Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture! Two versions, NIV and The Message, are both included today so please enjoy either one…or both! What is it saying to you today? How does it relate to your life right now? How does it relate to the message from Sunday? Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is: Psalm 33

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. 6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

08.15.14 "For the Righteous"

For The Righteous…  

Please pray and them read the scripture for today’s blog:

Psalm 34:15-20N New International Version (NIV)

15

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.

17

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

20

he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

The first word that popped out at me as I read this passage was “righteous”.  A couple of weeks ago I researched exactly what the definition means to Christians.  Of course there were many, but the one that struck home with me was, “People receive righteousness (moral perfection) through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. Christ, the sinless Son of God, took humanity's sin upon himself and became the willing, perfect sacrifice, suffering the punishment mankind deserved. God the Father accepted Jesus' sacrifice, through which human beings can become justified.”  It appears three times in this short passage.  “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous” - I wonder is that me? Yes, I do believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and my faith is made stronger only through Him, not from my works or things of this world. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord Hears them;” - Our Father continues to amaze me in huge ways (healing of alcoholism) and in everyday small things (where did I put the butter?) if we cry out to Him. (both of these things I saw answers to this week) He reinforces this same thought with the third mention of righteousness in verse 19 and promises, “the Lord delivers him from them ALL”. We are so very Blessed!

I love how this passage shows the love our Father has for us. Words like “brokenhearted”, “crushed in spirit”, “cry out” are familiar emotions of many, including me. I can go right to that place for things that I see in my life, the lives of others, and in the world and become instantly overwhelmed. “But His ears are attentive”, “He delivers and saves” are the answers that bring me out of that depressed state of mind.

What Good News!!!! What promises, what a Provider we have! It’s so encouraging to me and I hope it brings warm, happy tears to your eyes as well.

Sunday’s Message was titled “Showdown of the Gods”. (between our God and the Baals) and throughout the passages for this week our God has shown how He is the One True God and how He works in the lives of those who believe in Him. This passage is no exception. What more could we ask for? Not ONE of our bones will be broken under His protection.

Well I believe it!  Do You?  What did you hear from God when you read this scripture?

May the Grace and Peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you all this Friday.

Cindy

8.14.14 "Fear and Depression!"

Welcome to the PoG Blog!  Here is the reading for today!

1 Kings 19
And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
¹¹ The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for theLord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but theLord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah is depressed.  He is afraid.  He saw God show Himself strong on Mount Carmel and now Jezebel is out to kill him.
Fear and depression go hand in hand.  I have been a pastor over 20 years and ministered to many people dealing with bouts of depression of varying degrees – myself included.  I have discovered that by far the he most effective question in helping people is not, “Why are you depressed?” but rather “What are you afraid of?”  Fear and depression go hand in hand –they did for Elijah!
Notice God’s solution!  God brought Himself into the picture.  He presented Himself to Elijah.  God was bigger than all that was against Elijah.  It is the presence of God that dispels fear.  We “see” His presence in every situation with the eyes of faith.  I do not want to sound simplistic but He did call Elijah to believe that “Our God is Mighty to Save” – He calls us to believe that as well.   We are never alone and God is present and bigger than whatever we fear!
I wonder what Robin Williams feared.  It is such a sad story when fear gets the best of us.  No matter what we fear we get to believe – we must believe that Jesus is bigger!  The true size of Jesus dwarfs whatever we fear.  Together we can help each other grasp the true size of Jesus!  We all need a lot of help with that at one time or another – then hope can begin to replace fear and life can be restored!

As I face my fears today I get to believe in the true size of Jesus and trust His presence for me and with me today!

What about you?  Where are your thoughts?  Would love to hear!

Delton

8.12.14 They fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD--he is God!"

1 Kings 18:30-39 ³⁰ Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. ³¹ Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” ³² With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs^[a] of seed. ³³ He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

³⁴ “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. ³⁵ The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

³⁶ At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. ³⁷ Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

³⁹ When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

Today’s passage is an unbelievable demonstration of GOD’s awesome power.  The word “prostrate” in the last sentence stuck out in my mind and it clearly demonstrates how incredible this demonstration was.  Those who witnessed it fell flat on their faces.  GOD made HIS point in a way that was not just amazing and convincing, it was also terrifying.

But that was then, and this is now.  How would people react today to such a demonstration?  We actually witness such demonstrates pretty routinely nowadays.  If you watch TV or have ever been to a magic show chances are you’ve seen even more astounding demonstrations from the Statute of Liberty being made to vanish, to a man floating on thin air hundreds of feet above the ground with no visible wires or harnesses.   I submit that even a demonstration as incredible as the one described in the passage may not receive the attention it so deeply deserves.  Remember all of the plagues brought upon Egypt, yet even the effect of losing the first born of an entire nation was only temporary.

So what would it take today to turn the people back to the one true GOD?  In his message on Sunday Pastor talked about the terrible drought we’ve been experiencing not unlike the one mentioned in the book of Elijah.   He also mentioned people coming together from different congregations and denominations and praying as one church, one people, to one GOD.   Perhaps what would catch the attention of the people today is unprecedented warming of the climate on a global scale, extreme weather, or maybe chunks of the polar ice caps as big as New Hampshire breaking off and melting at a frequently alarming rate.   Does GOD have your attention yet?   What will it take?

The message of this passage is clear.  We are not dealing with a Las Vegas magician or master illusionist.  We are dealing with the CREATOR of the universe, and HE will stop at nothing to get our attention, not even the life of HIS very own SON.  But getting our attention is only part of the deal; a talented magician can do that.  GOD’s ultimate goal is to secure our belief and that is a choice HE has always left completely to us.   What choice will you make?

HEAVENLY FATHER we come to YOU in complete awe of YOUR incredible power and even more in awe of YOUR awesome love for us.  Please open our stubborn heats and minds to YOUR truth and lead us according to the path YOU created for us before we drew our first breath.   Enlighten us LORD so that YOU may delight in OUR love and devotion to YOU.  In CHRIST'S Name we pray, Amen.

Jim L

8.7.14 "Rejoice in the LORD!"

Welcome to the PoG blog!  

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

No matter what time of the day it is, you are reading this blog to help you stay closely connected to the God of the Universe.  With all the demands on our time, you have chosen wisely.  And God says that we will be found by Him when we seek Him with all our heart.  Before you read the scripture verse and continue with the blog, I encourage you to spend time in prayer – asking God to speak to you and to help you be a good listener.  May God bless your meditation on His word!

 Habakkuk 3:1-2, 17-19

3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.^[a]

² Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, ¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

What a beautiful prayer!  It makes sense and seems almost natural to thank God when our cup overflows with his blessings.  When all seems “right with the world” our hearts are filled with thanksgiving and praise to the One “from whom all blessings flow”.

The real test, however, is our reaction when the brook dries up – when the fig tree does not bud, there are no grapes on the vines, when the olive crop fails, when the creditor gives us a call, when the marriage seems dry, when we feel lonely, etc.  Now THAT is a test of the role God plays in our lives.  How do we react?  What do we say to God?  Do we say anything?

Thank God for Habakkuk!  He has an answer that brings life.  He says that no matter what kind of day I am having, what is going on in my world, etc. “yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior”.

So whether your day is just getting started or you have already experienced some of life’s disappointments,   I encourage you to “rejoice in the Lord”!  It’s the only way to live and the only way to experience the new life we have in Christ.

Mark

08.06.14 "Belief vs. Relief"

  Belief vs. Relief

Heavenly Father, thank you for this time we have together. I thank You for the many blessings You’ve poured into my life, known and unknown, and praise You for the work you’ve begun in me. Quiet my mind and thoughts, that I can hear only You. Amen.

 1 Kings 17:17-24

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. ¹⁸ She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”

¹⁹ “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. ²⁰ Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” ²¹ Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

²² The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. ²³ Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!”

²⁴ Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”

As I read these verses, I immediately identified with the woman. For a while, I was raised by a single Mom, and I saw first-hand the challenges that a single mother faces. Mom relied on members of our extended family (my sweet Uncle Howard, just two doors down from us, to name one) and our church family after we lost my father to leukemia. We had many people to love and support us. But I remember Mom saying that she often felt left out when surrounded by couples her own age. The woman who Elijah was staying with had many more challenges – a different society, who didn’t respect her just because she was a woman, and “blamed” her for being a single mother. Plus, she was poor, so poor that she was ready to “eat and die”. She simply worried about existing… She must have thought Elijah was a little nuts when he told her not to worry (“Do not fear…”), to make some bread, she would NOT run out of flour and oil. God made a miracle through Elijah to show her how much she is loved and how much He cared for her and her son.

And then I identified with her because Jim and I have been blessed with three sons. I love them very much, and thinking about one of them becoming ill and dying just makes me shudder. When our boys have struggled or been ill, I have to admit that I wondered what I did wrong, or how I could have been a better parent. This woman has lost everything, and in that culture, she’s blaming herself when Elijah revives the son from the dead and, again, God makes a miracle through Elijah to show His faithfulness to her. He showed her that it had nothing to do with her, that HE was in charge of her life.

This woman absolutely needed relief from worry and grief. This is the person God chose to help Elijah. God didn’t send Elijah to the richest, most healthy and wealthy family in the town, He sent Elijah to this poor widow. She was living a very difficult life, and the best thing she did was LISTEN to Elijah. She could have told him to get lost and leave her alone. Instead she listened, and I imagine a part of her was hoping that what this stranger said to her was true. God worked in her life through Elijah in a very powerful way. She became a believer by listening, trusting, and obeying.

Does God still do this? Does he work in our lives in this kind of powerful way today? I think he has, and can. This story makes me wonder about the ways in which God might have used me in a powerful way, but I wasn’t faithfully listening and obeying.

I believe that we experience small miracles all the time, but don’t slow down or listen enough to realize it! Has God made a miracle in your life through someone, because you were faithfully listening? I’d love to hear about it!

kristi

My Adonai

The Scripture for today is 1 Kings 17:7-16

⁷ Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. ⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to him: ⁹ “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” ¹⁰ So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” ¹¹ As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

¹² “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

¹³ Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. ¹⁴ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

¹⁵ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. ¹⁶ For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

 When I read the passage in 1 Kings 17, I found myself drawn to the final verse – “For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.  Seeking deeper insight into why this verse resonated with me, I thought of a bible study tool that I sometimes use; studying the names of God and how they reveal his character.  A trip to the bible.org website and a quick prayer for discernment led me to the name that I was seeking – Adonai.  An article on bible.org states “Like Elohim, this too is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” Stresses man’s relationship to God as his master, authority, and provider.”  Seeking to delve a bit more into the importance of studying the names of God, I came across this quote in the article, “But in Scripture, the names of God are like miniature portraits and promises.”  What a blessing! I can know more of God’s CHARACTER through the study of his names.  I can know more of God’s PROMISES through the study of his names.  My Father in Heaven, revealing himself to ME through his Word. 

How comforting and reassuring this name of God is to me.  Adonai, a miniature portrait and promise of our God, a God who is master, authority and provider.  Elijah’s obedience to God as master and authority sent him to Zarephath where he found the widow as God had promised. Through the widow’s jar of flour and jug of oil, God richly provided for Elijah, the widow and her family.   God used a humble woman to provide for Elijah during a time of preparation for the incredible work that God would do through him.  God used this same humble woman’s story to teach us, his children, that he is OUR MASTER, AUTHORITY and PROVIDER.  How is God revealing himself as your Adonai?  Have you ever studied the names of God and meditated on what God is revealing of himself and his promises through this name? 

Adonai, I submit to you as my master and authority.  You are truly LORD of my life.  I thank you for your incredible provision for me through your WORD and your SON.  I thank you for your loving kindness to me and those I love.  You have blessed me beyond measure, not because of anything that I have done but because you are a loving and gracious FATHER.  Teach me to live each day, Adonai, in submission and gratitude.  Amen

Kelly

8.1.14 "He Shall Direct Your Paths!"

Proverbs 3: 5-6  (NKJV) ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

I know that these words from this section of Proverbs is meant to be more instructional in nature, yet I find them to be quite relational…comforting…and very reassuring.

The words “trust” and “heart” bring out a depth of faith that could only be found in a heavenly Father whose love and wisdom is beyond all comprehension…where “lean not on your own understanding” moves from an exhortation for daily living to a peace that surpasses all understanding…and out of that peace, a heart in despair can once again reach up to “acknowledge Him” with open arms to cry out Abba Father…and He returns that love with the blessed assurance that “He shall direct your paths”.

Thank you Father…Great is your Holy Name!

Blessings to you and yours,

jim

7.29.2014 "God Provides!"

Philippians 4:19 ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

It can be so simple sometimes.  It was a typical Monday morning back in early December 2013, and, as usual, the rush to work was on.  I’d grabbed everything and scampered out of the house and into traffic.  I’m immediately cut off by one of my fellow citizens as anxious to get to work as I am.  I snarl at him, or her…not sure which since it’s still dark-thirty, but I’m sure they’re snarling back at me.  I think to myself man, it’s just Monday and I’m already tired.  I think man, the holidays are coming and we’re short of money again.  I hate always being short.  I know we’ll get it all done but, when it’s all said and done we’ll be that much shorter.

Darn it, I think to myself, I forgot my lunch!  Crud!  I say out loud (or maybe something a little worse)…this time I’m the one cutting someone off in traffic.  That really screws things up.  Now I’ll have to buy lunch making our tight funds even tighter.  Crud! I say out loud again, (or maybe something a little worse) no breakfast, no lunch, Monday!!!  As I stew about this and digest the fact that all of this rushing was caused by me having to gather up all that extra junk for the white elephant Christmas thingy at work my attention is drawn to the gas level indicator from the dashboard display.  Less than a quarter tank!  I’m not making it the whole week on a quarter tank of gas…dang more money.  More anger.  More stress.

So maybe I’ll just do without breakfast this morning and just get a bag of chips or something for lunch.  I could stand to miss a meal or two.  We’ll figure it all out.  I know the LORD is in control but why do things always seem so upside down.  I start to settle down and finally get to work.  But then I’ve got to carry all this Christmas junk in and remember it’s the reason I forgot my lunch in the first place and a slow boil begins again.

Finally at my desk with coffee I pop on the computer and the early headlines remind again of the tragedy at that school in Connecticut…all those innocent babies.  Suddenly food, gas, and bills don’t seem so important anymore.  There are those who would trade places with me in a heartbeat because their routine, their normal, will never be the same again.   I feel my eyes water.

Then a co-worker stops by with an extra apple cinnamon muffin he shares with me. I quickly wipe my eyes and do the fake coughing, sniffing allergy thing to hide the tears. Wow that takes care of my missing breakfast.  He also reminds me that there will be plenty to eat today since we’re having the little Christmas thingy at lunchtime.  And that’s the lunch I was so concerned about as well.  Then I feel the warmth of the MASTER gently reminding me WHO’S in charge of stuff…the big stuff and…the small stuff too!   It can be so simple sometimes.

HEAVENLY FATHER we give thanks and praise to YOU this day for all that we have, all that we have had, and all that we will ever need.   Remind us today when we are tricked into mindless agitation or useless aggravation that YOU are in control and we need not fret or sweat.  YOU have and will meet our every need!  In the name of YOUR SON, our SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, we pray, amen!

Jim L

Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture! Two versions, NIV and The Message, are both included today so please enjoy either one…or both! What is it saying to you today? How does it relate to your life right now? How does it relate to the message from Sunday? Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today’s Scripture is: Psalm 57 (NIV)

1Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. 3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me - God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. 4 I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts - men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. 6 They spread a net for my feet - I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path - but they have fallen into it themselves. 7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. 8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 57 (The Message)

1-3 Be good to me, God—and now! I’ve run to you for dear life. I’m hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I call out to High God, the God who holds me together. He sends orders from heaven and saves me, he humiliates those who kick me around. God delivers generous love, he makes good on his word. 4 I find myself in a pride of lions who are wild for a taste of human flesh; Their teeth are lances and arrows, their tongues are sharp daggers. 5 Soar high in the skies, O God! Cover the whole earth with your glory! 6 They booby-trapped my path; I thought I was dead and done for. They dug a mantrap to catch me, and fell in headlong themselves. 7-8 I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe, Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune: “Wake up, soul! Wake up, harp! wake up, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!” 9-10 I’m thanking you, GOD, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness. 11 Soar high in the skies, O God! Cover the whole earth with your glory!

7.25.14 "Living Life as God Truly Intends - For Now and Eternity"

John 14:1-7New International Version (NIV) Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

My heart has been heavy this week, knowing that I’m going to two separate funeral services this weekend. But thinking that these 2 beautiful people who once graced this world, are now in heaven with our Father, really does relieve that tension.

I struggle with these types of services because I usually don’t know what to say, but this passage gives me so much peace and comfort going into this weekend. I may not have the words, but God will provide them when it’s necessary. One thing that I do know is that God knows these two, and He loved them so much that He has created a place for them for eternity. THAT’S comfort!

I can look at this passage and see that Jesus had prepared a way for these two individuals in the same way that He is preparing a place for all of us who believe in Him. And there’s no mistaking that statement! Jesus is VERY clear about this “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (vs 6).

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hello Father, thank You for comforting those who are hurting and troubled. Thank You for never leaving us when we are feeling lonely and needing a friend. Thank You for knowing us and preparing a place for us to come live forever. You have given so much, and we are excited to see You one day. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Toni

Shepherding

John 10: 7-18

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

As I read this beautiful passage in Scripture, I am struck by the fact that this passage follows my recent journey through John Devries’ devotional book, “Why Fear”, a study of my favorite psalm – Psalm 23.  Psalm 23, with its beautiful imagery of how our Good Shepherd cares for us, has been a source of comfort and encouragement in many circumstances in my life.  When I feel afraid, harassed, helpless, lacking in direction, or overwhelmed – it is such a blessing to remember that I have Jesus, my Good Shepherd, to guide, direct, provide for, and comfort me in all circumstances.  Jesus loved me so much that he gave his very life for me – so that I will live with him in heaven for eternity.  

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I frequently find that the Spirit speaks to me by using music, scripture, devotions, books and people to reveal specific messages that he has for me.  The Spirit seems to be teaching me about shepherding – reminding me of God’s care of me and showing me how to care for others.  Dr. Carey’s message on Sunday has me reflecting on the “Take-Aways”:  God uses IMPERFECT people; God is PATIENT; and God LISTENS to His people.  The final question that he gave us for personal reflection was:  “How is God calling you to serve and minister to those around you?”  

I am reminded that serving and ministering to others is shepherding.  I am called to minister to those that God places in my life – my family, my friends, and my neighbors. I am also reminded that Jesus laid down his very life for his sheep, including those that are not of his sheep pen.  How does God desire to use IMPERFECT me to minister in his kingdom?  Will he call me to step out of my comfort zone?  Will he prune and discipline me to help me grown into the disciple that he desires me to be?  Like Moses, I struggle with doubt.  Why Me?  What if people don’t listen?  What if I am not gifted enough?  God is PATIENT with me and will LISTEN to me as I pour out my heart and seek his will.  I just need to listen to my Shepherd’s voice and trust him to guide me to the sheep that he wants me to serve.  How is God calling YOU?  How can WE encourage each other?  How can WE work together to reach Jesus’ sheep?

 Abba Father, be with us this day.  As we go about the business of our day, remind us of your faithfulness, your goodness, your provision, your patience and your undying love for us.  Help us to reach out to those that you would have us love and serve – your flock.  Remind us that you are powerfully working all around us – we just need to bring a willing heart and willing hands to join you.  Although we are weak, sinful and imperfect, you have prepared good works for us to do.  You will provide all that we need this day – we just need to trust and rely upon you and you only.  Amen

7.22.14 "Jesus Forgives"

Jesus Forgives  

Heavenly Father, thank you for this time we have together.  I thank You for the many blessings You’ve poured into my life, known and unknown, and praise You for the work you’ve begun in me.  Quiet my mind and thoughts, that I can hear only You.  Amen.

John 8:1-12

New International Version (NIV)

8 ¹ but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴ and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

As I studied these verses, the part about Jesus writing on the ground while the Pharisees questioned him made me think.  The more I learn about my Savior, the more I realize the infinite patience and compassion that he has for us.  It’s true; there are times in the Bible when we learn that he wasn’t patient (turning over the money tables in the temple in Jerusalem).  But here, he just listens and lets the Pharisees stumble over their own words.  My Bible commentary says that they wanted Jesus to agree that the adulterous woman should be stoned, but the law then stated that both the husband AND wife were supposed to be accused and stoned together – the Pharisees weren’t following the letter of the law.  He knew it, and they knew he knew it.  And there he sat, writing in the sand. J  Finally, he straightened up, and (I picture him standing with quiet authority, looking straight into each of their eyes) challenged their judgment of the woman, asking them if they were any better than her, then throw the first stone.

How many times have I rushed to judgment of people or situations?  Have I always humbly listened and responded with compassion and love?  Nope!  It says that the oldest Pharisees began to go away first.  It’s true, that the older I get, the faster (sometimes!) I realize my rush to judgment.  How can I change this yukky part of myself?  “Professor Grant”, our worship speaker from Sunday, so eloquently summarized the promises from God in the Old Testament.  How do I change?  I remember that (1) God is always with me: (2) He is the ultimate authority, the “I Am” (not me!); (3) He will handle my challenges; if only I will remember that (4) He will give me the right words; (5) and He will not leave me lonely.   What wonderful promises we have from God’s law!

Then, in the New Testament, in John 8, we are reminded of Jesus’ unending patience, love, and forgiveness, and that we must repent and work on our relationship with Him and the people around us, treating them the way Our Father treats us.

Thank you Jesus, for Your example of a loving, patient, listening Father.  Send your Holy Spirit to nudge us to treat our family/friends/neighbors as you treated the woman in this story.  We repent of our sins, and will start each new day remembering Your promises!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

kristi

7.21.2014 "Hungering for JESUS - The Bread of Life!"

  Thank you for taking the time to check out today’s blog. One way we honor God is with how we spend our time. You are entering into a time of intentional connection with the maker of the universe, our Heavenly Father! Before you start reading the scripture verse chosen for today,

please spend some time in prayer. I recommend you ask God to: 1) free you from any distractions that might keep you from focusing on God’s word 2) quiet your heart and mind so you would be able to clearly hear His voice and 3) speak to you through his Holy Word and through this time of prayer and meditation.

John 6:25-35

²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

²⁶ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’^[a]”

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

What shall we eat? What shall we drink? What shall we wear? So much of our time and attention is wrapped up in answering those questions. Jesus is offering us a much simpler, yet fuller life. I believe that comes in the very small, common decisions we make every day. The decisions we make that demonstrate what is truly important to us. As we go about our days today, may we truly act and live as if Jesus is the “bread of life”.

Mark

Saturday's Blog

Welcome to the POG Blog! Today is Saturday which means YOU get to start the discussion on today’s scripture! What is it saying to you today? How does it relate to your life right now? How does it relate to the message from Sunday? Enjoy reading, meditating, and sharing your thoughts with others today!

Today we are to re-read through the Story of Jonah (Chapters 1 – 4). Enjoy your time with Jonah and the Lord today!

Share your thoughts! What is God saying to you today?

7.18.2014 Change me JESUS!

I Am Your Sign Dear Lord,

As I write this blog, I am distracted by all the stuff I have to get done today before we go on our vacation, plus some emotional tension as well.  Jesus, please help me to put all that aside and see what you want me to see in these verses.  Help me to write only what you want me to write.  Thank you.  Amen.

Matthew 12:38-45 NIV

Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you”. 

He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!  But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.

The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. 

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.  Then it says,” ‘I will return to the house I left.’  When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there.  And the final condition of that

person is worse than the first.  That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

The Pharisees were so blinded by their status and their pride that they did not see themselves as wicked, they did not know that the enemy was living inside of them and was influencing them.   They truly did not know God, even though their lives were dedicated to God.

Jesus was trying to communicate with them in a way that they could understand, through the stories of Jonah who after the experience of living inside of a huge fish, quit running from what God was calling him to do and the result of his obedience helped save the lives of the people of Nineveh.  They heard God’s warning to them through Jonah, and repented of their sins and turned to God.

Also the Queen of the South (the Queen of Sheba), was a rich, and powerful woman, who came to seek knowledge and wisdom from Solomon about God, and became a believer.

These were great stories about two great men that the Pharisees knew well.  Perhaps they saw them as celebrities, and put them up on pedestals to be honored and memorialized. Perhaps they were like gods to them.

But now,  Jesus said that one greater than Jonah and Solomon was standing right in front of them and they did not know him!

Jesus referred to Jonah to illustrate what was about to happen to him.   They did not understand then, and many did not believe or understand even after his death and resurrection.  This has always astounded me.  The Pharisees were being influenced and controlled by the enemy.  They had gotten so used to it and so comfortable, that they did not know what they were doing.

Jesus was their sign!  And he is our sign too!

The second part of Jesus’s message was about the impure spirits that roam around in search of a place to rest.

He finds places to rest in anyone who leaves the door open for him to enter.

How easy it is for the enemy to invade us!  Even though we believe in God, even though we attend church and read the bible.  He still gets in and tries to get us to give up.  It’s in the daily living that we let the enemy come in and make a mess!

This happened to me last night.  I called my Mom; who we are getting ready to go see this week, along with the rest of my family and a few friends.  I hadn’t called her in a while and wanted to see how she was doing, and let her know our plans.  Well, all of a sudden the conversation became very negative, she said something about someone else that I did not agree with, and it continued for a bit until we changed the subject to something else.  The enemy knew just how to get to me and he used my own Mom to do it!  I was caught off guard and let her words get to me.

After the phone call I was trying to let go of what she had said, and what came to me was Pastor Delton’s phrase, “Third Party Alert!”.

I knew that the enemy had gotten his hooks in and was the cause of this tension and unrest, but I could not get rid of it on my own.  I didn’t want the negative thoughts and feelings to control me. I tried on my own to take my mind off of it, by reading, or watching t.v., but it didn’t help.  I just had to be alone with God to work through and let go of it all.  This huge battle was going on inside of me,  I could not talk about it with anyone but God, because no one could really understand except God.  I tried to go to sleep, but  I couldn’t, so I got up after everyone else went to bed and just let it all out.

I gave it all to him,  I prayed for my Mom that she would have peace and let go of all the stuff in her mind and heart that she needs deliverance from.  I prayed for myself and my family and the trip that we are about to take, asking for this time to talk and pray and hopefully make some positive changes.

This morning I feel a better, but there are aftershocks, like with an earthquake.  The enemy is still trying to get me to dwell on it all again.  But I have Jesus to help me fight him off!

I am just so thankful that I know Jesus and can call on his name.  He is helping me today to let go of my hurts and let him heal me.   I know that there is still more healing ahead, between myself and my Mom that I don’t really know how to resolve, but with God’s help we will.

I just had a thought, that maybe God is using this stormy time in my relationship with my Mom to help us both to find forgiveness and peace with each other.  And even more than that I hope it is a start of my Mom and all of my family to be reconciled to God and be united through Jesus!

The Changed, change! Change me Jesus, and let me help others who need to change too.   Amen.

Patrice

7.17.14 "Jonah gets an object lesson from God"

Jonah 4 - Jonah gets an object lesson from God

4 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. ² He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. ³ Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

⁴ But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

⁵ Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. ⁶ Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. ⁷ But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. ⁸ When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

⁹ But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

¹⁰ But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. ¹¹ And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

What an interesting end to one of the most interesting books in the bible!  In chapter 3, Jonah’s brief (very brief) proclamation to Nineveh had God’s desired effect and they repented … saving the city.  Now Jonah’s very unhappy (“… Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live”).  He clearly had hoped for a different outcome.

God then provided an object lesson for Jonah.  He gives Jonah safety from the weather by way of a large plant.  The next day God takes away that temporary “housing” and Jonah and again becomes angry at how the world (and God?) is treating him.  So angry in fact, that he wishes he were dead.  He certainly has “issues”.  As evident here and elsewhere in the Bible, God works through real people.

Jonah hoped that Nineveh wouldn’t repent and God’s wrath would rain down on the city and destroy it (bringing to mind the Sodom/Gomorrah story).  This would have secured Jonah’s reputation as a prophet of God.  Jonah was so concerned about himself, he was prepared to even have God punish 120,000 children (“people who cannot tell their right hand from their left”) and the animals of Nineveh so that his prophecy would come true.  How utterly selfish and arrogant of Jonah.  Fortunately, “God is God and we are not” (as Delton often tells us). Nineveh’s true repentance brought God’s forgiveness.  His compassion reigns supreme.  Who is Jonah, and who are we, to second-guess God’s actions?

Blessings,

jdh

7.16.14 "Mesmerized!"

Jonah Chapter 3 3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

³ Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. ⁴ Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” ⁵ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

⁶ When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. ⁷ This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:

“By the decree of the king and his nobles:

Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. ⁸ But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. ⁹ Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

¹⁰ When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Of all GOD’s earthly creations is there anything more wondrous than the sea?  Like many youths growing up in landlocked states, the wonders of the ocean was only real for me in books, magazines, and on TV until a summer trip took me to the west coast and a beach in Santa Monica.  Visiting family in Los Angeles, we rose early and got on a crowed busy freeway for what seemed like forever.  I could only image at the time what it would be like as we inched closer through the congestion and smog.  Then suddenly but gently the feel of everything changed.  The air was lighter, cooler, and there was this freshness.  I couldn’t see it yet, but I knew we were close.  The anticipation was killing me as I saw a flock of seagulls overhead.  Around every corner and every curved I strained anxiously for my first glimpse.  Finally as we topped at foothill on the outer edges of the Santa Monica Mountain range the windshield of the car was filled with it!  Part of it the deepest of blues and part of it glimmering like gold from the sunlight.  Oh what a site!  It was breathtaking.  It was endless.  I got it.  How could you be anywhere near the vastness of it and not feel the presence of the CREATOR!

As you might surmise I am fascinated, or maybe mesmerized would be a better word, by the sea and I believe the connection with GOD and the sea is no accident.  The story of Jonah and today’s passage is just one of countless examples.  From the Ark of Noah, to Moses’ birth and his launching in basket on the Nile, to the parting of the Red Sea, to the calling of the fisherman made disciples, to the Baptism in the river Jordan, to the walking on water.   Coincidence?

This passage described a changed Jonah emerging from the belly of the beast and the days at sea.  He is no longer afraid.  The mission is clear.  The purpose is secure.  The word of GOD must go forth and nothing, not fear, not doubt, not fifty foot waves, or two tons of whale will stop it.  In fact, they will help facilitate it.  Ultimately the creation that GOD cares the most about and in which HE takes the most pleasure, is, yet again, spared.

CREATOR of the universe, ALMIGHT GOD, we thank YOU so much that YOU have surrounded us with all the evidence we would ever need of YOUR magnificence and reality.  When we face anything this day that might weaken or tempt, remind of us of the freshness in the salt air, the brilliance of the sun reflecting on the water, and the power of mighty waves, and that through it all, we have been spared.  In CHRIST name we pray, Amen!  

Jim L

7.15.14 “Thanksgiving before Outcome”

The Scripture for today is Jonah 2

Jonah Prays to the Lord

2 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said, “When I was in trouble, I called out to you.  And you answered me. When I had almost drowned, I called out for help. And you listened to my cry. 3 You threw me into the Mediterranean Sea. I was in the middle of its waters. They were all around me. All of your rolling waves were sweeping over me. 4 I said, ‘I have been driven away from you. But I will look again toward your holy temple in Jerusalem.5 I had almost drowned in the waves. The deep waters were all around me. Seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 I sank down to the bottom of the mountains.  I thought I had died and gone down into the grave forever.  But you brought my life up from the very edge of the pit. You are the Lord my God. 7 “When my life was nearly over, I remembered you, Lord. My prayer rose up to you. It reached you in your holy temple in heaven.8 “Some people worship the worthless statues of their gods. They turn away from the grace you want to give them.9 But I will sacrifice a thank offering to you.  And I will sing a song of thanks.I will do what I have promised. Lord, you are the one who saves.” 10 The Lord gave the fish a command. And it spit Jonah up onto dry land.

What first grabs my attention in this scripture reading is how Jonah was giving thanks to God as if God had already saved him from the belly of the whale.  It’s hard to give thanks and have a heart of gratitude when you are still in the midst of a trial, when the fear still surrounds you, or when you have lost hope.  But Jonah is thanking God for sparing his life, even though his life would seem hopeless while inside the whale.  Jonah didn’t need an outcome to his  current circumstance of being in the whale’s belly before realizing there was plenty to be thankful for in spite of his circumstance.  I generally need a solution to my issue (my fear, my struggle, my pain) before my attitude changes from despair to thanksgiving.  I want to follow Jonah’s example of praising and giving thanks before God reveals how He will save.  This is the kind of faith I would like to have.

Secondly, I love the way Jonah is stating all that God has saved him from, as if reminding himself of how bad it could have been, and how generous God was.  In his prayer he confesses his fear, then thanks God for the specific way He answered his prayer and saved him.  This is a great model for me, because I can get wordy and general in my prayers.  It would mean so much more to me and to God, I believe, if I would be specific about what I’m struggling with and then give thanks “specifically” for how God comes through for me.  This would be a faith builder and good discipline for me because it would create an even greater heart of praise and thanksgiving for God’s goodness.

Thirdly, I love that Jonah doesn’t just pray, he doesn’t just give thanks, he doesn’t just have faith that God will take care of him...but he praises God too.  He praises God for His grace, he wants to sacrifice a thank offering and sing a song of thanks to God, he praises God for being the One who saves!  

This must have been such a sweet aroma to God’s heart - knowing that even in the midst of His discipline, Jonah loved Him, was committed, and was thankful.  God always knows what I need, what I don’t need, how I need to be disciplined, how I need to be loved, and He knows in advance how He’s going to save me from my challenges.  So trusting Him, giving Him thanks, praising Him, and praying in a way that increases my faith - is a beautiful goal for me!  I’m so “thankful” for what God taught me through Jonah’s prayer.

How about you?  Could you relate to Jonah’s prayer today?

Denise

7.14.14 "Relentless Compassion!"

Jonah 1 New International Version (NIV) Jonah Flees From the Lord

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

³ But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

⁴ Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. ⁵ All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.

But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. ⁶ The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”

⁷ Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. ⁸ So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”

⁹ He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”

¹⁰ This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)

¹¹ The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”

¹² “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”

¹³ Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. ¹⁴ Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” ¹⁵ Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. ¹⁶ At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

¹⁷ Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

I can really relate to the story here! When the preacher on Sunday mentioned that Nineveh was located in Iraq, and that Tarshish was like a resort in Hawaii, I could see why Jonah would choose to go there instead of Nineveh! I believe most people would follow in Jonah’s footsteps too.

I mean, sometimes it’s scary to go where God wants you to go! And sometimes it takes a little more persuading from God to get us in the right direction (not unlike this experience for Jonah!), but what this shows us is that even when we resist, God will still get us where He wants us to be – where He wants to use us for His glory.

One nugget I took away from this and the sermon on Sunday was in regards to how through all of this struggle in Jonah’s heart, God was never angry at what Jonah had chosen to do. He just sheltered Jonah and worked on his heart to guide him to Nineveh. He was patient and protective, like a loving and caring Father.

God, I just thank You so much for the story you have given us in this book in the Bible. It’s a great reminder of how Your Word was relevant when it was written just as much as it is in today’s world. I thank You for keeping us safe and loving us. And Lord, today, make us a little bit bolder. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You may recognize the last part of that prayer from the message on Sunday. If we can all just use this in a daily prayer with God, we will slowly see how He changes our lives. Just like the preacher said “Changed lives, change lives!” Please pray that one more time “Lord, today, make me a little bit bolder”

Toni