December 5

Today's Reading

Hosea was appointed by God to a prophetic ministry that cut to his very soul. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute. The way Hosea treated her was a picture of the way God was treating Israel, who had prostituted herself with the false gods of other nations. We begin to get a small idea of how our willing sins grieve God's heart when we realize that we are the bride of Christ. He loved us and gave Himself fully for us, but we seek out other "lovers" to fill up our hearts.

1 John. "21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts." Identify that "thing", be it person or object or money or fame or looks or ?. Whatever it is, it lures you to ever greater devotion and attention and gives ever-decreasing happiness in return. Ultimately it will suck the joy right out of you and demand everything you have. Run from it!

Psalms. In the end, victory is from the Lord. His Name be praised!

Proverbs. Do you care about the rights of the poor? Before you answer, be sure to read today's passage.

What verses are challenging you today?