Most of us know the story of Jonah.  In Sunday school, the teacher read to us this wonderful story of Jonah, running away from God. He fell into the water and was swallowed by a big fish.  Whether or not this is an allegory, or a real happening is not important.  But there is a moral lesson for us in the story of Jonah.

Jesus retold this story in Matthew 12:38-42. ….. liking it to himself and the unrepentant Pharisees listening to him.  It’s a story of repentance but more.   

                                                Are We Jonahs?

Jonah was an unlikely prophet.  He simply wants to go about his life free from duty and responsibility.  Then God calls and gives him a special task:  Go to the city of Ninevah and warn the people they will be destroyed in three days because of their wicked behavior.

 But Jonah can’t face up to the job.  Instead, he makes his way to the local port, boards a ship and tries running away. Jonah is irresponsible and immature.

                                        Of course, you can’t outrun God. 

The ship is about to sink during a great storm.    The sailors resist throwing Jonah overboard.  It’s only after Jonah insists that they reluctantly do so.  When the sea then becomes calm, they respond to God by taking vows and offering sacrifices.  That was Jonah’s best act.

  He is then swallowed by a fish and lives inside its belly for three days.  Jonah cries out to God and the fish vomits him out!  He then makes his way to Nineveh to fulfill his assignment.  The city repents!

Jonah climbed a hill outside the city to see what would happen.  He was actually disappointed there was no fire and brimstone.  He whines to God; I knew that this was a total waste of my time. You weren’t really going to go through with it!! 

God then delivers the real moral punchline of the story with a small demonstration.  He first provides and then takes away a shady plant which gives Jonah shelter from the blazing sun.  Jonah thinks of own need and begs God for death because he is in such discomfort. He is whining and complaining.   God uses this as a teachable moment: If Jonah cared so much for an insignificant plant, why shouldn’t God care for a huge city of thousands of people” 

Jonah only cared about himself.  He never matured or developed as a person.  We, on the hand, are capable of a positive change and empathy for others.

The real message of Jonah is that we cannot convince God that we are a good person!  Rather, it’s our acceptance of responsibility and caring for others that will improve both our life and the lives of those around us. 

                                                Don’t be a Jonah!

                                              Don’t try running away!

                               Who is Jabez and why should we care?

In keeping with our study of prayer, I have included one of the most meaningful prayers and one that we can apply to ourselves.

When searching for God’s direction in our life, we might gain courage and direction from prayer of Jabez.  In that prayer, we find an example of faithful prayer in action. 

The Old Testament book of 1 Chronicles is a genealogical record written by Ezra, after the Babylonian exile of God’s people.

For the rebellious tribe of Judah returning from exile, Jabez’s story was significant.  Despite his hard luck beginning, he was honored because of his relationship with God and knowing that God was there for him.   This is a valuable lesson for us also.  Perhaps we all struggle with who we are and our own identity.  Jabez knew!  Despite the punishment of his exile, he recognized the need for repentance and seeking God’s will in his life.  He found a purpose in his life!

Jabez isn’t like us though.  He doesn’t live amid our modern materialism.  However, his prayer is meaningful to us as well.  To pray like Jabez is to submit our lives to God as a blank canvas.   In his whole-hearted devotion and faith Jabez is not afraid to tell God his desire and needs.   We, too, pray with a fervent desire that we may be productive and that we will be committed to being faithful in all things. 

                                                What is the prayer of Jabez?

in a single phrase, Jabez demonstrated how to pray God’s will over his life.  He discovered that ordinary, personal everyday needs can be brought to God.     He was not aware that in a few centuries, God would come to earth and be present with humankind.

However, this simple prayer is a model for us also.  Through Jabez, this prayer teaches the importance of a simple everyday relationship with our Creator.

When searching for God’s direction, we can turn to the prayer of Jabez.  In it, we find an example of faithful prayer in action. 

“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, say, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!!” and God granted what he asked” (1 Chronicles 4:10)

 We ask the Lord to bless us; to use us for His purpose.  To keep us safe.  We ask Him to keep us from pain.  We ask for enough money to support us, to help with worthy causes and to help others; we ask God to keep us under His wings! 

If God blesses Jabez, then He will also bless us.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  

                   Can you pray this prayer of Jabez?  Is it meaningful to you?

“And it came to pass that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples.  And he said unto them, when you pray say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be your name and your Kingdom come as in heaven, so on earth.  Give us day by day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us and lead us not unto temptation but deliver us from evil.”    (Luke 11-4)

This familiar scripture is well known to all of us.  But perhaps there might be a few parts of this prayer that we are missing since it is a Jewish prayer, and we have forgotten the roots of our faith.

Notice that the Lord liked to pray alone.  Most of us pray alone although we also have corporate prayer when we gather.  These men wanted to know God in a more personal way.  They all had needs in their life, just as we do.

The disciples had given up their professions to follow Jesus, whom they knew as One sent by God. 

He taught them this prayer at their request.  Perhaps, they felt defeated at times and needed reassurance that God was with them in following Jeshua (his Jewish name) when they believed he was truly the Messiah.

Heaven is the seat of God. It’s a dwelling place.  Not in the big blue yonder.  Revelation speaks of the throne of God.  Not physical but as a Ruler of all things. 

Jeshua repeats the first of the Ten commandments:  Taking God’s name in an unholy manner.  Most Jews do not use the name of God directly for fear of breaking this commandment.  He is called Adonai or Hashem.  Sometimes G_d. 

Jeshua is asking God to bring Heaven to earth.  Yes, this will come at his second coming…. That is why we pray for his return.  A new Heaven and a new earth…..  in the coming Messianic kingdom. 

We only are given one day at a time……..therefore it’s our daily bread.  We are blessed each day with life and a new beginning.  Therefore, each day is sufficient unto itself!

We must forgive others who have slighted us; gossiped about us; rebuked us; or ridiculed us. It’s turning the other cheek. We do not return evil for evil. 

We turn ourselves away from the perversions of this world.  This applies to TV and all social media. 

Do we really understand what sin is?  Without knowing the Torah, the Ten Commandments…… how do we understand sin?……. murder, slander, abortion, pornography, etc.  all are found in the Torah.  Although given to Jews, we have been added into the faith by our acceptance of a Jewish Messiah. 

We understand that Satan is an adversary.  However, we have the option of choosing.  Therefore, we have an evil inclination.  Peter was tempted and forgiven.  He is a good example for us. 

 Jesus’ final words of this prayer, conclude with our evil inclination. 

By choosing to love God with all our souls, and knowing our deepest needs, we come close to understanding the Lord’s prayer.

                                    This prayer is for all of us.

When the Lord began His earthly ministry, He brought with him the Messianic expectations of the Jews.  Not only did He preach and teach but He performed many miracles as well.  These in part demonstrated His earthly mission as one sent from God.

In Matthew 11, John the Baptizer, is imprisoned and he is discouraged.  He sent some of his followers to Jesus with a simple but loaded question, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we look for another?” 
Jesus’ only replied was “Go and tell John what you hear and see; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed the deaf hear, and the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news preached to them.”
Jesus is telling John to look at the miracles.  What Isaiah said would happen through Messiah is happening through Jesus.  His miracles are highlighting His identity for anyone who has eyes to see. (physically and spiritually)

                                         John knows these prophecies.

Isaiah 35: The eyes of the blind shall be opened. The lame shall leap like a deer.”
Isaiah 26:  Your dead shall live.”
Isaiah 61: He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”

Jesus performed several types of miracles.  These were not only for the benefit of those living and following him but by performing many of these miracles He was fulling the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament that John knew.

Healing miracles.  Show his power over the physical body and His compassion for the broken.

Exorcisms reveal His authority over evil and His mission to liberate.

Nature miracles demonstrate His sovereignty over creation.  He was with God in Genesis. He is a creator and sustainer and could control His creation.

Restoration miracles. Hint at His power over death and his promises of a new life. 

We were created for rest, to care for our bit of creation and our relationship to others.  But because we are fallible humans, our holy calling is infused with difficulty.  We get sick, people die, we kill each other, we slander, we disobey the commandments given by our Creator. 

The four categories of His miracles mirror the core brokenness of our world…. physical pain, spiritual bondage, chaos and death.  Jesus confronts each one.

Jesus’ miracles aren’t just to impress. They are there to reveal who He is and what kind of kingdom He is bringing. 

Even today these miracles still speak.  They remind us that He is still in control.  They show us His compassion, and  He meets us in our place of need. 

                            He is showing himself as the Promised Rescuer.

If God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, why do we read where He relents at certain times?  We humans regard the word relent to mean soften a stance or just give in. 

                                    How can God change His mind?  
Biblically, to relent as related to God…. refers to His decision to suppress a course of action, especially in response to human repentance or intervention.  That’s because God is both merciful and just.

Let’s look at Jonah.  God commanded Jonah to preach to Ninevah about their impending demise. Jonah 3:10 states “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, God relented of the disaster. They repented, and God spared them.”  

God already knew they would repent.   God didn’t change but Nineveh did.  God responded to their repentance by the removal of their coming doom.   That is consistent with His character. 

This message continues in the New Testament.  The words we read revolve around repentance. 

 We might view ourselves as good people.  We haven’t murdered or stolen anything.  We are faithful to our spouses if married.  We read the Bible.  We pray.

Paul tells us that “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Therefore what do we do now?

We also need repentance.  We need to ask forgiveness.  Perhaps not so much as what we do rather than what we don’t do!

Ask yourself:  Do I put God first in my life? Do I practice forgiveness if someone has done or said something bad about me?  Do I also say or have done something to hurt another?  Where are my real treasures? Have I been a disciple maker?

Because God is perfect for Him to change would mean His perfection is lacking in some way.  And perfection, by its very nature is not open to,  nor in need of change. 

God’s nature does not change.  It means that His love is forever; His promises are forever!

As King David so eloquently said, we rest in our immutable God as “our Rock and our Redeemer (Psalm 78:35)

                                           It’s now up to us!

I am at the age when many of my friends have died.  I look back at old year books and realize that I might be one of the last ones still living. 

What do we say when attending a funeral or sitting with a friend who has experienced a great loss.  It seems that today many Christians just call death “a celebration of life.”  A type of ceremony after we attend a funeral. Everyone seems happy. However, we need to focus on the mourner, not the deli platters.  Perhaps after this celebration is when the mourner needs you most. 

 Yes, we know that death should not be feared to those of us who are Believers, but somehow, have we failed in how we comfort the bereaved?

Down deep inside there is a great loss.  So how do we comfort?  What do we say?

When looking at Job, in the Old Testament, his friends try to comfort him without success.  He didn’t want their advice, only just silence and sitting with him. 

Perhaps we need to mourn with those that mourn.  Not saying or trying to console.  Usually there are no words that really help. 

Sometimes, nothing that you can say, as heartfelt as it might be, is what a mourner needs to hear.  Sometimes, the most powerful thing that we can do is bear witness to someone’s pain, to hold their hand in silence.

Consoling the bereaved can be distilled to three actions…. Be there, speak in silence and hear with a heart.  

We, the comforters, do not get to set the mode and the tone.  Grief ebbs and it flows. It can be melancholic and profound; it can be raucous and inappropriate, but whatever it is, it belongs to the mourner.   It is the bereaved who can tell you if and what they need to share, or when they want to cry or laugh. 

If the mourner is too stunned to even form a coherent sentence, that’s OK too.  Your job… our job is to be with them where they need us to be.  Not to coax, and not to lead, just to be there!  Our silence can speak louder than words!

                        Your presence is your comfort!

Hey God, its me!  I have prayed and prayed for this to happen.  Aren’t you listening? Don’t you care?  You seem to answer the prayers of others, why not mine?  Am I a bad person?  Are you angry with me?  What do I need to do now?

Have you ever felt that God just isn’t hearing your prayers?  You have waited and waited and prayed but no answer is forth coming. 

God is in this!  He is still there and wants our best.  Perhaps you and I are overlooking His greater gifts…….. family, friends, our community of faith. 

Just maybe…… while we’re waiting for that something to change, waiting for that answer to prayer, God wants us to open our eyes to the blessings He has already given.

 The Lord blesses us all differently, but He certainly blesses us all, without fail, without end.  It’s just that you and I take many of His blessings for granted.

He offers a bounty of treasures and blessings for our sight and soul through His creation.  He extends multitudes of more mercy and grace than we can grasp or deserve.  He releases more peace and joy in His presence than we can perceive.  He offers lavish love like no other.  Perhaps more than we can sense or see.   

If our visible world falls short of our expectations, or looks less than those around us, we need to focus on His “already” gifts, expecting that He knows exactly what is best for us. 

Through failing health, disappointments, hardships, we need must realize that answers to our prayers may not always come at our timetable. 

It’s the waiting seasons in our life that actually makes us stronger, and braver and more resilient than ever. 

It’s in our waiting season that we find the greatest connection to the One who loves us best!

                                                Just you wait!!!

Jesus said, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but those who stand firm to the end will be saved.  (Matt :24)

                             So, we find that the Lord is talking about endurance. 

Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or adversity.  It can also mean sustaining prolonged stressful effort.  When things are too easy, endurance does not increase, but when things are too difficult, an athlete may give up before reaching the goal.  Therefore, they train for endurance.

                                                   Our Spiritual endurance.

If we don’t build our spiritual endurance, we will find it increasingly harder to remain steadfast in our faith under pressure.  Therefore, we must purposefully build our spiritual endurance “muscle.”

The Parable of the Sower gives a clear picture of Believers who lack endurance.  Those whose hearts are stony ground: “have no root in themselves and endure only for a time. “(Mark 4:17)

 The parable of the man who built his house on the sand.  (Matt 7: 24-27) When troubles come this house will fall.  But not the wise man who built his house on the rock.  This house stands firm.  Thus, building a house on a solid foundation demands endurance from the builder.  That’s us.

 Steps to building our spiritual endurance.

1. Make an unwavering commitment to the Lord. ….in our suffering or times of trouble we have hope.  God hears us.  We know that our hope comes from Him.  Whatever He allows for us, we know it is planned and in that we have our hope.   (Romans 5:3-5)

1. See the unseen……  We must look at this world through a spiritual lens, looking beyond our physical existence on this earth to eternal things that don’t decay.
2. Never give up………Never give up, even when you fail.  The Lord understands so pick yourself up and move on.  Can you and I admit when we are wrong?  Excuses come easily; confessions are difficult.
3. Remember the reward.  Scripture pictures our lives on earth as a race.   Paul says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of the God in the Messiah. ((Phil. 3:14)

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.  There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day.”   (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

                                          Let us say…………Amen!

  “Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought.”  Paul wrote (Romans 12:3).  So, we cannot love ourselves, Paul??  That isn’t what Paul is writing. 

 God saw fit to create an Adam and an Eve.  He loved them both and by extension He loves us and created us.   

But the story of those who feel deep down that they are unworthy and unlovable is a tale as old as time.  So, if we don’t value, love or at least respect ourselves, can we love others? 

How should we feel about ourselves?  Many people find it easier to love others than themselves. 

God wrote that we are to love Him above all else. “Be holy, for I am Holy. “
Self-love is part of that, but it’s not the same thing.  Can I act in all manner of ways and still love myself?

The key to loving myself is not self-love but self-awareness.  Who we are in our deepest reality.  That I am special to God. 

It’s not my fellow’s humanity that I am commanded to love.  It is the divinity in each person that I must recognize, as well as my own, as God created all of us in His image. 

So, then the commandment to love God and my fellow man starts to converge.  That includes that we must love ourselves as well, since we are indeed, God’s creation.

 The first step is to give yourself permission to love yourself and drop the negative association you have about that that means.  Self- love doesn’t mean that you are selfish and self-absorbed, but that you develop a trusting heart that welcomes yourself as worthy of love and respect. 

Since we are hard wired for connection and relationships, self-love is the basis for radiating that love outward to others.  The only way to love others is by connecting to and love the inner spark called the soul. 

We can and must love others.  Not by allowing them to act in way that dishonors God, but by ministering to them. It’s also called discipleship.  Jesus told us, we must become disciple makers.  It’s what we must do and be to honor our commitment as Believers. 

                 It all starts with our own worth.  That we all matter to God. 

                        Love God, Love Yourself, Love Others. 

I was doing some rearranging of old books and found several belonging to my sweet mother, whose faith was amazing.  I found this lovely book of poems and thought I would share a couple with you instead of my usual blog.  I hope they are as meaningful to you as they are to me.  They were all composed by a Grace Holl Crowell.   

The book was Copyrighted in 1939 and dedicated to Mothers of America.  Those reading these poems might not be mothers, but they are meaningful to all of us. 

                                                A Remedy for Care

                                      Consider the lilies of the field
                                    Behold the birds of the air,
                                    Thus the Master has given us
                                    A cure for all our cares.

                                    Birds do not sow, they do not reap,
                                    Nor gather their stores ahead;
                                    But out of loving hands of God
                                    They all are safely fed.

Oh ye of little faith, said, One
            who loves us our lifetime through,
            Shall we not know that He will feed
            And clothe us, too?

Thirty Three Short Years.

How young He was, how short His time on earth
A pulse-beat through the centuries, a breath between the starlit house of His birth, and that strange, darkened hour of His death.
Yet had those years not gone their swift sure way,
 Had their significance been lost to men, there would be darkness in the land today,
 No faith would lift, no heart could hope again.

Thank God, thank God for those years’ precious story!
Thank God for sharing Him to you, to me,
Out of the glory that was Theirs before
 The world was………. and the glory yet to be.

The darkened years for Him that brought us light:
The weary years for Him that gave us rest:
The clamorous years, that we might know
The happiness within our breast.
For thirty-three brief years that His feet trod
 The earthly roads for us, 
We thank Thee, God for sharing
                          Him with us!!