meditations for an everyday relationship with Jesus Other false teaching

2 John 1:9-11 Anyone who does not remain in the teaching about Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son.

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don't say, "Welcome," to him; for the one who says, "Welcome," to him shares in his evil works.

Truth is imperative! Truth is absolute and irrefutable! It is not enough to simply encourage a discussion about truth without knowing what the truth is. Time and time again we see that truth can be distorted … twisted into downright lies by those desiring to perpetrate their own version of it.

Any variant on the truth, which is the Godhead of Jesus Christ on the cross and Him bodily resurrected, is never up for negotiation. No matter how well-meaning, nothing less should ever be tolerated, and if an individual or church persists, turn away and speak the truth!

Song for Israel

Hosea 2:16-20 In that day-the Lord's declarationyou will call [Me]: My husband, and no longer call Me: My Baal. For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth; they will no longer be remembered by their names. On that day I will make a covenant for them with the wild animals, the birds of the sky, and the creatures that crawl on the ground. I will shatter bow, sword, and weapons of war in the land and will enable the people to rest securely. I will take you to be My wife forever. I will take you to be My wife in righteousness, justice, love, and compassion. I will take you to be My wife in faithfulness, and you will know the Lord.

the voice God gave me

This is God’s love song to Israel, but it is illustrated through the prophet Hosea’s troubled marriage to Gomer, a prostitute.

God’s relationship to His children, Israel, and to His Bride, the church has always been fraught with adultery and promiscuity … not so much with other human beings, but with worship of other gods and idols.

Our God is a jealous God. We should be grateful ...