Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest:
“Either Jesus Christ is the supreme Authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to.

Isaiah 3:5
The people will oppress one another,
man against man, neighbor against neighbor;
the youth will act arrogantly toward the elder,
and the worthless toward the honorable.

This happening in America.

For Jerusalem has stumbled
and Judah has fallen
because they have spoken and acted against the Lord,
defying His glorious presence.

America has also “spoken and acted against the Lord, defying His glorious presence.” Notable that not just the city of Jerusalem was involved, but it took down the whole country with it.

Isaiah 3:9
The look on their faces testifies against them,
and like Sodom, they flaunt their sin.
They do not conceal it.
Woe to them,
for they have brought evil on themselves.

Oh! The numbers of people I could point fingers at! Repent! Come to Jesus! Let Him wash you clean! Turn from your wicked, sinful, evil ways, and follow Jesus. Truly open your heart and accept Him. He is the only way!

Isaiah 3:12
Youths oppress My people,
and women rule over them.
My people, your leaders mislead you;
they confuse the direction of your paths.

Wow, won’t this get the feminists up in arms?! This is a good example of God’s order. The man is supposed to lead–this also means he catches the heat, the flack, and the fallout. He’s the first to die.

Isaiah 3:16-25

¹⁶ The Lord also says:

Because the daughters of Zion are haughty,
walking with heads held high
and seductive eyes,
going along with prancing steps,
jingling their ankle bracelets,
¹⁷ the Lord will put scabs on the heads
of the daughters of Zion,
and the Lord will shave their foreheads bare.

¹⁸ On that day the Lord will strip their finery: ankle bracelets, headbands, crescents, ¹⁹ pendants, bracelets, veils, ²⁰ headdresses, ankle jewelry, sashes, perfume bottles, amulets, ²¹ signet rings, nose rings, ²² festive robes, capes, cloaks, purses, ²³ garments, linen clothes, turbans, and veils.

²⁴ Instead of perfume there will be a stench;
instead of a belt, a rope;
instead of beautifully styled hair, baldness;
instead of fine clothes, sackcloth;
instead of beauty, branding.
²⁵ Your men will fall by the sword,
your warriors in battle.

Prophecy of the Holocaust? I’ll need to check into this. Explore.

Isaiah 2:4
He will settle disputes among the nations
and provide arbitration for many peoples.
They will turn their swords into plows
and their spears into pruning knives.
Nations will not take up the sword against other nations,
and they will never again train for war.

Swords into plows and spears into pruning knives. What about guns? Melt them down? For all the weapons, The Cold War, etc., that is a lot of weapons to be destroyed/repurposed!

Isaiah 2:8
Their land is full of idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made.

How much of America is idols? How many people worship the work of their own hands? How do we appreciate and like something but don’t worship it?

The statues being torn down are prime examples. They were not idols to me, I did not worship them. I did appreciate them. I was upset that people could tear them down, thinking there were somehow changing the past. Leave the statues, learn the history–the true history–and work to not repeat it.

Isaiah 2:11
Human pride will be humbled,
and the loftiness of men will be brought low;
the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.

The previous few verses are things I don’t want to endure, but this I would love to see. Maybe a bit vindictive, but I want to see the Lord exalted…and mankind recognize how pathetically weak and powerless we really are.

Prime example: Climate change. How egocentric are we to think we can stop, make something happen, or change the weather? And I’ve had the argument that it’s climate, not weather. Climate is a collection of weather; climate is weather.

We can’t even accurately predict weather, how could we think that we can control it?

Isaiah 2:18
The idols will vanish completely.

For everything that is idolized in this world…that is a lot to be taken away.

Isaiah 2:20
On that day people will throw
their silver and gold idols,
which they made to worship,
to the moles and the bats.

Silver and gold will be thrown to bats and moles! As of yesterday, gold was at almost $1,900/oz. Ironic that something considered so valuable today will be thrown to wild animals that have no use for it, place no value on it… they were useless to mankind and they are useless to bats and moles.

And once again my question arises about why silver and gold have always been considered valuable. They can’t be eaten; they have no practical, life-sustaining value.

Isaiah 2:22
Put no more trust in man,
who has only the breath in his nostrils.
What is he really worth?

We are mere humans. We rule over the animals, that is about the extent. God–the Father, Son, Holy Spirit–is the One to put trust in, have a relationship with. Everything else is worthless, futile, a waste of time, and there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes).

We think there is new coming all the time, technology, etc. But truly–there is a strong possibility it was done before (the technology of Atlantis–they found a computer? 1,000s of years ago, a computer). Through everything there is mankind; and human nature never changes–there is nothing new under the sun.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, July 24:
“The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in motive because he has been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being.”

How can Christians claim to be such, but still do bad things? It’s all about motives. We are al sinners–there is no degree (one sin worse than another). We must surrender to God, let Jesus wash us clean. Repentance is a daily, hourly, requirement for me!

Isaiah 1:7
Your land is desolate,
your cities burned with fire;
foreigners devour your fields
before your very eyes—
a desolation demolished by foreigners.

Similar to the US now. Cities burned: Portland, Minneapolis, etc. Foreigners devour the fields: China buying US land. If this continues, US will be desolate. Why? Isaiah 1:4 is tells the answer.

Isaiah 1:4
Oh sinful nation,
people weighed down with iniquity,
brood of evildoers,
depraved children!
They have abandoned the Lord;
they have despised the Holy One of Israel;
they have turned their backs on Him.

We’ve turned our backs on the Lord, as a nation.

Isaiah 1:11-14
11“What are all your sacrifices to Me?”
asks the Lord.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams
and the fat of well-fed cattle;
I have no desire for the blood of bulls,
lambs, or male goats.
¹² When you come to appear before Me,
who requires this from you—
this trampling of My courts?
¹³ Stop bringing useless offerings.
Your incense is detestable to Me.
New Moons and Sabbaths,
and the calling of solemn assemblies—
I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.
¹⁴ I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals.
They have become a burden to Me;
I am tired of putting up with them.

Above is a list of all the rituals, keeping up appearances, to appear righteous, but the Lord knows the heart. The solution?

Isaiah 1:16-17
¹⁶ “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves.
Remove your evil deeds from My sight.
Stop doing evil.
¹⁷ Learn to do what is good.
Seek justice.
Correct the oppressor.^[a]
Defend the rights of the fatherless.
Plead the widow’s cause.

The result of turning to the Lord?
Isaiah 1:19-20
¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land.
²⁰ But if you refuse and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Truly the state of affairs in the US right now:
Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels,
friends of thieves.
They all love graft
and chase after bribes.
They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,
and the widow’s case never comes before them.

There are some of the leaders that are not like this, but there are a great many that are. Their misdeeds are coming to light.

Isaiah 1:28
But both rebels and sinners will be destroyed,
and those who abandon the Lord will perish.

We’re all in this together. Either justice will be done, or everyone will be destroyed. Keep the faith, keep loving God through it all. He’s telling us that we will suffer. All the same things that happen to those doing evil will happen to us. There will be no special treatment for believers! Do not abandon the Lord!

(All Bible quotes from HCSB, accessed at: https://www.biblegateway.com

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, July 23:
Sanctification is not drawing from Jesus the power to be holy; it is drawing from Jesus that holiness that was manifested in Him, and He manifests in me. Sanctification is an impartation, not an imitation.

-So when I’m like Jesus, it’s not of my own power. I can see this. There are few times that I can be as loving as I am on my own–I know how hard my heart is and how stiff-necked I can be. And there are times when I don’t know how it happens, but I’m actually nice, kind, and show mercy to someone who–if I did what I thought I should do–would have got completely opposite treatment.

HUGE truth bomb coming up. Ready?

Hosea 14:9
Let whoever is wise understand these things,
and whoever is insightful recognize them.
For the ways of the Lord are right,
and the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.

The secret of life, thank You, Lord!

This is one of the verses that should be taught first thing, reiterated over and over. This is a key to everything! Why do we hear so little of Hosea! The insight of the words given him were amazing, helpful, and direct! Everyone should read Hosea!

P.S. There are a few verses that I have “The Secret of Life” title attached to. Hosea 14:9 is a great overview, summary, whatever of the way to live: If you want to walk upright, walk in the ways of the Lord–follow Jesus’s commands–otherwise you will stumble.

Quote:
Am I willing to reduce myself simply to “me,” determinedly to strip myself of all my friends think of me, of all I think of myself, and to hand that simple naked self over to God? Immediately I am, He will sanctify me wholly and my life will be free from earnestness in connection with everything but God.

When I pray–“Lord, show me what sanctification means for me,” He will show me. It means being made one with Jesus. Sanctification is not something Jesus Christ puts into me: it is Himself in me. (1 Cor 1:30). -Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, July 22

Hosea 13:2 (HCSB)
Now they continue to sin
and make themselves a cast image,
idols skillfully made from their silver,
all of them the work of craftsmen.
People say about them,
“Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves.”

-There it is with the calves again…
– “Continue” to repeat…again. Common theme going on. Again. Still.

Hosea 13:4 (HCSB)
I have been Yahweh your God
ever since the land of Egypt;
you know no God but Me,
and no Savior exists besides Me.

-This verse is FULL!
-He was God in Egypt, even though they didn’t know Him by name until Moses. He is God today, even though people don’t know Him.
-“Know no God but me” because there is no other God or gods. The gods–like Baal, Thor, the Greek gods–are all man-made, figments of man’s imagination. How powerful our minds are!
-“No Savior exists besides Me.” Mic drop. Hosea was written over 700 years before Jesus was born! There are many Jesus prophesies in the Old Testament. This one is HUGE!

Hosea 13:6 (HCSB)
When they had pasture,
they became satisfied;
they were satisfied,
and their hearts became proud.
Therefore they forgot Me.

-This world, the rat race, is a trap.
-When we have little to worry about on earth–the American lifestyle–it is easy to become “satisfied,” think we have achieved it all ourselves, be prideful and forget God.
-He wants a relationship with us, regardless of our social status and opulence of our lifestyle. Rich or poor, He wants both; rich or poor in earthly terms and spiritual.
-Spiritual, mental, physical. Spiritual most important but it is the part that earthliness–Satan–tries to hide, conceal from many. How many people don’t even recognize they have a spirit, soul? Then how many people don’t recognize God in their spirituality? “New Age” and naturalism, there are a variety of “religions” and practices that people claim to be “spiritual.” But until they recognize Yahweh, their “spiritual” is just a head game being played by the devil, and the person is losing. (Hosea 13:4 No Savior exists besides Me.)

Hosea 13:15 (HCSB)
Although he flourishes among his brothers,
an east wind will come,
a wind from the Lord rising up from the desert.
His water source will fail,
and his spring will run dry.
The wind will plunder the treasury
of every precious item.

-“His water source will fail.” I live in a place where water is very precious–very scarce. Most people in the US go to a faucet, turn the knob, water comes out. It is that way for us, too, except to make sure the water comes out, we have to haul water from town, in a tank, in the back of a pickup, 350 gallons at a time.

Using water is a bit different when it has to be hauled, which requires resources, times, and money. It gives a different perspective when water is flowing out of the faucet. No longer is it taken so much for granted.

No other time is it appreciated more than as it runs out. There is no meter or gauge to tell when the cistern is low, its always a guessing game. The most opportune time–Murphy’s Law–for water to run out is when I’m all soaped up in the shower. This is when water runs out–and has run out–two our of three times in the past.

“Flip the switch!” I scream from the shower to anyone in the house. See, there is a little bit of grace. There is a switch that runs the pump, and we’ve figured out that if it is turned off and back on, it gives about another 5-10 seconds of water pressure. This switch trick only works twice, then really, seriously, no more water.

Nothing will bring the realization of blessing than to suddenly not have it, especially when we’ve come to depend on it so much! Jesus was compared to water, on of the basic requirements for humans. Not only do we need water for survival, it needs to be clean and accessible. Jesus is water for the soul!

Hosea 13:16 (HCSB)
Samaria will bear her guilt
because she has rebelled against her God.
They will fall by the sword;
their little ones will be dashed to pieces,
and their pregnant women ripped open.

-People ask, “How can there be a God if kids die of cancer, or children are molested, raped, abused?” Right here, Hosea 13:16, children will be dashed to pieces. Why? Because people rebel against God. Because earth is Satan’s domain, it has been since Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit. Because human nature can’t follow instructions!

“The Son’s obedience was as Redeemer, because He was Son, not in order to be Son,” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, July 19).

Hosea 10:3 (HCSB) In fact, they are now saying, “We have no king! For we do not fear the Lord. What can a king do for us?”

People expect kings to do stuff for them, yet isn’t the king above rebuke and the people supposed to be for the king?

Who really has the power? The king or the servant? God, or course, but as Oswald Chambers pointed out today, God doesn’t use His power to make us servants that obey His bidding. He always gives choice.

Hosea 10:5 (HCSB) The residents of Samaria will have anxiety over the calf of Beth-aven.

What is it with golden calves?

Hosea 10:11-12

Ephraim is a well-trained calf that loves to thresh, but I will place a yoke on her fine neck. I will harness Ephraim; Judah will plow; Jacob will do the final plowing. (12) Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Reap what you sow.

Break up your unplowed ground. What unplowed ground do you have in your heart?

Hosea 10:13-14 (HCSB) You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice;
you have eaten the fruit of lies.
Because you have trusted in your own way
and in your large number of soldiers,
¹⁴ the roar of battle will rise against your people,
and all your fortifications will be demolished
in a day of war, like Shalman’s destruction of Beth-arbel.
Mothers will be dashed to pieces
along with their children.

July 19, 2020

Hosea 5:15 (HCSB)
I will depart and return to My place until they recognize their guilt and seek My face; they will search for Me in their distress.

The United States is like Israel and Ephraim, lost without God and searching in their distress. The USA has been promiscuous, allowed evil, has let it become deep-rooted among elites, celebrities, and even directly within the culture. Evil has been allowed to permeate our education institutions and brainwashed two-plus of our generations.

I couldn’t get my head wrapped around The Trinity. Was I talking to Jesus? Was I supposed to address God the Father? If I said “God,” I had in my head that I was only speaking to God the Father. But then I was worried that I was leaving out Jesus. And the Holy Spirit had to be fit in there somewhere!

This was a great visual to help me–being the extreme visual learner that I am. Maybe it will help you, too. Scripture says to not worry, and I knew God would forgive me. He gave this visual to put me more at ease that He understands me, my shortcomings and limitations. Again, He is amazing and caring!

Literally EVERYTHING I can think of is for our benefit – or ultimately our benefit.
-Sacrifices
-tithes
-humility
-revelation, insight, knowledge
-10 commandments
-Follow these to lead a life that is good and relatively trouble-free.
-Sermon on the mount – if you even THINK about it you’ve sinned.

THOUGHTS –> ACTION –> EXPERIENCE–>BELIEF –> THOUGHTS–> ACTIONS.

-Thoughts make your Reality.

OMG! Revelation: Jesus was teaching that our thoughts – which we can control – create our reality. They create our world. Our minds are really super powerful.