Tuesday: Betraying Our One True Lover
God told Hosea to marry an adulterous woman to paint a mural for His people that sin is not breaking a rule, but breaking His heart.
4. Read Hosea 2:1-5
A. What point is God making to His people in verses 1-2? How do you see His pain?
—He is charging them for their sin of unfaithfulness and the loss of his relationship with them as a husband and wife. He sees them in their sin and is calling them to change their sinful ways.
B. What warning does He give her [us] in verses 3-4?
—If she does not change then He says he will abandon her and leave her with nothing and as well as her children who are the product of her unfaithful ways.
To be unfaithful to God and his Word is to forfeit the blessings he gives his own.
C. Why does she continue to go after her lovers according to verse 5?
—She wants what she wants and thinks it will provide for all she needs.
5. What consequences will He bring to her, and what will be the eventual result according to Hosea 2:6-7?
—His making it miserable and hard for her to continue in her sin is actually an act of grace. I read these comments by Tripp this week and I think it applies here.
“God’s anger is the product of his love. True love is always rightfully jealous. God has chosen us as his own, and he will not share our hearts with other lovers. He reveals his anger and offers us his grace, so that our hearts will be ruled by him alone.”
How might this still only be remorse rather than repentance?
—I think of the prodigal son here when he returned to his father after his time of misery and full of remorse and he was met with complete grace.
It would seem remorse is necessary to lead to repentance.
6. What consequences have you experienced due to idolatry that brought you to true repentance and not just sorrow for the consequences?
—When I have chosen to stay in a sinful attitude of heart a spiritual dryness sets in and I am robbed of peace and lose the joy of my relationship with the Lord. It’s the same in my relationship with my husband. When my heart’s attitude toward him is wrong it breaks our special bond of fellowship and it becomes a miserable experience. I long for restoration of the relationship to be as it should and the misery causes me to repent from a hardness of heart so that I can experience the love and joy which should characterize our relationship.
Wednesday: The Root Problem
7. What insight does Hosea 2:8 give into our running after other lovers?
—There’s a blindness to where blessings really comes from. All that we have is ever only from the hand of God. He is still sovereign over everything in our lives. Even when we sacrifice those gifts to our idols.
8. How is this similar to what is taught in Romans 1:18-21?
—That same premise that God is sovereign over all and provides all for us. He still remains the same in eternal power and divine nature and will come against our will-full sinfulness.
9. Give thanks here for a specific way, in each case, that God has met your need for:
A. Comfort
—Thank You Lord for the great comfort I experience from your Word. The Bible brings great comfort to my heart whenever I am troubled or afraid.
B. Security
—Thank You Father for the strong sense of your Presence in the work of your Holy Spirit to assure me that you are taking care of me for every need I have. I am grateful I don’t have to worry.
C. Love/Approval
—Oh Lord the depth of your love washes over me when I stop and worship You and consider all your promises to me from your Word to always love me and accept me. Because Jesus has made me acceptable. I owe all to You Jesus.
I was so moved by all your prayers for me last night, and truly, the Lord met me. The pastor who didn’t want me to speak never came up to me and I didn’t see him, which helped me. It was a huge crowd and they were invited to come into the church so they could hear me better, but they didn’t. They just stayed at their tables talking, so the leader of the event brought me outside with a microphone. I feared they would keep talking, and I’d have to talk over them, for I had been told that had happened in the past. But they didn’t. They got stone quiet! That was the Lord! I was thankful for my neighbor’s wisdom in telling them my age, for that did get their attention — so different than Americans. I’ll tell you a little more on Sunday’s blog — but I cannot thank you enough for your prayers. I ended with tell them to go and find out — so pray they do!!!
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!
Wow! Dee! Praising God for His Faithfulness! I pray they go and find out! Thank you Lord! We Glorify You!🙏
Yay! Thank you Jesus!!
I am encouraged by your report. Praise God for the silence while you spoke. Praying for the work to be complete. Look forward to the rest of the story.
Dee, I smiled when you mentioned your neighbor telling the crowd your age. That is an effective strategy in Asia! Our culture emphasizes respect for those who are much older than us. But we also know that was God at work!
Thank you all!
Delighted to hear the report of your speaking and looking forward to the further report on Sunday. Believing God is at work in Door County Wisconsin. 😊
Thank the Lord for this report of answered prayer. I shared what you were doing with Jim and he smiled and said, “Dee continues to be used by God.”
Sharon, Amen to your husband, Jim!
Sweet Jim. I need to meet him as he is today sometime! He’s still a teenager in my mind.
7. What insight does Hosea 2:8 give into our running after other lovers?
Our most important and basic needs are all from God. We can do nothing on our own, and it is important to look at our true God and thank Him for all that He provides, daily. The older I get, the more clearly I see this. I can look back and see His hand on my life, and I see that I may not have acknowledged God fully, especially during a trial. If I keep my eyes on Him when the waves are rough, I can see His hand guiding me through the storm. I need to thank Him often each day for all that He does for me and for my loved ones. I need to use the gifts He has given me to glorify Him Only, and not myself or an idol.
8. How is this similar to what is taught in Romans 1:18-21?
When we run to idols, we are not acknowledging God, our creator. The whole world has been created by Him, so it is clearly seen and evident to all. We know God by His creation, and we honor and glorify Him by giving Him thanks and not by glorifying ourselves or our accomplishments….none of which we would have without Him. I like the following verse as well. It applies to our entire world’s culture right now: “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 18:22
9. Give thanks here for a specific way, in each case, that God has met your need for:
A. Comfort ~ Thank you dear Father for giving me my family, my friends, my pets and my home. I Praise You and glorify You. Help me to glorify You in my relationships with family and friends and in the way I use my home. May Your presence be felt when I interact with those that You bring into my life. I pray that I acknowledge You in all my relationships and that I take credit for nothing. Without You, I am but a dry well.
B. Security ~ Thank You dear Jesus for keeping me safe and healthy, and for keeping me in Your care and keeping me from fear of the unknown. Thank you for sustaining me with food and clothing, furniture and transportation. Thank you that I am healthy to be independent, of sound mind and in good health. I Praise You and glorify You! All I have is from You, My Savior.
C. Love/Approval ~ Thank you, dearest Jesus, for being my Father, my Husband, my Friend. Help me to reflect Your love to all of my family members, friends, acquaintances, and those who are lonely and receive no acknowledgement on this earth. Help me to warmly embrace the fellowship of each person I meet. Open my eyes to see the beauty of Your creation in each and every person I come in contact with daily. I pray that you will help me to acknowledge You in those that the world sees as “lowly”. Help me to see others, Lord, with your eyes, your mind and your heart that I may glorify You daily.
5. What consequences will He bring to her, and what will be the eventual result according to Hosea 2:6-7?
He will hedge her in so she can’t find the lovers and then she will run back to her husband because she will want someone to be with her.
How might this still only be remorse rather than repentance?
Absolutely it’s remorse, because she is “settling” for her husband and she really just wants a lover, she is not sorry at all.
6. What consequences have you experienced due to idolatry that brought you to true repentance and not just sorrow for the consequences?
I guess the one idol I can think of where I have totally repented and will not behave the way I did again is that of my children. I suppose I should be thankful I have a second chance with the grands!
Tuesday: Betraying Our One True Lover
God told Hosea to marry an adulterous woman to paint a mural for His people that sin is not breaking a rule, but breaking His heart.
4. Read Hosea 2:1-5
A. What point is God making to His people in verses 1-2? How do you see His pain?
He is broken over the unfaithfulness of His people, using the words, “adulterous look”, “unfaithfulness between her breasts”, words depicting forbidden intimacy.
B. What warning does He give her [us] in verses 3-4?
She will be stripped naked and be like a desert, and thirsty, and her children will reap the consequences of her sins.
C. Why does she continue to go after her lovers according to verse 5?
She considers her lovers as the source of her food and water, wool, linen, olive oil, and drink, her take on the essentials to the “good life”.
5. What consequences will He bring to her, and what will be the eventual result according to Hosea 2:6-7? How might this still only be remorse rather than repentance?
Thornbushes, being walled in and not finding her way,
She will chase after her lovers but not catch them;
She will look for them but not find them.
Then she will say,
‘I will go back to my husband as at first,
for then I was better off than now.’
She is still pursuing her desires and now views her first husband as the source (the phrase “better off”), exchanging a human idol for another idol.
6. What consequences have you experienced due to idolatry that brought you to true repentance and not just sorrow for the consequences?
Restless spirit and emptiness until I acknowledged my idols and that only God should truly reign as my Lord and King.
Wednesday: The Root Problem
7. What insight does Hosea 2:8 give into our running after other lovers?
We have not acknowledged God as the source of all good things.
8. How is this similar to what is taught in Romans 1:18-21?
We have not glorified God or given thanks to Him.
9. Give thanks here for a specific way, in each case, that God has met your need for:
A. Comfort, I still remember the grief I had when my sister was suffering from cancer. I was thousands of miles away from my own family, with no one to comfort me. God sent a cousin, and she spent the night with me in the hotel room I was staying at. The ladies here wrote me notes of comfort by way of the blog. His words from the Psalms were comforting to me.
B. Security God has given me peace during transitions of life from one job to another. In our 37 years of marriage to Richard, I had a total of 4 jobs, 3 of which were part-time only. A common thread with these jobs was that they were all of a training or teaching nature. Even when there were challenges and moments of insecurity, I have often felt secure in this calling. Jeremiah 29:11; romans 8:28
C. Love/Approval Though I struggle with people-pleasing, time and time again, God reminds me through His Word, promptings of the Spirit, and kind words of others that he loves me and I am His child. Timely provisions (Ephesians 3:20 answers), healing, his kisses like rain when I am too tired to water the plants, a friend stopping by to bring a thoughtful gift, a text or surprise call, etc.
7. What insight does Hosea 2:8 give into our running after other lovers?
It is really God who gives us the joy in our lives, not the lovers.
8. How is this similar to what is taught in Romans 1:18-21?
People know God is there in the beauty and goodness of the Earth, but they won’t recognize Him or give Him honor.
9. Give thanks here for a specific way, in each case, that God has met your need for:
A. Comfort
Thank You Lord for my job and how it allows me to contribute to our family having a home to live in.
B. Security
Thank You Lord, for my husband, who is always looking ahead and making sure we are never in need.
C. Love/Approval
Thank You Lord, for loving me as I am, so unlovable at times!
Wednesday: The Root Problem
7. What insight does Hosea 2:8 give into our running after other lovers?
When we run after other lovers we are choosing to worship idols rather than the Provider.
8. How is this similar to what is taught in Romans 1:18-21?
They worshipped creation rather than the Creator.
9. Give thanks here for a specific way, in each case, that God has met your need for:
A. Comfort
I am so thankful for His great comfort when we lost our son and the people He put in my life to come along side me during that time.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3
B. Security
I am thankful that I can go to Him in prayer and find security/peace when the worries of this life cause me fear or anxiety over health, finances etc.
“Don’t worry about anything instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace…” Philippians 4:6, 7a
C. Love/Approval
He’s continuing to teach me how important His love/approval is over man’s.
“This is real love – not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 1:10
Thank you, Sharon, for the reminder of these great verses. They fit so well with the lesson.
Wednesday: The Root Problem
7. What insight does Hosea 2:8 give into our running after other lovers? Pursuing other lovers/idols shows a lack of realization that God is the one who provides all things and can fulfill all my needs. I can forget Him, searching for fulfillment elsewhere.
8. How is this similar to what is taught in Romans 1:18-21? In Romans it is referring to those that deny God, even though Creation is a visible witness to a Creator. They worship the creation while denying the One who gave them all good things.
9. Give thanks here for a specific way, in each case, that God has met your need for:
A. Comfort Thank you Lord, for the spiritual and physical comforts in my life. The constant abiding of the Holy Spirit, to cheer and guide, and to have the written Word of God; these are what comfort me in every situation. Thank you for the physical comforts I have: a home, plenty of food, a family, freedom to worship with others. Help me to be aware and mindful of those who don’t have like comforts, both spiritual and physical. Every good thing comes from your hand, thank you, Lord.
B. Security Thank You, Lord Jesus for Your sacrifice which paid my debt and insured my eternal salvation. I am secure in the knowledge that one day I will be in the very presence of God, to live with Him and worship Him forever. Thank You, Lord for my husband who spent a lifetime working hard to provide for our family. Thank You for a husband who has been faithful, godly, and a steady rock for me.
C. Love/Approval I can never thank You enough for Your undefinable, unconditional, miraculous love towards me, Lord. Just saying thank you seems so small in comparison to what You lavish on me. I keep thinking of all the blessings in Ephesian 1 and how it was all planned according to Your good pleasure. It pleased you to save me, but oh, the terrible cost. What love is mine! THANK YOU! How foolish and wayward I am to take that love for granted, Lord. Forgive me for that, and may I be more mindful of thee, so that the power of Your love shines in my life. Thank you,
A lovely testimony of the Lord’s effect on your life.
It’s so easy to forget all these benefits from the Lord. I’m glad Dee asked us to write them down. I think I’m going to print them and post them where I can see them daily. God is so goid!
10. Meditate on Hosea 2:14 and share everything you see.
The Lord isn’t giving up on her.
He says He will win her back (again).
He says He will lead her back to the desert.
He says He will speak tenderly with her, to reinstate the relationship.
11. Share, if possible, a recent time God spoke to you during a desert or wilderness time. How did He do it?
I am in the midst of a couple of major desert times right now. No answers, no feeling about either one currently. I suppose that the times I have heard from Him in the desert, it was that something happened to change the situation. Someone showed up, I read a few scriptures in different places that all said the same thing or had the same meaning. Recently, I kept having the story of Lazarus and of the bleeding woman coming to me in several places (Nancy Leigh Demoss podcast, The Chosen, and again in Bible study through a devotional my friends and I were doing). I was getting the idea that I needed to continue to have faith in my life, regardless of the events that were/are occurring.
12. Read Joshua 7 and, in a few sentences, tell what happened. What thoughts do you have about the severity of God?
A man, Achan, stole things of value from the Babylonians for himself. He hid them in the ground, under his tent. When the Israelites went to fight their enemies, they were defeated by a small group of them. Joshua asked the Lord “why?” The Lord told Joshua that someone in their midst was hiding things that were set apart for Him. Joshua was to bring each tribe out in the morning, and whittle down who was deceiving them. It was found to be a man called Achan in the tribe of Judah. The items were collected and Achan and his family were stoned to death and then burned, as per the Lord’s order.
It does seem fairly harsh to me 🤷🏻♀️. It would be enough to scare me to not ever cross the Lord if I were watching this play out.
13. Read Hosea 2:15-17
A. What promise is there in verse 15 for the disobedient who truly repent?
They will be returned to their vineyards and the “Valley of Troubles” will become a “Valley of Hope.”
B. How will their relationship with the Lord change according to verse 16? What is the difference?
She will be faithful to Him again as she did when she was young.
C. Do you see the Lord as your Master or as your Loving Husband?
Probably as my Master or Father, not as a husband. This idea seems pretty strange to me, as does all of SOS (and Hosea)!
Thursday: One Purpose for The Wilderness
10. Meditate on Hosea 2:14 and share everything you see.
—That as a lover the Lord is determined to win back the affections of his wayward unfaithful wife. The word most translations use is allure which means to attract or tempt by something desirable. In saying here that He is taking her into the desert his purpose is not to discipline because he is going to allure or win her back with tender words of love. It would seem the need to go into the desert is to go to a place of quiet away from other distractions where attention is solely on each other.
11. Share, if possible, a recent time God spoke to you during a desert or wilderness time. How did He do it?
—It was in the quiet of the middle of the night that He clarified what my sin and what my need was. He did it through Scripture. His Word penetrated my heart and drew me back into his arms through my confession of sin and the resulting cleansing that he promises from 1 John 1:9. He spoke tenderly and affirmed what he spoke to me by the very first scripture I read in the morning. Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 119:133, NKJV
12. Read Joshua 7 and, in a few sentences, tell what happened. What thoughts do you have about the severity of God?
—An Israelite named Achan sinned by violating what God had clearly instructed about things set apart and dedicated to Himself. He stole some of those things and his sin resulted in the Israelite army being defeated and some of their soldiers being killed causing great fear among the people.
God revealed the sin of Achan and commanded that he and all his family, animals and material possessions be completely destroyed and buried.
The Lord’s anger against sin is unrelenting because He knows the effects and result of sin ends up destroying everything. Sin always ends in death so if we understand the depth of those effects of sin then we understand the severity of God to deal with and destroy sin.
In His final judgement on sin the worst severity ever was enacted by God was upon Jesus on the Cross. That is by far the harshest thing God has ever done to deal with our sin. He let his only Son suffer and die the most cruel death in order to eradicate sin. Oh God forbid I take lightly what my sin cost God. But as Paul David Tripp teaches it was Grace behind that severity. A grace that saves our souls. “For God so loved the world….”
13. Read Hosea 2:15-17
A. What promise is there in verse 15 for the disobedient who truly repent?
—Restoration of what was lost and a reunion of intimacy in the relationship. And beautifully renewed Hope!
B. How will their relationship with the Lord change according to verse
16? What is the difference?
—It becomes husband instead of master. A relationship with a master is transactional with the master in charge. A relationship with a husband is one of affection and intimacy.
C. Do you see the Lord as your Master or as your Loving Husband?
—He is truly my loving Husband and the relationship just grows sweeter every day. 💕
Yes — love that He allures us into the wilderness for our good!
“Sin is the second most powerful force in the universe, for it sent Jesus to the cross. Only one force is greater—the love of God.”Billy Graham
I just read this quote and would add it to my comments in answer to question 12.
Great quote Bev…will add that to my notes. Thanks for sharing!!
Amen, to Sharon. I love that quote, Bev. I wrote it in my prayer book. What a great reminder.Thank you!
Thursday: One Purpose for The Wilderness
10. Meditate on Hosea 2:14 and share everything you see. The image I see is a romantic one. Using kind, gentle words he persuades her to come away with him to a place of no distraction. They can be apart from others where her focus is only on him. It’s the pull I feel when the Holy Spirit draws me to open my Bible, pray, be still, and rest in my Lord’s love.
11. Share, if possible, a recent time God spoke to you during a desert or wilderness time. How did He do it? I cannot think of a recent desert/wilderness time.
12. Read Joshua 7 and, in a few sentences, tell what happened. What thoughts do you have about the severity of God? The LORD had instructed that Israel was to take no plunder, but Achan secretly did and hid it in his tent. At the next battle, which they thought would be an easy victory, the Israelites were defeated and ran from their enemies. Joshua
cried out to God, and blamed God for abandoning Israel. The LORD revealed there was sin (a good reminder that nothing can be hid from God). Through a lengthy process of elimination, Achan became known as the perpetrator and was stoned to death with all his family and possessions in a valley, the valley of Achor.
Having been forgiven and saved by grace, the severity in Joshua 7 is somewhat horrifying to me, if I’m honest. I understand the purpose as a lesson to Israel (as the LORD was establishing them in the land), that they would fear and honor the LORD. But the thought of Achan’s whole family, including the children, having to die, oh my. I understand how the adult members might have been complicit, but the children, too?
13. Read Hosea 2:15-17
A. What promise is there in verse 15 for the disobedient who truly repent? The Lord will forgive and restore them to Himself (Ishi) giving them hope. They will rejoice as they did before, The Lord will take away from their memory ofthe idols they had gone after, even the mention from off their lips.
B. How will their relationship with the Lord change according to verse 16? What is the difference? The relationship will change from calling the Lord, Master (Baali) to calling Him Husband (Ishi). A Master is one you serve, possibly out of fear, and the master does not have a close relationship with the servant/slave. A husband denotes a loving relationship in which the husband provides/protects his wife. She in turn joyfully serves her husband.
C. Do you see the Lord as your Master or as your Loving Husband? Definitely Loving Bridegroom, as He has done so much for me. I am not afraid of Him, I love Him. I remember how Keller used the illustration of Jesus running to throw Himself between me and the wrath of God. I owe Him everything, and it’s my joy to serve Him.
Cheryl Ann — last Sunday one of our dear members voiced his distress at the severity of God, as you are feeling with Achan’s children. I don’t think it necessarily means they were damned. I think the reason who tribes were wiped out is because the sins of the fathers so easily become the sins of the children and God longed to purify a people for Himself. And yet — it is so hard.
Thursday: One Purpose for The Wilderness
10. Meditate on Hosea 2:14 and share everything you see.
God will allure her
God will bring her to the wilderness.
He will speak to her tenderly.
Our wilderness experiences are allowed by God. He brings us there but will not leave us. His ways and words will be of tenderness while we are in the wilderness. The wilderness can be tender moments with God that we couldn’t have any other way.
11. Share, if possible, a recent time God spoke to you during a desert or wilderness time. How did He do it?
The situation at church that started last month caught me off guard, and the days and nights were filled with tears and grief. It hit me with so strong a force that I was confused why God was allowing it to happen. I cried for understanding and echoed the psalmist when he said, “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” “My tears were my companions day and night”. But God spoke to me through His Word and a few friends who know me well. Every day, there was a message from God, and I could not refute that it was Him helping me journey through this particular “desert”.
The situation still concerns me, but God is allowing me to see several aspects of it from His perspective. Oh, how I thank God for His comfort, love, and direction.
12. Read Joshua 7 and, in a few sentences, tell what happened. What thoughts do you have about the severity of God?
Achan stole from the spoils of war, and this resulted in him and his family being stoned and burned to death.
The effects of Achan’s sin had a ripple effect not only on his family but to his community and led to their defeat. To have his family included in his punishment made me think that his family may have been privy to what he did with the spoils? Not sure. Verse 1 also said that Israel was unfaithful regarding devoted things.
13. Read Hosea 2:15-17
A. What promise is there in verse 15 for the disobedient who truly repent?
He will give back what was hers previously and give her hope.
B. How will their relationship with the Lord change according to verse 16? What is the difference?
Instead of a master and slave relationship, it will be husband and wife. The master and slave relationship is an obligation, whereas husband and wife will be motivated by love.
C. Do you see the Lord as your Master or as your Loving Husband?
I see Him more as my loving husband. I am learning more about how to adore my Lord instead of seeing Him as an austere higher power up there. It is an ongoing process for me to see the Lord as my loving husband, but in so doing, my other “loves” are starting to be in the order where they should be: after Him only.
So interesting from Bing:
I see Him more as my loving husband. I am learning more about how to adore my Lord instead of seeing Him as an austere higher power up there. It is an ongoing process for me to see the Lord as my loving husband, but in so doing, my other “loves” are starting to be in the order where they should be: after Him only.
10. Meditate on Hosea 2:14 and share everything you see.
I see a kindness and love of God drawing the one He loves to Him, removing destractions from her, so that she can see Him clearly and Him alone, and she will see the value of turning back to Him.
11. Share, if possible, a recent time God spoke to you during a desert or wilderness time. How did He do it?
God made the way for me to move to be closer to my daughter on the East Coast. I had lots of miracles along the way. I pray each time that if this was not his will that he would cause things not to go through.My daughter and her husband found me a house close to them, it seemed like the perfect spot, and my house sold quickly, so it all happened very fast. I waited a year after my husband died, to do this..and I do still believe this is what he wanted me to do for a time, at least. Darcy wanted to spend more time doing things with me and she got me involved in several wonderful activities. She has so many activities and the ones we were doing together, are things that we mostly do separately now, or when she does not having another activity with a friend. I know the Lord has a plan, so I am waiting on Him to see where He is leading. I am thankful the wonderful church I attend and for good health and dental care. I am slowly getting to know a few people, so I am trusting in His wisdom and direction.
12. Read Joshua 7 and, in a few sentences, tell what happened. What thoughts do you have about the severity of God?
Achan was from the tribe of Judah, he disobeyed God and caused thirty six of the Israelites to be killed. He took the spoils from Jericho and hid it. God told Joshua that they lost the battle due to this disobedience, and God led Joshua to find who had stolen the devout goods. When confronted, Achan admitted what he did and that he had coveted this robe. The punishment was Achan and his family were stoned. There are no sins secret to God.
It is wonderful to see how the Lord has moved in your life, Patti.
This is such a time of adjustment for you still, Patti. But I’m so impressed at how you are persevering.
Patti, you are in such a good place and I know it was God! Your house is so perfect for you! I can’t wait to come visit and stay longer (should I say without the grands? Did I say that out loud?)
Laura, 🥰 I have lots of room! Mini retreat?🙏
Yes! Only God!
❤️
This makes me so happy!
Thursday: One Purpose for The Wilderness
10. Meditate on Hosea 2:14 and share everything you see.
The Lord will win Israel back at once again.
He will lead her into the dessert…
Speak tenderly to her there.
11. Share, if possible, a recent time God spoke to you during a desert or wilderness time. How did He do it?
I can’t think of anything right now.
12. Read Joshua 7 and, in a few sentences, tell what happened. What thoughts do you have about the severity of God?
The Lord became angry when Achan stole from the things that were to be set aside for the Lord.
Israel was defeated by Ai because of Achan’s sin.
Achan and his whole family were stoned to death for their disobedience.
This may sound harsh, but He is a holy and just God and cannot look upon sin. It makes me thankful for His Son, who took my punishment and through Christ I am reconciled to God, He purchased my freedom and forgave my sin.
13. Read Hosea 2:15-17
A. What promise is there in verse 15 for the disobedient who truly repent?
Transformation, hope and freedom.
B. How will their relationship with the Lord change according to verse 16? What is the difference?
They will call Him husband instead of master.
To have a relationship with a husband is intimate and loving, a commitment.
A relationship with a master is fear-based and out of works rather than love.
C. Do you see the Lord as your Master or as your Loving Husband?
Definitely a loving husband.
Friday – Mountain Peaks Ahead
14. Read Hosea 2:18 to the end and find verses that have to do with Christ’s first coming and also His second coming. vs 18 Peace between man and every living thing on the earth, elimination of weapons, peace and safety for all (2nd coming) vs 19 I see Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb, justice/truth mercy/love claiming His Bride (1st coming, all who have put their faith in Hi) vs 20 He is faithful and gives knowledge thru His Word and Spirit (1st coming) vs 21,22 All creation, heaven and earth, will be restored to perfection (2nd coming) vs 23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. In the 1st coming when Gentiles through the Gospel were granted salvation (Eph 2:12,13), not just Jews. It continues until the fulness of the Gentiles and conversion of the Jews is accomplished.
This verse also saw a fulfillment when the Jews returned to Israel after the captivity, when their relationship to God was restored.
Wow, my post looks screwy. It did not look like that as I was typing, lol.
14. Read Hosea 2:18 to the end and find verses that have to do with Christ’s first coming and also His second coming.
I’m not totally confident I “get it.” Here is my stab at it.
Verse 18 is about the second coming, I think?
Verses 19 and 20 could be either the first or the second?
21-23 seems to be the first coming. Although 22 could relate to the second coming also.
13. Read Hosea 2:15-17
A. What promise is there in verse 15 for the disobedient who truly repent?
The valley of trouble will become a door of hope.
B. How will their relationship with the Lord change according to verse 16? What is the difference?
The Lord will be called her husband, not her master.
C. Do you see the Lord as your Master or as your Loving Husband?
I see the Lord as my loving husband. My relationship with Him is a covenant. He is faithful to me and shows me more mercy than I deserve. I pray to behold His glory and never minimalize Him.
14. Read Hosea 2:18 to the end and find verses that have to do with Christ’s first coming and also His second coming.
v. 18 There will be a covenant of peace with all living things, including animals, none will harm one another, there will be harmony among men with no wars, and all will be safe.
v.19 Christ will make a new marriage covenant with His people, of faithfulness, love, compassion and justice.
v.20 Jesus will betroth us to Him in faithfulness and we will all know Him as Lord.
v.21-22 The Lord will bless the heavens and the earth with flourish in response to Christ
v.23 All will have a knowledge of the Lord and those who were not His people will be awakened. He will call the His people and they will respond “You are my God.”
15. What is your takeaway and why?
I will admit that my mind has been in many places this week and not always in tune here. I am sorry for that. School has begun both at the college and high school, and life continues with children at home.
I’ve been thinking about this idea of God being my husband for a couple days now. It seems weird, but as I think about it more, I love him and He loves me, just like I would love my husband and my husband would love me. I think that is what I will take away this week.
Saturday:
15. What is your takeaway and why?
Reading the story of Hosea and Gomer thsi time around has strengthened my resolve to continue being sensitive to the Spirit’s conviction when an idol is usurping God’s place in my heart. God has been so gracious in exposing these idols, these false lovers, who seek to steal, kill, and destroy. I am thankful for the community of believers here whose vulnerability and honesty have encouraged me to press in, lean on the true lover of my soul, my loving husband, the only One who can meet all my needs. He is the one who faithfully sanctifies His beloved and to present us faultless before th Father.