Everyday Truth with Kurt Skelly

Hosea 8:6-8

Small bad decisions will create a tornado of consequence eventually. Israel learned this the hard way. They sowed the wind; i.e., they made seemingly insignificant evil choices over a long period of time. But those choices—all put together—created a whirlwind of hurt and despair.

Hosea 8:1-5

The people of Israel claimed to know God. When the consequences of their sin caught up with them, they protested that they couldn’t possibly deserve such calamity—they know God! But the colossal mistake they made was this: knowing God is a lot different than merely knowing about God.

Hosea 7:8-14

Your likelihood to hit a target’s bullseye is only as good as the accuracy of the weapon you choose to use. If the barrel on the rifle is bent, the bullet will not fly straight. If the bow is crooked, the arrow will miss the mark. God called Israel a “crooked bow” who missed the mark. How so? Listen in!

Hosea 7:1-7

The people of Hosea’s day were not considering that God remembered everything they did. In fact, their sins had surrounded them! If God remembers our sins, then there can be no hope for any of us, right? Wrong! Because God has also provided a way by which He can forget our sins!

Hosea 6:1-11

In this chapter, Hosea assumes the role of an encourager. He has already carefully conveyed the primarily negative message of God’s displeasure and coming judgment. Now he pleads with the people to “return to the Lord.” The God who is judging you is doing so in love! He wants to heal and restore you. Come back!

Nehemiah 6

From the series "When God Interrupts Your Life"

Hosea 5:6-15

The people of Israel had dealt treacherously with the Lord. How so? They had intermarried with unbelievers and raised children that did not even know God. In that sense, they had raised children as foreigners (strangers) to the knowledge of God and the practice of serving Him.

Hosea 5:1-5

Behavior and works alone do not indicate a sincere faith, but there certainly are certain habits that we can practice that can fertilize a more ready turning to God. The people of Israel did not “frame their doings” to turn to God; rather, they allowed a heart bent toward idolatry and sensuality to guide their decision-making.

Hosea 4:17-19

Among the worst judgments God can bring someone is this: letting him have his own way. Israel had stubbornly pursued her lusts and loyalties. She had made up her mind that she wanted her petty idols and cheap pleasures more than she wanted God. Although God repeatedly warned her that she would regret such decision-making, she stubbornly persisted until God relented and let her alone. Be careful what you ask for!

Hosea 4:14-16

God uses everybody. That’s right. Even rebellious people are used of God… just not in the way they want. God will use the poor example of someone who has made a sinful choice like a billboard that says, “Don’t be like him!” Israel had made up her mind that she would not follow God. Places in Israel that had been places of holiness now had become cesspools of sinful behavior. God told Judah to stay away from Israel lest she fall into the same behaviors.