Jonah, a man of God, in fact
a prophet of God was commanded to go preach in
When God saw their works, that they repented
and turned from their evil way; God relented from the disaster that He had said
He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. This change of plans upset
Jonah, and he became very angry.
So he prayed to the LORD,
and said, "Ah, LORD,
Didn't I say before I left home that you
would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to
Tarshish; for I know that You are
a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, One
who relents from doing harm. Therefore just kill me now, Lord!
I'd rather be dead than alive, for it is
better for me to die than to live!" (Jonah 3:10-4:3)
Wow! I think it is so awesome
that we serve a God who delights in deliverance, abounding in grace and mercy,
and that He is not willing that any should perish, but that we all would
confess our sins and repent unto salvation. All through Scripture we see God’s
favor and grace upon the guilty who have repented and even upon those who did
not repent until after being blessed with His grace, mercy, healing or
deliverance. The grace of God is so awesome that not all of the people who
Jesus healed believed He was God in the flesh. In fact some of those same people
He healed were in the crowd shouting “Crucify Him!”
I expect an unforgiving
attitude from the unsaved people of the world, but
Jonah is a picture of an
unforgiving, loveless, self righteous believer in Christ. God’s nature is the
real reason for Jonah’s anger. Look at the reasons why he was upset;
“I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in
loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm”.
When sinful disobedience
found Jonah in the belly of the fish, he cried out in prayer for grace and
mercy. The Lord granted him his request; however, when God’s unfailing love was
showered upon the people of Nineveh Jonah got mad, seeming to forget he had
received the same grace. This attitude among believers is one of the main
reasons the body of Christ is so divided. Like Jonah many in the body of Christ
would rather die than love a brother who has fallen and repented.
The Lord knows everything
about us, that we’re all guilty of sin; yet, He still stands with us without
shame making intercessions in love, because He paid the penalty in full for our
forgiveness.
Along with our individual
gifts, the Lord has also given to us the body of Christ as a gift that we may
comfort, restore, and stand with one another in love and gentleness. The Lord
Himself chose the foolish, despised, and base sinners of the world for
salvation in order to put to shame the self righteous and the mighty. Jesus
said,
“This is My commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you”
(Jn. 15:12)
Do you have the love to stand
with the forgiven, or has self righteousness
Caused you to despise God’s
grace?
God says, “Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…and the creatures of the field are mine…the world is mine and all that is in it.” (Psalm 50:10-12) Do you really believe it? Most of us without a second thought answer yes to that question; however it seems to escape us that our faith is more accurately defined when acted out, not spoken. Lean times will come. Adversity will follow. Our Heavenly Father’s statement still remains true in the midst of whatever we are going through. How does your faith play out when trials come your way? Do you really believe that all that is God’s is accessible to you through Christ? How does your faith take action?
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if it be that we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified together.
(Romans 8:16&17)
The important question is; are you suffering with Him?
Additional reading: Haggai 2:8, 1Chronicles 29:11-12, Leviticus 25:23, Psalm 24:1
Isaiah. 30:18
Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
The Lord demonstrates His unfailing love, and unsearchable wisdom here. Like a mother repeatedly telling a little child not to touch the oven door because it is hot, the Lord warns us of the devastation to come before choosing to sin. However, if that child will continue to insist on touching it, his mother will allow that to happen, not because she does not love her child, but because she does. For some children it takes experiencing pain to realize and understand that mom was right. A wise parent knows this and will at times allow things to happen for that very reason.
For us hard headed folk, it takes pain in order for us to trust God. He knows that about us, so the Lord will wait for us to turn over every rock in search of sin until we finally realize how worthless and destructive it is. That is when we will turn to Him praising Him for His truth, exalting Him for His deliverance from our sinful ways, and thanking Him for His saving grace.
Though the Lord is gracious and merciful, He is also a God of justice. The Lord has given us free will and the freedom of choice, even the freedom to choose to sin rather than obey. It must be understood my beloved that you can choose your sin, but you cannot choose your consequence.
Waiting for the Lord is not sitting and twiddling your thumbs. Waiting for the Lord means to be like a waiter or waitress in a restaurant; after taking your order they are constantly returning to your table asking what more they can do for you. We are to serve or wait on the Lord in the same manner, after making your petitions to God, continue to ask and seek how you may further serve Him. Blessed are those who wait on the Lord!
Remember a wise man learns from his mistakes. But a wiser man learns from the mistakes of others also. God bless.
Daryl Kyle
If it is the adherents of the Law who are to be the heirs, then faith is made futile and empty of all meaning and the promise [of God] is made void
(is annulled and has no power). (Romans 4:14 AMP)
There are times in life when we are in dire need of God’s assistance. Some issues are what I call “Clarke Kent” issues, problems you can handle, but others are “Superman” issues, problems only God can fix. However, I have learned that some issues require a little of both men at times. Clarke
In the book of Matthew chapter twelve verse thirteen, Jesus was ministering in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. In the midst of the crowd was a man with a withered hand, an inoperative limb that he was never able to move. Have you ever had an issue that you’ve personally never been able to move? Despite that fact, Jesus places this man in an awkward position when he made this statement: Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." Are you trying to be funny Lord? Would have initially been my reply. You know I’m not able to move my hand! But the man Clarke
Jesus, being the tradition buster He was, made two valid points in the healing of this man.
If I said it, you can Do It.
1. If you want to experience the impossible, you must act on the Word of God. Many of our miracles are held up because we fail to act on God’s Word. The stretching of the hand is symbolic of works cooperating with faith, thus producing a miracle. You’re not waiting on God; He’s waiting on you.
Traditions Hinder Progress.
2. What we believe, think or rationalize means very little in light of what God has declared. Holding on to your traditions only nullify the power of God. Superman can’t work for you when you’re holing on to Kryptonite (traditions of men). Drop your man made rules and allow God to be God in your life.
All power has been in the hands of Christ for over 2,000 years. He bled and died for us to utilize this power. God has done his part. Have you done yours? Stretch out your hand!
The Fountain(s) of Youth
Have you ever wanted to feel young, vibrant and fresh at an older age? What is your expectancy of life when you get older? Do you hold on to what millenniums of experience have to say or do you look for a promise in the Word written millenniums ago from our Lord who is no respector of persons and says His promises are always yes (2 Cor 1:20)?
The Word gives us abundant life with His eternal, resurrecting power within us. Our faith and desire in the possibilities of God, (which can be impossibilities with men) aids us into crossing over unto the fountain of youthful strength. I'd like to present to you twelve instances, or twelve fountains from the foundation of the Word. Feel free to drink from one or all. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
"And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there." Num 33:9
1) "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." Gen 6:3
After the flood, the Word for life from the giver set a standard, even though God's friend Abraham lived to be 175 (Gen 25:7), and Sarah at 127 (Gen 23:1). (Isn't it good to be the friend of God?).
2) "And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him." Gen 21:5
Prayer and purpose can do what Viagra can't.
3) "Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" Gen 18:12 "For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him." Gen 21:2
The desire to fulfill the promise of God to create good seed upon the earth was greater than excuses of age. (Though it did help that they were very rich Gen 13:2) At 90, she also nursed her son.
4) "And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house." Gen12:14,15
The lasting beauty of Sarah at 65 was still quite desirable. Even in her 80's, the King of Gerar sent for her (Gen 20:2).
5) "The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." Prov14:28
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the spiritual 'how to' depart from the snares of the enemy. Whether we read in the word that tells us to 'honor mother and father' for long life (Eph 6:2,3), or staying away from greed or bad people (Prov 2:16-19, 4:10-14, 5:5, 28:16), we can make our own decisions to walk toward the fountain or a dry place. These dry places can also include stress, debt, unforgiveness or other things that curse our lives.
6) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Prov18:21
Our confession and/or the confession and belief from other people, will give us faith from either the Word of God, or opinions from men, medically educated or not. We have the choice to say things like "I'm getting old" (that's why I feel this way or can't do these things) "That's what happens when you get older", "I am forgetting things because I am old" (Can the Spirit bring all things to your remembrance? Yes!) or confess the power of health above circumstances, or temporary illusions of the enemy. If the spirit of pain tries to get your mind into a make-believe state, you can fight the good fight of faith in victory by meditating on the promises of God. It may be 'a-truth' that you are suffering, but when you know 'The Truth' it will make you free!
7) "And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these 45 years.. and now, lo, I am this day 85 years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in." Josh 14:10,11
Caleb held on to his fountain of youth knowing that he had a purpose in life that should be accomplished. While we are still on the earth, there is so much witnessing, evangelism, missionary work, intercessory prayer for us to do that we can't go up to heaven and do. Remind yourself that you are not here just for you, but your life here is to build the kingdom with the help and power of God. Take advantage of more years and life you are provided to do so. Don't be weary in well doing.
8) "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light." Ps 36:8,9
It is God's pleasure for us to be in health and prosper. It gives Him glory and makes Him look like the provider and healer He really is. God is not moved by our needs, but by our faith. When we see the light on a promise and receive it, it is the faith that pleases Him. I would rather have Him make me drink from a river more than a 'hit or miss' squirt gun that says 'maybe God will let you live long or maybe He wouldn't'.
9) "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee...there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling...therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." Ps 91:7-16
You were waiting for that one! If you were the only one who believed and refused to jump on the bandwagon of mediocrity, many would fall by ignorance and leave you standing. Your goal to serve backed up by the promise of heavenly protection makes you invincible from the plans of the enemy.
10) "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." John 7:38
You are blessed to be a blessing. God gives seeds to the sower, and multiplies talents for the harvest. When you shower people with the fountain that you've been given, your fountain remains full of power. When John had quoted these examples from Isaiah (44:3,55:1,58:11), the prophesy that God would speak through men with His living water is fulfilled. If someone speaks to you with a different fountain than life, (i.e. 'you could go at any time') you should rebuke the thought and rebuke or refresh the person.
11) "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Is 40:28-31
You've seen this coming! Are you waiting on the Lord? (busy doing His work, like a restaurant waiter) Did you realize that Adam wasn't born to sweat or deteriorate and God's plan for man was His best? So many verses get back to fulfilling His original intent for our earthly life. Do you get the idea that He desires dominion for us?
12) "Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." Ps. 103:4,5
Oh, did you need confirmation? Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses let it be established. Faith has to be bigger than what you're experiencing or it wouldn't be faith. Pray for Godly youth, strength and wisdom. Pray off wrinkles or any other thing you may have previously associated with age. I'm getting younger just thinking about it!
"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters..." Rev 7:17
Too many families are being destroyed by divorce. The rate of divorce in the church is just as high or higher than that of the world. Satan has ordered a full on attack on the family and it is showing. Why is he being successful? There are many reasons why, but I believe the main avenue he uses is pride. It is no secret, Satan is still only utilizing three methods to trip man up, the same three he used in the garden: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. (1John 2) While many might think that the lust of the flesh is mostly to blame, the truth is, most marriages DO NOT end in divorce because of infidelity. It is easy to blame it on an affair because the bible excuses divorce for this cause. (I speak by permission when I say that I do not encourage anyone to stay where they are being battered or abused) However the truth is, most divorces are a result of pride. One of pride’s strongest offspring is selfishness. When a man or woman stops considering God, honor, commitment, vows, family and the hurt this abomination causes others, it is because that man or woman has become focused on self, giving the lying spirit fuel to work with. “Whosoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whosoever loses his life for my sake, will find it”. (Matt 16:25) How do you reconcile that scripture with the phrase, “I need to find myself”? There is a lying seducing spirit in charge of breaking up as many families as will allow him. Don’t let the lie creep in. It is not about you and your happiness, success, freedom, healing, or any of those things. It is about obedience to God and trusting that whatever it is that is wrong in your marriage, He can fix it; He WANTS to fix it! True enough, there is dysfunction in many marriages, but keep in mind, God wants us to stay together, He doesn’t want us to stay the same! Allow Him to change you and your marriage for the better, like only He can.
(Joel 2:25)
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