[The Mayor]

August 25, 2004

Half-Baked Christians

Read: Hosea 7

Ephraim is a cake unturned. . . . But they do not return to the Lord their God. —Hosea 7:8,10

Bible In One Year: Psalms 119:1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

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The prophet Hosea used the tribe of Ephraim as a poetic representation of the northern kingdom of Israel. In a colorful admonition, he wrote that Ephraim had become "a cake unturned" (Hosea 7:8).

In today's terminology, the prophet might have said that Ephraim was "half-baked." The people were like a pancake burned on one side but raw on the other. Although they took advantage of the Lord's goodness, they did not seek Him with their heart. When they needed help, they turned to other sources (vv.10-11,14-16). They had become tasteless and useless to God, so He was forced to judge them.

Jesus echoed the words of the prophet. Although He had gentle words for penitent sinners, He gave a scathing rebuke to the haughty and self-righteous who wanted to live as they pleased. He was furious at two-faced religious leaders who talked a good talk but turned around and exploited their followers (Matthew 23:13-30).

God is never soft on sin. He sent His only Son to redeem us from sin's penalty (John 3:16). Let's not be half-baked Christians, claiming God's forgiveness but still living as we please. The only fitting response to God's mercy and grace is to serve Him in humility and love. —Haddon Robinson

Thinking It Through
What is the basis of our salvation? (Ephesians 2:8-9).
How are we to respond to God's grace? (v.10).
How does God correct His children? (Hebrews 12:5-11).

God's grace is not license to live as we please—it's liberty to please God.

[The Mayor]

Huge Ping

Answering a call for Daily Prayer for Truth!

With the election coming at us soon and my work schedule being changed for a couple months it will be hard for me to post coffee in all the threads.
This will be a great place to have coffee, read the Word, and say a Prayer for Truth.

Please let me know if you want on ON the ping list.

If this thread will be ok to do daily I will make a ping list today/tonight when I get home..

[RottiBiz]

And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. -- John 8:32

God bless all of the courageous Swift Boat Veterans For Truth.

They are truly doing the Lords work for our country.

[Aquamarine]

Joining you in prayers for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

[mtntop3]

From the Apocrypha, Ecclesiasticus 4:28:

"Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will fight on your side."

[TXnMA]

Thanks for making this prayer thread a reality!

In these days when we pray constantly for our troops who are daily in harm's way on our behalf, it is particularly appropriate that we not forgot those heroic Americans who walked through the valley of death in years past.

And it is particularly apt that we pray for this small band of veterans, who in the interest of truth

" ...wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. "
Eph 6:12

Bless you, Swifties! May you always stand on the Lord's side -- and He on yours...

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that those who once served on foreign soil with honor and valor, now serve again in our midst, with honor and valor. Reach into us, O God, and take from us those deep-seated feelings that have long been stored away ... turn them into righteous anger that finally washes away the dishonor and shame so wrongly heaped upon men and women who so bravely fought and bled and died under the banner of our beloved country. Cleanse these wounds that we may heal, Merciful Father ... pour out the truth upon us ... let none escape who has caused this shameful harm.

Undergird our American heroes as they again stand in defense of these United States, for they have not forgotten that You are our foundation and that liberty and freedom and truth and justice are an heritage belonging to each generation. Let all the assaults upon them fall harmlessly aside ... may these attacks, instead, fall back upon the enemies of truth. Thank You, Gracious God, that You have permitted us to see Your heavenly hand at work ... great is Your love, great is Your mercy ... great is Your promise ... "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Romans 12:19

We bow in awe before You, O God, and thank You that Your hand yet remains on our beloved United States of America. And may it continue to be thus, in the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

[crabbie]

"...and the truth shall set you free..."

mega prayers!

[crabbie]

"...and the truth shall set you free..."

mega prayers!

[austingirl]

These brave men deserve our prayers and our thanks for caring about the future of this country.

[caligirl217]

I'm Rather new to the ping list and somewhat new to FR, but had to let you know what a source of inspiration it is to me. Out here in CA, you start thinking the whole world has gone mad! It's a nice reminder that truly decent men and women, (Christian men and women), are out there doing all that they can.

Of course, praying for the swiftboat vets and the battle they are now in. Also that the President can have peace of mind and spirit despite the Kerry camp activities - and for his victory in November!

[Jmouse007]

Lord, have mercy upon us as a nation. For Christ's sake protect us from wicked men who would lead us away from you.

Heavenly Father, allow the truth regarding Mr. Kerry to prevail, put a hedge of protection around Mr. O'Neil and all of the members of SBVFT. I pray that the pits and traps that Mr. Kerry and his surrogates have dug, they will fall into themselves.

Please remove blindness from the American people and the veil of secrecy and obfuscation surrounding the true character of Mr. Kerry. Allow the American people, through the efforts of SBVFT to recognize him for who and what he is.

Have mercy upon your servants and allow the truth to prevail. I ask this in Jesus name, amen.