94th Week, The Book of Jonah (Click on the Title for the Video Introduction)

 

Click on the Title for the Video Intro

Monday, Jonah Introduction

Jonah Introduction

Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT

Jonah wrote this book to show the extent of God’s grace-the message of salvation is for all people. The book of Jonah tells the story of this prophet’s flight and how God stopped him and turned him around. Jonah’s story is a profound illustration of God’s mercy and grace. No one deserved God’s favor less than the people of Nineveh, Assyria’s capital. Jonah hated the Assyrians, and he wanted vengeance, not mercy. So he ran. In the end, God confronted Jonah about his self-centered values and lack of compassion.

Like Jonah, we may have to do things in life that we don’t want to do. Sometimes we find ourselves wanting to turn and run, but it is better to obey God than to defy Him or run away.  Often, in spite of our defiance, God in His mercy will give us another chance to serve Him when we return to Him. God wants His people to proclaim His love in words and actions to the whole world. He wants us to be His missionaries wherever we are, wherever He sends us. God loves each of us but He also loves other people, including those not of our group, background, race, or denomination. We will find it much easier to love others when we love God.

As you read Jonah, see the full picture of God’s love and compassion and realize that no one is beyond redemption. The gospel is for all who will repent and believe.

PRAYER

Father God, lead us through this book so that we can learn to forgive and help those who need you.  May the Holy Spirit be alive and powerful in each of our lives.  May we enjoy the familiar story of Jonah and the whale and grow from it.  Put people in front of us who need to know your love.  AMEN

Tuesday, Jonah Chapter 1

Jonah 1

Verse 7

Tanya Ruden

Verse 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.  

THOUGHT

So this may not be the most inspirational verse, but I couldn’t help but think about if this story played out in today’s world.  We are in the midst of a thunderstorm, and our shelter only holds 4 of us. We have 5.  So we engage in a game of rock, paper, scissors and best 2 out of 3 lands me out of the shelter.  The other 4 say, “Sorry, we hope your God forgives us.” They put me into the storm.  The clouds immediately go away (no need for the shelter) but a tornado takes me to munchkin land (a little preview to chapter 2).  It seems amazing.  How did gambling lead them to pick Jonah? Such a sinful means to bring people to see God’s power. The accountant in me says statistically each person had the same potential to be “thrown” overboard as Jonah, but yet he lost.  God’s Plan?

What I would like to point out is that God speaks to all of us, and we need to listen to His calling.  When we don’t listen to His words, it can make life rough for more than just you.  Your decision to not follow God’s calling can begin to effect those around you.  It may not be the same as in this story, but you will begin to struggle internally.  This will affect your attitude with friends and family. We need to communicate our struggles with God’s calling to our friends and family and those we trust.  If we are those people with struggles, we need to encourage our friends to pray.  We must take the leap of faith, not “row the boat” like what happened in the story here.  We don’t help them run, but we can help them stop and listen.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, nobody said being a Christian was going to be easy or comfortable. You have made so many promises to us, and I know You will always fulfill them.  Sometimes in our relationship with You, You ask us to step outside our comfort zone, or minister to people not on our radar. Help us step out in faith when we hear Your calling. Help us reach out to people who will help us with those leaps, people who will encourage us, not lead us to run the other way. Also, help us be great encouragers to Your called servants. We know Your plan is always greater than what we can imagine ourselves.  We hear it, but strengthen our faith to believe it each and every day! AMEN

Wednesday, Jonah Chapter 2

Jonah 2

Verse 8

Tanya Ruden

Verse 8:  Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

THOUGHT (Written at Christmas time)

How true it is! I know this was in the Old Testament before Jesus’ death, that gives us “easy” access to grace, but I can’t help but apply this verse to post Old Testament especially as we reflect during this Christmas time.   Many of us miss the boat about the true meaning of the holiday.  We cling to who has the most toys and the best gifts forfeiting the best gift ever. We must surrender and simply ask for grace and forgiveness and believe in Jesus Christ.  Then grace is ours.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, if all people would only realize how easy it is to receive Your grace, You would think everyone would have it. I pray that someday the entire nation would know Your grace and the price You paid for us.  We pray that all Your children would celebrate with You in Heaven. AMEN

Thursday, Jonah Chapter 3

Jonah 3

Verse 3

Delores Little

Verse 3:  Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city - a visit requires three days.

THOUGHT

“Jonah didn’t obey God the first time”; now this is the second time He asked him to go, and he did.  As I read this, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if the USA and all the world would do this?”  We would have everyone repent. God would turn away the evil one. 

I so thank God for calling us to Him, and by His grace and mercy, He gives us the love, strength and joy to follow Him.  He moves us to be fed spiritually everyday by His Holy Word. I thank God for the freedom to do this as other places do not have it. Take this time and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world who are put in jail and prison or killed because they believe and read the Word or listen to it.

Our church this year is “Giving Christ for Christmas”.  We were ask to give above what we give to church, and this is a real step of faith for a lot of people. We are doing six outreach projects this year.  Next Sunday is the last one before Christmas to give money for all of them.  Pray that our church people will give from their heart, and the blessing they get back will so out do what they ever gave. You see you cannot out give God.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for everything You have blessed us with, and let us give unto others.  Even Jonah was doing this when he finally obeyed God.  Let us do the same. AMEN

Friday, Jonah Chapter 4

Jonah 4

Verses 1-2

Delores Little

Verses 1-2:  But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee 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.”

THOUGHT

If we could see our cities or towns all come back to the Lord, wouldn’t it thrill us to no end??  Was there pride in Jonah thinking we are God’s chosen people?  Why would he want these people to repent?  Still he talks to God about how our Lord is slow to anger and abounding in LOVE.

To be real, how many times have we saw a sinner repent?  We know their past and wonder how God could forgive them so easily. Well, that is His awesome LOVE for each of us. My heart’s prayer is for every nation of people in the world to come to Christ Jesus and accept Him. Jonah felt so down that he wanted to die. God provides a vine to help cool him in the heat and then destroyed the vine with a worm. Jesus is our vine, and Satan is the worm. Jesus has overcome the devil, and we have victory in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we refuse to do what You would have us do. Let us take up the cross and follow You wherever You would have us go. Be with all the Salt Shakers today and bless each and every one. Hear their heart’s prayers.  In Jesus Name.  AMEN