Pride vs Patience - Hosea 13

It blows my mind how I can be given a gift from a person and then try and take advantage of the relationship through pride and manipulation. We do this to God all the time. Thank you Father that you are patient and slow to anger with us! Look deep within your heart today and see if you are taking advantage of God's love and patience. Turn away from this pride in your life and accept the path God has you on. It's not an easy path but it has eternal rewards. Pastor Patrick

Deceit and Desire - Hosea 12

I love how Hosea is using Jacob to emphasize Israel's religious and political failings. The comparison with Jacob emphasizes his reputation for deceit and desire for personal gain. Do your desires line up with the desires of Jesus? Do you even know what the desires of Jesus are for you? Pastor Patrick

He Loves Me Anyways - Hosea 11

When I was young it was common place for me to do something that would result in me getting a spanking. My dad loves me there is no question and even my choices to do the opposite of what dad asked didn't make a difference to him, he loved me anyways. However, he still had to make a judgement call and disipline me for my rebellion. God in the same way must discipline those he loves. He will never send you back to where He found you (Egypt=dead in sin), but will still use the world (Assyria=world) to correct. He loves us even when we stray and rebel but must bring correction to our lives in order to restore relationship with him. Pastor Patrick

Hear and Repent - Hosea 10

The Lord continues along the same line of judgement on the nation of Israel in this chapter. He is not happy with the idolatry and if they don't repent which they don't He will be forced to bring judgement through another nation. When we look at the new covenant it's easy to think God has changed how he interacts and moves among the nations and people. This is not true. It is still about people being true to worship God in spirit and in truth just as it was before and God still moves among the nations and judges the people. God decided to pay the price for your sins so the need for a blood sacrifice to atone for you is no longer necessary. 

Pastor Patrick

Hear and Obey - Hosea 9

Because of your great sin and hostility, you say, “The prophets are crazy and the inspired men are fools!” The prophet is a watchman over His Church for my God, yet traps are laid for him wherever he goes. He faces hostility even in the house of God. Pastor Patrick

Sound the Alarm - Hosea 8

When I was a kid and I made a bad choice I was always told that I have to live with the consequences of my decision. Now as an adult I realize how true that is. Israel was living with the consequences of their decisions with their choices of rulers, their foreign policy and their religious practices. I love how Hosea is quick to point this out. It's easy to look at the country you live in and see the same mess of bad decisions. I challenge you to make it personal. Who is the ruler in your life? Is it Jesus? What is your foreign policy (worldliness)? Do your spiritual disciplines look like what Jesus did?

Pastor Patrick

Warning, Warning - Hosea 7

"Warning, Warning, Danger Will Robinson!" Some of you might remember that old tv show with the robot that would warn the boy of danger. God is really good at giving us warnings also. Not just us that belive but those outside the family of Jesus as well. I can't help but read this chapter and think of the country I love, America. What does this chapter make you think of? 

Pastor Patrick

A Call to Repentance - Hosea 6

Oh yeah, we come to an amazing passage of God's word here that really shows the heart of God and his desire to really know you and I... Do you really know Him the way you know the person you love the most on this earth? Listen to me hear! Pay attention! It takes TIME to get to know someone, especially God. The word speaks for itself so enjoy! 

Pastor Patrick

Get Right or Get Left - Hosea 5

Here comes the judgement on the priest and king. He warned them in chapter 4. I hear well meaning Christians all the time saying that the Father no longer judges us because of Jesus. Really!! Have you not read the book of revelation. God is active and judging the nations and people. To say he is not would go directly against his character and word, it just doesn't balance. Let me be clear, the blood of Christ that was shed for you has never removed the personal responsibility you have to be obedient to the Holy Spirit. You are responsible for your actions and will be judged. Hear is a great way to measure your faith to know if it's real. Does your life look like that of Jesus? If it's not at least moving in that direction then your still making the decisions in your life. Let go and let God! Pastor Patrick

Wake up - Hosea 4

This is a heavy chapter. God continues to speak to us through his prophets and Hosea really lays it out there for all of us to chew on. As I read this chapter it reminds me of America and the economic inequalities, oppression, murder of our children through abortion and our idol worship in the name of patriotism. Then God really gets to the core of the problem, the pastors and spiritual leaders who have failed not only God but the people of the nation trough their selfish ambitions, greed for money and idolatry. Hosea says "they look to a piece of wood for an answer to their prayers". Wow! Look closely at your life, what are you depending on for security in life? Your 401k? Your job? Your government? Non of that will be there to help you when the shaking comes later this year. But if you can't stand for God now you will not be able to stand then. 

Pastor Patrick

Redemption - Hosea 3

This is a short but powerful read. God is so faithful and loving. We don't deserve His faithfulness or love. The symbolic action here is pretty cool. Even though it's about Israel at the time, it's easy to see the Jesus in it.. You have been redeemed. 

Pastor Patrick

Coming Home - Hosea 2:14-23

Just as God longed to bring His beloved people home, God longs to love and restore you. He has made this possible through Jesus. I challenge you to embrace Him. 

Pastor Patrick

Broken Hearted - Hosea 2:1-13

It just breaks my heart to see Gods heart broken for an idolatrous and backsliding people, but God loves us. We are his creation made to fellowship with Him, walk with him in the cool of the day. Notice how Adam and Eve had an appointment with God everyday. Do you have an appointment with God everyday? Take some time out if your busy day to slow down and walk with God. Pastor Patrick

Restored- Hosea 1:8-11

You are not my people.. This is not what you want to hear from the Father, right? I know I don't. But what choice did God have? The prophets really help us to understand the character of God. God is the same always and his ways are his ways always. We can't continue to trample the grace of God under our feet and with an un repentant heart worship the idols of self and there not be a judgement of separation from God. God is willing and ready to restore you just as he restored Israel once they repented and turned from their false gods. He brought them back to the same place they were when he removed them from the promise. Pastor Patrick

Clean House - Hosea 1:1-7

Can you imagine your husband or wife cheating on you all the time and not even hiding it? God is seeing this cheeting going on with His people and is going to have to make a judgement call. God is going to divorce himself from His people because they are a bunch of cheeting bastards. Are you cheeting on God? It will cost you if you are. It's all or nothing with God because he will not waste a single drop of His Son's blood on you if your only his on Sunday. You must be sold out, period. Pastor Patrick

Is Jesus Enough? Phillipians 4:15-20

One thing is for sure and that is Paul's contentment. This guy is at peace with every situation he finds himself in. He is in prison right now as he wrote the letter to the Phillipians. I pose the same question to you that was asked of me recently. "When did Jesus stop being enough?" WOW! If Jesus is all you need ever then why are we complaining about our lives and circumstances? 

Pastor Patrick

Know Peace - Phillipians 4:10-14

Are you at peace? No matter what your life situation is, are you content? Several times as we have been studying Phillipians, Paul has instructed us to follow his example as he follows Christ. This dude knew exactly who he was as a person.. Regardless of his circumstances he was at peace. Why? Because he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength.. When we are not at peace with our lives it points to self reliance and not Spirit led. Remove yourself from the equation and Walk in the Spirit. 

Pastor Patrick

Stay Hungry - Phillipians 4:8-9

People tell me how hard it is to stay focused on the Lord. This is a heart condition. You love yourself more then you love Jesus. And, I can guarantee you that if you don't get alone with God in that secret place everyday you will never know Him. If your married try not talking to your wife for two weeks. Haha, good luck!

Pastor Patrick

Your Choice - Phillipians 4:1-7

Oh to be happy and joyfull. It so special to have a peace and joy that only comes from knowing Jesus. If you do not have it, you can get it. Make a decision today to  be happy with life in Jesus. Even when disappointment or frustration rear their ugly heads, choose to put it in an eternal perspective and be happy knowing that in some way God is using this THING you are dealing with to draw you closer to him. Or you can go about your time here on earth worshiping the gods you have created and be bummed out all the time, living in defeat. Your choice!

Pastor Patrick

A Doctrine of Truth - Phillipians 3:17-21

Today with it being so easy to comunicate and spread your message, we must be very careful not be swept away in our faith with every different doctrine you hear. You should know what you believe and be able to defend it with power and conviction. We are warned in Phillipians that there are false teachers who only care about the things of this world. Hmm, remind you of anyone? Reminds me to follow the word and its balanced doctrinal stance. 

Pastor Patrick