What Goes Around

Far too many times I’ve heard the phrase, what goes around comes around. It is a way of saying if you do something negative, it’s going to come back against you. Ironically, I’ve never heard anyone say that specific phrase about someone doing good. 

The book of Obadiah, though the shortest in the Old Testament, packs a strong corroboration of “what goes around comes around.” He prophecies against Edom for their arrogance against Judah when Judah was taken over by another kingdom. 

This is significant because of all the countries that should have helped the Israelites, Edom should have been at the top of the list. Why? Because Edom is named for Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. God gave Jacob the name Israel, which is where we get the name Israelite. 

In this life, you never know where the source of your trouble will originate. However, in Christ you will always know the origin of the source of your help. Treat others well, trust God, and live a life that brings honor to Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Obadiah 3-4

3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ 4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.

Today’s Reading:

Obadiah

The Valley of Decision

This passage is one about which I encourage you to seek more understanding. The valley of decision is not our decision, it is God’s decision. It is His place of judgement. 

What is your status in Christ? Are you certain of your salvation? The Bible teaches that we can be sure of our place in Christ. If you are not sure, please seek God first and ask Him to place a mature Christian in your life with whom you can talk and grow in Christ. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Joel 3:14

14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

Today’s Reading:

Joel 3

Done Too Much?

A concern many “wannabe” believers have is that they’ve done too much wrong for God to forgive them and accept them. This belief is a lie. It is a conspiracy between their flesh and the enemy. The Bible teaches us that no one is too far from God’s forgiveness. 

Notice the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15. Jesus says the son went to a far away country. When the son comes to his senses and returns home, Jesus says, while he was still far away, the father ran to his son.

I believe from the day the son left, the father kept watch for the son. He was hoping and praying his son would return. This parable is a picture of God the Father and how He feels about us. 

With a love like that, you can never do too much to be forgiven. Humble yourself, pray, seek God’s face and turn from your bad ways. God will hear from heaven and heal (your heart). (2 Chr 7:14). Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Joel 2:13-14

13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14 Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.

Today’s Reading:

Joel 2

Hope

As you read this first chapter of Joel I pray you see what I see. With all the bad things happening, the people are placing their hope in God. Or at least that is what Joel is writing for them to do. 

When life seems to be overwhelming, put your hope in God. Trust Him to carry you through. Continue to read your Bible daily, pray daily, and seek the company of mature Christians. 

God is faithful. You don’t know what He’s doing but He does. Trust Him. Hope in Him. You got this. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Joel 1:13-14

13 Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. 14 Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly.
Summon the elders and all who live in the land
to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.

Today’s Reading:

Joel 1

A Timely Reminder

The book of Hosea is a lesson we should learn about the consequences of not putting God first in our lives. For some reason, American Christians have convinced themselves that disobeying God is okay as long as “He knows your heart.” That “theology” is not Biblical. 

The Bible says that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, and God does know that heart. Do not deceive yourselves. Living for God means living ONLY for Him. He will not share the throne of your life with anyone nor anything. He will leave that throne, and you do not want that. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 14:9

9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 14

Never Ending Battle

As a mature Christian, you know that the battle never ends. Every day I am faced with thoughts and opportunities to say or do the wrong thing. Sometimes I falter. This is why it is necessary to pray daily, read your Bible daily, and be surrounded by other mature Christians. 

No one is exempt from temptation. No one is exempt from the trials of this world. If you think you’re the only person facing what you’re facing, then the enemy has you in a choke hold. You better find someone to open up to fast. Otherwise you’re going down. At that point the only question is, “who are you taking down with you.”

Having a mature faith means understanding we all face trials daily, yet pushing through AND helping others do the same. Who can you support? Make sure they know you’re here for them. 

For the record: I’m here for you. Call or text me. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 13:1-3

13 When Ephraim spoke, people trembled; he was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty of Baal worship and died. 2 Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver,
cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of these people, “They offer human sacrifices! They kiss calf-idols!” 3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 13

Who Is God, Really

Do you believe in God? Who is the God you believe in? How does your belief in God shape what you do?

These are the questions many “American Christians” refuse to ponder. We think that if we say we believe in God that’s enough. James writes, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” What does that mean?

He’s saying that believing that God exists is not enough. Our lives must reflect that belief. We do that by faithfully following His commands. Jesus gave us the ultimate commands when He said, love God and love people. Paul gives us the definition of this love in 1 Corinthians 13.

If you follow the command to agape (sacrificial love for others) you will show your true belief in God. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 12:9-10

9 “I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed festivals. 10 I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.”

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 12

Why I Read The Bible

I have read the Bible cover to cover multiple times, yet I always find something “new” when I dig into scripture. This morning was no different. 

As you read verse one of this chapter, you may be reminded that God called Israel out of Egypt and the harsh bondage that they endured. It was not always that way. When Israel moved his family to Egypt, it was to save his and his family’s life. 

Eventually, God calls Israel out of Egypt to fulfill His plan of freeing them and using them to restore His creation to Himself. 

In Matthew 2, we read this same passage quoted, but this time it is Jesus who is the “Son” being called out of Egypt. Why? To free His creation from the “bondage” of sin. This makes Hosea 11:1 both a historical fact and a prophecy! I love God!

There are so many parallel stories in the Bible that we could live an infinite number of lifetimes and still not learn them all. And that is why I read my Bible daily. I think you should too! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 11:1

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 11

One More Chance

In the midst of God telling Israel about what He will do to them because of their wickedness, He lets them know that there’s a way out. They need to turn to righteousness. How good is that?

Look at your life. Where wrong exists, turn from it and sow righteousness. If God promised restoration to Israel for turning, He will also give it to you. He actually already has through Jesus Christ. Have you received Him? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 10:12

12 Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 10

False gods

This passage is clear in identifying how Israel pursued false gods, idols. As you look at your life, do you have false gods, idols that you pursue ahead of Christ. 

It’s easy to say “of course not, I love God above all else.” But when you allow God to search your heart, you are likely to find areas that you have unwittingly placed above God. When you find those things, cast it out of your life either forever or until it can take its rightful place behind God. 

Nothing is so important that it should have a higher priority in your life than God. You’re asking for trouble. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 9:1-4

9 Do not rejoice, Israel; do not be jubilant like the other nations. For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor. 2 Threshing floors and winepresses will not feed the people; the new wine will fail them. 3 They will not remain in the Lord’s land; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria. 4 They will not pour out wine offerings to the Lord, nor will their sacrifices please him. Such sacrifices will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat them will be unclean. This food will be for themselves; it will not come into the temple of the Lord.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 9

He Has Risen

On this Resurrection Sunday, many people will say to one another, “He is risen.” It is similar to the response the Angel gave to Mary Magdalene and the other women who went to complete the preparations at Jesus’ tomb. 

When they realized Jesus had risen, at once they carried the first gospel message to the disciples. This is important because if Jesus truly had not risen, the disciples would not have “used” women to share this Good News. Why? Because in that society, women were viewed as lesser than. Their word would not have held water. 

The precursor of Jesus using a woman to share the Good News is found in John 4 when Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman who then spreads the Good News to her town. Everyone came out to see Jesus for themselves, based on the testimony of a promiscuous woman. Let that marinate. 

God will use the least likely people to share His Good News. He does this because it requires us to have faith. The writer of Hebrews teaches us that “Without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6)

As you see your friends and family at church today, let your heart for Christ impact them. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you to share the Good News. It is likely the only chance you will get this year. Don’t waste it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Luke 24:4-8

4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 8

Too Much Freedom

These days I’ve noticed that in America we have combined our freedom in Christ with our Constitutional freedoms. We take scripture from the Bible and use it out of context to suit our needs. We exclude people from our church or small groups because they’re not “Christian material.” We overlook the poor because “they’re really not bad off, they’re scamming us.” And so many other reasons that I will not list right now. 

We need to heed this passage. God is watching and He knows our motives. Is Christ your focus? Is serving Him by serving His people your purpose? When you do a life inventory each night, are you able to say, I am living for God without needing to rationalize your actions for the day? 

Your answers to these questions are important. A life in Christ means sharing Him with others. How many people do you encounter each day that are destined for hell with no one seeking to share the Good News with them? If you say zero, you’re lying to yourself. 

Ask God to open your eyes so you can share Him with this fallen world. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 7:13

13 Woe to them, because they have strayed from me!
Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 7

God Will Forgive Me

In 2000 I was stationed in Seoul, South Korea. One Monday morning I was talking to a brother in Christ. He told me that he had willfully sinned over the weekend. He said, “I knew God would forgive me.” 

I told him to never do that again. Willful disobedience is more dangerous than we imagine. Look at the story of Achan found in Joshua 7. Notice the ramifications his sin had. They reached far beyond himself. 

I shared Joshua 7 with my friend in 2000. If you ever forget the story of Achan, use this morning’s passage as a reminder. God wants us to be obedient, more than He wants our sacrifices. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 6:6

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 6

Made For This

This morning in the Our Daily Bread devotional that I read I came across this passage. It reminded me that we are all created for works that God has prepared for us in advance. 

What does that mean? It means while you’re complaining about the “unfair” life you’re living, you could easily be hindering the very reason you were created. 

In John 12, Jesus is explaining why it was necessary for Him to die. He understood what we must grasp, God’s plan is for the salvation of man. Without it, we are destined for eternal separation from God. He doesn’t want that and neither should you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 12:27

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.”

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 5

Is This Us

As I read this passage, I could not help but think of the state of America. I see the division that exists in our country and think how can we believe we are a Christian nation amidst such division. Recently someone said there are over three hundred churches in the city or county where I live. The impact of churches in this area is minimal. We are a nation who claims to love Christ, yet our churches typically have no impact or a negative impact on society. 

Notice how God treated the Israelites’ disobedience. It begs the question, why do we believe we will not be held accountable for our disobedience as a nation and as an individual. We cannot find an occurrence in the Bible where acts of disobedience went unpunished. Adam was cast out of Eden, Moses could not enter the Promise Land, David’s son died as an infant, and many more people in the Bible held accountable for their disobedience. 


I encourage you, spend quiet time with God. Ask Him to search your heart to find areas in your life in which you are disobedient. Then ask Him to give you the strength to change. 

Repent and seek God. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 4:1-2

Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.”

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 4

Purchased By God

This passage is a reminder of the cost of disobedience. Hosea is paying a price to have his wife returned to himself. Let that marinate. Gomer is Hosea’s wife, yet her actions have caused Hosea to pay a price to have her returned to a right relationship with him. 

Can you see the symbolism? When you are willfully disobedient, it’s like you’re slapping God in the face. You know better but won’t do better. You would never want your family and friends to treat you that way. Don’t treat God that way. Do the right thing and be an example that leads others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 3:2-3

2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley.3 Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 3

Who Helps You

As a parent, it can be tough to hear your children say, “You never help me!” It seems like all your efforts go unnoticed by the people you love more than life. 

Reading this passage brought that thought to my mind. The book of Hosea will put our disobedience front and center in our lives. The question we must answer is will we make the changes in our lives to honor God and forsake our own desires. Well, will you? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 2:8

8 She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold—which they used for Baal.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 2

Pay Attention

The book of Hosea gives us a glimpse of how God “felt” about Israel’s disobedience towards Him. Hosea’s marriage to Gomer is a metaphor of the relationship between God and Israel. No matter how faithful God is, Israel continued to seek the “comfort” of other gods. 

Although it may be difficult, take a look at your life. Have you placed other gods before God? Be honest, without rationalizing. If you have, destroy the “alter” you have built and return to Him. His love endures forever and His forgiveness is long. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hosea 1:2-3

2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

Today’s Reading:

Hosea 1

End Times Prophecy

When I was a kid, there were several movies about the end of times. As I grew, I saw more and more of these type movies. Each one giving its interpretation of what the end of this age will be like. 

Today, I never worry about that. It is irrelevant what the end of times will look like if you have placed your trust in Christ and live for Him by obeying all He commands. You may have to endure hardship but so what. Jesus did it. If He did, we have to do it if we are faced with it. 

What are your thoughts on end times prophecy? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Daniel 12:8

8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 12

Trust In The Lord

Recently my “life verse” is in several things I’m reading or hearing. If you know me well, then you know I speak Proverbs 3:5-6 over my life in the most difficult circumstances. 

I want to encourage you to lean on the Word of God. When Jesus was tempted, He leaned on the Word. When Jesus identified Himself to the people in the Synagogue, He leaned on the Word. When He was on the cross, He leaned on the Word. 

If Jesus Christ spoke the Word over His life, that’s what we should do. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Today’s Reading:

Daniel 11