I will be posting the individual sections of Hosea: The Now Prophet on my blog until the entire section of

HOSEA: THE NOW PROPHET—

 COMMENTS ON THE BOOK OF HOSEA

 Part 1--General Historical Background

 has been presented.

PROLOGUE

“Teach us about the ancient prophets.”

Our home group asked me to teach them about the book of Hosea a couple of years ago. I was happy to do so. For several months, I presented a short lesson about Hosea in each of our meetings. This time was an emotional challenge for me. Preparing and teaching this study struck me hard in two ways. First, the strong emotions Hosea and God expressed throughout the story struck me hard. Second, the political, cultural, and spiritual parallels between Hosea’s day and our own struck me hard.

I believe God has much to teach us through the ancient book of Hosea. Therefore, I organized my notes, prayed over the editing of my comments, and published the results. May they bless you greatly; may you understand why I na...

The need strikes me for balance in the structure and operation of the Ekklesia of God.  God’s Ekklesia is Christ's universal, eternal body, which has had and will have many parts [with different functions] throughout the ages.

Every local body [the local church] is a unique part of that body. Each body must have its own unique vision—or it is an aberration, having no eternal impact.  A church without a vision is, essentially, purposeless.

However, each local body is similar to other local bodies in one way: Individuals in these local bodies need to learn to love unselfishly and develop the discipline to become true disciples of Jesus. This is done through a person's fellowshipping within that local body, hearing the Word of God expounded, and volunteering [or ministering] in that local body.   

However, if the pastoral team only looks for new sheep and fails to feed the older sheep or help sheep develop their own gifts and ministries [in or out of the local church], that team has fa...

There will be no romantic dinner tonight.

There will be no balloons.

Nor will there be candles, jewelry, or a romantic movie. Instead, my spouse will be spending the evening elsewhere, and I am proud he is.

For many valentines, my husband was working in the hospital. Sometimes I could join him for a quick dinner in the doctor’s lounge. Other times, he didn’t even have time to eat. This year, he will be helping someone we know who has an immediate need.

But when I think of my husband, I think of what Jesus said,

“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you [John 15:12-14, WEB].

My husband understands what love is. Love is being kind, generous, caring, helpful, understanding, and unselfish. As 1 Corinthians 13 says,

Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t se...