FATHER’S DAY SUNDAY
We Will Honor Each Father With A Special Gift.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:
Hosea 11:7-9, “And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.”
These verses show us God’s heart of love toward us.
Verse 7 says, “My people are bent on backsliding from Me.
Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him.”
In other words, they mouth the words, but they do not mean what they say.
They do not really exalt Him.
They are bent on backsliding.
Then the Lord says in verse 8, “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim?”
These two cities are associated negatively with Sodom and Gomorrah in Deuteronomy 29:23.
When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He included Admah and Zeboiim.
So here He is saying to Israel, “How can I do that?”
In a sense, judicially, we deserve that kind of judgment because of our rebellion.
But listen to God’s intrinsic love, the love that is part of His very being.
He is talking in a way that tells us He cannot help Himself.
He loves us.
But you ask, Why?
There is no reason.
It is because God chose to love you.
God decided to make you an object of His love.
So regardless of where you are in blood, in death, in rebellion, in sin, in the world you are an object of the love of God, you are a victim of that love.
And one day you will come face to face with the fact that God loves you.
Indeed, God’s love and God’s heart churns within Him.
His sympathy is stirred over us.
This is the kind of love God has toward rebellious people.
Until Tomorrow,
With A Shepherd’s Love
Pastor
TODAY’S PRAYER LIST
Amy Garner’s Dad
Charlene Palmer
Dan Haines
Dr. Don Davis – Surgery July 7TH
Freddie May’s Mom
John McClain
Kathi Mabe
Rose Fuller
Terrell Loyd
Tom Witcher
Ann Sullivan – Paula’s Friend
Bentley Smith
James Garner’s Friend
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lonzo Christian
Ashley Burn’s Sisters
Bill Moody
Charlie Sessom – Waiting
Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother
Hanna Hall – Pray for Grace
Kenny & Nora Allison
Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend
Ricky Stubbs
Rod Gustafson – Cancer
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier – Linda’s Son
Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend
Sheila Simmon’s Cousin
Tammy Shellnut’s Mother/Dad