An American Missionary

If turkeys could talk?! This Thanksgiving was a cornucopia of turkey cartoons. Every day on FB was filled with new cartoons of turkeys pondering the meaning of the multiple dinner invitations they received or FB friend requests from farmers. Others had one turkey aware of the problem and seeking to divert attention to a clueless pen mate. Some brought a chuckle, but others made me laugh out loud. It was fun for everyone. Except for real turkeys who were “invited” to dinner. 
 
Now don’t think I’m going vegan or even vegetarian here. Turkeys were made to be eaten, either by us or a wild animal, or by the earth itself. So I have no sentimental attachment to Ol’ Tom. No, this is about the not so funny reality of the many clueless people who don’t know who Thanksgiving is for – God. The Pilgrims who began the festival centuries ago knew, but many today do not. Of course this isn’t a new thing today. For millennia people who should know and thank God for His blessings didn’t. Know or thank Him, that is. 
 
As noted in our previous Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary post Israel had turned away from Yahweh to worship idols, but didn’t understand why their life had become so short and pointless. God’s answer was simple, “there is no savior besides Me”, and they were looking for another (Hosea 13:1-4). In other words, they were clueless. 
 
“I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore they forgot Me.” Hosea 13:5-6 
 
He continued explaining how their clueless behavior was going to lead to them being consumed by Him. 
 
“So I will be like a lion to them; like a leopard I will lie in wait by the wayside. I will encounter them like a bear robbed of her cubs, and I will tear open their chests; there I will also devour them like a lioness, as a wild beast would tear them.” Hosea 13:7-8 
 
Finally Hosea notes their destruction is because of their rejection of God as their helper. 
 
“It is your destruction, O Israel, that you are against Me, against your help.” Hosea 13:9 
 
If we’re living fat, dumb, and happy rejoicing in our prosperity as if we deserved it because we’re so great then we’re as clueless as a pen raised turkey. And we will end up some place worse than any dinner table. If turkeys could talk they would warn us – sort of like Hosea has been doing.

If turkeys could talk?! This Thanksgiving was a cornucopia of turkey cartoons. Every day on FB was filled with new cartoons of turkeys pondering the meaning of the multiple dinner invitations they received or FB friend requests from farmers. Others had one turkey aware of the problem and seeking to divert attention to a clueless pen mate. Some brought a chuckle, but others made me laugh out loud. It was fun for everyone. Except for real turkeys who were “invited” to dinner.

Now don’t think I’m going vegan or even vegetarian here. Turkeys were made to be eaten, either by us or a wild animal, or by the earth itself. So I have no sentimental attachment to Ol’ Tom. No, this is about the not so funny reality of the many clueless people who don’t know who Thanksgiving is for – God. The Pilgrims who began the festival centuries ago knew, but many today do not. Of course this isn’t a new thing today. For millennia people who should know and thank God for His blessings didn’t. Know or thank Hi

Like A Turkey: Fat, Dumb, Happy, Dead! Hosea 13:5-9

“No, I didn’t get into the cookie jar.” So said every kid caught with his hand in the jar and crumbs all over his face. It’s so cute when it happens that parents hate to break it to the little one that he was busted. The evidence is clear and his punishment is even worse for telling a lie. Unless of course it is total defiance and a refusal to do what mommy or daddy said. Then the little rascal is in big trouble. 
 
One of the things learned from politicians and business leaders in the modern media age is their parents didn’t discipline them enough when they lied about getting into the cookie jar. Now they go on TV and boldly deny they did what their evil opponents claim they did. “Evidence, shmevidence. Who cares what the video or audio reveals, it’s not what you think it is.” And, depending on their party affiliation, their associated news media will join in and attack the accusers as liars and hypocrites. Celebrities, and politicians who achieve celebrity status, are in a different category and admitting the indiscretion only strengthens their hold on favorable public opinion. 
 
Of course the only reason that matters to An American Missionary is how Christians (genuine or otherwise) will lie like a dog on a rug about their sins, regardless of the evidence. Again celebrity Christians (?) are in a different category and can turn their indiscretions into a redemption story with a repentance performance worthy of an Oscar. The rest of us usually get in a lot of trouble, especially if we’re affiliated with a religious group that actually cares about honoring God. 
 
After offering Israel one more opportunity to repent and return to Him, the Lord was rewarded with a “No, that’s not my hand in the cookie jar” performance. However, being God meant He knew the truth and wasn’t fooled by the claims. 
 
“And Ephraim said, ‘Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they will find in me no iniquity, which would be sin.” Hosea 12:8 
 
Verses 9-10 & 12-13 remind Israel that He is the one who sent prophets time after time to confront them for their sin, and to rescue them from the consequences time after time. Then God answered their lie with the truth. 
 
“Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, yes, their altars are like the stone heaps beside the furrows of the field.” Hosea 12:11 
 
He concludes this section with a declaration of their punishment. 
 
“Ephraim has provoked to bitter anger; so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and bring back his reproach to him.” Hosea 12:14 
 
So, the next time little Johnny lies and defies – blister his little bottom. Teach him that God requires us to stop sinning and stop compounding our sin by lying about it. Oh, and if you’re the one with your hand in the cookie jar, don’t lie and deny! Make it right with God and man, or the Lord will destroy your soul in hell.

“No, I didn’t get into the cookie jar.” So said every kid caught with his hand in the jar and crumbs all over his face. It’s so cute when it happens that parents hate to break it to the little one that he was busted. The evidence is clear and his punishment is even worse for telling a lie. Unless of course it is total defiance and a refusal to do what mommy or daddy said. Then the little rascal is in big trouble.

One of the things learned from politicians and business leaders in the modern media age is their parents didn’t discipline them enough when they lied about getting into the cookie jar. Now they go on TV and boldly deny they did what their evil opponents claim they did. “Evidence, shmevidence. Who cares what the video or audio reveals, it’s not what you think it is.” And, depending on their party affiliation, their associated news media will join in and attack the accusers as liars and hypocrites. Celebrities, and politicians who achieve celebrity status, are in a different ca

Israel Lied And Defied! Hosea 12:7-14

“All my bags are packed I'm ready to go” 
“So kiss me and smile for me 
Tell me that you'll wait for me 
Hold me like you'll never let me go 
'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane 
Don't know when I'll be back again” 
 
The opening line and chorus of John Denver’s song, Leaving on a Jet Plane, (made famous by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1967) was born from the personal pain of constantly moving as the son of a career military father. It then grew into an anthem for the endless travels of an entertainer, before ending with a plea to his wife to wait for him to come home, despite his letting the loneliness of the road lead to drugs, alcohol, and adultery. She didn’t. 
 
It could also be an anthem for Israel’s relationship to God, especially as described in Hosea 11:1-7. This section begins with a reminder of God’s love for Israel as shown by His calling them out of Egypt. 
 
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” Hosea 11:1 
 
This was a reference to God’s fulfillment of His promise to make a great nation from Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:2). Under Abraham’s grandson, Israel (Jacob) went to Egypt as a small tribe of 70 people only to be called out of Egypt hundreds of years later as a nation of millions (Genesis 45; Exodus 3). Though all nations belonged to God, this nation was elevated to premier status as His firstborn son. 
 
But, since Israel’s bags were packed and he was ready to go, he developed a wandering eye and refused to stay home with the Lord. 
 
“The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.” Hosea 11:1-4 
 
Foolishly assuming the Lord would wait for him and continue to support him, Israel was soon to learn God didn’t wait forever either. 
 
“They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels. My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all.” Hosea 11:5-7 
 
God’s Son Jesus heard His call and answered (Matthew 2:15) and calls you to come with Him. He’s waiting patiently, but your time is running out. Will you answer His call and then unpack to stay with Him forever? Please do!

“All my bags are packed I'm ready to go”
“So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again”

The opening line and chorus of John Denver’s song, Leaving on a Jet Plane, (made famous by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1967) was born from the personal pain of constantly moving as the son of a career military father. It then grew into an anthem for the endless travels of an entertainer, before ending with a plea to his wife to wait for him to come home, despite his letting the loneliness of the road lead to drugs, alcohol, and adultery. She didn’t.

It could also be an anthem for Israel’s relationship to God, especially as described in Hosea 11:1-7. This section begins with a reminder of God’s love for Israel as shown by His calling them out of Egypt.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” Hosea 11:1

This was a reference to God’s fulfillment of Hi

Answering God’s Call! Hosea 11:1-7

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is only nine years old, but is already showing up on 3rd and 4th level movie channels as our culture moves on from the bleak dystopian view portrayed in the book and movie series. But has the fire of revolution gone out in the heart of the Millennials and Generation Z? No, it has been absorbed into the greater culture at large and is waiting for the right sparks to fan the flames again. The real question is will those flames bring something constructive and prevent the feared dystopian future, or just create chaos that brings it instead. After all, the heart burning for revolution seldom thinks about the lives it destroys along the way, or how the end is seldom what they envisioned. Especially if they’re willing to consider violence as a tool for social change. 
 
Yesterday’s Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary saw how the Israelite’s of Hosea’s day did not consider in their heart where their sin was taking them (Hosea 7:1-2). They foolishly believed God either did not know or care about what they did, or, worse, thought He was pleased with them since their prosperity and privilege continued to flourish. They did not care about the people they harmed to maintain their prosperity, or think it possible their fall into destruction was just around the corner. 
 
Beginning in verse 3, Hosea describes Israel as an oven in which the fire has been started and is burning on its own. Like the revolution in The Hunger Games their sin has become a fire that burns without thought because no one thinks about the ultimate result of what they are doing. 
 
“With their wickedness they make the king glad, and the princes with their lies. They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by the baker who ceases to stir the fire from the kneading of the dough until it is leavened. On the day of our king, the princes become sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers, for their hearts are like an oven as they approach their plotting; their anger smolders all night, in the morning it burns like a flaming fire. All of them are hot like an oven, and they consume their ruler; all their kings have fallen. None of them calls on Me.” Hosea 7:3-7 
 
While the passion for causes found in Millennials and Generation Z can be encouraging, and catching, we must seek to lead it in the right direction – toward God. Otherwise it just consumes lives. My generation (I’m a Baby Boomer) must not ignore their passion and fire, or try to put it out. Rather we need to harness it for the cause of Christ, and take it into our own heart even. But we must make sure we use God’s word as the oven controls so it doesn’t explode into a destructive force. We must not be like Israel who failed to call on God. His word tells us what to do with the fire burning in our hearts. The question is, will we listen?

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is only nine years old, but is already showing up on 3rd and 4th level movie channels as our culture moves on from the bleak dystopian view portrayed in the book and movie series. But has the fire of revolution gone out in the heart of the Millennials and Generation Z? No, it has been absorbed into the greater culture at large and is waiting for the right sparks to fan the flames again. The real question is will those flames bring something constructive and prevent the feared dystopian future, or just create chaos that brings it instead. After all, the heart burning for revolution seldom thinks about the lives it destroys along the way, or how the end is seldom what they envisioned. Especially if they’re willing to consider violence as a tool for social change.

Yesterday’s Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary saw how the Israelite’s of Hosea’s day did not consider in their heart where their sin was taking them (Hosea 7:1-2). They foo

Hot Like An Oven – But Not For God! Hosea 7:3-7

40 years of secrets and lies. 40 years of unresolved hatred and bitterness. A recent British TV crime drama brought all of that to the surface in the process of solving a murder in a dying English village. Family’s had been divided by coal mine strikes in the 1980’s and lived with hatred and contempt for each other until one of their children murdered one of them and everyone thought it was directly connected to events from 40 years earlier. In the end the only connection was the murderer had grown up twisted by the hatred permeating the town. It wasn’t the 40 year old events themselves, but how they all lived in the aftermath that led to the murder. Some came to grips with their own complicity, but others couldn’t face their own culpability for perpetuating hate for 40 years. Sadly the story was based on actual events in a real English village. 
 
What happens when centuries of secrets and lies are exposed in a nation? Hosea tells us what happens from God’s perspective. As our previous studies have worked through the text we’ve seen their sin exposed and condemned in the most graphic terms possible. God isn’t nearly as prudish as we are when it comes to exposing and discussing sin, especially the real and figurative adultery committed in the pursuit of idolatry. It wasn’t hidden because the people practiced literal sex to prompt God’s blessings, so God exposed it and them to the world through Hosea. 
 
Even when He tried to bring them back into fellowship with Him by offering healing and restoration it wouldn’t work because the depth of their corruption was revealed. 
 
“When I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, and the evil deeds of Samaria, for they deal falsely: the thief enters in, Bandits raid outside, and they do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.” Hosea 7:1-2 
 
For generations the people of Israel had lived in sin to the point where it was so common they considered it normal. They thought God didn’t know or care, but He did and the time of healing was coming to an end. 
 
Are we like Israel here in America? Not that this nation was ever God’s chosen people like Israel, or ever righteous in His sight. If you think so, then you have not considered in your heart what it takes to be God’s chosen people or to be right in His sight. And that’s the question, have we lived in our sins so long that we think God doesn’t know or care? Consider this in your heart – God knows and cares and it could be that our opportunity for healing and restoration is coming to an end.

40 years of secrets and lies. 40 years of unresolved hatred and bitterness. A recent British TV crime drama brought all of that to the surface in the process of solving a murder in a dying English village. Family’s had been divided by coal mine strikes in the 1980’s and lived with hatred and contempt for each other until one of their children murdered one of them and everyone thought it was directly connected to events from 40 years earlier. In the end the only connection was the murderer had grown up twisted by the hatred permeating the town. It wasn’t the 40 year old events themselves, but how they all lived in the aftermath that led to the murder. Some came to grips with their own complicity, but others couldn’t face their own culpability for perpetuating hate for 40 years. Sadly the story was based on actual events in a real English village.

What happens when centuries of secrets and lies are exposed in a nation? Hosea tells us what happens from God’s perspective. As our previous 

Israel Didn’t Consider Sin In It’s Heart! Hosea 7:1-2

Four more days until chaos erupts or America becomes a fascist dictatorship. At least those are the primary headlines in the little bit of political news I allowed myself when the yard signs made it clear another election is here. Don’t worry we will get the leaders we’ve asked for and deserve. Of course that doesn’t necessarily mean the ones you’ve been praying for or necessarily deserve. However, since America is definitely an unchristian and ungodly nation we will get those kinds of leaders. Even if they’re the ones you voted for. Seriously, what do you expect from the political realm??? 
 
David, the man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), was the sweet singer of Israel because he spoke honestly about his feelings in the songs that he wrote. He also spoke “truth to power” by condemning sin and asking God to judge sinners according to their deeds (Psalm 28:1-4 – see our Oct 1 & 2, 2022 posts). Because of the upcoming election (and it is Saturday) today’s Saturday’s in the Psalms edition of Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary returns to Psalm 28 to remind us why we will get the leaders we deserve, even if they’re the ones we wanted. They are politicians who, with few exceptions, will bow their knee to the will of the people (or at least those with the power and money to influence them) instead of God. 
 
David describes “the people” for us. 
 
“Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up.” Psalm 28:5 
 
Listen to your fellow citizens. Watch how they live. David was right. Even the religious among us “do not regard the works of the LORD”! Like the Pharisees and Sadducees who confronted the Lord Jesus Christ they are greatly religious, but instead of following the will of God they have accepted the traditions of man. Over and over Jesus fought the leaders for the souls of the people telling them to “beware the leaven of the Pharisees” (Luke 12:1). In the end “the people” stood with their leaders and cried, “Crucify Him!”(Mark 15:13-14) 
 
Jesus knew this, which is why He quoted Isaiah and said: “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:6-8) 
 
That battle continues today as multitudes of religious leaders teach religious people to defy the will of God by refusing to be baptized for the remission of sins despite God’s direct command (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). That’s why the people we elect won’t save us – only the Lord can do that. And since we don’t “regard His works” why expect Him to build us up! Thankfully, He is waiting to save sinners who will regard Him. Is that you?

Four more days until chaos erupts or America becomes a fascist dictatorship. At least those are the primary headlines in the little bit of political news I allowed myself when the yard signs made it clear another election is here. Don’t worry we will get the leaders we’ve asked for and deserve. Of course that doesn’t necessarily mean the ones you’ve been praying for or necessarily deserve. However, since America is definitely an unchristian and ungodly nation we will get those kinds of leaders. Even if they’re the ones you voted for. Seriously, what do you expect from the political realm???

David, the man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), was the sweet singer of Israel because he spoke honestly about his feelings in the songs that he wrote. He also spoke “truth to power” by condemning sin and asking God to judge sinners according to their deeds (Psalm 28:1-4 – see our Oct 1 & 2, 2022 posts). Because of the upcoming election (and it is Saturday) today’s Saturday’s in the Psalms editi

Getting What “The People” Deserve! Psalm 28:5

Halloween Ends makes me shudder. Not that I actually watched the movie, just the commercials are enough to give me the creeps, but that they were able to continue the series past the original Halloween movie from 44 years ago. And, apparently, draw a large audience to watch it. Despite being a movie watcher, I’ve never watched those because I’m just not a fan of slasher movies. In part because they’re usually IFC (inappropriate for Christians), but mostly because I just don’t enjoy that genre. 
 
However, I have no moral high ground to stand on having watched way too many IFC movies and TV shows that were filled with violence and death. Beginning with Bonanza and Gunsmoke as a kid! To this day I contend that Marshall Dillon should be infamous as the most prolific serial killer in American History (do the math 200+ episodes). 
 
This edition of Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary returns to Hosea where we find God commenting on something that made Him shudder. After rejecting Israel’s faux repentance (Hosea 6:4) and telling them what He wanted (them – heart, soul, mind and body; Hosea 6:6), He continued explaining why they stood condemned (Hosea 6:7-11). 
 
They have “transgressed the covenant” and “dealt treacherously against Me”, said Jehovah (v7). 
 
Gilead, a city of refuge for the wrongfully accused, was filled with “evildoers” who left it “stained with bloody footprints” (v8). 
 
The religious leaders acted like raiders and a gang of robbers looking for victims to rob and murder (v9). 
 
In the house of Israel, where God should have been honored and glorified, the people “defiled themselves” with figurative and literal “harlotry” through their idolatry (v10). 
 
Most versions say of God in verse 10, “I have seen a horrible thing”, but the word translated “horrible thing” literally means to shudder or shake in dismay because of what He saw. God shook in dismay at the things He saw in the nation of Israel, a people who had no regard for God or placed any value on human life. In verse 11 God warned Judah of their appointed day of judgment too. 
 
With that in mind, does God shudder at the things we see; not just in TV shows and Movies, but in real life as well? Do we demonstrate disregard for people whose lives are impacted by sin and death, or do we shudder at what is happening around us? I shudder to think about what God thinks of the things I overlook. Or, perhaps the point is that I don’t shudder enough. Maybe we all need to shudder at the thought of what God thinks of how we treat ourselves and others because it reflects what we think of Him!

Halloween Ends makes me shudder. Not that I actually watched the movie, just the commercials are enough to give me the creeps, but that they were able to continue the series past the original Halloween movie from 44 years ago. And, apparently, draw a large audience to watch it. Despite being a movie watcher, I’ve never watched those because I’m just not a fan of slasher movies. In part because they’re usually IFC (inappropriate for Christians), but mostly because I just don’t enjoy that genre.

However, I have no moral high ground to stand on having watched way too many IFC movies and TV shows that were filled with violence and death. Beginning with Bonanza and Gunsmoke as a kid! To this day I contend that Marshall Dillon should be infamous as the most prolific serial killer in American History (do the math 200+ episodes).

This edition of Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary returns to Hosea where we find God commenting on something that made Him shudder. After rejec

Our Sin Makes God Shudder! Hosea 6:7-11

Nature has incredible healing powers, but not all “natural remedies” actually work. Everywhere we turn friends and family (and the internet) promote various “natural” and “holistic” remedies for every ailment. Some may work because the ingredients contain effective chemical compounds, others do nothing beyond soothing the patient while the body heals on its own (the placebo effect), but some can be harmful, usually slightly though sometimes quite seriously. 
 
However, since Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary isn’t a health advisory column please do your research on that topic elsewhere. But if you’re looking for information on how to obtain spiritual healing, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been working our way through the OT book of Hosea as God warns the materially prosperous but spiritually bankrupt nation of Israel that their refusal to obey Him will bring a material collapse to match their spiritual one. 
 
“They have dealt treacherously against the Lord, for they have borne illegitimate children, now the new moon will devour them with the land. Blow the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah. Sound an alarm at Beth-aven: ‘Behind you Benjamin!’ Ephraim will become a desolation in the day of rebuke; among the tribes of Israel I declare what is sure.” Hosea 5:7-9 
 
Because of their idolatry, which included both spiritual and physical adultery, their sense of safety and prosperity needed to be removed. But Israel refused to listen, “because he was determined to follow man’s command” and vainly sought healing for his wounds from “natural” sources, such as the nations around them, instead of God, not believing “there will be none to deliver…until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face” (Hosea 5:11-15). 
 
Listen carefully to Hosea 5:11 because “determined to follow man’s commands” describes most religious practices. Not just in the world’s religions that have rejected Jesus entirely, but even among many, perhaps most, who claim to follow Christ. If it wasn’t for the deadly consequence of eternal destruction, watching modern American Christianity call on Jesus for healing while rejecting His words for their own “natural remedies” found in human ideas and commands would be funny. But there’s nothing funny about rejecting God. And, unless we admit our guilt and earnestly seek God for His healing we will end up spiritually dead, too. Let’s go to God for healing, shall we?

Nature has incredible healing powers, but not all “natural remedies” actually work. Everywhere we turn friends and family (and the internet) promote various “natural” and “holistic” remedies for every ailment. Some may work because the ingredients contain effective chemical compounds, others do nothing beyond soothing the patient while the body heals on its own (the placebo effect), but some can be harmful, usually slightly though sometimes quite seriously.

However, since Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary isn’t a health advisory column please do your research on that topic elsewhere. But if you’re looking for information on how to obtain spiritual healing, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been working our way through the OT book of Hosea as God warns the materially prosperous but spiritually bankrupt nation of Israel that their refusal to obey Him will bring a material collapse to match their spiritual one.

“They have dealt treacherously against the Lord, fo

No “Natural” Remedy For Sin! Hosea 5:7-15

“Don’t confuse me with the facts” is a common attitude among modern Americans, well all humans actually, especially when the facts disagree with our beliefs and opinions. After all, to quote another phrase, “perception is reality!” Such thinking seldom ends well. 
 
If we perceive something in a way that is contrary to truth and reality and foolishly insist on holding on to our perception, our way of seeing it, we have to live with those consequences. Often they are relatively minor, such as being, and being seen by others, as ignorant and foolish. But sometimes they are deadly. Is that light red or green? If it’s red and we perceive it as green and keep going, the consequence may be terrible. 
 
The consequences of following false perceptions in religion are exponentially worse than misperceiving the color of a traffic light. Losing one’s life is terrible, losing one’s soul is infinitely worse. Yet that’s the cost of rejecting God’s truth to follow our own perceptions. 
 
Despite the occasional glimmer of restoration hope, Hosea’s message to Israel has been a long dark depressing condemnation of their sin. Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary has been looking at the book for a few days now and the words adultery, harlotry, and destruction have dominated the discussion. Mostly because the first three chapters were about Hosea’s adulterous wife who was an illustration of Israel’s literal and metaphorical adultery. 
 
Chapter 4 talked about the nation’s adultery in terms of their idolatry and chapter 5 expands on the coming judgment as God withdrawing from them. 
 
“Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them and they do not know the Lord…They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.” Hosea 5:4-6 
 
Folks, let me be blunt. American religion is filled with a spirit of harlotry. Rejecting the facts revealed in the Bible that God will not tolerate sin, whether it is false religion or immorality, many (most?) of those who call themselves Christian not only overlook it, but celebrated in their churches as evidence of their godly love for the lost. They go with their pastors, preachers, and praise bands to seek the Lord, but continue living in spiritual adultery (and often literal adultery). One day soon they will discover “He has withdrawn from them.” Let us renounce sin and return humbly to our God before it is eternally too late.

“Don’t confuse me with the facts” is a common attitude among modern Americans, well all humans actually, especially when the facts disagree with our beliefs and opinions. After all, to quote another phrase, “perception is reality!” Such thinking seldom ends well.

If we perceive something in a way that is contrary to truth and reality and foolishly insist on holding on to our perception, our way of seeing it, we have to live with those consequences. Often they are relatively minor, such as being, and being seen by others, as ignorant and foolish. But sometimes they are deadly. Is that light red or green? If it’s red and we perceive it as green and keep going, the consequence may be terrible.

The consequences of following false perceptions in religion are exponentially worse than misperceiving the color of a traffic light. Losing one’s life is terrible, losing one’s soul is infinitely worse. Yet that’s the cost of rejecting God’s truth to follow our own perceptions.

Despite the occasi

God Will Withdraw If We Won’t Repent! Hosea 5:4-6

“Money doesn’t grow on trees!” 
 
Unless you were raised by farmers who grew tree crops (oranges, apples, etc.) it’s quite likely you heard your parents (probably dad) say that at some point in life. Some new thing caught your eye and you just had to have it, but your mean ol’ parent said no, and then dropped the bomb on you – “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” Okay, go ahead and admit it. You’ve dropped the bomb on your kids too, haven’t you? It may hurt a bit, but it’s funny. 
 
However, there are times when it isn’t funny. Such as when a husband controls the purse strings in marriage and uses that line as a means of asserting control over his wife. Money should never be a means of control in a healthy marriage partnership, and any use for that purpose damages or indicates an unhealthy relationship. 
 
Sometimes, though, the relationship can become so broken that the disciplined partner must take control and cut off access to the purse strings. One such example is found in the OT book of Hosea. Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary is working through the text and we’re in a section where God must remind His unfaithful spouse (the nation of Israel) her money doesn’t grow on trees. 
 
“For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine and the oil, and lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. Therefore, I will take back My grain at harvest time and My new wine in its season. I will also take away My wool and My flax given to cover her nakedness.” Hosea 3:8-9 
 
He went on to add how cutting her off will result in the exposure of “her lewdness” and “ an end to all her gaiety, her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths and all her festal assemblies” (Hosea 3:10-11). He will do that by actually destroying the nation’s money growing trees. “I will destroy her vines and fig trees” (Hosea 3:12). 
 
Why, we ask? Simple – because they took what God provided and gave it to the false god Baal. “I will punish her for the days of the Baals” chasing after him like an illicit lover “so that she forgot Me” ( Hosea 3:13). 
 
Whether we like it or not we must admit God controls our purse strings. In His generosity we Americans are blessed beyond measure in our bounty. Are we using it for His glory, or to selfishly pursue our own lovers (that is things other than God)? Do we remember it all comes from Him? Don’t wait until He takes it away to remember “money doesn’t grow on trees” it comes from the generous hand of God.

“Money doesn’t grow on trees!”

Unless you were raised by farmers who grew tree crops (oranges, apples, etc.) it’s quite likely you heard your parents (probably dad) say that at some point in life. Some new thing caught your eye and you just had to have it, but your mean ol’ parent said no, and then dropped the bomb on you – “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” Okay, go ahead and admit it. You’ve dropped the bomb on your kids too, haven’t you? It may hurt a bit, but it’s funny.

However, there are times when it isn’t funny. Such as when a husband controls the purse strings in marriage and uses that line as a means of asserting control over his wife. Money should never be a means of control in a healthy marriage partnership, and any use for that purpose damages or indicates an unhealthy relationship.

Sometimes, though, the relationship can become so broken that the disciplined partner must take control and cut off access to the purse strings. One such example is found in the OT book of Hosea

God Cuts Off The Purse Strings! Hosea 3:8-13

“The smartest people are the ones who know that they don't know everything. People who think they know everything are fools.” 
 
On the surface, this comment by pbrown6 on a reddit post about how know-it-alls are intolerable people appears reasonable. However, it makes the mistake of assuming the opposite of a bad thing is good, probably better, or perhaps even best. Thinking we know everything is bad because it prevents learning and can make us intolerable. But recognizing that we don’t know everything doesn’t make us smart, or necessarily more pleasant. 
 
In fact it can lead to two things that are just as bad as being a know-it-all. One is a smug superiority, as demonstrated in the quote (obviously the writer was in the “smartest people” category since he recognized who were fools). Another is paralysis. The inability to make judgments and distinguish between true good and bad. This often comes out in a religious context as “I’m a sinner so I can’t judge other sinners.” Today’s Sunday’s Struggles edition of Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary builds on yesterday’s discussion of David and Psalm 28 to expose the foolishness of such thinking. 
 
Despite being an adulterer and murderer David refused to be paralyzed by his past. In his cry to God, David did not get bogged down in the mistake of refusing to judge sinners because of his own sin. He knew being a sinner is bad, which is why he repented and sought God’s forgiveness. He also knew failing or refusing to recognize sin in others is bad too, which is why he called on God to separate him from and bring judgment down upon the wicked. 
 
“Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.” Psalm 28:4 
 
Modern American religion is filled with thinkers (?) like the commenter on the reddit post. Many are stuck in paralysis. Unable to condemn sin in others because of their own sin. However, many are filled with a smug superiority, which oddly enough is revealed in snide condemnations of “old” preachers and teachers for spending too much time condemning sin and not enough talking about the grace of God. Apparently they weren’t listening because the “reliance on His grace” part was loud and clear. Obedience without graces is meaningless. But relying on God’s grace while excusing disobedience is too. Don’t be fooled by those who seem to be wise.

“The smartest people are the ones who know that they don't know everything. People who think they know everything are fools.”

On the surface, this comment by pbrown6 on a reddit post about how know-it-alls are intolerable people appears reasonable. However, it makes the mistake of assuming the opposite of a bad thing is good, probably better, or perhaps even best. Thinking we know everything is bad because it prevents learning and can make us intolerable. But recognizing that we don’t know everything doesn’t make us smart, or necessarily more pleasant.

In fact it can lead to two things that are just as bad as being a know-it-all. One is a smug superiority, as demonstrated in the quote (obviously the writer was in the “smartest people” category since he recognized who were fools). Another is paralysis. The inability to make judgments and distinguish between true good and bad. This often comes out in a religious context as “I’m a sinner so I can’t judge other sinners.” Today’s Sunday’s

Don’t Be Smug Or Paralyzed By Sin! Psalm 28:4

“My Worst Enemy” and “My Own Worst Enemy” are two raw songs about self-destruction. One comes from the New York born and raised Rap artist, Nas, and the other from the California based Punk Rock band, Lit. Both are IFC (inappropriate for Christians). Both are about their recognition of themselves as their own worst enemy. Both indicate the death of hope in a hopeless world. 
 
They indicate the death of hope for two reasons. First because they represent two vast sections of American culture. Second because they illustrate the emptiness that permeates all of modern American culture, not just the parts each artist represents. Recognizing one’s self as one’s enemy is a start, but doesn’t go far enough if all we do is wallow in our own perverse pride. Because, in reality we’re not our worst enemy. There is someone who is far worse – God! 
 
Be patient and let me explain by turning to Psalm 28 and listening to David, perhaps the most prominent artist of all time, on today’s Saturdays in the Psalms edition of Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary. Beginning in Psalm 23 David works through a series of thoughts about his approach to God. Having confessed his own sin and thrown himself on God’s mercy in Psalm 25 and expressed his determination to “wait for the Lord” in Psalm 27, David suddenly asked, “What if God doesn’t listen?” 
 
Psalm 28 is a plea for God to listen and deliver David from His wrath. Verses 1-3 express David’s desire for God to hear him and not treat him like the wicked. He didn’t want to go down into the pit of death along with those who work iniquity and hide evil in their heart. He didn’t want justice, he wanted mercy. He deserved wrath, but asked God for grace. 
 
“To You, O Lord, I call: My rock, do not be deaf to me, for if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. Do not drag me away with the wicked and those who work iniquity, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.” Psalm 28:1-3 
 
All good preaching (and I’ve heard a lot in my 62 years) calls on people to repent and obey God through faith in Him in reliance on His grace. Over and over preachers and teachers have begged people to turn to God in obedient faith in order to be rescued from His wrath. They knew God’s wrath is what we all deserve and didn’t want anyone to be dragged away with the wicked. They, like David, knew an angry God is our worst enemy. The question for you and me is simple – Do we believe it? If so we’ll do whatever He asks to avoid His wrath.

“My Worst Enemy” and “My Own Worst Enemy” are two raw songs about self-destruction. One comes from the New York born and raised Rap artist, Nas, and the other from the California based Punk Rock band, Lit. Both are IFC (inappropriate for Christians). Both are about their recognition of themselves as their own worst enemy. Both indicate the death of hope in a hopeless world.

They indicate the death of hope for two reasons. First because they represent two vast sections of American culture. Second because they illustrate the emptiness that permeates all of modern American culture, not just the parts each artist represents. Recognizing one’s self as one’s enemy is a start, but doesn’t go far enough if all we do is wallow in our own perverse pride. Because, in reality we’re not our worst enemy. There is someone who is far worse – God!

Be patient and let me explain by turning to Psalm 28 and listening to David, perhaps the most prominent artist of all time, on today’s Saturdays in the Psa

Our Worst Enemy Is An Angry God! Psalm 28:1-3

“He’s an incorrigible little imp!” 
 
How many parents have glossed over their precious child’s bad attitudes and actions with a humorous application of the word incorrigible? Except it’s not funny when “little Johnny” becomes a grown up with bad attitudes and actions. Quite often the word is then used by a judge or prosecutor sending “big Johnny” off to prison, along with the phrase, “throw away the key”! Since incorrigible means “not reformable : depraved,” and “In-capable of being set right; irreparable”, it’s not funny even when Johnny is little. 
 
When Israel had become completely incorrigible God sent Hosea to tell them He was withdrawing His mercy and they would be carried off into captivity (think prison but far worse) and God would throw away the key. He wanted their attention enough to have Hosea name his wife’s second child Lo-ruhamah, which means no mercy. This child wasn’t his because his wife was unfaithful – like Israel. God had worked diligently sending prophet after prophet to reform the nation, but they would not listen. They assumed their status as “God’s people” would cover their sin. They were wrong. 
 
Today’s Throwback Thursday edition of Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary reaches back to January 1974 for a discussion of the deadly results of covering sin. 
 
Throwing Away The Key by Dan Shipley. From PLAIN TALK Magazine. 
 
Sin is bad but covering sin is even worse. If deliberate sin is like putting oneself in jail then covering such sin is like throwing away the key. The covered sin, the one a man attempts to hide and refuses to confess, shuts one off from spiritual prosperity and divine mercy. “He that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh sin shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). There can be no trading on Gods mercy because it does not ignore sin. It is not a question of whether His mercy saves the sinner; but whether the sinner will allow it by confessing and forsaking his sins. In covering sins the sinner spurns the mercy through which forgiveness and salvation are possible. If a merciful God provides the feast, sets the table, and invites all to partake, then how can He be faulted by those who choose to starve themselves? No, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither can limitations be placed on His mercy - except by the rebellious sinner who refuses it. What sin could be more pernicious than the one a man will not acknowledge nor repent of? Little wonder God says such an one shall not prosper. 
 
But not only does the covering of sin preclude forgiveness, it easily becomes the launching-pad for yet other sins. Nothing encourages sin like sin. Lies and deceitfulness are popular camouflage for hiding evil. This in turn leads to the development of a compromising attitude toward all sin, both in self and others. The unwholesome attitude that permits one sin will soon permit another. Why? Because it involves more than one’s disposition toward a certain unlawful act; it involves his attitude toward God Himself —the One whose law is violated! When tempted by Potiphar’s wife Joseph reminds her of his obligations to his master then asks, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9) To wrong his master was bad; to wrong God was worse. How men need Joseph’s perspective of sin —and regard for God. Ungodliness (Gr. asebeia) is essentially a wrong attitude toward God, the expression of which is lawlessness (Gr. anomia) which is sin, 2 Jn. 3:4. (See Vines on ungodliness) In view of this, no sin can be considered as isolated or insignificant. (Notice carefully Jas. 2:10-11 in this connection, especially For He that said..., v.11) One just as well talk about the size of God as to make distinctions in sizes of sins for the deliberate practice of sin constitutes a rejection of Him and His law (1 Jn. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:8). It is not difficult to understand why no man can prosper while perpetuating disrespect for God in the covering of sins. 
 
Finally, and logically, the practice of covering sins has the effect of hardening the heart (Heb. 3:13). How could it be otherwise when one persists in violating a truth-trained conscience? Who could court such ungodliness without a corresponding adverse effect on the inner man? “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” (Prov. 6:27) Surely anything that can so harden a man’s heart while causing him to dishonor God and shun His mercy is a dangerous sin. It may be that the worst sin is to hide sin. 
 
Thanks for the reminder Dan. A necessary one today as many are enamored with God’s grace, and act as if they’re the first to discover it. All while claiming the regular call to obey by their fathers (preachers like Dan and Robert) turned would be believers away from the Lord. Yet never see their own inconsistency of insisting on obedience to their preferred doctrines. Don’t be “an incorrigible little imp” because God demands we accept His correction.

“He’s an incorrigible little imp!”

How many parents have glossed over their precious child’s bad attitudes and actions with a humorous application of the word incorrigible? Except it’s not funny when “little Johnny” becomes a grown up with bad attitudes and actions. Quite often the word is then used by a judge or prosecutor sending “big Johnny” off to prison, along with the phrase, “throw away the key”! Since incorrigible means “not reformable : depraved,” and “In-capable of being set right; irreparable”, it’s not funny even when Johnny is little.

When Israel had become completely incorrigible God sent Hosea to tell them He was withdrawing His mercy and they would be carried off into captivity (think prison but far worse) and God would throw away the key. He wanted their attention enough to have Hosea name his wife’s second child Lo-ruhamah, which means no mercy. This child wasn’t his because his wife was unfaithful – like Israel. God had worked diligently sending prophet after proph

Throwing Away The Key! Hosea 1:6-7

“It’s too late to evacuate.” was Governor DeSantis’ announcement early this morning (September 28, 2022) to anyone still on the coast of Charlotte County Florida. Its residents, and those of nearby coastal towns in the direct path of Hurricane Ian, who chose to stay were no longer able to leave and should not expect any mercy from the force of wind and water blowing onto shore. They will need the mercy and aid of others who must wait out the worst of the storm before swarming in to search for survivors. 
 
It’s never wise to ignore the advice of multiples of officials involved in the preparation for and cleanup afterwards of a major weather event when they tell you to “Get out while you can”, because eventually you can’t! And when you can’t leave, no amount of defiance and willpower can control a storm like Hurricane Ian. It is an unstoppable force with a “mind” of its own. It will go where it wants and do what it wants without mercy or concern for who is in its path because it isn’t sentient, and is directed by nature and nature’s laws. 
 
If being caught up in the merciless path of a non-sentient thing is frightening imagine being caught up in the merciless path of the ultimate sentient being – God? Even God, who by nature is merciful and compassionate, eventually withdraws His mercy from impenitent merciless sinners (Exodus 34:6-8). And there is no one who can stand against Him to stop it. And, if He will bring judgment on the worldly people who live in defiance of His will, imagine what He will do to His chosen people when they turn against Him in defiant disobedience! 
 
Well, we don’t have to imagine because Hosea lived it for us. When the nation of Israel, God’s redeemed people, became so entrenched in their sin and idolatry that God wasn’t going to allow them to call themselves His people any more, He told Hosea to show them what it was like to be cheated on by marrying an adulterous prostitute. Their first child was his, but the second was not. Regardless, Hosea raised the girl as if she were his daughter, despite naming her Lo-ruhamah (no mercy). God gave her that name to illustrate His decision, “for I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, that I would ever forgive them” even though He would have mercy on Judah and save them by His majestic power (Hosea 1:6-7). 
 
If we’re going to belong to God we must die to sin and this defiant disobedient world and live for Him. If we won’t do that then God’s offer of mercy will be withdrawn and we will be left to stand alone before the onslaught of a merciless world. Don’t wait until it’s too late to evacuate. Leave your old life of sin and die with Jesus in baptism for the remission of sins today. Reach out to me if I can help in any way.

“It’s too late to evacuate.” was Governor DeSantis’ announcement early this morning (September 28, 2022) to anyone still on the coast of Charlotte County Florida. Its residents, and those of nearby coastal towns in the direct path of Hurricane Ian, who chose to stay were no longer able to leave and should not expect any mercy from the force of wind and water blowing onto shore. They will need the mercy and aid of others who must wait out the worst of the storm before swarming in to search for survivors.

It’s never wise to ignore the advice of multiples of officials involved in the preparation for and cleanup afterwards of a major weather event when they tell you to “Get out while you can”, because eventually you can’t! And when you can’t leave, no amount of defiance and willpower can control a storm like Hurricane Ian. It is an unstoppable force with a “mind” of its own. It will go where it wants and do what it wants without mercy or concern for who is in its path because it isn’t sen

Life Without Mercy! Hosea 1:6-7

Julia Roberts exploded on the worldwide cinema scene with her million dollar smile as the ‘hooker with a heart of gold’ in ‘Pretty Woman’. She had already achieved some recognition for her role in ‘Steel Magnolias’, but ‘Pretty Woman’ launched her to international stardom. With a wink and a nod the fairy tale story paints over the ugly reality of prostitution and the nastiness of the business of selling one’s body for sex. But that’s not surprising since we live in a world that loves lying to itself about sin, especially sexual sin. 
 
When the Bible talks about sex there’s no effort to hide what it is; whether describing the beauty of sex within a legitimate monogamous marriage (Hebrews 13:4), or the ugliness of stolen virtue through sexual promiscuity or even prostitution (Genesis 38:14-18). Our translations of Hebrew 13:4 and talking about Judah casually having sex with a woman he thought was a prostitute reflect our own struggles with being honest about our sexuality. Sometimes it seems we try to be holier than God on the subject. We don’t have to be crude or vulgar, in fact we must not (Ephesians 5:3-4), but neither should we gloss over the reality of sex. ‘Pretty Woman’ was actually a lot of both; vulgar and glossy at the same time. 
 
Anyone who has doubts that the Bible is bluntly direct on the subject of sex has never read the book of Hosea. As we pointed out yesterday God instructed His servant, the prophet Hosea, to marry a prostitute who would be unfaithful to him as an illustration of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (Hosea 1:2). Three times in the verse God used a very strong word for the act of sexual immorality. Later he rebuked the nation for rejoicing as they played the harlot “on every threshing floor” (Hosea 9:1-2). Their harlotry was both physical and spiritual. 
 
Since God could talk about sex and sexuality in direct, even blunt, language, it’s important for us to talk about it like adults too. But that doesn’t mean we can talk dirty, or even worse, practice sexual immorality, as if God doesn’t care. But there’s something even worse than either of those. Turning our worship of God into an act of spiritual harlotry. 
 
Think carefully about the worship we offer to God. Is it pure and undefiled before God according to His will, or, driven by selfish motivations and all about what we want? Do we offer worship according to His instructions or according to our own desires. It’s easy to switch the two, especially because, like sex, we don’t want to talk about it like adults. But, even a dazzling smile doesn’t make it pretty if our worship is nothing but a pursuit of what makes us feel good.

Julia Roberts exploded on the worldwide cinema scene with her million dollar smile as the ‘hooker with a heart of gold’ in ‘Pretty Woman’. She had already achieved some recognition for her role in ‘Steel Magnolias’, but ‘Pretty Woman’ launched her to international stardom. With a wink and a nod the fairy tale story paints over the ugly reality of prostitution and the nastiness of the business of selling one’s body for sex. But that’s not surprising since we live in a world that loves lying to itself about sin, especially sexual sin.

When the Bible talks about sex there’s no effort to hide what it is; whether describing the beauty of sex within a legitimate monogamous marriage (Hebrews 13:4), or the ugliness of stolen virtue through sexual promiscuity or even prostitution (Genesis 38:14-18). Our translations of Hebrew 13:4 and talking about Judah casually having sex with a woman he thought was a prostitute reflect our own struggles with being honest about our sexuality. Sometimes it se

Spiritual Adultery In Worship? Hosea 1:2

What is your greatest fear? What is the one thing you dread more than any others? If you’re not sure then think of it like this. Is there something that keeps you up at night worrying about how to keep it from happening? Is there something that makes you willing to do anything to prevent it? Is it concerns about conflict with others, possible job or income loss, personal or family safety, or physical health, just to name a few broad categories? 
 
Okay, have you isolated your single biggest fear? Then consider the possibility you have just identified your god. If you will do anything (practically no limitations) to make people like you, then they have become your god. If you will do anything to keep your job, then it (or whatever it represents to you) is your god. The same goes for personal safety and physical health. Whichever one controls and dictates your behavior is your god. As the preacher at West End church of Christ, Erik Borlaug, recently said in a sermon, “Whatever your fear the most identifies your god.” 
 
Of course, as today’s Saturdays in the Psalms post turns to Psalm 27, we will learn the concept isn’t new to anyone today. Notice how David began this beautiful song. 
 
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” Psalm 27:1 
He went on to add: 
 
“When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.” Psalm 27:2-3 
 
What is implied in this song, though never stated explicitly, is that David’s greatest fear is separation from God. He makes it clear human enemies do not scare him. The attacks and worries of this world were not his biggest fears. Why? Well, simply this, because his God is the Lord. If this world was his biggest fear their attacks would worry him and cause him to lose trust in God. 
 
It’s the same for believers today. When our biggest fear is separation from the Lord we will do anything to please Him, including trust Him to save us from anything else that frightens us. We can handle conflicts with people, job or income losses, and threats to our body and health, because we know they are temporary and our God is eternal. Is He your God?

What is your greatest fear? What is the one thing you dread more than any others? If you’re not sure then think of it like this. Is there something that keeps you up at night worrying about how to keep it from happening? Is there something that makes you willing to do anything to prevent it? Is it concerns about conflict with others, possible job or income loss, personal or family safety, or physical health, just to name a few broad categories?

Okay, have you isolated your single biggest fear? Then consider the possibility you have just identified your god. If you will do anything (practically no limitations) to make people like you, then they have become your god. If you will do anything to keep your job, then it (or whatever it represents to you) is your god. The same goes for personal safety and physical health. Whichever one controls and dictates your behavior is your god. As the preacher at West End church of Christ, Erik Borlaug, recently said in a sermon, “Whatever your fear th

David’s Greatest Fear – Separation From God! Psalm 27:1-3

Does your God swear? At first that may sound outrageous, blasphemous even. Especially because we’re taught that swearing is bad. Well, at least we used to be taught that. Now swearing and cursing are everywhere. Some places, like schools, courts and churches, are holding out, but it won’t be long before churches will be the only place where swearing is disapproved. Well, scratch that. If society accepts it then most churches will too. 
 
But hold your horses there folks. Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary is not promoting swearing or cursing nor claiming that God does either. Yes, one definition of swear is “To use obscene or blasphemous language; curse”. But it is the third definition and comes behind, “To make a solemn declaration, invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing, in confirmation of and witness to the honesty or truth of such a declaration.” and “To make a solemn promise; vow.” 
 
Like or not, our God swears. Hebrews 6:13-18 tells us God “swore by Himself” in His promise to Abraham. Men swear (make a solemn oath) by one who is greater than themselves. Since there is no one greater than God, He accommodated man’s desire for a sure promise and swore on Himself. 
 
However, that’s not the only time God swore by Himself. We’ve been studying the OT prophetic book of Amos and find three times where God swore (made a solemn oath) that He would destroy Israel for its sin. 
 
“The Lord God has sworn by His holiness, behold the days are coming upon you when they will take you away with meat hooks, and the last of you with fish hooks.” Amos 4:2 
 
“The Lord God has sworn by Himself, the Lord God of hosts has declared: ‘I loathe the arrogance of Jacob, and detest his citadels; therefore I will deliver up the city and all it contains.’” Amos 6:8 
 
Finally, in a play on the phrase “arrogance of Jacob”, God said this: 
 
“The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob, ‘Indeed, I will never forget any of their deeds.’” Amos 8:7 
 
He then went on to expand on the coming judgment that would cause everyone to mourn when He would shake the land and hide the sun. He would turn their “festivals into mourning…songs into lamentation…bring sackcloth on everyone’s loins and baldness on every head…make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and the end of it will be like a bitter day” (Amos 8:8-10). 
 
Our culture now thinks it’s funny when children swear. It isn’t. Nor was it funny when God swore judgment on Israel. What is God swearing over us right now?

Does your God swear? At first that may sound outrageous, blasphemous even. Especially because we’re taught that swearing is bad. Well, at least we used to be taught that. Now swearing and cursing are everywhere. Some places, like schools, courts and churches, are holding out, but it won’t be long before churches will be the only place where swearing is disapproved. Well, scratch that. If society accepts it then most churches will too.

But hold your horses there folks. Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary is not promoting swearing or cursing nor claiming that God does either. Yes, one definition of swear is “To use obscene or blasphemous language; curse”. But it is the third definition and comes behind, “To make a solemn declaration, invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing, in confirmation of and witness to the honesty or truth of such a declaration.” and “To make a solemn promise; vow.”

Like or not, our God swears. Hebrews 6:13-18 tells us God “swore by Himself

When God Swore! Amos 8:7-10

“I’m bored.” For centuries “I’m bored” meant you had a hole drilled through you. But about 300 years ago bore came to mean a “tedious person or situation” or “to be wearisome.” Hence “I’m bored” now means to be “wearied by dullness or sameness.” 
 
If you have kids, you’ve probably heard that a thousand times. Even though I’m old enough to hear my grandkids say it doesn’t mean I’m too old to remember feeling it. Especially as these long hot summer days wind down toward fall. They bring back memories of slow days when it was too hot to do much outside, and cable TV and the internet were just garage geeks’ dreams. Some kids learned early on not to say it around mom or dad, especially with the follow up, “there’s nothing to do” because they would soon have something to do. They may still be bored, but they were doing something. 
 
Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary has us studying through the OT Prophetic book of Amos as we work our way chronologically through the Bible. We’re in the OT days of the divided Kingdom with Uzziah and his son Jotham reigning in Jerusalem, and Jeroboam II reigning in Samaria. This was about 750 years before Jesus. Those were prosperous times for both nations. And while Uzziah and Jotham trusted in God, Jeroboam II trusted in himself and his people. 
 
Amos was sent to correct Israel’s mistaken belief in itself instead of God with a call to repent or fall. After his fourth vision comparing the nation to a basket of rotten fruit to be thrown out (Amos 8:1-3) he began to note their boredom with God. They were tired of worshipping God because it got in the way of their real interest – making money. They asked “When will the new moon be over…and the Sabbath?” Amos 8:5. 
 
As if their boredom wasn’t bad enough, their real disinterest in God was exposed with the description of how they made their money – on the backs of the poor and needy. They “trample the needy…do away with the humble…make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger…cheat with dishonest scales…buy the helpless…and the needy…sell the refuse of the wheat” (Amos 8:4-6). They were bored with God because He got in their way. 
 
Does God get in our way today? Even if we would never cheat anyone financially do we cheat them through refusing to serve Him according to His instructions? Do we claim to have faith, but do nothing with it? Do we go to church and claim “a personal relationship with Jesus” while living in sin? Do we live moral, upright lives, but go to church for emotion driven entertainment? Being bored with God now won’t be anything compared to being bored for all eternity alone in hell.

“I’m bored.” For centuries “I’m bored” meant you had a hole drilled through you. But about 300 years ago bore came to mean a “tedious person or situation” or “to be wearisome.” Hence “I’m bored” now means to be “wearied by dullness or sameness.”

If you have kids, you’ve probably heard that a thousand times. Even though I’m old enough to hear my grandkids say it doesn’t mean I’m too old to remember feeling it. Especially as these long hot summer days wind down toward fall. They bring back memories of slow days when it was too hot to do much outside, and cable TV and the internet were just garage geeks’ dreams. Some kids learned early on not to say it around mom or dad, especially with the follow up, “there’s nothing to do” because they would soon have something to do. They may still be bored, but they were doing something.

Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary has us studying through the OT Prophetic book of Amos as we work our way chronologically through the Bible. W

Bored With God? Amos 8:4-6

Beyoncé’s half-time show in the 2017 Super Bowl was rebellious, racist, and raunchy. In song and dance she made a social and political statement about her view of life in America. It was so over the top that it drew attention away from the similar social and political statement by Cold Play. I have to admit I turned the channel just as Beyoncé started so only read about it later. What I saw of Cold Play was a tribute to San Francisco’s hippy dippy Haight Ashbury days, but hidden in the stands was a rainbow flag of placards supporting gay marriage with the words “believe in love”. 
 
None of this was surprising because American culture is corrupt from top to bottom and coast to coast. The NFL is a giant money making corporation sucking the lives out of young men, black and white. It pretends concern over the long term impact on their health just enough to protect its money making franchise. And we love to watch it. Beyoncé and Cold Play are money making entertainers filling minds with filth and we buy their music. Peyton Manning, the poster boy for white, middle class America, made sure to mention a beer company in his post-game interview. And we drink it. Yes, it’s all about the money, and rotten to the core. 
 
Culture rot isn’t new. Nor is it limited to any color or class of people. Which is why comments about culture rot are as old as mankind. 2700 years ago, in the days of King Jeroboam II in Israel, the economy was roaring, at least for the powerful elites in Washington, err, I mean in Samaria. But in the fourth vision given to Amos, God described them as a basket of summer fruit (Amos 8:1-3). What God meant by the vision was Israel was like the very last of the harvest. All the good fruit had been picked and preserved, but there’s still a little bit left over. However, by then the pickers were worn out and had had their fill. The people were done picking, and this bit was over-ripe and tended to rot fast anyway, so they usually ended up throwing it out. 
 
In a Hebrew word play God said the end fruit signified the end of Israel. 
 
“The end has come for My people Israel. I will spare them no longer. The songs of the palace will turn to wailing in that day…Many will be the corpses; in every place they will cast them forth in silence.” Amos 8:2-3 
 
He had had enough and was going to throw them out. 
 
Did the 2017 Super Bowl half-time show expose America as a basket of rotten fruit? Yes it did. However, it has been rotten for a long time. We’ve just been good at ignoring the stench and bad taste. Has His church, the people of God, learned to live with the stench and bad taste? If so, when will God reach His limit and throw us out?

Beyoncé’s half-time show in the 2017 Super Bowl was rebellious, racist, and raunchy. In song and dance she made a social and political statement about her view of life in America. It was so over the top that it drew attention away from the similar social and political statement by Cold Play. I have to admit I turned the channel just as Beyoncé started so only read about it later. What I saw of Cold Play was a tribute to San Francisco’s hippy dippy Haight Ashbury days, but hidden in the stands was a rainbow flag of placards supporting gay marriage with the words “believe in love”.

None of this was surprising because American culture is corrupt from top to bottom and coast to coast. The NFL is a giant money making corporation sucking the lives out of young men, black and white. It pretends concern over the long term impact on their health just enough to protect its money making franchise. And we love to watch it. Beyoncé and Cold Play are money making entertainers filling minds with fil

A Basket Of Rotting Fruit! Amos 8:1-3

“Live and let live” is my attitude, unlike those of you suffering from ophidiophobia or herpetophobia. Yesterday I was helping a friend load a pile of rocks, and several times had to wait while the resident garter snake moved to a safer place. I had on gloves and could have picked him up without danger of being bitten, but felt bad enough for removing his home and didn’t want to traumatize him even more. Live and let live. 
 
While that’s a good attitude toward most snakes (fear of snakes and reptiles are the two phobias mentioned earlier) it’s not such a good attitude to the human variety. Especially when they move into the church. Yet, many people, who would grab a weapon and try to kill the poor little garter snake, adopt a “live and let live” attitude toward sinners among God’s people. To them God was harsh for condemning the sins of Israel and promising exile (Amos 7:16-17). But, as today’s Throwback Thursday edition of Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary reminds us, they had gone into exile already in their heart and God was trying to get them to come back to Him. From PLAIN TALK Magazine, September 1969. 
 
Out Of Fellowship by Joe Fitch 
 
Brethren get disturbed over talk about disfellowshipping folk. This usually amounts to nothing more than marking some names off the directory. I doubt a church can withdraw fellowship — at least from some of these brethren. Let me explain. 
 
Fellowship (koinonia) is joint participation, partnership, partaking. (See Thayer or Vine) Thus, withdrawing fellowship would be dissolving the partnership and terminating the participation together. 
 
Fellowship with God (church universal 1 John 1:1-7) is through obedience — walking in the light. When a man does as God directs, he is in fellowship; when he rebels, God severs relationship with him (John 15: 1-6). Some brethren couldn’t care less what God says. Withdraw this fellowship from such people? They have already broken fellowship with God. Nevertheless remember, God never charged men with keeping His roll book. He adds (Acts 2:47); He blots out (Ex. 32:33). Doubtless, God has already pruned the trees of such rotten and fruitless branches! 
 
The local church is a fellowship in things saints do together. The Lords supper is fellowship (communion koinonia, 1 Cor. 10:16) with the body and blood of Jesus, and it is observed together with other Christians. Some never participate with other saints in this memorial. Praying together is fellowship, but these folk add no amen. Neither do they mingle their voices with other saints in singing praise and thanksgiving — yet singing together is fellowship. Class study, sharing the fruit of our research, admonishing and correcting each other is fellowship but many go fishing instead. Pooling our money to provide for the work of the congregation is fellowship, but their mite is not in the treasury. These brethren do not attend, hence, they are not in this fellowship! 
 
The congregational fellowship is also the daily partnership of saints in things of the kingdom. It is a man working together with a preacher to convert a sinner (Gal. 6:6 — communicate koinoneo). It is ministering to the sick, comforting the distressed, supporting the weak, and supplying the needs of the destitute. It is weeping with those that weep and rejoicing with those that rejoice (Rom. 12:15). It is hands joined in the work of God but many brethren never soil their hands in such activities. Withdraw fellowship? How? There is no fellowship to withdraw! Anyway, where in the Bible did we read about withdrawing fellowship? 
 
I am not opposed to scriptural discipline; God demands it. See Matt. 18:15-17; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 1 Thes. 5:14; 2 Thes. 3: 6-15; 1 Tim. 6: 3-5; 2 John 9-11. Plainer commands cannot be found, and we can do what they require — warn them, mark them, avoid them, with such... not to eat, reject, withdraw yourselves. Yet all this is NOT in order to disfellowship, but because man through sin has already broken fellowship with God and His saints. Such drastic measures are the last efforts aimed at restoring fellowship — gaining a brother (Matt. 18:15). 
 
When I removed those rocks and took away his shelter the garter snake realized he had to find a new home, a new dwelling place. I hope he found one where he could fatten up and get ready for winter. When we remove the sinner’s sense of safety in the church we’re telling him to find a new home because he is out of fellowship with God and hope he realizes the Lord is waiting to welcome him back – if he will repent. Now that’s what it means to live and let live.

“Live and let live” is my attitude, unlike those of you suffering from ophidiophobia or herpetophobia.  Yesterday I was helping a friend load a pile of rocks, and several times had to wait while the resident garter snake moved to a safer place. I had on gloves and could have picked him up without danger of being bitten, but felt bad enough for removing his home and didn’t want to traumatize him even more. Live and let live.

While that’s a good attitude toward most snakes (fear of snakes and reptiles are the two phobias mentioned earlier) it’s not such a good attitude to the human variety. Especially when they move into the church. Yet, many people, who would grab a weapon and try to kill the poor little garter snake, adopt a “live and let live” attitude toward sinners among God’s people. To them God was harsh for condemning the sins of Israel and promising exile (Amos 7:16-17). But, as today’s Throwback Thursday edition of Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary reminds

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