During a worship service, Hoseah reflected on the importance of being occupied with the Lord, expressing a desire for worship to continue indefinitely. He shared his feelings of unworthiness when asked to speak but was encouraged by a friend to share his thoughts. Hoseah emphasized the need for believers to recognize their inadequacy and reliance on the Holy Spirit. He noted the neglect of God in the world and within the church, urging the congregation to acknowledge their need for God and each other. He recounted experiences from his travels, particularly in China, where believers risk their lives to gather and worship, contrasting this with the complacency often found in Western churches. Hoseah highlighted the importance of commitment to God’s house and the necessity of placing oneself under obligation to serve. He referenced the Book of Nehemiah, discussing the collective responsibility of God’s people to restore and maintain His house. Ultimately, he called for a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing that true discipleship involves willingly placing oneself under obligation to learn and serve.
32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. 33 Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly: 34 Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. 35 For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works. 36 Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: 37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. 38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.