“When Israel was only a child, I loved him. I called out, ‘My son!’—called him out of Egypt. But when others called him, he ran off and left me. He worshiped the popular sex gods, he played at religion with toy gods. Still, I stuck with him. I led Ephraim. I rescued him from human bondage, But he never acknowledged my help, never admitted that I was the one pulling his wagon, That I lifted him, like a baby, to my cheek, that I bent down to feed him. Now he wants to go back to Egypt or go over to Assyria— anything but return to me! That’s why his cities are unsafe—the murder rate skyrockets and every plan to improve things falls to pieces. My people are hell-bent on leaving me. They pray to god Baal for help. He doesn’t lift a finger to help them. But how can I give up on you, Ephraim? How can I turn you loose, Israel? How can I leave you to be ruined like Admah, devastated like luckless Zeboim? I can’t bear to even think such thoughts. My insides churn in protest. And so I’m not going to act on my anger. I’m not going to destroy Ephraim. And why? Because I am God and not a human. I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst.
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3 Days
This devotional reading plan connects timeless works of art with Scripture to explore themes of longing, redemption, and divine love. Through daily reflections on art and passages like 2 Corinthians 5 and Luke 15, participants are encouraged to deepen their spiritual understanding of God’s promises and presence. By examining art’s portrayal of human experience alongside the Bible’s truths, the plan invites readers to consider their yearnings and find fulfillment in God’s eternal design and compassionate heart.
13 Days
God used Hosea to powerfully communicate His anguish towards the nation of Israel due to their continued idol worship. Hosea’s life and ministry show both the heart-breaking cost of idolatry as well as the lengths to which God will go to redeem His sinful people back to Him. This book reminds us that despite our sinful idolatry, God is always faithful.
14 Days
We often associate the word stewardship with money. While it’s true that we’re called to be good stewards of our finances, stewardship certainly doesn’t end with our bank accounts. In this plan, you’ll be challenged to consider the connection between stewardship and commitment, and you’ll be inspired to elevate your relationship with God to the top of your priority list. Each day’s reading includes a brief Scripture passage and relevant devotional.
This prophet Hosea ministered during one of the most difficult times in Israel's history. The midst of the struggles, God called Hosea to speak wisdom to his people. So, what did Hosea tell them? And what can we learn from his wisdom today?
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