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What does it cost to follow God's command when it breaks your heart? The story of Hosea provides a raw, unflinching look at what happens when God asks the unthinkable — to marry a woman who would repeatedly betray him as a living metaphor of Israel's unfaithfulness to God.

Hosea, the first of the minor prophets, ministered for 60 years to the northern kingdom of Israel during a time when prosperity masked spiritual decay. As the nation cycled through six kings in just 20 years and mixed pagan worship practices with devotion to God, the Lord called Hosea to embody His heartbreak through a marriage destined for pain. Hosea's three children received names that proclaimed coming judgment: Jezreel ("God scatters"), Lo-Ruhamah ("no mercy"), and Lo-Ammi ("not my people").

The most powerful aspect of this ancient story isn't the betrayal but the redemption. When Gomer eventually left Hosea, God commanded him to buy her back—redeeming her for half the price of a common slave. This extraordinary act mirrors God's persistent love for us despite our spiritual adultery.

This story confronts us with uncomfortable questions: How have we been unfaithful to God? What "mixture" have we allowed into our lives—beliefs, practices, or priorities that contradict our professed faith? We may not bow before carved idols, but we often compartmentalize our faith while serving modern gods of wealth, pleasure, and status.

Yet Hosea's ultimate message isn't condemnation but restoration. When asked what message should conclude this sermon, God's answer was beautifully simple: "Tell them I love them." Despite seeing every secret sin and public failure, God continues to choose us, redeem us, and love us with a passion that will chase us down.

Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or have walked with God for decades, this message invites you to experience the transformative power of a love that refuses to give up on you. Join us in discovering what it means to be fully known, completely forgiven, and unconditionally loved.

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Pride, locusts, and divine justice take center stage as three voices from our community unpack powerful lessons from the Minor Prophets. Far from being footnotes in Scripture, these ancient messengers offer timely warnings that speak directly to our modern hearts.

Barbara Burke begins by examining Obadiah's pointed message to Edom. What happens when generational bitterness festers into active hostility? The Edomites—descendants of Esau—not only refused to help their brother nation during invasion but actively participated in their destruction and gloated over their downfall. Their pride became their undoing. As Barbara powerfully reminds us, "Pride of heart is the attitude of a lie that declares its ability to live without God." How often do we walk out of worship only to live as if we can handle everything ourselves?

Dave Henderson brings Joel's message to life, describing waves of locusts that stripped Judah bare—a divine wake-up call that eliminated even their ability to offer sacrifices. Yet God's message wasn't merely judgment but invitation: "Rend your hearts, not your garments." When genuine repentance followed, God promised restoration beyond imagination: "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten." For those feeling stripped bare by life's difficulties, Joel offers hope that nothing is beyond God's restorative power.

Angie concludes with Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh, revealing God as patient, powerful, and just. Though temporarily spared after Jonah's reluctant preaching, Nineveh returned to brutal practices and faced divine judgment. Yet even in pronouncing judgment, Nahum reminds us that "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. He knows those who take refuge in him."

These prophetic voices collectively challenge our spiritual complacency and the small, incremental steps that gradually lead us away from God. Our culture prioritizes instant gratification—likes, follows, success without sacrifice—but the Minor Prophets remind us that temporary pleasure pales compared to lasting relationship with our Creator. As Angie perfectly summarizes, "Life with Jesus may not be easy, but it is always worth it."

Have you examined your heart lately? What pride, injustice, or complacency might be keeping you from experiencing God's restoration? Draw near to Him today, and watch the impossible become possible.

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Ever misheard the lyrics to your favorite worship song? Those funny misinterpretations set the stage for a powerful exploration of what it truly means to hear God's voice in a noisy world.

In this compelling message, we dive into the book of Micah—one of the twelve Minor Prophets whose small book carries an enormous message. Micah, an ordinary person from a small town outside Jerusalem, received an extraordinary vision: for the first time in biblical history, God declared that destruction would come to Jerusalem if its people didn't return to Him. Imagine the courage required to deliver such devastating news to powerful people in the capital city!

Despite the stern warnings, Micah's prophecy wasn't without hope. God promised to preserve a "remnant" of faithful believers who would eventually rise up strong. Throughout history, God has consistently preserved these remnants of faith—people who remain committed to Him despite societal pressures. Many of us stand on the spiritual foundation built by faithful ancestors who prayed for future generations.

At the heart of Micah's message lies a deceptively simple instruction found in Micah 6:8: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." These three requirements aren't complicated to understand but require genuine character transformation to live out. "Do justice" by treating others fairly. "Love kindness" by genuinely delighting in showing kindness. "Walk humbly" by recognizing who God is and who we are in relation to Him.

Join us on this journey through Micah's timeless message and discover how to stay the course in your walk with God. Don't let the world distort the lyrics of how you follow Jesus—listen to His voice and keep moving forward with Him.

Cornerstone
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/

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https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-jesus

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https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-groups

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