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The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.

Jonah 1:1-3 NIV

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

Jonah 3:1-2 NIV

Have you ever wondered why – when you’re serving the Lord – that you seem to get so far and then hit a wall and no matter what you do, you can’t seem to get past it? I’ve been asking God about that now for a while… I don’t think I was listening well. 

In the first verse of this prophet’s book, God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. We all know that part of the story – Jonah ran. God caused a storm and prepared the fish to swallow Jonah, where he spent three days. In Jonah’s story, I guess I never paid much attention to the details before…somehow, I always thought the fish was just Jonah’s personal conveyance to Nineveh to make sure he got there. Go straight to Nineveh. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. However, the fish did not spew Jonah on the shore of Nineveh. Following Jonah’s exit from the Fish Express (after he repented for his disobedience), the Lord told him a second time – Go to Nineveh… Jonah still had to walk there.

I’m sure you’ve probably never done anything like this… Well, I have to admit if I don’t like something or the thought of doing something, I’m pretty much not gonna do it…or I’m gonna find a way to circumvent or shortcut it. Sometimes, I’m even guilty of just doing it “good enough for government work.” This great Truth has nailed me right between the eyes. I had to bring it to the Light. Confess it. Own it and then prayerfully beg for God’s strength and fortitude to make it happen. Well, I’m admitting it because Scripture tells me to confess my faults that I might be healed. And I want that. I need that.

Several years ago, God told me to scale down, simplify, get organized. I spent several weeks doing exactly that. I worked hard and I worked long. And I got down to the last closet and corner of one room, and I thought, I’ve done a lot. It’s SO much better than it was. That’s good enough. And I stopped. I did not complete what God instructed me to do. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve repeated that EXACTLY. Go through ALMOST everything – scale down, simplify, get organized… down to that last little bit and then I’m tired and I quit…and it’s like a fungus…it spreads all over again.

I realize now there are NO shortcuts with God when it comes to obedience. He didn’t ask me if I’d like to do it, He just said, Do it. And since He is the Alpha AND Omega, He doesn’t go for half-measures. And the Truth is, there were no shortcuts to the Cross that paid for my sin…

Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive my spirit of rebellion and disobedience. Forgive me for the time lost when I could have been accomplishing what You planned for me to do according to Your Word. Help me, Father, to walk in absolute obedience to Your Word and Your perfect will for my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

What I Want

[Paul writing] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen

1st Timothy 1:12-17 NLT

What I want...

Father,

          Thank You for Your faithfulness and trustworthiness in our lives. Thank You for always keeping Your end of the Covenant even when we've broken ours. Father, we want to be faithful to You. We want our hearts, our minds, our souls - our wills to be faithful to You and to Your ways. We have not been. We've been faithful to our flesh and to our feelings. Please forgive us, Lord. Let us - help us to be people who can and who will be faithful - fully trustworthy to Your will for our lives.

Help us to see past the failures and inabilities in our lives and to put them behind us. Let us see and hear only what You would have us to do and be. Cause us to put You first. Help us to die to our flesh - to be dead to our worldly desires and alive to only You. Let it be said of us, Father, that we are faithful because of You. Cause our will to line up perfectly with Yours. Put a guard over our words - Your arm around our shoulders and Your hand over our mouths. We don't want to be a toothache or a twisted ankle like is written in Proverbs 25:19.

Thank You for all the immediate responses to our heart's desires. Forgive us, Lord, of ALL our unfaithfulness. Forgive us for all the times we have failed You. Replace our wandering hearts with whole hearts toward You and what You would have us to be and do. Father, Your Word tells us so we KNOW that You are at work in us both to WILL and to DO...

Give us the strength, the courage of conviction. Cause the Holy Spirit to bring all things to our remembrance - such things as are needful and necessary to complete the work You have assigned to our lives. Father, in our daily - everyday lives - we have not been faithful. We own that and ask You to change our hearts. We pray Your Word in Isaiah 64:8, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.  We want to be more like You, Father. Engrave Your image on our hearts. Cause our love to be agape. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What's Inside?

Then Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
Acts 3:6 KJV

It’s December and many of us are thinking about gifts – the dream vs. the reality. What we’d like to get for our family and friends versus what we can afford to get for them.

Many are planning just how they will present the gift. We’ve all heard tales of wrapping the tiny box filled with the greatest surprise into numerous other larger boxes, or filling a giant box with stuffing and putting the tiny box at the bottom. The anticipation grows until the recipient is practically screaming with anticipation, “What’s inside?!?!?”

What an amazing story – our Scripture text for today! Peter ministering miraculous healing on his way into the temple. A few chapters later, Scripture tells us that people brought the sick and diseased into the street so that Peter's shadow would fall on them and as a result, they would be healed. His shadow! That's amazing.

What's more amazing to me in all of it is that this took place AFTER Peter had denied Christ three times... Grace... Grace... God's Grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within...

Have you ever given serious thought about what took place in the heart of Peter to get him to that place in his walk where his shadow held enough of God's power to heal? It’s available to all of us. Selah. Here’s the Promise: I don’t have silver or gold, but what I DO have I give you: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and… 

What’s inside of us? Because whatever it is, THAT'S what we’re giving people today and every day.

Prayer:

Father,         
             Help us to grasp and embrace the reality that the Spirit who lives inside of us is the exact same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead! Let THAT be what we give to those You have given us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Put in Place

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. 
Genesis 50:20a NLT

We're familiar with the story of Joseph and how his brothers threw him into the pit. His brothers intended harm. However, he went from the pit to Potiphar's house to prison (after being falsely accused) and then to the palace. But we all know the story's redemption. How Joseph was actually put in place to be able to save his family from extinction. In Genesis chapters 37 through 50, it is truly an incredible story.

One of promise. One of hope. One of beauty from ashes. 

We would do well to remember it and look for similarities in our own lives so we can give God praise. My latest one? Earlier this year, my adult daughter was lamenting that she just didn't have any close friends here and she wanted one. When we had to evacuate during the flood of Hurricane Harvey, we were put in place in the home of a young woman who we'd never met prior to the storm. She and my daughter became fast friends who still talk daily and encourage one another. Two peas in a pod. Harvey intended to harm, but God turned it all for her good. And that's just ONE story.

How many do you have? Look back with your spiritual eyes over the hard times in your life. What virtues were cultivated in the piling on of life's fertilizers?  Is it too soon to look back? Are you still in the middle of it all? Be encouraged! Take hope! Choose to thank God now in the midst of it all, KNOWING that He will put it all in place to make it work for your good.

Can you believe it?

Prayer:

Father,
          We know Your Word promises that You cause everything to work together for the good of those of us who love You and are called according to Your purpose for us. Help us always to recognize and give thanks for the opportunities to grow in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Let There Be Light

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:2-4 KJV

At this time of year, the world is fascinated by Christmas lights. Some of my best Christmas memories with friends and family are when we were together riding around looking at the light displays. For optimum enjoyment, you should have at least one child in the car or one adult with childlike wonder because their delight is contagious. I discovered the delight in it quite by accident. I actually started doing it with my own children because it was free entertainment and we could make a night of it. (And even if gas was $4 a gallon, Mr. Scrooge, you're going to get 12 to 20+ miles per gallon depending on your vehicle and you can see a lot of lights in 12 miles.)

Light is a very powerful force. Movie fans are fascinated by light sabers and in the real world, laser surgery is considered the latest and greatest. The world is fascinated by lights. Electronic games and pinball machines and shoes that light up! Even Sin City is known for its lights! Every picture or postcard of Las Vegas I've ever seen was taken with its lights glittering. Light attracts.

Light is God's idea - His first words on record. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good... And it was so good, that He used it in the New Covenant as well. The Light appears in Matthew, chapter one, and again in chapter four. Later in John 8:12, Jesus announces, I am the light of the world... David tells us in Psalm 119 that the Word is a lamp and light to guide our way so that we may see clearly.

Directly following the Beatitudes given by Christ and in the same sermon, He says in Matthew 5:14-16, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

HIS light in you. Let YOUR light shine...

Let there be light!

Prayer:

Father,
         Cause us to seek after the Truth of Your Word. Let us soak up so much of Your Truth that we reflect Your true light - Life-giving light - to a world that is dying in darkness. Help us to be purposeful in living and reflecting Your light, so that others will be drawn to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Alone *

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

I chose the Scripture and added a prayer at the end, but a pastor named Jack Mooring wrote the following. It is a great reminder - especially during the Advent season.

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To be alone is a painful thing.

Many of us with strong, happy families often forget this. And it’s not until we’re in a season of isolation that we really feel it. But many around the world; due to family breakdowns, sickness, poverty, or other life circumstances find themselves alone.

We were made for relationships, and when we’re cut off from them we experience a very intense pain. This is why solitary confinement has been outlawed in many countries. It’s torture.

God is a God of community. He is a triune God. Three in one. God has never been alone because He is self-sufficient. We are made in His image, therefore we have a deep longing for relationship!

When sin entered the world, isolation began.

Adam and Eve found out there was a boundary to paradise... and their sin had put them on the outside of it. I can see them trying to look past the angel’s fiery sword just to get one more glimpse of that place where they had walked with God.

And from that time forward men and women have struggled along on their own, trying their best to relate to one another only to fumble in their attempts. In a sin-marred world, often we find friends only to lose them. Or we give love only to be hurt in return.

But God saw our pain.

I can see Him weeping from the inside of the Garden as Adam & Eve wept on the outside.

Who can solve a problem that sin created? Only the Holy One.

He set a plan into motion.

“They will NOT be alone." I can hear the Father say to the Heavenly host.

“I will be their Friend.” I can hear the Son say, with fire in His eyes.

“I will come alongside them.” Said the living Holy Spirit.

And in Bethlehem, a baby cried.

Our forever Friend had come. A Savior who would heal us of our sin and make us alive. The Spirit who would fill us and transform us.

A God who would invite us back to the Garden to walk with Him once again.

God with us. Christ in us!

When we say yes to this Jesus, we are never alone. And in the pain of abandonment we can run to the One who will never abandon us.

We begin to see the world as He sees it.

We see people as He sees them, and it changes everything! Every relationship is now experienced through who He is in us.

Every hurt, an opportunity to be healed and to release healing. Every attacking enemy, a target for love. Every empty room, a place to be filled with God’s presence!

We are never alone. God is with us!

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for sending Your Son to us to reconcile our relationship with You. What would we be without You? So alone and undone. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Guide. Give us ears to hear and change our hearts to please only You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

He

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
Hebrews 7:25 The Amplified Bible

One of the most frustrating things in life to me is to start a long-term process in great detail with one person and then, before it’s completed, have to pick up the process with someone new because the first person left. Details get lost in the process of bringing someone else up to speed. After the 2nd or 3rd time, one tends to take the short road, no matter how bumpy. You have all the history, you may even take all the files, but you don’t know if the new person will take the time to read all of that or if they'll even want to. Sometimes, it’s a project that has taken several years to define, only to be put on hold because of a change in management or leadership...

Sometimes, our lives are like that. If you've ever changed jobs or moved to a new town or did a combination of the two, it can feel a little crazy – okay, a LOT crazy – because it takes us out of our comfort zone, and we feel as though we have to start over finding those comfortable spots again. New mechanic, hairdresser, doctor, etc. However, our Scripture for today gives me hope. You see, as NOT perfect as I am at this point in my life, trust me when I tell you that through the Grace of God, there has been MUCH progress made overall. And no matter where His will takes me, no matter how many new people or systems come into my life, no matter how many are 'left behind' - the One Constant in my life is Him.

He is eternal. He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. All of my days were numbered before I drew my first breath. There isn’t anything about me, good, bad or otherwise, that He doesn’t already know and has taken into account. I don’t have to worry about what He may find out that may color His opinion of me, He knows it all and loves me in spite of it. There isn’t anything in my present or my future that He doesn’t already know about and He has already made the way for me.

He might get angry with me, but with great mercies will He gather me unto Himself. (Isaiah 54:8)

He will never leave me, nor forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)

His banner over me is love. (Song of Solomon 2:4)

He rejoices over me with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I am safe in Him for all time. (Psalm 144:2)

Jesus is able to save me to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) because He is alive forever. He has risen indeed – Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Father,
Lift our eyes to see the eternal, so that we don’t get stuck in the muck. You are our God, our Deliverer, Redeemer, Restorer, Refiner… Keep working in us, O Lord, so we come through the fire as pure gold; Fit to do Your will. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen