Steps of Faith~10th Sunday after Penecost

Hos. 1:2-10: God has Hosea marry a prostitute and have children to her to show Israel how they have prostituted themselves to other gods. God tells Hosea that he will save Judah. Ps. 85: Prayer for Divine favor upon Judah. Col. 2:6-15 (16-19): Paul warns of false teachers; We have victory over the kingdom of darkness through Jesus Christ. Do not let the false teachers lead you away from the truth of Jesus Christ. Luke 11:1-13: Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer (believe when you pray; ask, see, knock) Judah  had been true to the one true God, where Israel had allowed false teachers to lead them away from the one true God to false gods.Nations around Judah were coming at them from every side including Israel. So they prayed to God about it (Ps. 85). God heard their prayer. So he went to Hosea and gave him instructions on how to give Israel a picture lesson.  God had Hosea marry a prostitute and have children by her. Each child's name had a meaning that told the people what their relationship with God was. But since Judah had stayed true to God, he promised Hosea that he would not punish Judah while he was punishing Israel (Hosea 1:2-10).  When Jesus came to earth, he instructed his disciples on prayer. Since prayer is one way to have a close relationship with God. He gave them a sample prayer Which also had this line..."lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil".  Then told them that they must believe that they would receive when they pray. He also told them not to give up too soon when they do not receive an answer to their prayer right away (Luke 11:1-13).  After Jesus went back to heaven, Paul warned the Colossians of false teachers who would try to pull them away from the teachings of Jesus (Col.2:6-15(16-19).  We too must head the warnings of Amos & Paul to stay true to Jesus teachings and not let false teachers lead us from our first love~Jesus. We do this by staying in the teachings of the Bible & prayer. If we will check to make sure what is being taught to us lines up with what is in the Bible & keep talking and listening to God, we will not be so easily lead to false beliefs.  Challenge of the week:  This week, read, and meditate daily on God words in the Bible, so that you will know what God has said in it. Also pray all the time to God, so that you will always be listening to his voice.  Accomplishment of the week: How did you do with your challenge this week? Where could you do better next week?