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July 18, 2016

Intimacy with God

Steven Lottering   |   Read Hosea 1:2-10

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od calls Hosea to provide a lived-out parable of God’s relationship with the people of Israel. Hosea’s life dramatically illustrates an intimate relationship that is broken. The people of Israel have abandoned their relationship with God, but God doesn’t give up—God desires to draw them back into the place of...

Gracious and loving God, we hear your call to return to you, and we thank you for reminding us that only in your embrace do we find true life. Amen.

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Lectionary Week
July 18–24, 2016
Scripture Overview

The Hosea passage implies that the rela- tionship between God and Israel is similar to a marriage that has been ruined by an unfaithful spouse. Yahweh has been scorned, and judgment is at hand. However, the prophet implants a reminder that Yahweh’s nal word is not destruction but redemption. Psalm 85 reveals a community of God’s people who are suspended between the “already” and the “not yet.” Colossians reminds the readers that no other force or personality may compete with Christ, for Christ and only Christ embodies “the whole fullness of deity.” Faith and action are one. Luke’s Gospel directs the disciples’ attention to their real needs, as well as reminding them of the only one who can ful ll those needs.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Hosea 1:2-10. Do you truly believe that nothing is beyond God’s redemptive love? How does that affect the way you live?
• Read Psalm 85. How do you respond to God’s forgiving, redemptive love? When have you experienced the healing and wholeness of that love?
• Read Colossians 2:6-19. How is your life rooted and estab- lished in Christ? What lls your life?
• Read Luke 11:1-13. How much do you trust God to provide for all you really need?

Respond by posting a prayer.

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Our resolve must be different. My prayer is that we have finally reached a tipping point. My hope is that when the protests fade and the marches slow that our will as a church to truly eradicate the scourge of racism won’t dissipate but grows even stronger.” 

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—Rev. Junius B. Dotson, General Secretary (chief executive officer) of Discipleship Ministries, an international agency of The United Methodist Church.