Hosea 6:4-11  "What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah?"   Do you hear the heart of God calling out to His rebellious children?   They not only rebelled against the Lord, but they revolted.. they broke every Law and filled their land with wickedness and bloodshed. Even the priests had murder in their hearts.. 

Verse 10 "In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's harlotry is there, Israel has defiled itself."  Their transgressions seemed to increase even as the Lord sent prophet after prophet to warn and chastise them.. "I have slain them by the words of My mouth; and the judgements on you are like the light that goes forth. " (v5) They spurned every opportunity to repent. 

 Israel was unfaithful..  they had no lasting loyalty to their God.  It wasn't that the Lord was asking for the impossible.. He makes it clear in verse 6  "For I delight in loyalty ( mercy) rather than sacrifices, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."  The Bible Knowledge Commentary states this.. "God's people had failed to understand His true desire.  He longed for devotion and loyalty expressed through allegiance to covenant demands.. Unless offered in the context of obedience, sacrifices were meaningless and even offensive." God wants our hearts to be fully His.. not just brief acts of religious rituals that have no real love. 

What happened in Israel and Judah is what happens in every nation.. and every individual who rebels and revolts against the Lord.  Where there is no loyalty and devotion to the Lord.. there is no mercy.. no compassion.. no righteousness.  We defile ourselves and our nation. There is lawlessness and bloodshed. There is every kind of evil.  

O come  "let us return to the Lord"!

Father, You call us by name.. You speak to our hearts.. You desire our love and devotion.  We want to know You more and to be fully Yours from the depths of our beings.  Thank You for making us Your own by the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.. who willingly suffered so that we might be forever Yours. Fill us Spirit of God that we might show forth the light and love of Jesus Christ to a world walled in  by the darkness of sin. Let today be a day that the world remembers that Jesus came.. that He died.. and that He rose again! To God be the glory! Amen. 

 Hosea 5-6:1-3

  The Lord brings a powerful rebuke against the priests, the king, and the people of Israel.  He calls them "revolters" who have "gone deep in depravity".  Their actions were so revolting to the Lord that He says, "Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God."  They do not know or acknowledge the Lord.  They have fallen so far that even if they were to seek Him.. "they will not find Him." (v6)

The Lord withdrew from Israel because of their sinfulness.  He was giving them over to the sin that would swallow them.  " I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me." 

This brings to my mind the first chapter of Romans.. where Paul talks about the wrath of God" revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.."  Paul says that even though there is evidence in all of nature that God is real.. that even though "they knew God".. they did not acknowledge Him or honor Him.  And, because of the impurity and lust and idolatry of mankind.. God "gave them over to degrading passions.. and just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind. " ( v18, 21, 26, 28) 

I think of this passage often.. for we are seeing it happen right before our eyes.. as our nation has also revolted against the truth of God's Word and will not acknowledge Him.. and truly does not know Him. God will judge America just as He did Israel.. both in Hosea's day and in Paul's. 

But we are not without hope!

The first 3 verses of Hosea chapter 6 are a beautiful, humble response to God's rebuke.. "Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day that we may live before Him. So, let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth." 

How appropriate in this season.. tomorrow being Good Friday and Sunday the "third day".... to know and to acknowledge the Lord our God who will heal us.. who will raise us up.. who is willing to forgive, redeem, and restore us... as Paul wrote.. " But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ( Romans 5:8)

O Come.. let us return to the Lord! 

Father in heaven, Holy and Gracious God who rules heaven and earth.. You have showed us lovingkindness and mercy far beyond anything we could ask. You have redeemed us by the blood of Your Beloved Son so that we could be saved from the wrath that we deserve. You have given us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah! Thank You! We praise and worship You with all our hearts. We love You, Lord.  May we grow ever deeper in that love and devotion to You as You fill us with Your Spirit and sanctify us through and through. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

 Hosea 3-4   The Lord tells Hosea to get his wife back.. " Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband yet an adulteress.." So, Hosea goes and finds Gomer and buys her.. for 15 shekels of silver and some grain.  

This, the Lord says, is how He loves His people Israel.. "though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."  

Chapter 4 describes the extent of Israel's rebellious heart.. ".. there is no faithfulness, or kindness, or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing, adultery.  they employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed."  Sounds familiar.. doesn't it?

Sin not only affects people, God reveals here.. it affects the land.. " Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes, along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky; and also the fish of the sea disappear."  Our world wants to call it "climate change" or whatever.. ... but God says otherwise!

V 6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge. I also will reject you from being My priest."  Israel was meant to be God's nation and the Light to draw all nations to the Lord.. but they did not even know Him anymore.  He was the Husband who loved her... but she turned to idols and played the harlot. They had lost everything that had set them apart as God's people. They were so stubborn that they would not heed the warnings of the prophets.. and they would find themselves under the judgement that they deserved. 

We need to heed the lessons that Israel did not learn.. we need to hear the Lord's call to faithfulness and kindness.  He wants us to know Him and to love Him with all our heart!  He wants to bless us and provide for us.. to be with us and never leave us.  Oh may we have humble and yielded hearts  to find that depth of love and grace that only our God can provide. 

Father, may we dwell with You forever and ever!  Thank You for buying us back.. through Jesus Christ our Lord.  We have been bought with a price and we are not our own!  We are Yours and we love You. Be glorified and exalted Father!  Let the Light of Jesus shine in us that we will be light to the world. You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.. may the truth ring out across our land and to the ends of the earth..  Amen. 

 Hosea 2:14-23  Even though Israel had gone far from the Lord and had broken His heart by her unfaithfulness, He did not and will not give up on her.  This portion of scripture describes the restoration of the unfaithful wife..  "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, bring her into the wilderness, and speak kindly to her."    He will speak into her heart!  God gives  her hope. 

He will bring  Israel back to the place of "her youth".. a place of joy.. "and she will sing there.. "  Israel will again turn back to the Lord.  "And it will come about in that day, declares the Lord, that you will call Me 'Ishi'  ( Husband) and will no longer call Me 'Baali'"  (Baal.. master).  He goes on to say that the Baals will be removed and never spoken of again. Everything will be changed!

"In that day I will also make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds of the sky, and the creeping things of the ground. and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and will make them lie dow in safety.  And I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion. And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord." ( v18-20) 

There will be a restored and greater relationship between God and His people. A marriage of love and truth. What grace!  " I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they will say, 'Thou art My God!' " (v23) 

Father, thank You for the hope that we have found in Jesus Christ who died for us.. so that we might have this greater and deeper love for You.. that we might know You.. experience Your Presence and compassion in our hearts.  What wonderful grace that You have poured out upon us that we might belong to You forever and ever. We are Your people.. Your children.. and we are so thankful. Be ever near to our hearts and continue to bless us, shine Your face upon us, be gracious to us, and give us peace. Keep us in Your Presence and help us to be all that You desire for us to be in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

 Hosea 1-2  The life of a prophet is not easy.. and Hosea's story is one that illustrates this clearly.  

The first thing that the Lord instructs Hosea to do is to marry.. "a wife of harlotry".   It is hard for us to understand how the Lord would allow, let alone command, a man of God to marry a woman already known as a prostitute.  But, He did. And Hosea obeyed. 

Hosea married Gomer.  They had a son and the Lord told Hosea to name this child "Jezreel".  The word means "God sows".  It was the name of a valley and a city. It was the name of the place where the evil king Ahab and his wife Jezebel had lived and died. It was a place where the worship of Baal was rampant. It was a place of "bloodshed" during the time of King Jehu. 

Gomer had two more children.. a daughter "Lo-ruhamah", meaning "she has not obtained compassion"; and a son "Lo-ammi", meaning "not my people".  It is thought that these 2 children may not have been Hosea's offspring.  These children illustrated the unfaithfulness of God's people. There is nothing sadder than this.. a family broken by the unfaithfulness of a wife and mother.. one who deserted the only one who loved and cared for her.. 

 Yet, this is the picture that God used to illustrate His relationship to Israel.. He loved Israel like a husband loves his wife.. but she was unfaithful.  She had turned away from Him and chased after false lovers. His heart was broken for His people.. like Hosea's heart was for Gomer and her children. 

Chapter 2 is a heart wrenching description of Israel's (and Gomer's) unfaithfulness... She "played the harlot".. had children from shameful relationships; went after any lover that would give her what she wanted; and when she was finally at the end of herself.. she wanted to return to the One who loved her. Everything that God had provided for Israel would be taken away because they had forgotten Him and did not recognize that it all came from Him in the first place... 

And what is amazing is.. that God would forgive all that and restore Israel! "Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and it will come about that, in the place where it is said to them, ' You are not my people' it will be said to them, 'You are the sons of the living God.'"  (1:10)

Father, You have chosen us, adopted us, and called us Your children.. heirs.  We were not Your people but You made a way through Jesus for us to come into Your Kingdom and Your family!  Hallelujah!  Oh may we ever be faithful and true to You. May we know You and never forget You. May we honor You and love You with all our hearts and souls.  We come to You, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and give You thanks and praise for Your kindness and compassion on us.. knowing we do not deserve it, but You have given it anyway.  How great is our God!!! Amen and amen. 

 Ephesians 6:10-24 This is.. in my opinion.. such an important passage for the follower of Jesus.  This is how God equips us to walk the walk of love.. to walk as children of light.. to become all that He desires for us to become in Christ.  

"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might." (v10).  We need to increase in spiritual power.. through the great and mighty dominion that is in Jesus Christ the Lord.  As Paul says elsewhere.. it is Christ in us.. the hope of glory!

To be strong in His strength takes diligence and effort.. "Put on the full armor of God".. Paul says.  It is a deliberate action that has consequences.  If we do it, Paul says, we will be able to "stand firm".  If we don't.. we will fall.. for the "schemes of the devil" will come against us.  We are in a spiritual battle.. "against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness.. "  This war is far too great for us to stand against on our own. We must have the "armor of God". 

This spiritual armor is everything we need.. provided by our Father...so that we can "stand firm".  Three times we are told this.. "Stand firm"!  It is an upright and active position. It is in opposition of the enemy. When we "gird" ourselves we are preparing for action.. we are ready to do something difficult or strenuous. We are surrounding ourselves with the equipment needed for the battle. 

"Therefore".. Paul writes, "take up the full armor of God..having girded your loins with the truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.. "  As believers in Jesus Christ and children of the heavenly Father...we have taken on these basic parts of the armor.  We have learned the truth.. of who God is.. who Jesus is.. and who we are in Him.  Enclose yourselves with this equipment.. secure it.. surround yourself with it!  Be filled with Truth! We are covered by His righteousness.  We stand on His peace.. provided by the One who paid the price for us. 

"In addition".. Paul writes, "taking up the shield of faith.. and take the helmet of salvation.. and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God."  These three items are what we need to grab on to daily.. faith to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy.. the helmet that covers our heads.. and the sword, the Word, which is a powerful weapon against the enemy. 

But, even all of this equipment. is not enough unless we put it on and stand firm in it.. and Paul tells us how to do it.. "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.. " 

Prayer.. continual.. sincere.. earnest.. faithful.. intentional.. communion with our God.. 

Father in heaven,  may we learn to pray more.. to pray continually.. to be faithful in prayer.. to pray in our homes and in the church.. to pray for ourselves and to pray for each other. Teach us to pray and to persevere in prayer.  Open our eyes to see that without prayer we will fail.. we will fall.. we cannot stand firm.  Lead our churches and our families  to realize the necessity for prayer and have the desire to pray together so that we can "stand firm".  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

 Ephesians 6  This chapter continues to show what a walk of love.. as children of light... looks like in the life of believers.  We saw in chapter 5 that a husband reflects Christ as he loves, cherishes, and leads his wife into holy and glory filled living.  The wife reflects Christ as she comes under the covering of her husband and respects his leadership. 

Now, Paul talks about the parent/child relationship.  Children are called to obey their parents "in the Lord for this is right".  To honor your parents is a commandment with a promise. A child who wants to please the Lord will have respect and honor for his or her parents.  The fathers are given the responsibility not only for their wives, but for their children too.  The command is to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." ( v4)  This also, is a reflection of Christ who leads us with His words and His example. 

Christ - like relationships extend beyond just family members. In verses 5-9 Paul teaches about how slaves and masters can also reflect Jesus in the roles that they are in.  Slaves will be obedient.. and sincere.. they will act as Christ's servants.. "doing the will of God from the heart." And masters will do the same! 

No matter who we are.. what our station in life might be.. no matter what age we are ... if we are followers of Jesus, then we are called to that walk of love.  By the grace that our Father has lavished on us and the spiritual blessings He has blessed us with, we are transformed into the likeness of our Savior.  It is by His Spirit within us that we are able to be the people He calls us to be and to do the things He calls us to do..from our hearts. 

Father in heaven, we desire to serve You as faithful servants and as obedient children. We desire to be all that You call us to be.. let Your grace abound in us and through us today! Thank You.  Amen

 Ephesians 5:22-33 We have been called, chosen, adopted, redeemed, and filled with the Spirit of God.. so that we can walk the walk of love, as children of light.  As we learn to walk carefully.. making the most of the time God has granted us.. and we understand what God's will is for us.. we will be transformed.  Our lives will begin to look more like Christ and less like the world. We will put away and reject the things of the world.. the "deeds of darkness".   We will begin to give thanks in all things and sing praises and hymns and love one another. 

In these next verses, Paul teaches how this will effect our lives in a very practical and personal way..  in our marriages and families.  The relationship between husbands and wives, Paul teaches, is like the relationship between Christ and the church.. and should reflect that same dynamic:

As the church is subject to Christ, the Head.. a wife needs to be subject to her husband. 

As Christ is the head of the church.. a husband needs to act as the head of the wife. 

Lest we fall in to the trap of thinking like the world and complain about inequality.. we must look at the context and understand the grace and beauty of God's plan for the marriage relationship.  We must first look at Jesus!

First of all, we see the extent of Christ's love for the church.. He is as connected to the church as a head is to a body! He loves the church.. His body.. His people.. so much that He "gave Himself up for her".  He did this so He could "sanctify her".  He cleansed her so that she could be presented "to Himself... in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless." 

This is the kind of love a husband is to have for his wife.   It is a greater love than even a love for mother and father.. The husband who cherishes his wife like he would his own body..  has this kind of love... that begins to look like the love that Christ has shown us.  Most of the responsibility for this kind of relationship is then.. the husbands!  The wife's part is to "be subject".. to come under that covering that the husband provides as he loves her, sacrifices for her, and does all he can to make her glorious! 

What a beautiful picture of what Jesus does for each and every one of us who believe!  He loves us. He gave Himself for us.  He has provided everything we need.. so that we can be holy, blameless.. and glorious!

Father in heaven, how we thank You for this precious Word that washes us..and help us to  know You more.  Your love is so great! Your ways are so wonderful!  Your plans are so precious!  Thank You!  Jesus, our dear Savior and Lord.. we are Yours. We are willing to subject ourselves under Your authority and love.  Have Your way in our lives and relationships so that Your glory will be made known and your Name exalted. We ask this in Your Name. Amen. 

 Ephesians 5:1-20 The walk.. the life of one who follows Christ.. the child of God must be a "walk of love".  Paul tells us to imitate God.. as a child imitates his father.  Christ Jesus gave Himself for us.. "an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."  Likewise, we are called to walk in the same way.. "walk as children of light" (v8), Paul tells us.. "for the fruit of light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (v9). 

A walk of love and light takes effort.. " Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." (v15-16) Paul tells his readers to wake up! He wants us to understand what God's will is for us so that we do not act foolishly. 

Verses 3-5 show us the things that we must be careful of.. to reject.. for they have nothing to do with a life of love and light.. "do not let immorality or any impurity to greed... no filthiness and silly talk or course jesting which are not fitting, but rather the giving of thanks."  These things belong to those who walk in darkness, not light. These are the ways of those who are disobedient.. and all these deeds will be exposed by the light, for nothing is hidden from the Lord. 

To walk the way of love and light we need to be "filled with the Spirit" not with any other influence. When we are yielded to Him our words will be beautiful instead of coarse or silly.. we will speak in "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.". it will be a joyful, heartfelt melody that accompanies our lives.  We will have hearts full of thanksgiving and praise for our Lord Jesus Christ and for our Gracious heavenly Father. 

Father, make me more like Jesus.  Give me a heart of love and help me to walk in Your Light.  Fill me, Spirit of God, that I might understand and do the will of the Father. Let the beauty and joy of the Lord fill me.. fill us, the children of God.. to the glory of His Name.  Jesus, You are our all in all. Shine in us, and be exalted we pray. Amen.

 Ephesians 4 "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." 

Paul paints a very clear picture of a life lived in a manner worthy of our calling as the chosen, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven children of God:

A child of God will  have "humility and gentleness... patience, showing forbearance to one another in love... being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (v2-3) We are to speak the truth in love. (v15, 25)  We are to "be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (v32) 

We are called to be the church of Jesus.. "one body.. one Spirit.. one hope.. one Lord.. one faith.. one baptism.. one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." (v4-6) 

All of this is what He calls us to.. and what He equips us for.. giving each of us "grace.. according to the measure of Christ's gift.. " It is Christ who fills "all things".. who gives "apostles.. prophets.. evangelists, pastors, and teacher, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ." ( v11-12)  He does not leave us on our own.. but puts us into a community of brothers and sisters, so that we can help one another grow.. in faith.. in knowledge of Jesus.. and become one.. a whole body.. a completely united church that glorifies God. 

Paul likes to give us the contrasting picture of life without Christ.. that which we leave behind when we follow Him .. " no longer walk.. as the Gentiles.." the unbelievers do "in the futility of their mind."  Leave the darkness.. leave the hardness of heart.. leave the sensuality.. impurity.. and greed. Leave falsehoods.  Leave all the ways of  the "old self".  Leave anger that leads to sin; leave stealing and "unwholesome" words.. leave "bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander.. and malice". These characteristics are not worthy of our God and we must not allow them in our daily lives.  

But, He does not leave us on our own to accomplish what He desires.. for we have been "renewed" in our minds.. we have put on the "new self" which is like God in that He made us new creations.. " in righteousness and holiness of the truth."  And together with our fellow believers.. we grow up "to a mature man of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ." 

Father in heaven, Your plan for us is amazing and wonderful..and we are so thankful that You equip us and fill us and provide for us so that we can be all that You call us to be.  Have Your way in us today that we might walk that worthy walk to the glory of Your holy Name and to the praise of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Holy Spirit, sanctify us, fill us with the love and grace of our God.. in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Ephesians 3 Three times Paul speaks of how God's grace had been given to him that he might bring the gospel to the church in Ephesians ( and elsewhere too!):

It was by God's grace that the "revelation" of the "mystery" was made known to him in the first place. (v2)

 It was by God's grace that he was given a ministry to the Gentiles..  and the understanding that both Gentiles and Jews are "fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel".  (v7) 

It was by God's grace that Paul was able "to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ."(v8) 

What had been "hidden in God" through the ages had come "to light" in Jesus Christ, bringing into being the church.. both Jewish and Gentile believers made into one body.  Through the church, Paul says, the "manifold wisdom of God" has been made known.. "to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places."  This was "the eternal purpose" of God "carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord." (v9-11)

It is in Christ then, that "we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him."  (v12)

Because of Jesus, we do not lose heart. But, we come before the throne of our Father and ask for what Paul asked for.. what we need more than anything:

We ask that God would grant us, according to the "riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man". (v16)  I like the Bible Knowledge Commentary's explanation of this request.. out of God's glorious riches believers can "be strong to overcome resistance".. this power is "dynamic living power; through the Holy Spirit".. resulting in an increased faith in Jesus... to dwell in our hearts.. affecting our "whole personalities". Christ is "at home in".. the very center of our lives... letting Him become "the dominating factor in [our] attitudes and conduct."

 Paul also prays that we know the depth of God's love.. that we are so "rooted and grounded in love" that we can begin to comprehend the greatness of this incomprehensible love.  We need God's power to grasp the immensity of His love... for it is immeasurable!  It is higher and wider and deeper and longer than what we can ever measure.. but He desires that we "know" it by experience.. for the more we experience His love the more we will understand about Him! And this is His purpose.. "that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." (v19)

It is by God's power that the church.. in Paul's day dealing with the issue of Jewish and Gentile believers.. could be united into one body.. for it would happen as each believer experienced God's love and learned to love one another.  "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen" What mankind could not do.. God would!

Father, we thank You for the riches of Your glory and the greatness of Your grace.. making  it  possible for Jesus Christ to be  at home in us by the Spirit who fills us. Strengthen our spiritual lives with greater faith and deeper love. May we experience and comprehend the greatness of Your love!  May we be so filled with Your love that we can truly love one another as You have commanded us to do.  Fill us up with Yourself, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Ephesians 2 "And you were dead... "   This is the condition of all of mankind without Christ.. "dead in your trespasses and sin.." 

Paul says that this is how we were.. this was how we walked.. how we lived, "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience."   We longed for whatever satisfied our flesh, we indulged ourselves in what ever we wanted, we were "by nature children of wrath.. "  The word translated "wrath" here is the greek work orge - violent passion, anger, indignation, vengeance..  We see this in our world today.. mobs, out of control; gangs killing each other over foolishness; shooters, randomly mowing down innocent people on the streets.  It is this very nature that we all have.. without Christ. 

"But God.. " !!!!  Hallelujah!  "But God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved)."  If Paul said nothing more it would be more than we could ever imagine.. but he is not done.. "... and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus." Amazing grace!

Though all the "ages to come"  we will know "the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."   For all eternity we will praise Him because of what He has done for us! 

Verse 8 is one of those verses that we must know and cherish always.. " For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; " 

We were dead and unable to raise ourselves up.. but God.. out of His heart of love, showed us mercy and lavished us with grace.  It is all of Him.. not anything we have done or could do.. "for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." 

We, who formerly walked in sin.. now walk a new way.. in Christ.  We have been "brought near by the blood of Christ".  We have found Him to be our peace. He has brought  us into a body, together with all believers. He had..given  us access "in one Spirit to the Father.."  We are now  "a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." We are new creations!

Father in heaven, we hallow Your Name and give You our praise and thanks.. for You have blessed us with every spiritual blessing.. far beyond anything we could ask or imagine. You have taken us out of a life that was full of darkness and death and given us a new life.. as new creations in Christ Jesus our Lord.  You have given us a song to sing and good news to share.  Let us be about the work that You have prepared for us to do.. Spirit of God, lead on.  In the Name of our Great Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. 

 Ephesians 1:15-23  "For this reason..."  Paul says.. because of these spiritual blessings that God has poured out on us.. because He chose us, adopted us, redeemed us, forgave us, gave us this great inheritance and filled us with His Spirit.. "for this reason"  we gives thanks!  O Yes!  Thank You Father!

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is one that we need.. 

Our Wednesday night prayer meeting is studying the book Praying like Paul by Jonathan Graf, and he teaches this prayer as a model "for seeking that kind of spiritual walk ( a deeper walk)  for yourself and those you love." 

Paul prays that "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."    

Jonathan writes, "Wisdom signifies both knowledge -knowing things, facts- and good judgement."   Paul is praying that his readers would grow in their knowledge of Jesus.  We are all in need of  growing in this and allowing that knowledge to impact all that we do and say.  A spirit of revelation is also needed.. that we hear God and understand what He is telling us.  Jonathan writes, "To me it is asking for an attitude of seeking the things of God -and God Himself." 

Paul continues his prayer, " I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of His glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."  It is God's work in our hearts that allows us to have this great hope.. to know that He has called us to something greater than we can even imagine.. to a life marked by His glory and His power. 

Paul sums up this prayer with a reminder of the greatness of the One we want to know more and walk with more fully.. "These are in accordance with the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. and He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, and fulness of Him who fills all in all." 

This is our God! We desire to love Him and serve Him with all of our hearts! Let us pray this prayer of Paul's for one another so that we might know Him more and more!

Yes, Father, do give us this spirit of wisdom and revelation that we might know You and Your Son who is our Savior and King... more and more fully..   Open our spiritual eyes and ears to hear Your voice and to know this great hope of glory in Jesus Christ. Fill us with Your Holy Presence and power that all we do and all we say will be to the glory and honor of Your Name. Amen.

 Ephesians 1:1-14   "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."   Paul writes to the Ephesian church about this wonderful grace of God that has been poured out.. lavished on "us"!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.. "   What spiritual blessings is Paul talking about?  

Well.. first of all the blessing of being "chosen".   Our Father chose us "before the foundation of the world."  That is so amazing!  That He chooses to make us" holy and blameless before Him"  is even more amazing!

Our Father "predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself... "  This is the kindness of His grace.  He chose us before we knew anything about Him.. before we knew anything at all. It has happened out of His heart of love!

Our Father has given us "redemption" and "forgiveness of our trespasses"  through the blood of the Beloved Son.. "according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us."   Nothing we could do to earn it.. nothing we can do to deserve it.. but He did it all! Glory to His Name!

Our Father has "made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.. " It pleased God to show us His purposes in Christ.. something greater than any man could fathom.. a great "mystery" of how God would come to dwell among men.. live a sinless life.. die a painful death.. and raise up out of the grave to purchase eternal life for those who believe!

Our Father has given us "an inheritance according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.."  We have a hope that is unlike anything the world can know.. and we sing praises to  the glory of our King!

Our Father has given us "the Holy Spirit of promise".. a "pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." 

Father in heaven, we praise Your holy Name! How can we thank You for the grace that You have lavished on us.. to  choose us, adopt us, redeem us, forgive us, make known to us Your Son, our Savior, and to give us a living hope.. an inheritance that will never perish.  You have given us Your Spirit to dwell in us as Your pledge.. for all that You will complete in us through Your great grace.  We look forward to that day when we see everything clearly.. "in the fulness of the times... the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth."   Thank You for these spiritual blessings. Glory to Your Name. Amen.

Daniel 11-12  This final vision given to Daniel continues to be revealed to him.. far past his lifetime and ours.. to the final days.  Kings and kingdoms will war against each other.. with Israel in the midst of it all. Some of these prophecies have already been fulfilled.. but some are yet to be.. 

There are several verses that stand out to me.. that help us to have courage in the face of all of this.

11:27  "As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time."  What an encouragement !  No matter what happens.. the future is aligned to God's time table! Those intent on evil will "not succeed" in the end!

11:32-33 "And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.  And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, for many days."  There will be men and women of God who will take courage and act in the face of persecution and death.  May we also be men and women of God who stand firm no matter what we face in the days ahead.. 

v35 "And some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure, until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time."  All of this that has happened.. and that which will happen.. is for this eternal purpose.. the sanctification of God's chosen ones. 

12: 1-3 "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. and many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.  And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." 

v10 "Many will be purged, purified and refined; but the wicked will act wickedly, and not of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand."

Father in heaven, we are so thankful that the times are in Your hands and that Your purposes will be completed as You will.  Our prayer is that of the Apostle Paul:  "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." ( I Thes. 5:23)  We do not know the day or the hour of His coming.. we do not know what our future holds.. but we know You and pray that You will hold us close. Purge, refine, and make us pure, Lord.  Give us strength and courage to stand firm no matter what we must face. And most of all Lord, we pray, may many more have their names written in the book of life so that they too may be rescued and given everlasting life.  We ask these things in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 Daniel 9:20-10  Gabriel came to Daniel again.   As Daniel prayed the Lord sent Gabriel to bring an answer.  Daniel was praying for the promised restoration of Israel. The answer is quite mysterious.. "Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place." ( v24)  Then he talks about the Messiah.. seven weeks and sixty-two weeks.. and then the Messiah being cut off...  and it is all beyond me. 

Then in chapter 10 Daniel is given another vision and is visited by " a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult." (v5-6)  This vision caused Daniel to fall on his face and pass out.  "Then behold a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.."  We are told that this "man" had spent 21 days fighting with the "prince of the kingdom of Persia", but was helped by Michael, " one of the chief princes".   He touched Daniel and restored strength to his body and gave him one message, "O man of high esteem; do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!" 

As I thought about this passage and the difficult visions, my prayer was, " Lord, may I hear Your heart!"  I do not understand much of this.. the weeks and the angels..  but this I understand.. there is a heavenly battle being waged over the nations.. and the Lord wants us to be aware of this.  He wants us to know that He has the future.. of Daniel.. of Israel.. of the whole earth and every one of us.. in His Hands.  He calls us to faith.. faith that takes courage so we can be courageous. 

We  can face the future.. always a mystery to us.. with the understanding that our Lord is in control.. that He will win every battle and that no force or power.. not even those supernatural beings who oppose Him... can stand. 

Father, we can trust in Your greatness, Your faithfulness, and Your Sovereignty.  Things may not look great for our nation at this time, but there is One who can and will overcome the darkness!  Jesus Christ is King forever and will be exalted in all the earth!  May that day come soon.. and may we be ready.. doing all that we can.. with courage.. to stand firm, resist evil, and keep praying.  Your Word is our sword and faith is our shield. We put on the helmet of salvation.. for You are our help and You cover us with Your grace and mercy.  We take up the Truth as our belt and Righteousness as our breastplate. We put on the shoes of peace.. ready to stand.. to follow.. and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who need this great salvation that only You can provide.  Fill us Spirit of God and use us as You will. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Daniel 9:1-19  As Daniel read the words of Jeremiah he saw the promise.. " I, Daniel observed in the books the number of years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolation of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years."

Daniel immediately began praying.. "so I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes."  ( v3)  Daniel prayed for himself and for his people. He confessed the sins of the nation.. " we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled, even turning aside from Thy commandments and ordinances. Moreover, we have not listened to Thy servants the prophets, who spoke in Thy name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land." 

This is a mighty prayer! What would happen in America if all the Christians began to pray like this for our country?

Daniel looks to the righteousness of God and confesses the "open shame" of his people.  Then, he appeals to the true character and heart of God.. "To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness."  Daniel looks back at the words of Moses and acknowledges that everything that God said he would do.. He did.  He acted righteously and justly.. bringing the consequences for sin upon Israel even as He had warned them that He would if they did not keep the covenant that they had made with Him. 

In the same way, Daniel appeals to the promise that God would restore the people of Israel when they turned back to Him.. "O Lord, in accordance with all Thy righteous acts, let now Thy anger and wrath turn away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people have become a reproach to all those around us." 

Listen to Daniel's supplication, "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For thine own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name." (v19)

This prayer reveals so much of Daniel's heart.  He was so humble and yet so wise. He was told so many mysterious things about the future.. but his heart was tender and he just sought the Lord in every circumstance. He carried a deep burden for his people and his prayers reached beyond his own needs. 

Father in heaven, we pray for compassion and forgiveness for our land and people.. we need Your righteousness and justice in this land.  Bring hearts back to Yourself. May the Spirit of God bring conviction of sin and wickedness and rebellion and may  people everywhere repent and give their hearts over to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith and in truth.  O Lord hear! O Lord forgive! O Lord listen and take action! We have no other hope except in You! Pour out Your Spirit upon us now, we pray.. in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Daniel 8  Once again Daniel was given a vision of the future that was more than he could understand and that terrified him.  This time the future kingdoms are revealed as animals... The first was a ram which had 2 horns.. one larger than the other. We learn that this represents the Medes and the Persians.  Then a male goat comes from the west and overcomes the ram. This represents Alexander the great and the Greek empire. After Alexander's untimely death the kingdom is divided into 4 sections, represented by the 4 horns. One of these, the "rather small horn".. becomes greater and targets Israel.  This is believed to represent Antiochus IV Epiphanes.  Antiochus desecrated Jerusalem, offered unclean sacrifices in the Temple and commanded the Jews to eat unclean food.. swine's flesh. 

Daniel is told that there would be 2,300 evenings and mornings until the temple would be restored. This could represent 2,300 days.. or it talking about the sacrifices offered morning and evenings...it would be half that. So, either 3 or 6 years.  Either way, it was fulfilled when Judas Maccabeus restored the Temple in 164 BC.  

So, why was this vision given to Daniel? And what are we meant to learn from it now?  The Bible knowledge Commentary suggests that Antiochus is a foreshadowing of the Antichrist. As Antiochus came against Israel, so will the Antichrist.  The first opposed the One True God and defiled the Temple. The second will oppose the Lord Jesus Christ and will be terminated by His divine judgement.  Just as we see the literal fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy for Israel in those days.. we will see the literal fulfillment of this final opposition against our God and the final judgement against Satan and his minions. 

Perhaps Daniel was simply meant to record these visions just to keep them for future reference.  It took a lot out of him.. we are told that he was "exhausted and sick for days".  This vision happened while Belshazzar was the acting king.. and we know that Daniel confronted Belshazzar a few years later when the writing on the wall incident occurred.  Daniel's attitude, character, and inner strength and calmness..never changed in his life time.. even in his old age. He did not fear Belshazzar or any king.. for he knew that their time would come and another kingdom would come.. ultimately the Kingdom of God.. and in this truth he rested.  Daniel never made it back to Israel during his lifetime.. but he had no worries about that.. for he knew a much better kingdom was coming and he would be there forever!

Father in heaven,  let Your kingdom come! Keep our eyes fixed on You and our hearts faithful .. as we rest in Your Truth. Thank You that Christ Jesus our King is coming again. May it be soon. Amen. 

 Daniel 7  Beginning with this chapter .. Daniel records his dreams and visions.  Mysterious and sometimes terrifying.. Daniel gives us a unique glimpse into God's plans for this world.  We are told that this first vision occurred during Belshazzar's first year. 

Daniel describes a great storm.. winds coming from all directions and stirring up the sea.  Out of this chaos comes four "great beasts".  The first is like a lion with wings.  Its wings are plucked and he stands up like a man with a "human mind". The second beast looks like a bear with three ribs in its mouth. The third one looked like a leopard.. with wings.. and with 4 heads. 

The fourth beast was the most terrifying to Daniel. It was extremely strong with iron teeth. "It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet."  This beast had 10 horns at first, but three were pulled out and 1 large, horrible horn replaced it. This horn had eyes and a mouth full of boasts.... 

Until.. the "Ancient of Days" came and took His seat on His throne..  It was then that the trial began.. "the court sat, and the books were opened."  The first thing that He does is to judge the boastful beast, which was slain and its body destroyed and "given to the burning fire." 

It is then that Daniel is given a wonderful gift.. "I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, One like a Son of Man was coming.. "  Daniel gets to see Jesus in His glory.. receiving "dominion, glory and a kingdom". A kingdom that "will not pass away.. which will not be destroyed". 

Daniel is also given an interpretation of his vision. These are things to come, he is told. The fourth beast will wage war with the Lord's saints.. and he will overpower them.. but the "Ancient of Days" will come and pass judgement "in favor of the saints of the Highest One.. " 

There is coming a day.. Hallelujah!.. when the books will be opened and he who wages war against the saints will be overcome forever! "Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom; and all the dominions will serve and obey Him." 

Father in heaven, You are the Ancient of Days who sits on the throne and Who judges righteously.  You will give dominion to the Blessed King and to His saints.  We look forward to  that great day, anticipating the wonder of such a glorious day!  We may not understand the visions of Daniel any better than he did.. but we are thankful for this.. that You will deliver us and  that You will bring us into Your everlasting Kingdom, because Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, did come and will come again!  Hallelujah! what a Savior.  All glory and honor belongs to You. Amen. 

 Daniel 6  Many years had passed since Daniel was brought to Babylon. He is no longer a young man when Darius appointed him to be a commissioner in the kingdom... probably in his 80's.. However, he was still recognized as one who "possessed an extraordinary spirit".  He was highly respected by the king and completely disliked by the other commissioners and satraps. 

We know this story well.  The commissioners and satraps formed a group to discredit Daniel. When they could find no corruption or negligence in his work.. they created a trap for him by bringing a petition before the king that would punish anyone who worshipped any other god besides the king for thirty days. They knew Daniel well enough that they knew he would still serve his God.. Daniel knew what would happen.. and he continued to openly worship the Lord anyway!

What the others meant for evil.. the Lord used for good!  Daniel survived the night in the lion's den.. the king recognized that the God of Daniel was the "living God"! He made a decree that all men in his kingdom should "fear and tremble" before the Lord. Who knows how many lives were changed because of this decree!

And.. those who had come against Daniel ended up in the lion's den themselves.. along with their wives and children. 

Daniel is a great example of a faithful heart. From his early years.. well into his old age.. the testimony of his life was known... that he constantly served his God.  Daniel refused to defile himself.. he refused to stop worshipping God.. and he refused to be intimidated by mere men.  In everything, Daniel trusted God. 

Father in heaven, may we have this kind of faithfulness.. to worship and obey.. to trust in You no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. May we be known as men and women who "constantly serve" You, the Living God, whose kingdom endures forever. Thank You for being the God who delivers and rescues us.. who does the impossible.. and who never changes!  We may not be facing a lion's den.. but we know that there are times when the world will want to trap us and do evil towards us who belong to Jesus.  Deliver Your children from those who want to harm them, Lord God. In so many places in this world Christians are in the same kind of danger that Daniel faced.. and we ask that Your Spirit will be upon them and that they will remain faithful.. no matter what.  We ask this in the powerful name of Jesus our Redeemer and King. Amen. 

 Daniel 5  23 years after Nebuchadnezzar ruled, we find Belshazzar has taken his place on the throne of Babylon.  We meet him on the worst night of his life.. 

Belshazzar held a great feast for a "thousand of his nobles.. "  They were drinking much wine and Belshazzar thought it would be a great idea to use the "gold and silver vessels" that came from the temple in Jerusalem.  Holy vessels.. that Nebuchadnezzar had taken many years before.  So they brought in these vessels and everyone drank from them while praising the "gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone."  In other words.. they praised everything except the One True God. 

"Suddenly the fingers of a man's hand emerged and began writing opposite the lamp stand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace.. "   This brought Belshazzar out of his drunkenness.. and scared him half to death!  He called for the wise men.. but none were able to read the message.  

It was the queen.. perhaps the mother or grandmother of Belshazzar.. who came in and told him about Daniel.. "There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight, and wisdom.. were found in him."  So Daniel was called in. 

Now Daniel didn't care about the king's gifts or a promise of a position of power.. but he had a message fro Belshazzar.. when Nebuchadnezzar had behaved "arrogantly" God had humbled him, making him like an animal in the fields.. until "he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven;..."

He had dared to take the holy vessels that belonged to the worship of God and used them to praise the idols of silver and gold.. "which do not see, hear, or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified." 

The words on the wall were "Mene; Mene; Tekel; Upharsin"   Numbered.. Weighed.. Divided.  Belshazzar was judged by the God of heaven and "found deficient".  His kingdom was about to end... and that very night  he was killed and "Darius the Mede received the kingdom." 

Father in heaven, You are God.. in whose hand is our life.. our breath.. our ways.. You are the Most High God and there is no other! We thank You for granting to us spiritual wisdom and understanding..  that we might know You and worship only You. The world around us is still acting like Belshazzar.. arrogant, and exalting themselves.. they do not know that every breath they breathe is in Your hand and that You see their hearts and will be their judge.  We do not want to be found wanting.. deficient.. lost.. and we are thankful that You have made a way for us to be saved.. through Jesus Christ, Your Son.  Let the good news of Jesus be our message to a world that is just one breath away from eternal judgement. May we, Your people, be filled with Your Spirit to share this message of truth with those around us.  In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.