MANY ALTARS
Today's reading: Hosea 8-14

"Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning!" Hosea 8:11 NLT

I can imagine they had sincere intent when they built the altars to pagan gods.

I believe they thought it would help them to serve the One True God.

I think these folks were a lot like us...

We have programs that are intended to reach the lost and dying world.

We have churches that are supposed to be hospitals for the hurting.

We have Bible studies that are meant to train in godliness and righteousness.

We commit ourselves to attend church.

And after a while...

Our programs become shallow and merely entertaining.

The church turns into a wrestling ring where grudge matches are held and more people are hurt than helped.

And our Bible studies become coffee clubs, gossip groups and house parties where the conversation is focused more on worldly things than Him.

Our attendance is easily excused based upon the 'season' we're in--like baseball season, vacation season, work too many hours season, soccer season.

Yes, I think Hosea's world was a lot like ours.