In chapter one we read that Jonah went the opposite direction when he received a word from God. In chapter three, he received a word from God a second time, but he was obedient and did what God told him. Verse five is how people should respond to God’s word about coming judgment, believe. There should be a change in a person’s attitude, thinking, and actions when told the truth about how God will handle our sins. It does not say what sins God was going to punish the Ninevites for in verse four. However, the king gave us an idea in verse eight what sins God was going to punish them for, their evil ways and violence. God showed some of his character to the Ninevites in verse ten. God was compassionate with them after seeing them turn from their evil ways and did not punish them the way he had threatened.
Have you been told that God punishes people for their sins? Have you been told that Jesus died on the cross for our sins? How has God shown you compassion this week? Have you shared the good news with someone this week?
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This chapter starts out with Jonah praying while inside the great fish. Sometimes, God allows us to go through something, then get into or inside something else, so we will turn to him. Jonah was no longer at risk of drowning in the sea. Unfortunately, he was stuck inside a great fish and all he could do was pray and talk to God. There will be times when all we can do is pray and talk to God. The immediate danger or trauma or negative situation has ended and now we have a set amount of time to pray and talk to God. The last verse of chapter one told that Jonah had three days and three nights to pray and talk to God inside the great fish. Verses two through nine show the different thoughts and feelings Jonah had while he was inside the great fish. Verse eight is a verse we need to read often and warn others about. We can not cling to stuff or things from this world we live in. They become worthless idols and we forfeit the grace we could receive from God, because our devotion is to temporary stuff. Verse nine tells a fact about God that is important for us today. Salvation is from the Lord. Thanks to Jesus, salvation is available to everyone. This chapter ends with the Lord commanding the fish to vomit Jonah up. The fish obeyed God and vomited Jonah onto dry land. God is in control regardless of whatever situation we find ourselves in.
Have you been in a place where all you could do was pray and talk to God? What are your thoughts and feelings when you do not know when a situation will change? How has God shown you that in everything you have experienced, he is in control? This chapter can show how our relationship with God can affect other people. Jonah did something in verse three that I have done in my life and maybe you have as well. Jonah ran away from the Lord. Point blank, God said one thing and Jonah did something opposite. There were consequences for Jonah and the sailors he met because of his disobedience. During the storm, the sailors threw away cargo thinking that would calm the storm and please their gods. Some storms will cause people around us to lose things that are valuable to them. Notice in verse four that God sent the wind that caused the storm. In our lives, some storms are consequences of our choices. God uses natural things to get our attention. Once Jonah confessed it was his fault the storm was causing them trouble and the sailors threw him overboard, the sea grew calm. Some storms will last until we confess that we have been disobedient to God. After the storm, the sailors that did not know God, feared him, offered a sacrifice to him, and made vows to him. Some people that do not have a relationship with God will change once they see him stop the storm in our lives that also affects them. Jonah’s life was in God’s hands even in the sea. God provided a great fish to swallow Jonah so he would not drown. God provides for us even when we are in something over our heads, so we will not drown in it.
How is your relationship with God today? Are you doing what God has told you to do today? How is your relationship with God affecting people in your life? Has God ever used a storm to get your attention? How has God provided for you when you were in something over your head? Mark 13:32-37
Once again, these verses are part of a conversation Jesus had. A disciple made a remark about the temple they were at, and Jesus told him it would be destroyed. That started this conversation about what would happen during the time the temple was destroyed and before Jesus returned. In verse thirty-two, Jesus clearly said “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” It is not our responsibility to figure out exactly when Jesus is returning. Jesus told the disciples that not to discourage them, but to remind them about what they should focus on. In verse thirty-three Jesus told them what to do while those events are taking place before his return. Jesus said, “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Those words, “be on guard!” and “Be alert!” are words we need to take seriously today. There are events happening around the world today that match what Jesus told his disciples back then. There are natural disasters happening around the world today that match what Jesus told his disciples back then. Those of us that are following Jesus must be on guard and be alert. Every follower of Jesus has an assigned task. We need to continue doing what we have been assigned to do, because we do not know the exact time Jesus will return. Have you compared the news today with what Jesus said would happen in Mark 13:1-22? Have you been working on your assigned task? Have you encouraged someone to “Watch!” because Jesus is coming back sooner rather than later? |
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May 2024
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