Fresh Start Daily

Devo: Hosea 2:15-23

The book of Hosea is packed! I’m only in chapter 2 but boy! There is so much to digest.

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her.”

God said in verse 14 that He would allure her (referring to Israel). Merriam-Webster defines “allure” (verb) as “to entice by charm or attraction”.

The Israelites were unfaithful to God and yet, God had mercy on them. He didn’t force them to return to Him. Instead, He gently led them to Him. He “allured” them and not “forced” them.

“And it shall be, in that day,” says the LORD, “That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Master,’ for I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, and they shall be remembered by their name no more.” v. 16

In verse 2, God said, “…for she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband!” But in verse 16, He said, “That you will call Me, ‘My Husband'”.

God wanted to restore the broken relationship with the Israelites. The terms “wife” and “husband” show an intimate relationship and God used those terms to emphasize that He wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him. He wants us to be fully committed to Him.

He used the term “allure” because He doesn’t want us to be in a relationship with Him out of fear but out of love. He doesn’t want us to obey Him out of fear of the consequences of sin but out of deep love for Him. He doesn’t want us to be His slaves. God wants obedience based on love. He wants us to enjoy our relationship with Him.

“God was not satisfied with a fear-based, obedience-focused relationship with His people where they thought of Him primarily as Master. He wanted a relationship where they thought of Him primarily as Husband.” enduringword.com

“‘It shall come to pass in that day that I will answer,’ says the LORD…” v. 21

“This is great blessing of real, vibrant relationship with God. Our hearts beat in rhythm to His, and so we want what He wants. So when we ask God to do things, we already ask what He wants to do – so He will answer.” enduringword.com

When we surrender to God, our dreams become intertwined with HIS dreams. He answers our desires because those are His desires, too. God answers our prayers according to His will.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7

“The earth shall answer with grain, with new wine, and with oil…” v. 22

If our hearts are right with God, He provides aplenty.

2nd child – “Lo-Ruhamah” – It means “No mercy”

3rd child – “Lo-Ammi” – It means “Not My people”

Their names that are marks of judgment were restored.

“I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy…”

“Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!'”

“And they shall say, ‘You are my God!'” v. 23

This shows complete restoration. Wow. God is merciful and loving.

Devo: Hosea 2:2-13

Grabe ang pagmamahal ng Panginoon sa mga Israelita. Kahit na idolatrous sila, kahit na they went and worshipped other gods, the Lord still provided for them. Even if we are unfaithful, God remains faithful.

“God gives to man the trees of the forest and the iron in the ground. He gives man the brains to make an axe and nails from the iron, and the energy to cut down the tree, the skill to fashion the wood into beams. God gives man the cleverness to make a handle from the wood, and head from the iron, and combine it into an effective hammer. Then man takes the beams, the nails, and the hammer and he nails God to the cross – where God willingly stretched out His arms, dying on the cross to take the guilt and penalty man’s sin deserved – and to make a new, restored relationship between God and man possible.” — enduringword.com

I like verses 6-7:

“Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, and wall her in. So she cannot find her paths. She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them; yes, she will seek them, but not find them.”

The definition of “hedge” according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “a fence or boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees”.

The hedge serves as a barrier–as a form of protection. Here in the Philippines, houses have gates. It shows people that somebody owns the house and they cannot go inside the gates. God’s children are like gated houses. We are God’s property and He serves as our protection. We are safe because He surrounds us.

“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” Psalm 125:1-2

I like the explanation given on enduringword.com:

“To bring Israel to repentance, God promised to set a hedge of thorns on the sides of her path, so that it would hurt whenever Israel went off the correct path, and so the wrong paths would be hard to find.

When God hedges our way with thorns, we usually don’t like it. We sometimes think God is against us when the thorns hurt and we can’t find the wrong paths. But it is really one of the sweetest expressions of God’s love to hedge up your way with thorns and to wall us in.”

God was good to the Israelites even when they forgot Him. He still protected them. God still provided for the Israelites despite their sin of idolatry. It must be painful for God to see the Israelites offer to Baal what He gave to them. It was an insult to God and yet, He still loved them. The people went after other gods but He still loved them.

“Then she will say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now.’ For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold–which they prepared for Baal. Therefore I will return and take away My grain in its time and My new wine in its season, and will take back My wool and My linen, given to cover her nakedness.” vv. 7-9

“This principle shows how offensive idolatry really is to God. Whenever we give to an idol, we have received from God.” enduringword.com

There is nothing we have that we did not receive from the Lord. We have nothing to boast before the Lord.

Do we all not have the tendency to commit the sin the Israelites did?

“When the passing pleasures of sin are finished, we often then see how good it was to follow the LORD. In a marriage sometimes the grass can seem greener even with the best spouse; in our walk with the LORD our idols seem attractive until God exposes them. Then we are ready to return to our first husband, the LORD.” enduringword.com

This brings tears to my eyes. I know that God is loving, but sometimes I don’t understand how deep God’s love for us is. He is always ready to take us back despite the pain we cause/d Him.

We tend to stray from the Lord and return to Him when we realize it’s better in His presence than the fleeting pleasures of the world.

He provides for us and we use the things He gives to hurt Him… And He loves us still… 😭😭😭 We don’t deserve anything from God. He is so merciful and kind and gracious and compassionate.

When I pray, I always ask God to keep me and my loved ones in the hedges of His protection. I pray that He won’t let any of us go outside His will. I want to stay under His protection. I want to be covered by the Lord.

Father God, give me a heart that does not offer Your gifts to idols. Help me never to be an adulterous wife to You.

Hedge up my way with thorns, and wall me in. I want and need Your protection, Lord. Without Your guidance, I will most likely stray from You. I will most likely lose my way.

Help me to always put You first. Help me to never forget You. I don’t want to forget You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Devo: Daniel 9:20-27

Agad agad may sagot ang Diyos sa panalangin ni Daniel. Simula pa lang ng panalangin ni Daniel, tumugon na ang Diyos. Wow. While he was praying, an angel named Gabriel, spoke to him and told him that he will give Daniel a skill to understand.

“At the beginning of your supplications the command went out,…” v. 23

“…and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved…” v. 23

Nainggit ako kay Daniel. Gusto ko ring marinig mula sa Diyos na greatly beloved Niya rin ako. Gusto ko rin yun. Ang sarap marinig nun galing sa Panginoon.

Naulit ito sa chapter 10 ng dalawang beses:

“And he said to me, ‘Daniel, man greatly beloved,…” v. 11

“And he said, ‘O man greatly beloved,…” v. 19

I continued my reading this afternoon in the book of Daniel. (It’s a holiday at work so I had the chance to do so.) This is one of the many verses in chapter 9 that struck me:

“O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.” Daniel 9:18

I thought about the same thing a couple of days ago. I’ve read and heard this many times before but it seems like I encountered this just today. I just had a profound understanding of the truth that Daniel said about God: when HE answers our prayers, it’s not because we are good but because He is good. The only thing we deserve is death but because of God’s grace and mercy, we are able to come to Him and make our requests known.

Lately, the song “Because of Who You Are” (by Brian Kelly Mcknight & Michael Brandon Barnes) has a different impact on me. I cannot boast about anything to God. I cannot ask Him to do things for me because I am good and deserving because I’m not. I can’t fathom how God loves me despite all of my shortcomings. His goodness just leaves me grateful. God is good even in the midst of our anxieties.

Daniel’s prayer also shows how Daniel always wanted to glorify God. He always asked God to answer their pleas more for the glory of God than for the benefit of the people.

“Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate.” v. 17

“O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.” v. 18

“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” v. 19

“Oh, that we might learn how to pray so that God should be the subject as well as the object of our supplications! O God, thy Church needs thee above everything else! A poor, little, sick, neglected child needs fifty things; but you can put all those needs into one if you say that the child needs its mother. So, the Church, of God needs a thousand things, but you can put them all into one if you say, ‘The Church of God needs her God.’ ” (Spurgeon, enduringword.com)

Father God, I’m sorry if oftentimes, the subject and object of my prayers are focused on myself, other people, and things, and not so much about You. Thank You for reminding me, through these verses, that my prayers should be focused on You, on giving You glory because You deserve it.

They (“All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors abd advisors…” v. 7) made a decree that whoever made a request to any god or man except the king within 30 days should be cast into the lion’s den.

When Daniel learned that the king signed the decree, he went to his room, knelt down, and prayed to God three times a day. The people who asked the king to sign the decree gathered and found Daniel praying to God because his windows were open.

They informed the king about what Daniel did and the king was displeased and wanted to deliver Daniel. However, since he signed the decree, he commanded to cast Daniel in the den of lions. Although, he told Daniel that God whom he served would deliver him.

The king fasted and went to the den of lions to check on Daniel. Daniel responded to him and told him that God sent His angels and shut the lions’ mouths so he was not hurt.

The king was happy that Daniel was safe and he ordered the people to take Daniel from the den.

“…and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” v. 23

King Darius then commanded that those people who asked him to sign the decree be cast into the den including their wives and children. Before they even got to the bottom of the den, they were overpowered by the lions.

King Darius made a decree that everybody should fear the God of Daniel.

“I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end.

He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” vv. 26-27

Like what happened to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah during the reign of king Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was set up. The people could not find fault in them, they thought of using the God they believed in to trap them.

The people also tried to find fault in Daniel because they were jealous, but they couldn’t find any because he was faithful to God. So like what the people did to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, they used his God to trap him.

Garlic Herb Butter

Ingredients:

• 220 g butter
• parsley
• garlic
• ground black pepper
• salt
• lemon juice

Red Wine Shallot Butter

Ingredients:

• shallots
• red wine (I used Merlot wine. I reduced the wine until it was almost dry.)
• lemon juice
• parsley
• thyme
• ground black pepper
• salt

King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream came true twelve months after. He trusted in his own power and might. He was very proud of his accomplishments that he forgot to recognize God and thank Him.

“The king spoke, saying, ‘Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty.'” v. 30

While King Nebuchadnezzar was still speaking, he heard a voice from heaven saying that the kingdom has departed from him. His dream was fulfilled and he became a bird. He then realized that God is the most powerful in heaven and on earth. He praised and honored the Lord. He blessed God and his understanding and reason returned to him.

“For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?'” v. 34b-35

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.” v. 37

God is able to put down the proud–those who trust in their own abilities and forget to give glory to God who gives us the strength to do things.

“All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven…” v. 35

God does not regard people according to their achievements. God does not look at how high someone has climbed in the corporate ladder or in his/her chosen career. He does not look at how much we have in the bank. He does not look at our IQ. He does not look at our physical appearance. God cares more about our heart. He sees who or what we worship deep down in our heart. He sees who truly worships Him in spirit.

We cannot boast about anything to God. Even if we say that we achieved something because of hard work, intelligence, good looks, etc., still, we wouldn’t be able to do anything if God did not wake us up today, if God did not give us another chance today, to do things.

When we think that whatever we achieve, or whatever gives us glory in the eyes of men, is because of our own strength and power, we are being prideful, and God is opposed to the proud.

When there is no recognition of God in our life, we may enjoy and glory in our achievements but that enjoyment and glory only stays on earth. It has no eternal value.

The world’s definition of success is different from God’s definition. Success in God’s eyes is knowing, fearing, loving, trusting, and obeying Him.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

The same thing happened to King Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar. He knew what happened to his father when his heart was lifted up, but he did not humble himself. He commanded to bring the gold and silver vessels from the temple of God for them to use. Then “they praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone” (ch. 5 v. 4).

“And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven.” ch. 5 v. 23

He did not praise the God of heaven and instead praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which have no power because they do not see or hear or know.

“And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.” ch. 5 v. 23

As a result, that very night Daniel gave him the interpretation of the writing on the wall, he was slain.

I finally decided to make tacos today. I bought the ingredients last weekend but I didn’t have enough time. I started making taco shells around 11 this morning and finished everything (shells and fillings) around 3 pm! Some food takes forever to make but takes only seconds to finish! Anyway, I’ve always liked soft taco shells because the corn shell is too messy to eat.

Ingredients:

Soft taco shells:

• 4 c all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp olive oil
• 1 c water

Method:

• Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Make a well in the center and pour the oil and water.
• Mix then knead until there are no more lumps.
• Form them into small balls and let it rest for 30 minutes. (I was able to make 14 balls.)
• Flatten the dough using a rolling pin.
• Put the taco shells on a hot pan (no need to put oil) and wait until the bread pops.
• If the bread turned to brown, it’s time to cook the other side.

Filling:

• chicken
• 4 heads onion, chopped
• 1 head garlic, chopped
• 2 large red bell pepper, cubed
• 2 large green bell pepper, cubed
• 1 large cabbage, shredded
• cilantro, chopped
• cumin
• paprika
• chili powder
• ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp salt (For papa, I only put 1/2 tsp salt.)

Method:

• Sautee the garlic, onion, and some of the bell pepper in olive oil.
• Add the chicken.
• When the chicken is cooked, add cumin, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, and salt. Mix until well incorporated.
• Once cooked, put the chicken filling on top of the soft taco shell, add the fresh bell peppers, cabbage, cilantro, and then fold the shell.

Today’s devo: Daniel 2

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and he called the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans (“known for their study abd knowledge of astrology and astronomy” – gotquestions.org)–all the wise men of Babylon–to tell him his dream and interpret it.

The Chaldeans told the king that no man on earth could tell what the king dreamt about and the latter was infuriated. He commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon–which includes Daniel and his companions.

Daniel asked God to help them know the king’s dream and interpret it. The Lord made known to Daniel the dream and its interpretation through a night vision.

“He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” – Daniel 2:21c-22

Nothing is impossible with God. The Chaldeans  told the king that it’s not possible for man to know what his dream was, which is true–it really is not humanly possible, but God revealed it to Daniel. God is God and He can reveal anything to anyone should He so wills. And there truly is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. God reveals secrets.

“Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, ‘The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days…” – Daniel 2:27-28

After Daniel told the king his dream and its interpretation, King Nebuchadnezzar recognized God as God.

“Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” v. 47

I was halfway through the book of Daniel but I got distracted by a lot of other things and instead of finishing the book in my quiet time, I would just open the Bible randomly. So today, I decided to start from chapter 1 again. What stood out to me in chapter 1 is verse 9.

“Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.”

The favor that we receive from people is ultimately from the Lord. It is He who works in the hearts of men to bless us. It is He who blesses us through people.

Sometimes we think that when people give us a favor, we think that it’s because of our being likeable or because of other people’s kindness. I am not discrediting people’s kindness but it’s just amazing to know that favors are ultimately from God.

He wants to bless us and He uses people to do that. Also, it talks about the obedience of the people that God uses to bless us. If they do not  obey, we wouldn’t receive God’s blessing.

This made me think about the countless times I was given favor by other people without me knowing why because I think I’m not deserving. Now I understand. It is God showing me that He loves me and cares for me.

The king ordered the eunuch to provide the king’s delicacies and wine to the young men who had the ability to serve in the palace. However, Daniel requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah be fed with only vegetables and water.

It doesn’t say exactly why Daniel considered the king’s food as defiled so I had to look it up. I found these points on enduringword.com:

1. The food was not kosher.

The Hebrew word “kosher” means fit or proper as it relates to Jewish dietary law. Kosher foods are permitted to be eaten, and can be used as ingredients in the production of additional food items. The basic laws are of Biblical origin (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 17).

2. It was probably sacrificed to idols

3. Eating the king’s food implied fellowship with Babylon’s cultural system

They already changed his name to Belteshazzar and commanded them to be trained. Daniel drew the line by not accepting the king’s food. Eating the king’s food is a sign that he gave his loyalty to the king. But, Daniel’s loyalty belongs to God only, so he purposes in his heart that he would not eat the king’s food.

We can see Daniel’s discipline and courage despite being a teenager/a young man. I suddenly remembered Esau who sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup. He was not able to curb his hunger and exchanged something so precious as his birthright to something that is much much less valuable.

The eunuch was scared for his life because he is accountable to the king. Daniel asked him to test them for ten days and compare them with the other chosen young men. The eunuch consented with them and after ten days, he saw that Daniel and his friends looked healthier than those who were given the king’s delicacies.

When the time came that the king had to interview the young men, he found out that there was no match for Daniel and his friends when it comes to knowledge and skill, and so they were chosen to serve the king.