Photo of the Month | January 2019
God Hears
“I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and He answered me. I called out to You from the land of the dead, and Lord, You heard me!” ~ Jonah 2:2 NLT
When people are at their lowest, God hears their cries to Him and saves them. This message of a benevolent God of love and mercy seems to resonate with most people. But His holiness also calls for judgement when necessary. So why do we linger in sinful misery before crying out to Him?
Let’s look at the prophet Jonah in the Bible. He refused to preach God’s message of salvation to the Assyrian people of Nineveh – a particularly evil, idolatrous, and violent capital of Mesopotamia (located in modern-day Turkey and Iraq).
“Nineveh was so large that it took three days to see it all”. ~Jonah 3:3 NLT
Imagine! It may have been the equivalent of Las Vegas – known today as Sin City; full of glittering neon lights and sinful attractions along with idolatry. Anyway, God had decided to judge the people of Nineveh for their sins. Our merciful Father in Heaven had, however, allowed them a way to escape judgement. They could repent within 40 days or be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah.
Jonah was having none of it. He evidently hated the Assyrians. As a consequence, it cost Jonah his life and almost cost the lives of his shipmates and an entire city of people. Oh, I shrink from the horrifying thought of what my actions cost others when I behave like Jonah!
And yet, the lesson continues …
Jonah eventually repented and God gave him a second chance.
“Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.” ~ Jonah 2:10 NLT
Jonah finally obeyed God. He went to Nineveh, and preached God’s Word.
“5The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. 10When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, He changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction He had threatened.” ~ Jonah 3:5,10 NLT
Happy ending, right? Jonah is resurrected from a watery grave; the ship and all it’s crew are saved from the storm and worship the one true God; and a whole city is also saved.
Wrong! Well, no doubt it was a joyful event for the people and animals of Nineveh. But Jonah was so angry he complained to God about (of all things) God’s mercy and compassion to sinners. See, Jonah was certain all along that if he preached to them, the people of Nineveh would repent. God would forgive them because of His benevolent nature, and forego their destruction … RATS! His worst fears were realized.
“Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” ~ Jonah 4:3 NLT
Then God gently rebuked Jonah:
“4Is it right for you to be angry about this? 11But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” ~ Jonah 4:4,11 NLT
That is the last Word given to us in the Book of Jonah. I rest upon God’s wisdom.
“Father, although we are worthy of judgement and destruction, today I glorify You for showing Your power to mankind in love, mercy and salvation instead of what we deserve. Thank you for the hope we have in Your gift of a new year 2019; to recognize Your willingness to give each of us another chance to be obedient to Your Word … Especially that we would realize that all men are equal in Your sight and deserve our love and respect. In the name of JESUS; ALPHA AND OMEGA; THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD, Amen!”
Thank you for following
Trust in the Lord
The Reveal
The angel of the Lord to shepherds guarding their flocks nearby:
“Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Luke 2:8-14
Soon after, the baby Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem by his parents, Mary and Joseph. They dedicated Jesus to the Lord, according to Jewish Law.
Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Luke 2:28-32
The world may prefer to take Jesus out of Christmas, but Almighty God places Baby Jesus right smack-dab in the middle of his biblical account of Christmas. Without Jesus we would not have:
- God With Us
- Salvation
- Peace to all nations
- Good News
- Great Joy
- Mercy toward mankind – God’s Pleasure
- Light to all nations
It’s all there. God revealed in the flesh. No word of a holiday or festivity on earth. Just God doing his business on time as he promised. Just a little something to bring us GREAT JOY.
God’s blessings to you and yours this season.
Photo of the Month | December 2018
Luke 1:78-79
“Because of God’s tender mercy, The Morning Light from Heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
© Can Stock Photo / ipopba
Stop Giving God Advice
One of these days I may get through Romans 11 and 12. I guess for now I am stuck there until God says, “When you learn to stop giving Me advice, you may move on!”
Back into Romans chapter 11 now:
It seems that God’s mercy is for everyone. Our Father God’s secretive plan is now revealed to Paul. Clearly, God’s chosen people, the Hebrews, will be reinstated into spiritual fellowship with Himself via a circuitous route. Since Jesus has been rejected by many of the Jews, God extends His mercy to include the Gentiles. Oh my! Such a thing must have been unthinkable back then!
30Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against Him, God was merciful to you instead. ~ Romans 11:30
But don’t think proudly that Gentiles are greater than Hebrews; for the mystery Paul talks about in verses 25-26 is that the Israelites will again turn to their Almighty God for salvation in Jesus once the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.
31Now they (Hebrews) are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you (Gentiles) so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. 32For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so He could have mercy on everyone. ~ Romans 11:31-32
Why was this kept a secret by God throughout the centuries? The answer could be as simple as God not allowing Satan in on the secret – loose lips and all that.
33Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! 34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? 35 And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? ~Romans 11:33-35
Thank you, Lord, for including me in that number of fullness. I am convinced that it is the most merciful, sacred, and secret number. Even your prophets were never told.
May that number be so large that Heaven has to be enlarged to hold us.
Father, may it be as Your will dictates.
36For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen ~Romans 11:33-36
Don’t Die This Semester!
My college economics professor let it be known on the first day that there would be no excused absences in his class. He stated that being absent was an automatic course drop and therefore an incomplete grade – a horror in 1969.
Of course there are always the exceptions …
“I have heard every phony excuse there is for missing my class. Don’t do it! There are only two legitimate reasons for missing my class per semester:”
- “You got married”
- “You died”
Naturally, about two weeks later I missed class. As I approached him timidly about it, he said, “WELL, I SEE YOU AREN’T DEAD, SO BRING ME YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.”
I felt like saluting as I said, “YES SIR!” and hurriedly escaped to obey his command (Yes, I was just married).
Strike One!
Over the coming months all went well, even though it soon became painfully obvious that econ was not my forte. However, one fateful day I missed class again. I was terrified to approach his desk. Did I mention that I was diligently striving for at least a 3.5 GPA; and this problem was not supposed to be part of the picture?
As I opened my mouth to blurt my excuse he cut me off with, “I SEE YOU ARE NOT DEAD AND YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO GET MARRIED ONCE PER SEMESTER. YOU ARE NOT EXCUSED!!!”
I instantly teared up and flushed beet red. I backed up and headed for the open doorway …
“ER … HOWEVER, I HAVE HEARD IT ALL, BUT TELL ME. IF I’VE NEVER HEARD YOURS, IT MAY EARN YOU AN EXCUSED ABSENCE.”
Did I hear him right? I could possibly get a reprieve? I blew my nose and tried to talk, but nothing came out. I cleared my throat and managed, “My clothes were stolen.”
“WHAT?” he roared. He was glaring, and then his eyes widened in disbelief.
“TELL ME ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW!”
Jesus, help me! I was about to collapse from fear or heat stroke on the linoleum floor. Remember the old kind with square linoleum tiles the janitors used to mop with chlorine bleach-water and then wax and buff with that big machine every night? Yes, that floor. I was hot and tired from an hour of gym class; running downhill to go home to change; and running back uphill in temperature of 100⁰+F.
He had kindled hope, so I rallied with the truth.
“I have gym class before econ and when I went back to my locker after showering my clothes were gone – stolen. I had to run home in my gym shorts; change; and by the time I got back, class was over. So here I am – dressed but missed class,” I stammered.
“I am so sorry,” I trailed off as I realized I was not that sorry. Had he heard this before? Locker thieves were evidently on the loose. Had this happened to anyone else yet? I was thirsty. I searched his face … no reaction. Nothing. His face was frozen in a peculiar questioning grimace. I hung my head.
All of a sudden he belly-laughed. He roared out, “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! THAT’S A FIRST.”
“ABSENCE IS EXCUSED!”
Strike two!
I was about to faint from thirst and relief.
“SHERRON!”
“Yes?”
“DON’T DIE THIS SEMESTER!”
Seriously? So now you know why I couldn’t die that semester.
Over time I realize that our Heavenly Father doesn’t appreciate excuses for not showing up for class either. He has generously given life, clothing, and our beautiful earth to sustain us. We can repent from sin; marry Jesus once this semester; and escape the everlasting death part.
“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” ~ Romans 14:12 NKJV
Enjoy the holidays and remember: DON’T DIE THIS SEMESTER!
Thank you for following
God’s Sight
How do we know what is acceptable to God? Shouldn’t we find out what His Word has to say?
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and reverence.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV (emphasis added)
The Apostle Paul wrote that he spoke the truth in Christ here, so I have to believe that to pray for all men is acceptable to Jesus, and will reap the reward of a blessed life.
Sometimes this generates the response of
“Easier said than done!”
Friends, I must leave it here. Thank you for following Importantstuff.Live!
Evil for Evil
Romans 12:17-21 NKJV
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written,
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let it be so, Lord!
Photo of the Month | November 2018
do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. ~ Romans 11:18 NKJV
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