Teaching Notes

There is a poem about the footprints in the sand. That when you only see one it is because God is carrying you. I also wrote a poem slightly different. When you only see one set of prints it is because you are now walking in his. When we turn from following our own way to following his, we then begin to follow in his steps.

Repentance

Hosea 14:4-8 (The Message)

4-8 "I will heal their waywardness. I will love them lavishly. My anger is played out. I will make a fresh start with Israel. He'll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring. He'll put down deep oak tree roots, he'll become a forest of oaks! He'll become splendid—like a giant sequoia, his fragrance like a grove of cedars!Those who live near him will be blessed by him, be blessed and prosper like golden grain. Everyone will be talking about them, spreading their fame as the vintage children of God. Ephraim is finished with gods that are no-gods. From now on I'm the one who answers and satisfies him. I am like a luxuriant fruit tree. Everything you need is to be found in me."

Notes: The children of God were told in the previous verses how to prepare to come to God for forgiveness. These verses tell what they can receive from God when they turn from their wickedness and back to the mercy and love of God.

Question: What are some of the promises of God to his children when they repent?

Answer: He promises to heal them from their wickedness. He promises to lavish them with his love (even though he never stopped loving them, he simply will show it to a greater degree). He promises to grow them and make them to become a blessing that when others see them, they will know they belong to God. He also promises them that everything they need can be found in him. God is then promises he will help them to turn their affections toward him.

Prayer: Lord we are thankful today that if we have sinned against you, you promise us that if we repent you will again restore us to a right place with you. You will lavish your love and teach us your ways. You will bless us so that we can bless others. Thank you God for loving us so much that you want us to be your children. Make us over today Lord.