Memory Monday – Week 68
In Hosea 4:6 God accuses the religious leaders of disobeying what they were supposed to do. Instead of leading spiritually, they withheld information. The verse tells us that “God’s people will perish for we lack knowledge.” What knowledge is this verse referring to? It’s referring to the lack of knowledge of who God is and the knowledge of the word of God. When we don’t know the word of God we certainly won’t know who God is. God is directly related to His word and vice versa. John 1:1 says “The WORD is God.”
So what happens when we don’t know God’s word and we don’t know God? We perish. We waste away. We miss out. We perish for the lack of knowledge.
People are walking in spiritual darkness because they don’t know Jesus. The message version of this verse says that people are “ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true.” If we truly had a fresh revelation of who Jesus is and what His word says, we would never doubt His plans for us. When we know God’s word and have a personal relationship with Jesus we are able to overcome any obstacle that we face. We are able to fight fear and fight the enemy with the power of His word.
I think this verse applies to so many more areas than just spiritually. Just like the reason I am so passionate about Jesus is because I have spent time getting to know Him, the reason I am so passionate about eating a healthy diet free of any processed foods is because I have done research on foods and their effects on our health. Sometimes when I talk to people about the importance of avoiding sugar or explain why we eat the way we do, I get the ‘deer in the headlights’ look. But, I truly believe part of the problem with the high rate of obesity and health issues, including infertility, is due to lack of knowledge. If every person was well educated on the TRUE importance of how diet affects their health, maybe it would motivate them to change. This holds true for everything; finances, healthy marriage, etc.
Don’t miss out or perish because you don’t know Jesus and His word. You are robbing yourself of the best relationship any one person can have! Spend time with Him – You will be blessed.
Mel @ there is a higher hope
Posted at 08:49h, 06 OctoberOur Sunday School teacher is passionate about reading and prayer, as well, and says the same thing: you can’t know Him unless you stay in His Word. I feel convicted because I do not put as much effort into reading my Bible like I know I should.
Elisha
Posted at 12:42h, 06 OctoberThis became one of my “go to” verses about two years ago when I became passionate about helping people find hope in Christ and believing God for miracles. I ran into many women who just simply did not know God even talked about fertility in the Bible and that it was His will for all to be healed and restored. Thank you for sharing girlie! xo
jennifer prod
Posted at 12:55h, 06 OctoberI did the Hosea study with She Reads Truth, and it truly reinforced how important it is to be reading and studying the Bible as a means of knowing God. Isn’t it miraculous that we can open the Bible and read God’s word? <3
Amie
Posted at 14:49h, 06 OctoberThis is so true!! I have gotten out of my routine of reading my bible and I can absolutely tell by the way I feel that I have let my communication with God be disrupted. Time to get back on board for sure!
Gen Delali
Posted at 16:27h, 06 Octoberso, so true! when we know the word personally, we wouldn’t be blown here and there by any wind of false doctrine! we absolutely need to know God through His Word!
Laura @ Making Baby Provence
Posted at 17:30h, 06 OctoberI have been thinking about this a lot lately and how much spending time with Him has changed my life. I need to do it more. I just don’t think I can find too much time to spend with God.
Finley
Posted at 03:41h, 07 OctoberYes indeedy you will!!!! Knowledge is definitely power and allows you to make good well informed choices – especially with food. But with Jesus – the more you get to know and build a relationship – the more you rely and turn to Jesus! It’s always a win/win 🙂
Charity
Posted at 08:00h, 07 OctoberThis is so true. Such a convicting word, it’s important to know God’s word and Him. Because only he can sustain us and get us through each day. I’ve noticed a difference in how I can handle the day when I am equipped with his word rather then when I don’t. There is power in his word there for us to use. And if we don’t know that we don’t have it.
Amy
Posted at 09:42h, 07 OctoberGreat post and verse! The only way to know God better is by reading His word. And that means consistently reading the Bible, which I fail to always do. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Evangeline
Posted at 11:53h, 07 OctoberThanks for your wonderful post! Spending time with Him has many bonuses and benefits. 2 Peter 1:2 encourages us to do so because that’s how favor and peace are richly multiplied in our lives—as we grow in our knowledge of Jesus’ love.
I always appreciate your insights and revelations!
Jojo
Posted at 13:20h, 07 OctoberVery true, lack of knowledge makes people oblivious of what’s going on around them. People always use the excuse that is to hard to eat healthy or pick up a book.
Jessah
Posted at 17:27h, 07 OctoberGreat post and reminder that I need to spend more time in His word.
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
Posted at 21:25h, 07 OctoberWonderful post as usual Caroline.
I agree, getting to know God’s word is vital to our health as Christian because He is the word and the word is in Him.
Funny you mentioned your example of sugar. I just recently cut out all added sugars from my diet (with the exception of what’s in the occasional glass of wine). I’m also trying to scale back on my added sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup. It’s hard but it’s critical to our health.
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
Posted at 15:13h, 09 OctoberThank you for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop Caroline!
By the way, I’m on day 6 of no sugar, I haven’t had wine for 6 days (although I plan on having a couple glasses this weekend with our Thanksgiving dinner) and I cut cream out of my coffee (and I’m down to only 1 cup of coffee a day)! I’m feeling great!
Thanks again.
Have a great weekend.
xoxo
Tania // Run To Radiance
Posted at 22:53h, 07 OctoberSo true. The Bible is a privilege that I don’t take advantage of nearly enough!
Rhonda
Posted at 15:59h, 22 OctoberYou inspired me to write about this, too! http://rhondassweetdreams.blogspot.ca/2014/10/where-is-your-heart.html