Source (book): "God in Pursuit"
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
PHOTO: "God in Pursuit", Lessons from the book of Jonah by Robert M. Solomon
Robert M Solomon served as Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000-2012. He has an active itinerant ministry of preaching and teaching in Singapore and abroad. He is the author of more than 30 books, including The Race, The Conscience, The Enduring Word, Faithful to the End, Jesus Our Jubilee, God in Pursuit, and Finding Rest for the Soul.
The story of Jonah is really a story of God’s heart and God’s mission. It tells of a loving God who pursues His people relentlessly —— whether a renegade prophet, a boatful of desperate sailors, or a sinful city. It speaks of a merciful God who is always ready to give people a second chance. And it shows us a compassionate God who is working in our hearts even as He challenges us to love others. Don’t miss the beautiful truths contained in what Jesus himself called the “sign of Jonah”.
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Hopefully some of the information, reflection and discussion obtained from the internet and the book by Robert M. Solomon, "God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, are useful. PART IV is listed in the following.
PART IV: Jonah 4:1-11
Chapter 8 - Jonah Gets Angry, God Disciples
Question 1 - Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - Jonah gets angry, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html [23]
Question 2 - Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - 3 questions God asked Jonah indirectly, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html [24]
Question 3 - Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - Serve the Lord, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html [25]
PHOTO: Why do you think Jonah got angry when God spared Nineveh?
In Jonah's case, with the shortest of sermons, the prophet saw an entire city converted in a matter of days. Even the king repented. If something like this were to happen today, it would likely be celebrated with much worship and thanksgiving. Endless stories would be told and published, countless articles written, and seminar upon seminar organised to probe the secret of such an unprecedented success in evangelism and mission.
Yet Jonah reacted angrily. He was very cross when he saw the city spared after its people repented (Jonah 4:1). Instead of rejoicing and praising God, the man who was used by God to bring about a great revival decided to sulk.
Why was Jonah so angry? Why was he so upset that God had spared the Ninevites from the destruction that he had prophesied?
Perhaps Jonah felt that his professional reputation as a prophet was at stake. Earlier, we saw how a prophet is tested by the accuracy of his predictions (Deuteronomy 18:22). Up to now, Jonah may have had a good reputation and earned respect as a true prophet of God, for his prophesies about Israel had come true (2 Kings 14:25). But now, because God had changed His mind about Nineveh, he risked losing this reputation. What Jonah feared had come true (Jonah 4:2). Wasn't this why he ran away from God in the first place?
In complaining to God, Jonah revealed an ugly spirit. The "authentic" prophet now faced the prospect of becoming an object of ridicule; as far as he was concerned, his professional reputation was more important than the salvation of the Ninevites.
Or, perhaps Jonah's anger came from nationalistic fervour. As an Israelite, he would have rejoiced at the destruction of Nineveh, the leading city of his people's enemies, the Assyrians. That would have sent a chilling message to any power eyeing Jerusalem and the people of God. What a great victory it would have been for Israel, to see its greatest enemy defeated and put to shame! Like many of his countrymen, Jonah may have had a narrow, nationalistic view of God - one that reduced Him to tribal god or national mascot.
Jonah's personal and nationalistic pride prevented him from recognising what God was doing through his ministry. He was willing to work for God - after what happened in the Mediterranean Sea - but not with God. He had allowed God to work through him, but he was either unaware or uncooperative as far as God's work in him was concerned.
But God, who is always full of grace, did not give up on His prophet. Jonah may have been a tough nut to crack, but God was patient. He was going to teach Jonah that His heart was big enough for all the peoples of the world - including a sulking prophet.
How does the prophet's reaction compare with those of the Pharisees in Jesus's day and the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:1-2, 25-30)?
Jonah's angry reaction
Perhaps Jonah felt that his professional reputation as a prophet was at stake. The "authentic" prophet now faced the prospect of becoming an object of ridicule; as far as he was concerned, his professional reputation was more important than the salvation of the Ninevites.
Or, perhaps Jonah's anger came from nationalistic fervour. As an Israelite, he would have rejoiced at the destruction of Nineveh, the leading city of his people's enemies, the Assyrians.
The reaction of the Pharisees in Jesus's day
Jesus had flouted their laws, overruled their authority, and exposed the hatred in their hearts to the entire crowd in the synagogue. They were so jealous of Jesus' popularity, his miracles, and the authority in his teaching and actions that they missed who he was -- the Messiah for whom they had been waiting.
Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees illustrates their unacceptable hypocrisy.
They refused to acknowledge Jesus because they were not willing to give up their treasured position and power. When Jesus exposed their attitudes, he became their enemy, and they began looking for ways to destroy him. In Jonah's case, he was also unwilling to sacrifice his professional reputation as a prophet but he was not jealous of God's authority and 'popularity' as He relent from bringing destruction to Nineveh. However, both the Pharisees' and Jonah's reaction showed that they were not really concerned about the salvation of others. They did not expressed any joy when the sinners repent and return to God.
The reaction of the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son
The elder brother, had probably for years been jealous of his younger brother as their father’s favourite, spoiled and indulged as younger siblings can be, and he had deeply resented the father’s yielding to the whim of his young brother to go his own way, taking his share of the family’s substance and abandoning all feeling of responsibility to their father or the family or the inheritance. After squandering his share of the family property in riotous living, now the spendthrift had come back penniless, and their father and the family were actually celebrating his return!
When the father then came out to plead with his elder son to come into the house and join in the welcoming of his brother, all this resentment burst out. He had given all his energy and time to working for his father for years like a slave; he had always done whatever his father wanted; he had never been given by his father even a young goat to celebrate with his friends. But now, he adds contemptuously, ‘this son of yours’ comes back after wasting ‘all your property’ with loose women – and you kill the fatted calf for him! (Luke 15:28-29) In the face of such powerful resentment and recrimination the unhappy father attempts to explain to his elder son that they are always together and the son is owner of all that the father has. ‘But’, he protests, ‘we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours [a gentle correction and appeal] was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found’ (Luke 15:31-32).
It would be difficult for Jesus’s opponents among the scribes and Pharisees not to realise that they were being criticised in the person of the elder jealous brother who represented them in their resentment of all the sinners they complained that Jesus was making so much of; just as later it would be difficult for Christian readers not to appreciate that if they resented the Church giving forgiveness to converts from paganism or penitent sinners at Easter, they too were taking the part of the vindictive elder brother. It is the father, of course, who is the central figure of the whole parable, flanked on either side by his two sons, the extravagant and the resentful; and the central message of this parable of the lost son returning to his father’s embrace in spite of his brother’s jealousy, like the parable of the wandering sheep brought home in the shepherd’s arms and the parable of the housewife’s relief at finding her missing money, is that God’s joy is indescribable when sinners return to him. As Jesus declared to his critics, expressing his own feelings too, ‘Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance’ (Luke 15:7)
To both the elder brother and Jonah the salvation of others were not of their primary concern. There was no joy over those who were lost and found, but anger over what they themselves could have lost. The well-being of their self comes before others, which prevent them from recognising that the father, and God was giving forgiveness to the converts. Both the elder brother's and Jonah's reaction should be joy instead of anger. They should be rejoicing instead of being resentful and angry over anyone who was lost and has been found.
God, who is always patient and full of grace, did not give up on sinners, or sulking prophet. The story of Jonah and the major parable Jesus told, illustrate the rejoicing in heaven whenever anyone who has been lost is found. There are joys. The joy of God in forgiving those who return to him in repentance, and the joy of those who are forgiven unconditionally by a loving and understanding God.
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PHOTO: Jonah's angry reaction was perhaps he felt that his professional reputation as a prophet was at stake. Or, perhaps his anger came from nationalistic fervour. As far as he was concerned, his personal and nationalistic pride was more important than the salvation of the Ninevites.
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PHOTO: The story of Cinderella pictures a young girl in a tattered dress and worn shoes, carrying out the commands of her selfish stepmother and stepsisters. Her services are performed out of duty. The actions are there, but her motivation does not come from the heart. Cinderella does not worship or love her “masters.” She serves them only because it is her duty.
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PHOTO: Donate Torn Clothing and Other Expired Goods
All throughout the world there are places to donate our unused clothing, shoes, dishes, blankets/quilts, toys, furniture, books, and other items. Generously giving of these items to help others is an easy way to serve God and declutter our home at the same time. But donating dirty, broken, or useless items (example expired food) is less effective and takes precious time from volunteers and other workers as they sort and organize the items to be distributed or sold to others.
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PHOTO: Therefore it is important to recognise that God's purpose for us is to become like His Son (Romans 8:29).
Because recognising God's purpose for us necessitate us to know how to become a child of God - by asking for His aid through the Holy Spirit.
Painting by Fray Juan Bautista Maíno (1581-1649) - Pentecostés. Museo del Prado (Pentecost, National Museum of the Prado)
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PHOTO: "Dear Lord, like Jonah, it is possible to serve the Lord without reflecting His character. Please help us to respond to others in the same way that God responded, compassionate and merciful. Help us to serve not only from feeling of obligation or duty, but also with motivation that comes from our heart.
We need help to become less concerned about our service making us look good, to earn the acceptance or approval of others, or being recognised about accomplishing something good for our fellow man. Help us to serve the Lord not for personal pride but reflecting the character of Jesus.
Help us to donate those items that are clean and in working order and not to treat the recipient as a dumping place for our unwanted rubbish. Donating dirty, broken, or useless items is less effective and takes precious time from volunteers and other workers as they sort and organize the items to be distributed or sold to others.
We want to be like The Church at Ephesus founded by Paul, which had full of good works, and had much sound doctrine, but not when the love of God had got crowded out. We think we need to attend all those church meetings, and we need to spend lots of time preparing sermons and Bible studies. So, we find ourselves busy with 'doing' the works of God, when He would rather we spent time with Him, just 'being' like a little child talking to Him, and listening to Him.
Help us to remember that God is interested not only in His work through us, but also in His work in us. And we are to resemble Him by becoming like Christ, His Son. Please send your Holy Spirit so that we can receive the spiritual strength we need in order to replace our old wrong habits of selfish living with the righteous and godly way of living exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ.
Please help us to be more like Mary, and less like Martha who could not hear the Lord because of her being hurried and distracted by matters of the world. When our busy service are hurried and distracting, they become a hindrance to our spiritual formation. We need your help to become unhurried in our busy life, so that we can hear you while being busy to complete our tasks.
We want to hear from you because we learn from Psalm 119:165 that 'great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.'
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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1 John 4:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A5&version=NIV
1 Peter 5:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A8&version=NIV
2 Peter 1:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A4&version=NIV
2 Peter 3:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A9&version=NIV
2 Timothy 3:2-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A2-4&version=NIV
Acts 3:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+3%3A19&version=NIV
Deuteronomy 18:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+18%3A22&version=NIV
Ephesians 1:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A20&version=NIV
Ephesians 4:22-24; John 1:4; 1 John 2:5-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A22-24%3B+John+1%3A4%3B+1+John+2%3A5-6&version=NIV
Ephesians 5:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A1-2&version=NIV
Ezekiel 20:37 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+20%3A37&version=NIV
Galatians 2:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+2%3A20&version=NIV
Galatians 6:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6%3A7&version=NIV
Genesis 1:26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A26&version=NIV
Genesis 5:3-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+5%3A3-4&version=NIV
Isaiah 27:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+27%3A12&version=NIV
James 1:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A5&version=NIV
James 2:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A5&version=NIV
James 3:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A15&version=NIV
Jeremiah 33:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+33%3A13&version=NIV
John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16&version=NIV
John 17:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A18&version=NIV
John 20:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A21&version=NIV
John 21:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21%3A11&version=NIV
Jonah 4:1-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A1-11&version=NIV
Jonah 4:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A2&version=NIV
Jonah 4:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A3&version=NIV
Jonah 4:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A6&version=NIV
Jonah 4:9-11- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A9-11&version=NIV
Jonah 4:10-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A10-11&version=NIV
Jonah 4:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A11&version=NIV
Leviticus 19:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+19%3A18&version=NIV
Leviticus 27:32 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+27%3A32&version=NIV
Luke 6:32-35 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A32-35&version=NIV
Luke 10:38–42 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A38%E2%80%9342&version=NIV
Luke 15:1-2, 25-30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A1-2%2C+25-30&version=NIV
Luke 15:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A7&version=NIV
Luke 15:11-32 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A11-32&version=NIV
Luke 15:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A28-29&version=NIV
Luke 15:31-32 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A31-32&version=NIV
Matthew 4:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A2&version=NIV
Matthew 6:21, 25, 31-33 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A21%2C+25%2C+31-33&version=NIV
Matthew 7:22-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A22-23&version=NIV
Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV
Matthew 12:40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A40&version=NIV
Matthew 12:41 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A41&version=NIV
Matthew 22:37-38 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A37-38&version=NIV
Matthew 22:37-40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A37-40&version=NIV
Matthew 22:39-40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A37-40&version=NIV
Philippians 3:7-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A7-8&version=NIV
Proverbs 1-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1-4&version=NIV
Proverbs 11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+11&version=NIV
Proverbs 13:14, Proverbs 16:22, Proverbs 14:27 (GNT) - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13%3A14%2C+Proverbs+16%3A22%2C+Proverbs+14%3A27&version=GNT
Proverbs 15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15&version=NIV
Proverbs 17:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17%3A22&version=NIV
Proverbs 19:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+19%3A28&version=NIV
Psalm 23:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23%3A2&version=NIV
Psalm 51 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51&version=NIV
Psalm 51:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A4&version=NIV
Psalm 51:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A6&version=NIV
Psalm 94:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+94%3A22&version=NIV
Psalm 119:165 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+119%3A165&version=NIV
Psalm 124:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+124%3A8&version=NIV
Psalm 130:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+130%3A7&version=NIV
Psalm 138:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+138%3A8&version=NIV
Psalm 139:23-24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A23-24&version=NIV
Psalm 144:12-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+144%3A12-14&version=NIV
Psalm 145:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+145%3A16&version=NIV
Psalm 145:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+145%3A21&version=NIV
Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 5:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+1%3A4%3B+3%3A1%3B+5%3A6&version=NIV
Revelation 2:4 (KJV) - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+2%3A4&version=KJV
Revelation 3:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+3%3A20&version=NIV
Romans 5:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A8&version=NIV
Romans 8:19-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A19-23&version=NIV
Romans 8:29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A29&version=NIV
Romans 8:32 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A32&version=NIV
Romans 12:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2&version=NIV
Titus 2:11-12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+2%3A11-12&version=NIV
Chapter 8 - Jonah Gets Angry, God Disciples
Question 1 - Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - Jonah gets angry, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html [23]
Question 2 - Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - 3 questions God asked Jonah indirectly, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html [24]
Question 3 - Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - Serve the Lord, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html [25]
PHOTO: Why do you think Jonah got angry when God spared Nineveh?
In Jonah's case, with the shortest of sermons, the prophet saw an entire city converted in a matter of days. Even the king repented. If something like this were to happen today, it would likely be celebrated with much worship and thanksgiving. Endless stories would be told and published, countless articles written, and seminar upon seminar organised to probe the secret of such an unprecedented success in evangelism and mission.
Yet Jonah reacted angrily. He was very cross when he saw the city spared after its people repented (Jonah 4:1). Instead of rejoicing and praising God, the man who was used by God to bring about a great revival decided to sulk.
Why was Jonah so angry? Why was he so upset that God had spared the Ninevites from the destruction that he had prophesied?
Perhaps Jonah felt that his professional reputation as a prophet was at stake. Earlier, we saw how a prophet is tested by the accuracy of his predictions (Deuteronomy 18:22). Up to now, Jonah may have had a good reputation and earned respect as a true prophet of God, for his prophesies about Israel had come true (2 Kings 14:25). But now, because God had changed His mind about Nineveh, he risked losing this reputation. What Jonah feared had come true (Jonah 4:2). Wasn't this why he ran away from God in the first place?
In complaining to God, Jonah revealed an ugly spirit. The "authentic" prophet now faced the prospect of becoming an object of ridicule; as far as he was concerned, his professional reputation was more important than the salvation of the Ninevites.
Or, perhaps Jonah's anger came from nationalistic fervour. As an Israelite, he would have rejoiced at the destruction of Nineveh, the leading city of his people's enemies, the Assyrians. That would have sent a chilling message to any power eyeing Jerusalem and the people of God. What a great victory it would have been for Israel, to see its greatest enemy defeated and put to shame! Like many of his countrymen, Jonah may have had a narrow, nationalistic view of God - one that reduced Him to tribal god or national mascot.
Jonah's personal and nationalistic pride prevented him from recognising what God was doing through his ministry. He was willing to work for God - after what happened in the Mediterranean Sea - but not with God. He had allowed God to work through him, but he was either unaware or uncooperative as far as God's work in him was concerned.
But God, who is always full of grace, did not give up on His prophet. Jonah may have been a tough nut to crack, but God was patient. He was going to teach Jonah that His heart was big enough for all the peoples of the world - including a sulking prophet.
How does the prophet's reaction compare with those of the Pharisees in Jesus's day and the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:1-2, 25-30)?
Jonah's angry reaction
Perhaps Jonah felt that his professional reputation as a prophet was at stake. The "authentic" prophet now faced the prospect of becoming an object of ridicule; as far as he was concerned, his professional reputation was more important than the salvation of the Ninevites.
Or, perhaps Jonah's anger came from nationalistic fervour. As an Israelite, he would have rejoiced at the destruction of Nineveh, the leading city of his people's enemies, the Assyrians.
The reaction of the Pharisees in Jesus's day
Jesus had flouted their laws, overruled their authority, and exposed the hatred in their hearts to the entire crowd in the synagogue. They were so jealous of Jesus' popularity, his miracles, and the authority in his teaching and actions that they missed who he was -- the Messiah for whom they had been waiting.
Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees illustrates their unacceptable hypocrisy.
They refused to acknowledge Jesus because they were not willing to give up their treasured position and power. When Jesus exposed their attitudes, he became their enemy, and they began looking for ways to destroy him. In Jonah's case, he was also unwilling to sacrifice his professional reputation as a prophet but he was not jealous of God's authority and 'popularity' as He relent from bringing destruction to Nineveh. However, both the Pharisees' and Jonah's reaction showed that they were not really concerned about the salvation of others. They did not expressed any joy when the sinners repent and return to God.
The reaction of the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son
The elder brother, had probably for years been jealous of his younger brother as their father’s favourite, spoiled and indulged as younger siblings can be, and he had deeply resented the father’s yielding to the whim of his young brother to go his own way, taking his share of the family’s substance and abandoning all feeling of responsibility to their father or the family or the inheritance. After squandering his share of the family property in riotous living, now the spendthrift had come back penniless, and their father and the family were actually celebrating his return!
When the father then came out to plead with his elder son to come into the house and join in the welcoming of his brother, all this resentment burst out. He had given all his energy and time to working for his father for years like a slave; he had always done whatever his father wanted; he had never been given by his father even a young goat to celebrate with his friends. But now, he adds contemptuously, ‘this son of yours’ comes back after wasting ‘all your property’ with loose women – and you kill the fatted calf for him! (Luke 15:28-29) In the face of such powerful resentment and recrimination the unhappy father attempts to explain to his elder son that they are always together and the son is owner of all that the father has. ‘But’, he protests, ‘we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours [a gentle correction and appeal] was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found’ (Luke 15:31-32).
It would be difficult for Jesus’s opponents among the scribes and Pharisees not to realise that they were being criticised in the person of the elder jealous brother who represented them in their resentment of all the sinners they complained that Jesus was making so much of; just as later it would be difficult for Christian readers not to appreciate that if they resented the Church giving forgiveness to converts from paganism or penitent sinners at Easter, they too were taking the part of the vindictive elder brother. It is the father, of course, who is the central figure of the whole parable, flanked on either side by his two sons, the extravagant and the resentful; and the central message of this parable of the lost son returning to his father’s embrace in spite of his brother’s jealousy, like the parable of the wandering sheep brought home in the shepherd’s arms and the parable of the housewife’s relief at finding her missing money, is that God’s joy is indescribable when sinners return to him. As Jesus declared to his critics, expressing his own feelings too, ‘Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance’ (Luke 15:7)
To both the elder brother and Jonah the salvation of others were not of their primary concern. There was no joy over those who were lost and found, but anger over what they themselves could have lost. The well-being of their self comes before others, which prevent them from recognising that the father, and God was giving forgiveness to the converts. Both the elder brother's and Jonah's reaction should be joy instead of anger. They should be rejoicing instead of being resentful and angry over anyone who was lost and has been found.
God, who is always patient and full of grace, did not give up on sinners, or sulking prophet. The story of Jonah and the major parable Jesus told, illustrate the rejoicing in heaven whenever anyone who has been lost is found. There are joys. The joy of God in forgiving those who return to him in repentance, and the joy of those who are forgiven unconditionally by a loving and understanding God.
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PHOTO: Jonah's angry reaction was perhaps he felt that his professional reputation as a prophet was at stake. Or, perhaps his anger came from nationalistic fervour. As far as he was concerned, his personal and nationalistic pride was more important than the salvation of the Ninevites.
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PHOTO: When the father then came out to plead with his elder son to come into the house and join in the welcoming of his brother, all this resentment burst out. He had given all his energy and time to working for his father for years like a slave; he had always done whatever his father wanted; he had never been given by his father even a young goat to celebrate with his friends.
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PHOTO: When the father then came out to plead with his elder son to come into the house and join in the welcoming of his brother, all this resentment burst out. He had given all his energy and time to working for his father for years like a slave; he had always done whatever his father wanted; he had never been given by his father even a young goat to celebrate with his friends.
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html
PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we learn that Jonah instead of rejoicing and praising God, got angry when God spared Nineveh. Perhaps Jonah felt that his professional reputation as a prophet was at stake. The "authentic" prophet now faced the prospect of becoming an object of ridicule; as far as he was concerned, his professional reputation was more important than the salvation of the Ninevites. Or, perhaps Jonah's anger came from nationalistic fervour. He would to see Israel’s greatest enemy defeated and put to shame.
Please help us not to have personal and nationalistic pride that prevented us from recognising what God was doing through our ministry. Help us to be willing to work for, as well as with God by being aware and cooperative in God’s work.
Please help us not to fall into Satan’s trap and react in the way as Jonah, the Pharisees in Jesus's day, and the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son. All have reacted angrily due to their misunderstanding ‘your love in the lives of some individuals which may be more spectacular than in the more humdrum lives of others’.
Help us to understand that this scarcely implies that you loves such people more than others, although perhaps one aspect of your love is more evident or more dramatic in some cases than in others.
Help us to understand your eager willingness to go the extra mile to forgive, responding generously to the slightest hint of repentance. We pray for your joy in forgiving those who return to you in repentance, and the joy of those who are forgiven unconditionally by a loving and understanding God.
Thank you for being patient and always full of grace, without giving up on us. We pray for your forgiveness of our wilful sins and hidden faults. Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
Painting by Greg Olsen
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we learn that Jonah instead of rejoicing and praising God, got angry when God spared Nineveh. Perhaps Jonah felt that his professional reputation as a prophet was at stake. The "authentic" prophet now faced the prospect of becoming an object of ridicule; as far as he was concerned, his professional reputation was more important than the salvation of the Ninevites. Or, perhaps Jonah's anger came from nationalistic fervour. He would to see Israel’s greatest enemy defeated and put to shame.
Please help us not to have personal and nationalistic pride that prevented us from recognising what God was doing through our ministry. Help us to be willing to work for, as well as with God by being aware and cooperative in God’s work.
Please help us not to fall into Satan’s trap and react in the way as Jonah, the Pharisees in Jesus's day, and the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son. All have reacted angrily due to their misunderstanding ‘your love in the lives of some individuals which may be more spectacular than in the more humdrum lives of others’.
Help us to understand that this scarcely implies that you loves such people more than others, although perhaps one aspect of your love is more evident or more dramatic in some cases than in others.
Help us to understand your eager willingness to go the extra mile to forgive, responding generously to the slightest hint of repentance. We pray for your joy in forgiving those who return to you in repentance, and the joy of those who are forgiven unconditionally by a loving and understanding God.
Thank you for being patient and always full of grace, without giving up on us. We pray for your forgiveness of our wilful sins and hidden faults. Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
Painting by Greg Olsen
Picture posted by Ashley's Art Gallery - Angel with child painting by Greg Olsen.
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PHOTO: Reflect on the three questions that God asked Jonah indirectly. What were Jonah's answers, and what did they reveal about him?
The three questions that God had asked Jonah indirectly not only showed his need for transformation, but also challenged him to respond with faith and obedience.
1. What Makes You Happy?
The only time Jonah was described as being happy was when he was sitting comfortably in the shade of the plant that God had provided (Jonah 4:6). We can understand why. The prophet had endured a rough ride at sea and a horrible experience of being swallowed by a huge fish. He had made a long journey to Nineveh, where he had spent days walking around delivering God's message at the risk of his life. (And after all that, God had decided to spare Nineveh.)
Jonah was not happy when Nineveh responded to God's word with repentance. He was not happy when God changed His mind to destroy the city. He was happy only when he was comfortable. His state of mind and his emotions were tied strongly to his personal well-being.
2. What Makes You Angry?
Jonah was angry when Nineveh was spared destruction. He was angry when the plant that provided him with shade was eaten up by a worm. In other words, he was angry when he became uncomfortable and dissatisfied. When Jonah said, "it is better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:3), what he was really saying was, "I want to die because they, the Ninevites, don't deserve to live."
3. What Are You Concerned About?
Jonah was a self-centred man, concerned only about his own comfort. That was why he was particularly interested in the fortunes of a plant - his personal comfort depended on it.
Ironically, the fate of a transient plant was more important to Jonah than the fate of hundreds of thousands of people. God showed him that his priorities and value system were all wrong: "You have been concerned about this plant . . . should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left?" (Jonah 4:10-11).
In A Commentary on the Minor Prophets, Old Testament scholar Homer Hailey notes: "Man can become greatly concerned and disturbed when that which directly affects him is touched by the finger of providence; but he can be utterly indifferent, even hard, to that which may be of infinitely greater value when this does not affect him."
What are your answers, and what do they reveal about you?
1. What Makes You Happy?
While in the working world and enjoying relatively better health, I was happy when able to make enough for livelihood, other financial expenditures and commitments, and able to ensure the well-being of my parent's family. I was happy to be able to survive day by day, although with the prospect of a grim future.
One of my goal is to form a family but was never fulfilled. There was no family of my own, but I am happy staying with my parent and siblings. I was part of my parent's family. We were happy together, and we managed to get by with whatever little we had.
I remember having difficulties to acquire new skills and knowledge. But by God's will, I was fortunate to pick up the necessary skills through other colleagues, and fellow workers. I really appreciate their efforts and time to share the information with me that were important to the job. Later, I discovered how happy I was when I was able to impart the skills, and knowledge to others. When more people knew about how to execute the tasks, the lesser the pressure to remember how to operate it alone, and the greater the pleasure to work together. We could be happier the moment we had these bonding between our working colleagues, superiors and subordinates.
When I learned about God's grace and mercy, I started to pray for ability to overcome those daily difficulties and problems. I am happy that God has been our provider, and has not given up on us.
During our retirement journey, although I still had moments of financial difficulties, my failing health takes priority. I am blessed to meet like-minded elderly uncles and aunties who are also pursuing the same goal daily. We are happy that we need not have to do our regular morning walk and exercises in isolation and loneliness. When we do our early morning walk and exercises along the Park Connector Networks (PCN), we are actually keeping each other company. I am happy with the opportunity to keep in touch with everyday realities during our morning conversations, as we continue walking along the PCN together.
Seeking God as I become a retiree became more important than before. We are now living in a world where superpowers fiercely compete politically with each other through economic means. There is no immediate peace, harmony, and cooperation in sight, as they acquire land, sea and ports, with their assurance of non-dominance, as military camps are being built nearer and nearer to their neighbours. At this moment, more than ever, we need His protection, guidance, care, provision, and love. We also need His forgiveness of our wilful sins and hidden faults. I am happy to be able to start having a relationship with God amidst many distractions.
I am looking forward to my brother, sister, niece, nephew, and their loved ones, seeking and forming relationship with God willingly. I pray that the whole world would accept the offer of Salvation, so that one day, we all can have joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with God. However, I am happy that God's plan for the Salvation of the whole world will become a reality, and hopefully sometime soon.
I should learn from God to rejoice with the salvation of people, and become less like Jonah, pursuing fleeting happiness and the joys of personal comfort. Being able to contribute to the good work of the Lord is a real source of continuous happiness. I am blessed with real joy as I secure the everlasting life, to be in the refuge of our Lord, just like any other believers of our faith.
2. What Makes You Angry?
Iin the working world, requests could come furiously through telephone calls, emails, faxes, and superiors at the same time. All were requesting for immediate attentions but the worst could be from colleagues who totally ignored our important priorities, and cut queue with their unreasonable authority. I would be angry when 'their state of mind and emotions were tied strongly to their personal well-being, and utterly indifferent, even hard, to that which may be of infinitely greater value which does not affect them'. In time to come, it will pose a threat to the well-being of a good relationship. When we searched deep into our hearts, we will have a surprising discovery. What is accumulated inside would one day betray our outside pretence that it is insignificant, and that it would not affect our working relationship.
Even with the best intention to work cordially with people who have obsessive/abusive critical spirit, comes with tremendous stress. Eventually the breaking point will be reached and the relationship can no longer be restored. When unable to accomplish their tasks, their abusive critical spirit manifested, targeting those who are innocent. I would be angry at such obsessive/abusive behaviour after repeatedly trying to explain the causes to them, and faces no hope of their understanding or acceptance.
I am like Jonah, getting angry when I suffer personal discomfort, when I feel that my rights have been trampled on, when I have lost out in something, or when I have been cheated by others. I should learn from God, and become angry when we see many people around us heading for eternal damnation, egged on by the world and the devil. I should feel angry about the wickedness and sin around us - including my own sins and wrong doings.
3. What Are You Concerned About?
I am concerned about my failing health and the looming financial difficulties. Hospital and medical clinics advised regular physical exercises, proper diet, and body strength building. I spend time and energy on morning walk and exercises along the Park Connector Networks (PCN) with my sister. God has been providing the necessary motivation by having the safe environment, nice and cooling weather. He also provides us with the company of elderly uncles who are older but fitter than us. All these are part of the "treasures" in our retirement life.
My yearly medical costs is in thousands of dollars, after government and insurance subsidies. Without salary, my financial situation is worrying for me and my loved ones. However, I am still fortunate to be able to access to medical help for my failing eyesight, poor kidney functions, and irregular heart-beats. Despite my gloomy state, I am still blessed with enough daily necessities, and most importantly the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7-8). He has 'done marvellous things' for us, being our fortress, and the rock in whom I take refuge (Psalm 94:22).
Another part of my "treasures" is sharing the good news of Salvation. We may be like Jonah, seeking our personal comfort and healthy lifestyle, but the coming joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with our Lord cannot be kept as a secret. Pursuing that part of "treasures" should be our passion and interest. Jesus informed us that our Father knows that we need food, drinks, and clothes. But to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well. (Matthew 6:21, 25, 31-33).
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-gods-call-receiving-and.html
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html
PHOTO: Of course, to be angry like God does not mean condemning sinners or lashing out at them. God's anger prompted His mission and His sending of Jonah to Nineveh. Likewise, our anger with sin and its effects on man must spur us to reach out to people with compassion. That is God's way, which all who claim to follow Him must follow.
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PHOTO: During our retirement journey, although I still had moments of financial difficulties, my failing health takes priority. We are happy that we need not have to do our regular morning walk and exercises in isolation and loneliness, because we meet other elderly uncles. When we do our early morning walk and exercises along the Park Connector Networks (PCN), we are actually keeping each other company. I am happy with the opportunity to keep in touch with everyday realities during our morning conversations, as we continue walking along the PCN together.
Painting by Harold N. Anderson (1894 – 1973, American) - Guardian Angel, Always With Them
Picture posted by Children in Art History on 29 August 2014
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, We learned that Jonah was happy only when he was comfortable. His state of mind and his emotions were tied strongly to his personal well-being. We pray that we are happy just like you when people repented, pray for your mercy from destruction, and return back to you. We pray that we rejoice with the salvation of people, and not like Jonah, pursuing fleeting happiness and the joys of personal comfort.
Please help us not to fall into the same trap as Jonah who was angry when he became uncomfortable and dissatisfied, even though people repented and returned to you. Instead, we should be angry with those who are caught in the firm grip of sin and wickedness. Our anger with sin and its effects on sinners must spur us to reach out to them with compassion, and not condemning or lashing out at them.
We need help not to be self-centred, and concerned only about our own comfort. Please help us to be concerned and disturbed with that having infinitely greater value, even it does not affect us. Please help us to become like Jesus, who saves us and sends us on His mission.
Help us to seek you especially living in world where there is no guarantee of immediate peace, harmony and cooperation in sight. At this moment, more than ever, we need your protection, guidance, care, provision, and love. We also need your forgiveness of our wilful sins and hidden faults.
We want to successfully have a relationship with you amidst many distractions. We pray for our immediate families and loved ones to also have relationship with you willingly. We pray that the whole world would accept the offer of Salvation, so that one day, we all can have joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with you. We earnest pray for your grace and mercy to fulfil your plan of Salvation for the whole world, and that it will become a reality soon.
We want to learn from you how to rejoice with the salvation of people, and become less like Jonah, pursuing fleeting happiness and the joys of personal comfort. We pray to be able to contribute to the good work of the Lord as it is a real source of continuous happiness. Please bless us with real joy as we secure the everlasting life, to be in the refuge of our Lord, just like any other believers of our faith.
We need help not to fall into the same trap as Jonah, getting angry when we suffer personal discomfort, when we feel that our rights have been trampled on, when we have lost out in something, or when we have been cheated by others. We want to learn from you, become angry when we see many people around us heading for eternal damnation, egged on by the world and the devil. We should feel angry about the wickedness and sin around us - including our own sins and wrong doings.
Thank you for knowing and providing for our concerns and needs. Thank you for providing the necessary motivation, safe environment, nice and cooling weather, company of elderly people, and other ‘treasures’ of our life. We also want to have the ‘surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord’. He has 'done marvellous things' for us, being our fortress, and the rock in whom we take refuge.
We want to be concern about sharing the good news of Salvation to everybody. We may be like Jonah, seeking our personal comfort and healthy lifestyle, but the coming joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with our Lord cannot be kept as a secret. Pursuing that part of ‘treasures’ should be our passion and interest. Jesus informed us that our Father knows that we need food, drinks, and clothes. But to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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Is it possible to serve the Lord without reflecting His character? The story of Jonah showed that it is possible. Jonah was willing to proclaim God's message to a wicked nation like Nineveh, but harboured in his heart an unwilling spirit or a half-hearted commitment. Unlike God, Jonah was a reluctant prophet who struggles to accept the consequences of his vocation, without reflecting God's compassionate and merciful character.
Can you think of examples in others and in yourself?
Cinderella serving her selfish stepmother and stepsisters
The story of Cinderella pictures a young girl in a tattered dress and worn shoes, carrying out the commands of her selfish stepmother and stepsisters. Perhaps her hair is tied back but some strands have come loose as she worked to serve them. Her services are performed out of duty. The actions are there, but her motivation does not come from the heart. Cinderella does not worship or love her “masters.” She serves them only because it is her duty.
For those who follow Jesus, serving God is not like Cinderella at all. It is not intended to be a duty we must fulfill in order to maintain our position or to move up in status. Christians endeavour to make themselves servants of God to honour and glorify him because of what they believe he has done for all people. In the Bible, 1 Samuel 12:24 says, “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” When we focus on all that God has done for us, our service can flow from a heart of gratitude, reflecting His character, not from a feeling of obligation or duty.
My service makes me look good
I should become less concerned about my service making me look good, to earn the acceptance or approval of others, or being recognised about accomplishing something good for my fellow man. The focus of my service will be on putting God in the spotlight, on pointing other people to God by demonstrating his marvellous love.
Our service cannot add to what God does; it can only magnify who he is, spread his love to those around us, and express our gratitude for what he has done. The more I recognize how greatly flawed I am and how deeply God loves me in spite of this, the more I will take on the right mind-set about service, and reflecting His character. And serving the Lord for personal pride is not reflecting the character of Jesus.
Donate Torn Clothing and Other Expired Goods
All throughout the world there are places to donate our unused clothing, shoes, dishes, blankets/quilts, toys, furniture, books, and other items. Generously giving of these items to help others is an easy way to serve God and declutter our home at the same time. Stores that resell donated items usually offer much-needed jobs to the less fortunate which is another excellent form of service.
However, when preparing those things we are going to donate it is always appreciated if we only give those items that are clean and in working order. Donating dirty, broken, or useless items (example expired food) is less effective and takes precious time from volunteers and other workers as they sort and organize the items to be distributed or sold to others. Doing this type of donation is not serving the Lord and reflecting His character, but treating the charitable organisation as a dumping ground for our rubbish.
Left our first love, Revelation 2:4 (KJV)
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40). "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4).
There's something special about our first love. Usually it's a person, but it can be almost anything; a car, a sport, a place we always find ourselves returning to, or a hobby. It holds a special place in our heart. Does the Lord hold that special place? It's easy for us to say "yes", without really thinking this through.
The Church at Ephesus was founded by Paul, and had many great preachers there, including the Apostle John himself. In the letter God inspired John to write to it, there were a lot of things to commend the church. They weren't afraid of hard work. They were very patient, and yet also uncompromising when faced with false teachers. These were all very good things, but the Lord had one thing against them, and it was so significant it threatened to undo all the good. They had left their first love, and, if they didn't repent quickly, God Himself would remove His presence from the church.
Notice that they hadn't 'lost' their first love. They knew where it was, and what it was. They had just left it. Other things had slowly taken away its pre-eminence in their lives. They were full of good works, and they had much sound doctrine, but the love of God had just got crowded out. It happens slowly. It happens insidiously (gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects). We think we need to attend all those church meetings, and we need to spend lots of time preparing sermons and Bible studies. So, we find ourselves busy with 'doing' the works of God, when He would rather we spent time with Him, just 'being' like a little child talking to Him, and listening to Him.
The question is, where is our first love? Is Jesus first, last, or somewhere in the middle? Today, let's begin that journey of returning to our first love. He hasn't moved. He hasn't deserted us. He isn't angry. He's where He's always been, where we left Him, and He's waiting patiently for us. Let's hurry back today.
Why is it important to recognise that God's purpose for us is to become like His Son (Romans 8:29)?
It is an admirable thing to serve the Lord and be busy for Him. But God is interested not only in His work through us, but also in His work in us. We must also remember that we are to resemble Him by becoming like Christ, His Son. It is for this reason that God has chosen and saved us - "to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29). If we forget this, we will miss the essence of Christian discipleship. Simply running around for God in busy activism will not bring us nearer to the kingdom of God. That is why Jesus, when talking about the final judgement, warned that many will realise that they have been travelling on the wrong road. "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:22-23).
It is important to recognise that God's purpose for us is to become like His Son. Why? Because recognising God's purpose for us necessitate us to know how to become a child of God.
How to Become a Child of God
From the beginning God’s purpose in creating human beings was to welcome them into His family (2 Corinthians 6:18). This is why God said He created them “in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The Bible reveals that God’s ultimate objective is to expand His own family, by creating human beings with the awesome potential to become members of His family—His children, like His Son, Jesus Christ! (Romans 8:29).
God wants to welcome us into His family. However, God will not give this awesome gift to just anyone. In order to receive such an inheritance, we must meet God’s criteria. God has to be sure of us—sure of our love for Him, sure that we will obey Him and be faithful to Him through thick and thin. (Matthew 22:37-38).
God created everyone with free moral agency, the ability to choose. He wants us to choose the way that brings benefits to us and those around us—the way that develops His righteous character. He does not want us to choose the way that makes us and those around us miserable. (Matthew 22:39-40) So God will not accept anyone into His family who may decide he or she no longer needs to obey God, and who may choose to go his or her own way.
Trust plays an enormous part in this process. Before giving us eternal life on the God-plane level of life, God must know that He can eternally trust us 100 percent. To God, the well-being of His creation (us) is of paramount importance. God’s priorities are serving and helping; He is never selfish. But selfishness is the way of the world: "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, … unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, … brutal, despisers of good" (2 Timothy 3:2-4). However, God is righteous. God is holy. His character consists of justice, fairness and mercy.
God wants to see us seeking His perfect, holy and righteous character in order to be in His family. Righteous character is the ability to recognize and differentiate between right and wrong, and the conscious decision to do the right. To grow in God’s character, we need to surrender our lives to God, unconditionally and completely, and adopt His way in everything.
God intends His family to be made up of children who think and act as He does. To many human beings, becoming like God seems out of reach, completely impossible! Yet that is what God wants and expects. We must strive to reflect God’s character in every way: in spirit, approach, nature, attitude and love. To those who follow God’s instructions, He has promised to give the gift of the Holy Spirit, allowing God and Christ to dwell within us. Therein lies the key: Developing God’s character is only possible with the help of God Himself! God has given us a mammoth task, but He has made it possible for us to work toward becoming like Him by asking for His aid through the Holy Spirit. That’s how we can fulfill God’s purpose for our lives and become a child of God.
When God gives us His Spirit, we receive the spiritual strength we need in order to replace our old wrong habits of selfish living with the righteous and godly way of living exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24; John 1:4; 1 John 2:5-6). In short, to become like His Son.
Therefore it is important to recognise that God's purpose for us is to become like His Son (Romans 8:29). Why? Because recognising God's purpose for us necessitate us to know how to become a child of God.
When can busy service become a hindrance to spiritual formation?
The Busy and Hurried Soul
To many people, spiritual formation or spiritual growth is incompatible with being on the run or movement. To many, spiritual formation will only occurs when we are still and silent, like on a retreat in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. Maybe this idea comes from Chinese kungfu movies where the grandmaster or sifu only attain enlightenment (usually implied a higher level of martial skills) by meditation while sealed in a cave on top of some misty mountain. This is reinforced by the Christian division of hyperactive Martha who was busy being hospitable to her guests, and her quiet contemplative sister Mary who was sitting and listening to Jesus.
(Luke 10:38–42)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Martha is associated with the active life while Mary with the contemplative one. Jesus seems to praise Mary’s choice as the correct one. If this is the only lesson from the passage, then Martha should come and sit at Jesus’ feet and everyone will go hungry without supper!
The houses in New Testament times are rather small so even when preparing food, both the ladies will be able to hear Jesus. The passage seems to imply that initially both Mary and Martha were involved in the food preparation. Then suddenly Mary left the preparation to sit at Jesus’ feet to focus fully on what Jesus was saying. Martha’s ire was that her sister was not helping her in the food preparation. Martha was busy and in a hurry. Maybe she wanted to produce an exception meal for her special guest. In her hurriedness, she was distracted and was not listening to Jesus. Jesus was speaking to everyone in the house, not just Mary. Jesus’ rebuke to Martha may be because she was not listening to him. This was because she was so distracted by her busyness. Martha should be preparing the food and listening to him at the same time as women are wonderful at multi-tasking. I am sure Jesus wanted to eat too. Jesus did not say, “Martha, stop what you are doing, sit down and listen to me!”
We all live very busy lives. From the moment we are rudely awakened by our alarm clocks to the time we fall asleep, we have to perform many tasks. Our ‘to-do’ list often runs to two or three pages. If being busy means that we have not chosen ‘the good part’ that most of us are in trouble. Not many of us have the opportunity to take time away to be in a retreat, to just sit and listen. There are bills to pay, houses to clean and kids to bring up.
There is a difference between being busy and being hurried. We can be busy without being in a hurry. Busy is an external condition where we have many tasks to complete. Hurry is an inner state where we are distracted because of the external busyness. This inner state of distraction means that our soul is confused, fragmented and disconnected with our minds, hearts and spirits. What is more significant is that the hurried or distracted person cannot hear the voice of God. What Jesus was trying to teach Martha (and us) is that it is not wrong for us to be busy (for which one of us is not busy) but not to be hurried and distracted.
This is because when we are hurried and distracted, we cannot hear him. When our busy service are hurried and distracting, they become a hindrance to our spiritual formation.
This means that Christian spiritual formation and transformation may occurs in a busy life. However the process may be difficult in a busy and hurried life. Dallas Willard notes, "Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life." Is it possible to live a busy but unhurried life? Gregory the Great was the first monk to become a pope. He became Pope Gregory 1 from 590 to 604 AD. Gregory was a Doctor of the Church and a Latin Father. He contributed a lot to church services and is known as the father of Christian worship. In his busy schedule, Gregory was able to maintain a powerful devotional life. John Calvin mentioned Gregory in his Institutes and praised his contribution to the church.
Picture posted by Kali Buchheit on 22 October 2017 - Cinderella By Godohelp On Deviantart
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PHOTO: Reflect on the three questions that God asked Jonah indirectly. What were Jonah's answers, and what did they reveal about him?
The three questions that God had asked Jonah indirectly not only showed his need for transformation, but also challenged him to respond with faith and obedience.
1. What Makes You Happy?
The only time Jonah was described as being happy was when he was sitting comfortably in the shade of the plant that God had provided (Jonah 4:6). We can understand why. The prophet had endured a rough ride at sea and a horrible experience of being swallowed by a huge fish. He had made a long journey to Nineveh, where he had spent days walking around delivering God's message at the risk of his life. (And after all that, God had decided to spare Nineveh.)
Jonah was not happy when Nineveh responded to God's word with repentance. He was not happy when God changed His mind to destroy the city. He was happy only when he was comfortable. His state of mind and his emotions were tied strongly to his personal well-being.
2. What Makes You Angry?
Jonah was angry when Nineveh was spared destruction. He was angry when the plant that provided him with shade was eaten up by a worm. In other words, he was angry when he became uncomfortable and dissatisfied. When Jonah said, "it is better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:3), what he was really saying was, "I want to die because they, the Ninevites, don't deserve to live."
3. What Are You Concerned About?
Jonah was a self-centred man, concerned only about his own comfort. That was why he was particularly interested in the fortunes of a plant - his personal comfort depended on it.
Ironically, the fate of a transient plant was more important to Jonah than the fate of hundreds of thousands of people. God showed him that his priorities and value system were all wrong: "You have been concerned about this plant . . . should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left?" (Jonah 4:10-11).
In A Commentary on the Minor Prophets, Old Testament scholar Homer Hailey notes: "Man can become greatly concerned and disturbed when that which directly affects him is touched by the finger of providence; but he can be utterly indifferent, even hard, to that which may be of infinitely greater value when this does not affect him."
What are your answers, and what do they reveal about you?
1. What Makes You Happy?
While in the working world and enjoying relatively better health, I was happy when able to make enough for livelihood, other financial expenditures and commitments, and able to ensure the well-being of my parent's family. I was happy to be able to survive day by day, although with the prospect of a grim future.
One of my goal is to form a family but was never fulfilled. There was no family of my own, but I am happy staying with my parent and siblings. I was part of my parent's family. We were happy together, and we managed to get by with whatever little we had.
I remember having difficulties to acquire new skills and knowledge. But by God's will, I was fortunate to pick up the necessary skills through other colleagues, and fellow workers. I really appreciate their efforts and time to share the information with me that were important to the job. Later, I discovered how happy I was when I was able to impart the skills, and knowledge to others. When more people knew about how to execute the tasks, the lesser the pressure to remember how to operate it alone, and the greater the pleasure to work together. We could be happier the moment we had these bonding between our working colleagues, superiors and subordinates.
When I learned about God's grace and mercy, I started to pray for ability to overcome those daily difficulties and problems. I am happy that God has been our provider, and has not given up on us.
During our retirement journey, although I still had moments of financial difficulties, my failing health takes priority. I am blessed to meet like-minded elderly uncles and aunties who are also pursuing the same goal daily. We are happy that we need not have to do our regular morning walk and exercises in isolation and loneliness. When we do our early morning walk and exercises along the Park Connector Networks (PCN), we are actually keeping each other company. I am happy with the opportunity to keep in touch with everyday realities during our morning conversations, as we continue walking along the PCN together.
Seeking God as I become a retiree became more important than before. We are now living in a world where superpowers fiercely compete politically with each other through economic means. There is no immediate peace, harmony, and cooperation in sight, as they acquire land, sea and ports, with their assurance of non-dominance, as military camps are being built nearer and nearer to their neighbours. At this moment, more than ever, we need His protection, guidance, care, provision, and love. We also need His forgiveness of our wilful sins and hidden faults. I am happy to be able to start having a relationship with God amidst many distractions.
I am looking forward to my brother, sister, niece, nephew, and their loved ones, seeking and forming relationship with God willingly. I pray that the whole world would accept the offer of Salvation, so that one day, we all can have joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with God. However, I am happy that God's plan for the Salvation of the whole world will become a reality, and hopefully sometime soon.
I should learn from God to rejoice with the salvation of people, and become less like Jonah, pursuing fleeting happiness and the joys of personal comfort. Being able to contribute to the good work of the Lord is a real source of continuous happiness. I am blessed with real joy as I secure the everlasting life, to be in the refuge of our Lord, just like any other believers of our faith.
2. What Makes You Angry?
Iin the working world, requests could come furiously through telephone calls, emails, faxes, and superiors at the same time. All were requesting for immediate attentions but the worst could be from colleagues who totally ignored our important priorities, and cut queue with their unreasonable authority. I would be angry when 'their state of mind and emotions were tied strongly to their personal well-being, and utterly indifferent, even hard, to that which may be of infinitely greater value which does not affect them'. In time to come, it will pose a threat to the well-being of a good relationship. When we searched deep into our hearts, we will have a surprising discovery. What is accumulated inside would one day betray our outside pretence that it is insignificant, and that it would not affect our working relationship.
Even with the best intention to work cordially with people who have obsessive/abusive critical spirit, comes with tremendous stress. Eventually the breaking point will be reached and the relationship can no longer be restored. When unable to accomplish their tasks, their abusive critical spirit manifested, targeting those who are innocent. I would be angry at such obsessive/abusive behaviour after repeatedly trying to explain the causes to them, and faces no hope of their understanding or acceptance.
I am like Jonah, getting angry when I suffer personal discomfort, when I feel that my rights have been trampled on, when I have lost out in something, or when I have been cheated by others. I should learn from God, and become angry when we see many people around us heading for eternal damnation, egged on by the world and the devil. I should feel angry about the wickedness and sin around us - including my own sins and wrong doings.
3. What Are You Concerned About?
I am concerned about my failing health and the looming financial difficulties. Hospital and medical clinics advised regular physical exercises, proper diet, and body strength building. I spend time and energy on morning walk and exercises along the Park Connector Networks (PCN) with my sister. God has been providing the necessary motivation by having the safe environment, nice and cooling weather. He also provides us with the company of elderly uncles who are older but fitter than us. All these are part of the "treasures" in our retirement life.
My yearly medical costs is in thousands of dollars, after government and insurance subsidies. Without salary, my financial situation is worrying for me and my loved ones. However, I am still fortunate to be able to access to medical help for my failing eyesight, poor kidney functions, and irregular heart-beats. Despite my gloomy state, I am still blessed with enough daily necessities, and most importantly the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7-8). He has 'done marvellous things' for us, being our fortress, and the rock in whom I take refuge (Psalm 94:22).
Another part of my "treasures" is sharing the good news of Salvation. We may be like Jonah, seeking our personal comfort and healthy lifestyle, but the coming joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with our Lord cannot be kept as a secret. Pursuing that part of "treasures" should be our passion and interest. Jesus informed us that our Father knows that we need food, drinks, and clothes. But to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well. (Matthew 6:21, 25, 31-33).
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
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https://www.jw.org/pt/publicacoes/livros/verdadeira-fe/jonas-aprendeu-uma-licao-de-misericordia/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-gods-call-receiving-and.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-gods-call-hearing-word-of.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html
PHOTO: Of course, to be angry like God does not mean condemning sinners or lashing out at them. God's anger prompted His mission and His sending of Jonah to Nineveh. Likewise, our anger with sin and its effects on man must spur us to reach out to people with compassion. That is God's way, which all who claim to follow Him must follow.
Picture saved by Lynn Buchanan to ~~~My Redeemer LiVeS~~~ - Walking on water
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/39195459243609784/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html
PHOTO: During our retirement journey, although I still had moments of financial difficulties, my failing health takes priority. We are happy that we need not have to do our regular morning walk and exercises in isolation and loneliness, because we meet other elderly uncles. When we do our early morning walk and exercises along the Park Connector Networks (PCN), we are actually keeping each other company. I am happy with the opportunity to keep in touch with everyday realities during our morning conversations, as we continue walking along the PCN together.
Painting by Harold N. Anderson (1894 – 1973, American) - Guardian Angel, Always With Them
Picture posted by Children in Art History on 29 August 2014
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https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/666180969855540169/?lp=true
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html
PHOTO: “Dear Lord, We learned that Jonah was happy only when he was comfortable. His state of mind and his emotions were tied strongly to his personal well-being. We pray that we are happy just like you when people repented, pray for your mercy from destruction, and return back to you. We pray that we rejoice with the salvation of people, and not like Jonah, pursuing fleeting happiness and the joys of personal comfort.
Please help us not to fall into the same trap as Jonah who was angry when he became uncomfortable and dissatisfied, even though people repented and returned to you. Instead, we should be angry with those who are caught in the firm grip of sin and wickedness. Our anger with sin and its effects on sinners must spur us to reach out to them with compassion, and not condemning or lashing out at them.
We need help not to be self-centred, and concerned only about our own comfort. Please help us to be concerned and disturbed with that having infinitely greater value, even it does not affect us. Please help us to become like Jesus, who saves us and sends us on His mission.
Help us to seek you especially living in world where there is no guarantee of immediate peace, harmony and cooperation in sight. At this moment, more than ever, we need your protection, guidance, care, provision, and love. We also need your forgiveness of our wilful sins and hidden faults.
We want to successfully have a relationship with you amidst many distractions. We pray for our immediate families and loved ones to also have relationship with you willingly. We pray that the whole world would accept the offer of Salvation, so that one day, we all can have joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with you. We earnest pray for your grace and mercy to fulfil your plan of Salvation for the whole world, and that it will become a reality soon.
We want to learn from you how to rejoice with the salvation of people, and become less like Jonah, pursuing fleeting happiness and the joys of personal comfort. We pray to be able to contribute to the good work of the Lord as it is a real source of continuous happiness. Please bless us with real joy as we secure the everlasting life, to be in the refuge of our Lord, just like any other believers of our faith.
We need help not to fall into the same trap as Jonah, getting angry when we suffer personal discomfort, when we feel that our rights have been trampled on, when we have lost out in something, or when we have been cheated by others. We want to learn from you, become angry when we see many people around us heading for eternal damnation, egged on by the world and the devil. We should feel angry about the wickedness and sin around us - including our own sins and wrong doings.
Thank you for knowing and providing for our concerns and needs. Thank you for providing the necessary motivation, safe environment, nice and cooling weather, company of elderly people, and other ‘treasures’ of our life. We also want to have the ‘surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord’. He has 'done marvellous things' for us, being our fortress, and the rock in whom we take refuge.
We want to be concern about sharing the good news of Salvation to everybody. We may be like Jonah, seeking our personal comfort and healthy lifestyle, but the coming joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with our Lord cannot be kept as a secret. Pursuing that part of ‘treasures’ should be our passion and interest. Jesus informed us that our Father knows that we need food, drinks, and clothes. But to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
Picture saved by Linda to “ Fantasy”, art of dream
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/839499186770353049/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html
PHOTO: Is it possible to serve the Lord without reflecting His character?
Jonah
may have been willing to be recruited into God's army of prophets, but
his heart was not fully committed to what God was doing. He may have
been willing to work for God in delivering the prophecy against Nineveh,
but he was unwilling to be compassionate and merciful like God. He may
have known what God was like and even experienced it personally, but he
was not willing to respond to others in the same way that God responded
to him.Is it possible to serve the Lord without reflecting His character? The story of Jonah showed that it is possible. Jonah was willing to proclaim God's message to a wicked nation like Nineveh, but harboured in his heart an unwilling spirit or a half-hearted commitment. Unlike God, Jonah was a reluctant prophet who struggles to accept the consequences of his vocation, without reflecting God's compassionate and merciful character.
Can you think of examples in others and in yourself?
Cinderella serving her selfish stepmother and stepsisters
The story of Cinderella pictures a young girl in a tattered dress and worn shoes, carrying out the commands of her selfish stepmother and stepsisters. Perhaps her hair is tied back but some strands have come loose as she worked to serve them. Her services are performed out of duty. The actions are there, but her motivation does not come from the heart. Cinderella does not worship or love her “masters.” She serves them only because it is her duty.
For those who follow Jesus, serving God is not like Cinderella at all. It is not intended to be a duty we must fulfill in order to maintain our position or to move up in status. Christians endeavour to make themselves servants of God to honour and glorify him because of what they believe he has done for all people. In the Bible, 1 Samuel 12:24 says, “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” When we focus on all that God has done for us, our service can flow from a heart of gratitude, reflecting His character, not from a feeling of obligation or duty.
My service makes me look good
I should become less concerned about my service making me look good, to earn the acceptance or approval of others, or being recognised about accomplishing something good for my fellow man. The focus of my service will be on putting God in the spotlight, on pointing other people to God by demonstrating his marvellous love.
Our service cannot add to what God does; it can only magnify who he is, spread his love to those around us, and express our gratitude for what he has done. The more I recognize how greatly flawed I am and how deeply God loves me in spite of this, the more I will take on the right mind-set about service, and reflecting His character. And serving the Lord for personal pride is not reflecting the character of Jesus.
Donate Torn Clothing and Other Expired Goods
All throughout the world there are places to donate our unused clothing, shoes, dishes, blankets/quilts, toys, furniture, books, and other items. Generously giving of these items to help others is an easy way to serve God and declutter our home at the same time. Stores that resell donated items usually offer much-needed jobs to the less fortunate which is another excellent form of service.
However, when preparing those things we are going to donate it is always appreciated if we only give those items that are clean and in working order. Donating dirty, broken, or useless items (example expired food) is less effective and takes precious time from volunteers and other workers as they sort and organize the items to be distributed or sold to others. Doing this type of donation is not serving the Lord and reflecting His character, but treating the charitable organisation as a dumping ground for our rubbish.
Left our first love, Revelation 2:4 (KJV)
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40). "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4).
There's something special about our first love. Usually it's a person, but it can be almost anything; a car, a sport, a place we always find ourselves returning to, or a hobby. It holds a special place in our heart. Does the Lord hold that special place? It's easy for us to say "yes", without really thinking this through.
The Church at Ephesus was founded by Paul, and had many great preachers there, including the Apostle John himself. In the letter God inspired John to write to it, there were a lot of things to commend the church. They weren't afraid of hard work. They were very patient, and yet also uncompromising when faced with false teachers. These were all very good things, but the Lord had one thing against them, and it was so significant it threatened to undo all the good. They had left their first love, and, if they didn't repent quickly, God Himself would remove His presence from the church.
Notice that they hadn't 'lost' their first love. They knew where it was, and what it was. They had just left it. Other things had slowly taken away its pre-eminence in their lives. They were full of good works, and they had much sound doctrine, but the love of God had just got crowded out. It happens slowly. It happens insidiously (gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects). We think we need to attend all those church meetings, and we need to spend lots of time preparing sermons and Bible studies. So, we find ourselves busy with 'doing' the works of God, when He would rather we spent time with Him, just 'being' like a little child talking to Him, and listening to Him.
The question is, where is our first love? Is Jesus first, last, or somewhere in the middle? Today, let's begin that journey of returning to our first love. He hasn't moved. He hasn't deserted us. He isn't angry. He's where He's always been, where we left Him, and He's waiting patiently for us. Let's hurry back today.
Why is it important to recognise that God's purpose for us is to become like His Son (Romans 8:29)?
It is an admirable thing to serve the Lord and be busy for Him. But God is interested not only in His work through us, but also in His work in us. We must also remember that we are to resemble Him by becoming like Christ, His Son. It is for this reason that God has chosen and saved us - "to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29). If we forget this, we will miss the essence of Christian discipleship. Simply running around for God in busy activism will not bring us nearer to the kingdom of God. That is why Jesus, when talking about the final judgement, warned that many will realise that they have been travelling on the wrong road. "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:22-23).
It is important to recognise that God's purpose for us is to become like His Son. Why? Because recognising God's purpose for us necessitate us to know how to become a child of God.
How to Become a Child of God
From the beginning God’s purpose in creating human beings was to welcome them into His family (2 Corinthians 6:18). This is why God said He created them “in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The Bible reveals that God’s ultimate objective is to expand His own family, by creating human beings with the awesome potential to become members of His family—His children, like His Son, Jesus Christ! (Romans 8:29).
God wants to welcome us into His family. However, God will not give this awesome gift to just anyone. In order to receive such an inheritance, we must meet God’s criteria. God has to be sure of us—sure of our love for Him, sure that we will obey Him and be faithful to Him through thick and thin. (Matthew 22:37-38).
God created everyone with free moral agency, the ability to choose. He wants us to choose the way that brings benefits to us and those around us—the way that develops His righteous character. He does not want us to choose the way that makes us and those around us miserable. (Matthew 22:39-40) So God will not accept anyone into His family who may decide he or she no longer needs to obey God, and who may choose to go his or her own way.
Trust plays an enormous part in this process. Before giving us eternal life on the God-plane level of life, God must know that He can eternally trust us 100 percent. To God, the well-being of His creation (us) is of paramount importance. God’s priorities are serving and helping; He is never selfish. But selfishness is the way of the world: "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, … unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, … brutal, despisers of good" (2 Timothy 3:2-4). However, God is righteous. God is holy. His character consists of justice, fairness and mercy.
God wants to see us seeking His perfect, holy and righteous character in order to be in His family. Righteous character is the ability to recognize and differentiate between right and wrong, and the conscious decision to do the right. To grow in God’s character, we need to surrender our lives to God, unconditionally and completely, and adopt His way in everything.
God intends His family to be made up of children who think and act as He does. To many human beings, becoming like God seems out of reach, completely impossible! Yet that is what God wants and expects. We must strive to reflect God’s character in every way: in spirit, approach, nature, attitude and love. To those who follow God’s instructions, He has promised to give the gift of the Holy Spirit, allowing God and Christ to dwell within us. Therein lies the key: Developing God’s character is only possible with the help of God Himself! God has given us a mammoth task, but He has made it possible for us to work toward becoming like Him by asking for His aid through the Holy Spirit. That’s how we can fulfill God’s purpose for our lives and become a child of God.
When God gives us His Spirit, we receive the spiritual strength we need in order to replace our old wrong habits of selfish living with the righteous and godly way of living exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24; John 1:4; 1 John 2:5-6). In short, to become like His Son.
Therefore it is important to recognise that God's purpose for us is to become like His Son (Romans 8:29). Why? Because recognising God's purpose for us necessitate us to know how to become a child of God.
When can busy service become a hindrance to spiritual formation?
The Busy and Hurried Soul
To many people, spiritual formation or spiritual growth is incompatible with being on the run or movement. To many, spiritual formation will only occurs when we are still and silent, like on a retreat in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. Maybe this idea comes from Chinese kungfu movies where the grandmaster or sifu only attain enlightenment (usually implied a higher level of martial skills) by meditation while sealed in a cave on top of some misty mountain. This is reinforced by the Christian division of hyperactive Martha who was busy being hospitable to her guests, and her quiet contemplative sister Mary who was sitting and listening to Jesus.
(Luke 10:38–42)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Martha is associated with the active life while Mary with the contemplative one. Jesus seems to praise Mary’s choice as the correct one. If this is the only lesson from the passage, then Martha should come and sit at Jesus’ feet and everyone will go hungry without supper!
The houses in New Testament times are rather small so even when preparing food, both the ladies will be able to hear Jesus. The passage seems to imply that initially both Mary and Martha were involved in the food preparation. Then suddenly Mary left the preparation to sit at Jesus’ feet to focus fully on what Jesus was saying. Martha’s ire was that her sister was not helping her in the food preparation. Martha was busy and in a hurry. Maybe she wanted to produce an exception meal for her special guest. In her hurriedness, she was distracted and was not listening to Jesus. Jesus was speaking to everyone in the house, not just Mary. Jesus’ rebuke to Martha may be because she was not listening to him. This was because she was so distracted by her busyness. Martha should be preparing the food and listening to him at the same time as women are wonderful at multi-tasking. I am sure Jesus wanted to eat too. Jesus did not say, “Martha, stop what you are doing, sit down and listen to me!”
We all live very busy lives. From the moment we are rudely awakened by our alarm clocks to the time we fall asleep, we have to perform many tasks. Our ‘to-do’ list often runs to two or three pages. If being busy means that we have not chosen ‘the good part’ that most of us are in trouble. Not many of us have the opportunity to take time away to be in a retreat, to just sit and listen. There are bills to pay, houses to clean and kids to bring up.
There is a difference between being busy and being hurried. We can be busy without being in a hurry. Busy is an external condition where we have many tasks to complete. Hurry is an inner state where we are distracted because of the external busyness. This inner state of distraction means that our soul is confused, fragmented and disconnected with our minds, hearts and spirits. What is more significant is that the hurried or distracted person cannot hear the voice of God. What Jesus was trying to teach Martha (and us) is that it is not wrong for us to be busy (for which one of us is not busy) but not to be hurried and distracted.
This is because when we are hurried and distracted, we cannot hear him. When our busy service are hurried and distracting, they become a hindrance to our spiritual formation.
This means that Christian spiritual formation and transformation may occurs in a busy life. However the process may be difficult in a busy and hurried life. Dallas Willard notes, "Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life." Is it possible to live a busy but unhurried life? Gregory the Great was the first monk to become a pope. He became Pope Gregory 1 from 590 to 604 AD. Gregory was a Doctor of the Church and a Latin Father. He contributed a lot to church services and is known as the father of Christian worship. In his busy schedule, Gregory was able to maintain a powerful devotional life. John Calvin mentioned Gregory in his Institutes and praised his contribution to the church.
Picture posted by Kali Buchheit on 22 October 2017 - Cinderella By Godohelp On Deviantart
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PHOTO: The story of Cinderella pictures a young girl in a tattered dress and worn shoes, carrying out the commands of her selfish stepmother and stepsisters. Her services are performed out of duty. The actions are there, but her motivation does not come from the heart. Cinderella does not worship or love her “masters.” She serves them only because it is her duty.
Picture posted by Nuria Nuis on 14 April 2016
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https://smoda.elpais.com/belleza/personajes-literarios-dan-nombre-trastornos-psicologicos/100107883/image/100107894
PHOTO: Donate Torn Clothing and Other Expired Goods
All throughout the world there are places to donate our unused clothing, shoes, dishes, blankets/quilts, toys, furniture, books, and other items. Generously giving of these items to help others is an easy way to serve God and declutter our home at the same time. But donating dirty, broken, or useless items (example expired food) is less effective and takes precious time from volunteers and other workers as they sort and organize the items to be distributed or sold to others.
Picture posted by Blur730, DeviantArt Related / deviantID©2010-2019 Blur730 - Super Girl
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https://www.deviantart.com/blur730/art/Super-Girl-170123093
PHOTO: Therefore it is important to recognise that God's purpose for us is to become like His Son (Romans 8:29).
Because recognising God's purpose for us necessitate us to know how to become a child of God - by asking for His aid through the Holy Spirit.
Painting by Fray Juan Bautista Maíno (1581-1649) - Pentecostés. Museo del Prado (Pentecost, National Museum of the Prado)
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3ce8ac.png
http://marymagdalen.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bull_2018_05_20.pdf
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, like Jonah, it is possible to serve the Lord without reflecting His character. Please help us to respond to others in the same way that God responded, compassionate and merciful. Help us to serve not only from feeling of obligation or duty, but also with motivation that comes from our heart.
We need help to become less concerned about our service making us look good, to earn the acceptance or approval of others, or being recognised about accomplishing something good for our fellow man. Help us to serve the Lord not for personal pride but reflecting the character of Jesus.
Help us to donate those items that are clean and in working order and not to treat the recipient as a dumping place for our unwanted rubbish. Donating dirty, broken, or useless items is less effective and takes precious time from volunteers and other workers as they sort and organize the items to be distributed or sold to others.
We want to be like The Church at Ephesus founded by Paul, which had full of good works, and had much sound doctrine, but not when the love of God had got crowded out. We think we need to attend all those church meetings, and we need to spend lots of time preparing sermons and Bible studies. So, we find ourselves busy with 'doing' the works of God, when He would rather we spent time with Him, just 'being' like a little child talking to Him, and listening to Him.
Help us to remember that God is interested not only in His work through us, but also in His work in us. And we are to resemble Him by becoming like Christ, His Son. Please send your Holy Spirit so that we can receive the spiritual strength we need in order to replace our old wrong habits of selfish living with the righteous and godly way of living exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ.
Please help us to be more like Mary, and less like Martha who could not hear the Lord because of her being hurried and distracted by matters of the world. When our busy service are hurried and distracting, they become a hindrance to our spiritual formation. We need your help to become unhurried in our busy life, so that we can hear you while being busy to complete our tasks.
We want to hear from you because we learn from Psalm 119:165 that 'great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.'
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
Picture saved by Melanie Zurcher-McChesney to Adrianna's pins - Athena _ Greek. Virgin goddess of war and wisdom, patroness of goldsmithing, she gave fire to humanity.
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Chapter 9 - Do We Reflect God's Heart?
Question 1 - Do we reflect God's heart? - Obsession with numbers, efficiency, and Measurable success, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html [26]
Question 2 - Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart? - How God counts, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart-how.html [27]
Question 3 - Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart - Jonah's Legacy, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html [28]
PHOTO: In what way are we guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success in a Christian context?
Whenever we come across numbers in the Bible, we often try to figure out what they represent and to discern whether there is significance behind the numbers, or whether they are merely factual figures. Often, however, we miss out what the numbers say about the character of God - especially when He is depicted as counting.
We sometimes forget the ways of God: we brandish number about when we count participants at a conference or church service as a means to boost our egos and congratulate ourselves. Whether this desire which may be a healthy ambition, turn into an unhealthy obsession will depend on how strong the desire is.
Ambition is the desire and determination to achieve success. Ambition is when a person sets a goal and works towards it normally. People who have ambitions when they do not get the goal of a desire, they will try to get the goal in another way, or make another goal.
Obsession may start from greed which is the intense and selfish desire to achieve money, power, or status. If the desire has so dominated the mind uncontrollably, for no reason and chasing blindly with overflowing emotions means that the person already has an obsession. Obsession is a compulsive or irrational preoccupation. It is an unhealthy negative traits and should not be supported. Obsessed people, if they cannot reach the goal they set, the tendency for depression will be greater.
Christians guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success may consist of the following.
We measured in what we have accomplished and not in how much we have loved
No matter how big our church or ministry is, no matter how much we are respected, we should not miss out what the numbers say about the character of God - His compassion and love for every individual. We may be obsessed with worldly achievement until we forget being the image of God. If anybody was deserving, it was Jesus. He chose humility, sacrifice and death for those He loved. His heavenly Father too deserved our worship for His sacrificial love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). 1 John 3:16 emphasises again God's love, and teaches us how to love others. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."
How can we address this problem?
We need to be faithful to a life of sacrificial love and service, regardless of the “results.” Our legacy should not be a “striving” ambition just for intense and selfish desire, but an ambition to follow God to wherever He calls, whether to a public arena or a place of shadows where nobody will notice. "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2).
We need to pray to God for help. God doesn’t just use us for His work … His ongoing work is us. "May our legacy be measured not as much in what we have accomplished as in how much we have loved." That is our prayer. As in Psalm 124:8, "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." We pray too for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also acts as comforter or Paraclete, one who intercedes, or supports or acts as an advocate, particularly in times of trial. (1 John 2:1)
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PHOTO: Ambition is the desire and determination to achieve success. People who have ambitions when they do not get the goal of a desire, they will try to get the goal in another way, or make another goal.
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PHOTO: Christians are guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success because we measured in what we have accomplished and not in how much we have loved. Why love? The Bible said: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:16).
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, Please help us not to miss out what the numbers in the Bible say about the character of God. His compassion and loving character. We sometimes forget the ways of God: we brandish number about when we count participants at a conference or church service as a means to boost our egos and congratulate ourselves.
We are guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success, when we measured in what we have accomplished and not in how much we have loved. Please help us not to forget about God’s compassion and love for every individual, and that we are to be the image of God.
Please help us to be faithful to a life of sacrificial love and service, regardless of the “results.” May our legacy be measured not as much in what we have accomplished as in how much we have loved. We do not want to be guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success without having the love of God in us.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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Whenever we come across such numbers in the Bible, we often try to figure out what they represent and to discern whether there is significance behind the numbers, or whether they are merely factual figures. Often, however, we miss out what the numbers say about the character of God - especially when He is depicted as counting.
When God told Jonah that He was concerned about the people of Nineveh (Jonah 4:11), for instance, He gave the prophet a number 120,000. This not only tells us the city's population, but it also says something astounding about the character of God.
In biblical times, shepherds had an interesting way of counting their sheep. The sheep were made to pass under a shepherd's rod as he counted them; every tenth animal was then set aside as a tithe to the Lord (Leviticus 27:32). Although the shepherd just had to get a total tally of all his livestock, he made sure to count every one of them individually.
In a similar way, God our Shepherd sees each of us as an individual. Just as a shepherd counts each sheep that passes under his rod, God counts every one of us. In Ezekiel 20:37, He says, "I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant." This personal attention is made clear in Jeremiah 33:13, which prophesies that "flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them". It paints the picture of a Shepherd personally counting His sheep - not with a rod but with His own hand. He handles each sheep with a personal touch.
We sometimes forget the ways of God: we brandish number about when we count participants at a conference or church service as a means to boost our egos and congratulate ourselves. In God's eyes, however, numbers that have to do with people are far more personal and profound. Whether it's a large crowd in a popular church or a small gathering of 40 worshippers, He is interested in individuals.
And while we allow anonymity in our midst, letting people slip in and out of fellowship and losing them in the crowd, God wants to personally touch everyone who passes Him. Salvation is, after all, an individual experience. As the prophet Isaiah said, "In that day . . . you . . . will be gathered up one by one" (Isaiah 27:12, emphasis added).
It is one thing to believe that Jesus died for all of us, and another thing to appreciate that He died for you. Yet this realisation is needed for true conversion - just as Charles Wesley was truly converted after he read Galatians 2:20 and was struck by the phrase, "the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me". The truth became personal for him.
5 ways how we can practise God's ways in church and in our relationships
1. Pray
Ask God for the strength to love to our full potential. Keep an open dialogue with the source of all love to guide us through our trials.
2. Be generous to others
Sometimes the greatest strength we can receive comes through helping others in need. (Just ask Mother Teresa.) Love is always there for us to draw upon, and it’s easiest to see when we decide to share it freely with others.
3. Get inspired
Let inspiration help us stay connected through faith. Pick up Zig Ziglar’s new audiobook, or listen to a Tony Robbins seminar. Read about the lives of people who’ve demonstrated faith in amazing ways.
4. Surround ourselves with people we admire
We are how we spend our time. So if we want to walk the path of faith, pave it with as many faithful people as we can. Choose friends who challenge us to love like it’s our last day on earth. (Finding those types of friends is as hard as hell. It helps to start by focusing on being that kind of friend.)
5. Get the ball rolling first thing in the morning
Carve out 10 minutes in the morning to focus on faith (God). God is the decision to love when it seems impossible. Sometimes we wake up with the weight of the world on our shoulders. Rather than give in and settle for less, set a daily intention to love — no matter how hard it may be. Pray, and ask for everything you need to love like crazy
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PHOTO: God our Shepherd sees each of us as an individual. Just as a shepherd counts each sheep that passes under his rod, God counts every one of us - not with a rod but with His own hand. He handles each sheep with a personal touch.
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PHOTO: Get the ball rolling first thing in the morning
Carve out 10 minutes in the morning to focus on faith (God). God is the decision to love when it seems impossible. Sometimes we wake up with the weight of the world on our shoulders. Pray, and ask for everything you need to love like crazy — first thing in the morning. That'll start our day with the momentum we need to make even the hardest decisions.
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we often miss out what the numbers say about the character of God - especially when He is depicted as counting. We learn that God our Shepherd sees each of us as an individual. Just as a shepherd counts each sheep that passes under his rod, God counts every one of us. This personal attention is made not with a rod but with His own hand. He handles each sheep with a personal touch.
We also learn that when God told Jonah about the 120,000 Ninevites He was concerned about, it was not just a statistic. Rather, it showed that He had counted and knew every person in the city who repented - no one was lost, ignored, or forgotten. Each inhabitant was known by God and precious to Him, even though he or she had lived contrary to His law. To God, the salvation of each one of us is a deeply personal matter.
Please help us not to forget the ways of God by brandishing number about when we count participants at a conference or church service as a means to boost our egos and congratulate ourselves. Because in God's eyes numbers that have to do with people are far more personal and profound. He is interested in individuals.
We believe that Jesus died for all of us, but it is another thing to appreciate that He died for me - the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. This truth became personal for us.
We need your help to practise God's ways in church and in our relationships. We pray to you asking for the strength to love to our full potential. Help us to be generous to others because the greatest strength we can receive comes through helping others in need. Keep us inspired by staying connected to you, and by the people who surround us. Sometimes we wake up in the morning with the weight of the world on our shoulders. No matter how hard it may be, we pray for the daily intention to love.
Every morning we wait for you, more than the watchmen who wait for the morning. Just as in Psalm 130:7, we put our hope in you, for with you is unfailing love, and with you is full redemption.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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PHOTO: What can we learn from the story of Jonah that will alert us to our own foolish and ignorant ways?
Through Jonah's ministry, Nineveh was saved as God counted its people in His flock. A few generation later, however, things would change again. When the city became the proud capital of Assyria, prophet Nahum would condemn its wickedness and prophesy its complete destruction. In 612 BC, some 150 years after Jonah's visit, Nineveh would be destroyed by the Medes; its revival would last only for several generations. This tells us that each generation must hear and respond to God's Word for itself. God has no grandchildren - only children.
We hope that Jonah ended his story by responding to God's grace and surrendering wholeheartedly to His will - not running away nor doing His will half-heartedly, but fully committed to doing God's will in God's way. And we hope that he eventually learned that not only must a prophet's message be from God, but the messenger must also be like God in character and compassion. Perhaps Jonah learned this lesson, and wrote his book in the Bible after allowing God to make this significant change within him, and the Holy Spirit to inspire him. He has left that legacy for us today.
In some ways, Jonah showed himself to be rather foolish in his actions and in his discipleship. But his story challenges us to look at ourselves and ask if we have been equally foolish and ignorant of God's way. Jonah's experience may make an entertaining tale, but it is also a sobering story. We too have a story to complete. Will we open our hearts to God and be a willing mission field? Will we learn not only to do His work for Him, but also to do it joyfully with Him? Will we share His wonderful character and compassion, and become more like Christ? Will we bear fruit for God?
How can we become wiser in the things of God?
God wants us to participate in these stories (parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the Pharisees, and Jonah). He invites us to bring them to their right conclusion in our own lives, just as Jesus invited the Pharisees and the teachers of the law to see how similar they were to the elder brother in the parable, and how different they were from God.
Growing in wisdom
Most of us feel deficient in wisdom. We want to develop more of the biblically based understanding that helps us avoid the ways of wickedness and encourages us to live a life of righteousness and uprightness.
How can we grow in wisdom? The Bible provides sensible and sound guidance:
1. Ask God
The apostle James gives this advice: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). The word ask is translated from aiteo in Greek, and means to speak with an inner desire, to crave for. Our Heavenly Father loves and enjoys giving generously—and wisdom is one of those essential characteristics He gives.
2. Study the Scriptures
But we also have to do our part. As we continue to study the Scriptures, we need to look for areas in our lives where we are falling short of the standard God sets.
Why not read through the book of Proverbs, especially chapters 1-4? Robert L. Alden in his commentary on Proverbs states: “We might say the Book of Proverbs is for anyone who is wise enough to listen. Quite obviously wise people will listen to instruction while fools will not” (Proverbs 11). He continues: “Most of the proverbs are domestic, dealing with choices people make every day … they speak of family relationships, business ethics, moral choices, and inner motivation” (Proverbs 15).
3. Do not justify ourselves of sins
As we discover our shortcomings, we must follow the example of King David in Psalm 51. David did not justify himself, but rather judged himself as being guilty of sin (Psalm 51:4). He understood the principle mentioned in Psalm 51:6: “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” Genuine, inward truth is a hallmark of wisdom!
We are invited to search our hearts and ask ourselves if we are like Jonah. The prophet's story challenges us to respond personally; when we do this, then we will remember that our hearts are God's mission field, and we will allow Him to work in us so that there will be revival, "times of refreshing" (Acts 3:19), and intimate fellowship with the Lord (Revelation 3:20). And then we will become wiser in the things of God, and learn to count as God does.
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PHOTO: How can we become wiser in the things of God?
God wants us to participate in these stories (parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the Pharisees, and Jonah). He invites us to bring them to their right conclusion in our own lives, just as Jesus invited the Pharisees and the teachers of the law to see how similar they were to the elder brother in the parable, and how different they were from God.
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PHOTO: “Dear
Lord, We learn that each generation must hear and respond to God's Word
for itself. God has no grandchildren - only children. Our revival would
only last for several generations. A few generation later things would
change again.
Just as we hope that Jonah, we should also ended our story by responding to God's grace and surrendering wholeheartedly to His will - not running away nor doing His will half-heartedly, but fully committed to doing God's will in God's way. A messenger of God must also be like God in character and compassion.
Jonah showed himself to be rather foolish in his actions and in his discipleship. But his story challenges us to look at ourselves and ask if we have been equally foolish and ignorant of God's way.
Please help us to complete our story with opening our hearts to God and be a willing mission field. Help us learn not only to do His work for Him, but also to do it joyfully with Him. We want to share His wonderful character and compassion, and become more like Christ, bearing fruit for God.
We need to develop more of the biblically based understanding that helps us avoid the ways of wickedness and encourages us to live a life of righteousness and uprightness. We lack wisdom. We ask our Heavenly Father to grant us this essential characteristics. With wisdom, it help us to lead the ways of holiness, righteousness and uprightness.
Please help us to continue studying the Scriptures, and look for areas in our lives where we are falling short of the standard set by God.
When we sin, help us not to not justify ourselves, but rather to judge ourselves as being guilty of sin. Because with genuine, inward truth is a hallmark of wisdom.
Help us to search our hearts and ask ourselves if we are like Jonah. Help us to respond personally; and that we remember that our hearts are God's mission field. Because by allowing Him to work in us there will be revival with times of refreshing, and intimate fellowship with the Lord. And then we will become wiser in the things of God, and learn to count as God does.
As in Psalm 139:23-24, Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html
Chapter 10 - Will You Respond to God's Call?
Question 1 - Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - Key lessons, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html [29]
Question 2 - Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - God's question, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods_20.html [30]
Question 3 - Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - God's revelation, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html [31]
PHOTO: Reflect on the key lessons you have learned from the book of Jonah.
God is a missionary God who saves
The chief character of the book of Jonah is God, without whom the story would not be possible. It shows God to be a missionary God: it is He who takes the initiative to save sinners from destruction; it is He who sends Jonah to Nineveh with a message that would make them repent; and it is He who saves everyone - the sailors in the ships, the Ninevites, and possibly Jonah himself.
God is sovereign and gracious, holy and compassionate
God takes the mess of this world and makes something beautiful out of it, simply because He is sovereign and gracious, holy and compassionate - while He hates evil, He shows mercy when sinners repent. Everyone who is trapped in the prison of sin can thus look to God for hope, because He is interested in each one of us.
God is a God of miracles
Many get hung up on the incredible idea of a whale (or more accurately, a huge fish) swallowing a man, who is then able to survive in its belly for three days. It seems impossible, but they forget that God is a God of miracles; the same God who raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:20) is more than capable of rescuing Jonah from the belly of a fish.
Jonah's ordeal is significant to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection
It is significant that Jesus himself referred to the story of Jonah and compared Jonah's experience of being in the fish's belly to His own experience of being "in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40). In referring to Jonah's ordeal as a fact, Jesus was affirming the historicity of the book of Jonah. It is also significant that Jesus used Jonah's story to point to His own impending death, burial, and resurrection. If we take Jesus' word seriously, then we must also take the book of Jonah seriously. In a commentary on Jonah, Bible scholar Homer Hailey notes, "Denial of the historical fact of Jonah's experience becomes a forerunner of the denial of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead."
God is actively working in our world and in our hearts
Besides pointing to Jesus and His work as our Saviour, the story of Jonah also illustrates the mission of God. It shows a God who is actively working in our world and in our hearts as He seek to win us for himself, and who will go to great lengths to achieve His eternal purposes. There are twists in the story of Jonah, one of which is the conversion of the pagan sailors and the people of the city of Nineveh. Jesus observed that the men of Nineveh who repented at the preaching of Jonah would participate at the judgement of the generation to which He preached (Matthew 12:41). As radical as the book of Jonah must have seemed to its first Jewish readers in its implications, it remains so to Christians today.
God will use all necessary resources to fulfil His mission to save the world
The story of Jonah shows us how God will use all necessary resources to fulfil His mission to save the world. Just as He used natural, animal, and human agents to carry out His sovereign will for Jonah and Nineveh, He will go the farthest distance to save us. A look at the cross of Jesus Christ proves this: God did not withhold even His only begotten Son to save us (Romans 8:32). What a merciful, loving, and compassionate God! Indeed, Jonah's story points us to the saving grace of God - the same grace that sent Jesus to die for us, that we might be redeemed and welcomed into the Father's presence.
God's rescue mission is meant for all nations
The book of Jonah also reminds us that God's rescue mission is meant for all nations. Israel, and Jonah, had failed to realise that God's salvation was meant for all human beings; God saved not only the pagan sailors on the ship that was about to sink, but also the wicked people in the city that was about to be destroyed. His mission is global: He is reconciling His creation to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). And it is cosmic: just as all of us await our redemption from the effects of sin, the whole of creation awaits its liberation from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:19-23). The gospel must therefore be preached to all, so that many more will have the opportunity to respond in faith and repentance, and be saved by the grace of God.
God is patient
The story of Jonah teaches us about God's patience. He gave Nineveh 40 days to repent, and He showed great patience in the way He dealt with Jonah. And He does the same with us all. If not for God's patience, the whole world would have been wiped out long ago. As the apostle Peter wrote, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
What does it teach you about God, yourself, and others around you?
Jonah was an unlikely prophet. His heart was not fully in God's work, he had his own issues with sin, and he held a wrong understanding of God and His ways. He was at first an unwilling instrument in God's hand, then a willing but prejudiced one. He was doing His work out of duty, without reflecting His character, harbouring prejudices that are incongruent with being a child of God and a servant of Christ. Bible commentator and theologian Leslie Allen notes in his commentary on this book, "A Jonah lurks in every Christian heart."
Throughout the book of Jonah, we see God working in the prophet's heart. He went after Jonah, pursuing him relentlessly, not to destroy, but to save. It shows us that God's mission field is not only sinners, but also our own hearts. He is working in us as well as through us. We cannot ignore either. The story of Jonah tells us that God has unfinished business, both in the outside world and inside our hearts.
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
PHOTO: God is actively working in our world and in our hearts
God who is actively working in our world and in our hearts as He seek to win us for himself, and who will go to great lengths to achieve His eternal purposes.
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
PHOTO: The story of Jonah tells us that God has unfinished business, both in the outside world and inside our hearts. He went after Jonah, pursuing him relentlessly, not to destroy, but to save. It shows us that God's mission field is not only sinners, but also our own hearts.
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we learned from the book of Jonah that:
God is a missionary God who saves
God is sovereign and gracious, holy and compassionate
God is a God of miracles
Jonah's ordeal is significant to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection
God is actively working in our world and in our hearts
God will use all necessary resources to fulfil His mission to save the world
God's rescue mission is meant for all nations
God is patient
We learned that Jonah was an unlikely prophet whose heart was not fully in God's work, and he had his own issues with sin He held a wrong understanding of God and His ways. He was at first an unwilling instrument in God's hand, then a willing but prejudiced one. He was doing His work out of duty, without reflecting His character, harbouring prejudices that are incongruent with being a child of God and a servant of Christ.
We pray for your help because ‘A Jonah lurks in every Christian heart.’ We need you to work in us as well as through us. Just as in Psalm 138:8, we need your right hand to save us. Your love endures forever, do not abandon the works of your hands. We know you can makes us lie down in green pastures, and leads us beside quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2).
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
Picture posted by Yulia Popova on Tuesday, 12 August 2014 at 21:48 - In the fairy forest ...
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PHOTO: The book of Jonah ends with God's question, "Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?" (Jonah 4:11).
The story of Jonah is as simple as it is incredible:
God commands the prophet Jonah to go to the Assyrian city of Nineveh to preach against it. But Jonah runs away, only to run headlong into storm and end up in the belly of a large fish. God rescues him and gives him a second chance. This time Jonah obeys, the city repents, and God spares it from divine judgement. Jonah, however, gets angry with God for treating Assyria - Israel's enemy - mercifully. The story ends with God asking the question, "Should I not have concern for the great city on Nineveh?" (Jonah 4:11).
How does it challenge you?
The book ends with that unanswered question. Did Jonah’s attitude change? Did he repent like Nineveh? It’s unknown.
This is how it challenge us: God leaves this question unanswered to challenge us.
This question challenged Jonah, and continues to challenge us today. It demands a respond from us - one which can change us and align our lives to the purposes of God. For the story of Jonah is really a story about God - about who He is, how He loves us, and what He expects of us.
How will you respond?
Do we want God to treat all people including ourself with justice or with mercy?
God has answered that question through the cross of Jesus. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
My response is this: we want God to treat us with mercy. And God is merciful, through Christ Jesus. I will ask for His forgiveness, and that He do not send His wrath upon us, but His Holy Spirits to help all of us to accept the offer of Salvation, so that we all can have joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with Him.
If you were Jonah, how would you have concluded your story?
The book ends without the reader knowing how Jonah answers God's question. So, the question is really, how does the reader answer the question for Jonah? In part, Jonah's problem is that he knows who God is (a Lord merciful, full of loving kindness, ready to relent from punishing sin), but Jonah doesn't like this about God. Jonah wants a God who will punish evil. The question that the book asks the reader then is this: Can we accept and love God as God is?
If I am Jonah, I would have concluded the story by having a better relationship with God, and accept His grace and mercy. I would asked for His forgiveness and help to replace the urge to see Nineveh being destroyed, and instead concentrating on asking Him to relent from punishing our sins too.
The story would then have a happy ending for everybody. Nineveh and Israel, most likely would have accepted each other, living, and growing together in harmony. With Nineveh and Israel repenting from their wilful sins and hidden faults, God would open His heaven and bestow tons of blessing upon us, celebrating our "once being lost but now being found".
We would accept and love God as God is. We would rejoice with God that more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left, have repented, and also many animals, are saved from destruction.
Maybe God would send more plants with flowers, among other things, to where Jonah is. Together with Nineveh and Israel, the world would see the glory of God, and experience His compassionate nature.
As in Psalm 145:16, God opens His hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all he has created. Every creature would then praise His holy name for ever and ever (Psalm 145:21). All the good things will last from "everlasting to everlasting".
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods_20.html
PHOTO: If you were Jonah, how would you have concluded your story?
Jonah's problem is that he knows who God is (a Lord merciful, full of loving kindness, ready to relent from punishing sin), but Jonah doesn't like this about God. Jonah wants a God who will punish evil. The question that the book asks the reader then is this: Can we accept and love God as God is?
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PHOTO: God opens His hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all he has created. Every creature would then praise His holy name for ever and ever. All the good things will last from "everlasting to everlasting".
With God there is no 钻牛角尖 (Zuān niú jiǎo jiān), insoluble problem.
Digital artwork by Dolores Develde uploaded on 03 June 2016.- Knocking On Heavens Door
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Chapter 9 - Do We Reflect God's Heart?
Question 1 - Do we reflect God's heart? - Obsession with numbers, efficiency, and Measurable success, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html [26]
Question 2 - Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart? - How God counts, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart-how.html [27]
Question 3 - Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart - Jonah's Legacy, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html [28]
PHOTO: In what way are we guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success in a Christian context?
Whenever we come across numbers in the Bible, we often try to figure out what they represent and to discern whether there is significance behind the numbers, or whether they are merely factual figures. Often, however, we miss out what the numbers say about the character of God - especially when He is depicted as counting.
We sometimes forget the ways of God: we brandish number about when we count participants at a conference or church service as a means to boost our egos and congratulate ourselves. Whether this desire which may be a healthy ambition, turn into an unhealthy obsession will depend on how strong the desire is.
Ambition is the desire and determination to achieve success. Ambition is when a person sets a goal and works towards it normally. People who have ambitions when they do not get the goal of a desire, they will try to get the goal in another way, or make another goal.
Obsession may start from greed which is the intense and selfish desire to achieve money, power, or status. If the desire has so dominated the mind uncontrollably, for no reason and chasing blindly with overflowing emotions means that the person already has an obsession. Obsession is a compulsive or irrational preoccupation. It is an unhealthy negative traits and should not be supported. Obsessed people, if they cannot reach the goal they set, the tendency for depression will be greater.
Christians guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success may consist of the following.
We measured in what we have accomplished and not in how much we have loved
No matter how big our church or ministry is, no matter how much we are respected, we should not miss out what the numbers say about the character of God - His compassion and love for every individual. We may be obsessed with worldly achievement until we forget being the image of God. If anybody was deserving, it was Jesus. He chose humility, sacrifice and death for those He loved. His heavenly Father too deserved our worship for His sacrificial love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). 1 John 3:16 emphasises again God's love, and teaches us how to love others. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."
How can we address this problem?
We need to be faithful to a life of sacrificial love and service, regardless of the “results.” Our legacy should not be a “striving” ambition just for intense and selfish desire, but an ambition to follow God to wherever He calls, whether to a public arena or a place of shadows where nobody will notice. "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2).
We need to pray to God for help. God doesn’t just use us for His work … His ongoing work is us. "May our legacy be measured not as much in what we have accomplished as in how much we have loved." That is our prayer. As in Psalm 124:8, "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." We pray too for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also acts as comforter or Paraclete, one who intercedes, or supports or acts as an advocate, particularly in times of trial. (1 John 2:1)
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html
PHOTO: Ambition is the desire and determination to achieve success. People who have ambitions when they do not get the goal of a desire, they will try to get the goal in another way, or make another goal.
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https://www.idisciple.org/post/4-ingredients-of-a-life-of-impact-ambition
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html
PHOTO: Christians are guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success because we measured in what we have accomplished and not in how much we have loved. Why love? The Bible said: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:16).
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, Please help us not to miss out what the numbers in the Bible say about the character of God. His compassion and loving character. We sometimes forget the ways of God: we brandish number about when we count participants at a conference or church service as a means to boost our egos and congratulate ourselves.
We are guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success, when we measured in what we have accomplished and not in how much we have loved. Please help us not to forget about God’s compassion and love for every individual, and that we are to be the image of God.
Please help us to be faithful to a life of sacrificial love and service, regardless of the “results.” May our legacy be measured not as much in what we have accomplished as in how much we have loved. We do not want to be guilty of an obsession with numbers, efficiency, and measurable success without having the love of God in us.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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PHOTO: What can we learn from the way God counts people?
We
can find all sorts of numbers in the Bible. Some are symbolic and some
are literal, while some are both symbolic and literal. [39] The "seven spirits of God" mentioned in Revelation (1:4; 3:1; 5:6),
for instance, are symbolic, referring to the Holy Spirit in His
perfection. The 153 fish caught by the disciples is an actual figure (John 21:11). The 40 days for which Jesus fasted before commencing His ministry (Matthew 4:2)
- also the same period given to Nineveh to respond to God's message -
is an actual number as well, but also a symbolic representation of how
God's people are tested.Whenever we come across such numbers in the Bible, we often try to figure out what they represent and to discern whether there is significance behind the numbers, or whether they are merely factual figures. Often, however, we miss out what the numbers say about the character of God - especially when He is depicted as counting.
When God told Jonah that He was concerned about the people of Nineveh (Jonah 4:11), for instance, He gave the prophet a number 120,000. This not only tells us the city's population, but it also says something astounding about the character of God.
In biblical times, shepherds had an interesting way of counting their sheep. The sheep were made to pass under a shepherd's rod as he counted them; every tenth animal was then set aside as a tithe to the Lord (Leviticus 27:32). Although the shepherd just had to get a total tally of all his livestock, he made sure to count every one of them individually.
In a similar way, God our Shepherd sees each of us as an individual. Just as a shepherd counts each sheep that passes under his rod, God counts every one of us. In Ezekiel 20:37, He says, "I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant." This personal attention is made clear in Jeremiah 33:13, which prophesies that "flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them". It paints the picture of a Shepherd personally counting His sheep - not with a rod but with His own hand. He handles each sheep with a personal touch.
How is He personal?
When God told Jonah about the 120,000 Ninevites He was concerned about, it was not just a statistic. Rather, it showed that He
had counted and knew every person in the city who repented - no one was
lost, ignored, or forgotten. Each inhabitant was known by God and
precious to Him, even though he or she had lived contrary to His law.
To God, the salvation of each Ninevite was a deeply personal matter, as
was each sailor on the ship that nearly sank with Jonah in it.We sometimes forget the ways of God: we brandish number about when we count participants at a conference or church service as a means to boost our egos and congratulate ourselves. In God's eyes, however, numbers that have to do with people are far more personal and profound. Whether it's a large crowd in a popular church or a small gathering of 40 worshippers, He is interested in individuals.
And while we allow anonymity in our midst, letting people slip in and out of fellowship and losing them in the crowd, God wants to personally touch everyone who passes Him. Salvation is, after all, an individual experience. As the prophet Isaiah said, "In that day . . . you . . . will be gathered up one by one" (Isaiah 27:12, emphasis added).
It is one thing to believe that Jesus died for all of us, and another thing to appreciate that He died for you. Yet this realisation is needed for true conversion - just as Charles Wesley was truly converted after he read Galatians 2:20 and was struck by the phrase, "the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me". The truth became personal for him.
How can we practise God's ways in church and in our relationships?
Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) said, “We cannot live without love. We remain incomprehensible to ourselves if we do not experience and participate intimately in love." And God is love.5 ways how we can practise God's ways in church and in our relationships
1. Pray
Ask God for the strength to love to our full potential. Keep an open dialogue with the source of all love to guide us through our trials.
2. Be generous to others
Sometimes the greatest strength we can receive comes through helping others in need. (Just ask Mother Teresa.) Love is always there for us to draw upon, and it’s easiest to see when we decide to share it freely with others.
3. Get inspired
Let inspiration help us stay connected through faith. Pick up Zig Ziglar’s new audiobook, or listen to a Tony Robbins seminar. Read about the lives of people who’ve demonstrated faith in amazing ways.
4. Surround ourselves with people we admire
We are how we spend our time. So if we want to walk the path of faith, pave it with as many faithful people as we can. Choose friends who challenge us to love like it’s our last day on earth. (Finding those types of friends is as hard as hell. It helps to start by focusing on being that kind of friend.)
5. Get the ball rolling first thing in the morning
Carve out 10 minutes in the morning to focus on faith (God). God is the decision to love when it seems impossible. Sometimes we wake up with the weight of the world on our shoulders. Rather than give in and settle for less, set a daily intention to love — no matter how hard it may be. Pray, and ask for everything you need to love like crazy
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PHOTO: God our Shepherd sees each of us as an individual. Just as a shepherd counts each sheep that passes under his rod, God counts every one of us - not with a rod but with His own hand. He handles each sheep with a personal touch.
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PHOTO: Get the ball rolling first thing in the morning
Carve out 10 minutes in the morning to focus on faith (God). God is the decision to love when it seems impossible. Sometimes we wake up with the weight of the world on our shoulders. Pray, and ask for everything you need to love like crazy — first thing in the morning. That'll start our day with the momentum we need to make even the hardest decisions.
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we often miss out what the numbers say about the character of God - especially when He is depicted as counting. We learn that God our Shepherd sees each of us as an individual. Just as a shepherd counts each sheep that passes under his rod, God counts every one of us. This personal attention is made not with a rod but with His own hand. He handles each sheep with a personal touch.
We also learn that when God told Jonah about the 120,000 Ninevites He was concerned about, it was not just a statistic. Rather, it showed that He had counted and knew every person in the city who repented - no one was lost, ignored, or forgotten. Each inhabitant was known by God and precious to Him, even though he or she had lived contrary to His law. To God, the salvation of each one of us is a deeply personal matter.
Please help us not to forget the ways of God by brandishing number about when we count participants at a conference or church service as a means to boost our egos and congratulate ourselves. Because in God's eyes numbers that have to do with people are far more personal and profound. He is interested in individuals.
We believe that Jesus died for all of us, but it is another thing to appreciate that He died for me - the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. This truth became personal for us.
We need your help to practise God's ways in church and in our relationships. We pray to you asking for the strength to love to our full potential. Help us to be generous to others because the greatest strength we can receive comes through helping others in need. Keep us inspired by staying connected to you, and by the people who surround us. Sometimes we wake up in the morning with the weight of the world on our shoulders. No matter how hard it may be, we pray for the daily intention to love.
Every morning we wait for you, more than the watchmen who wait for the morning. Just as in Psalm 130:7, we put our hope in you, for with you is unfailing love, and with you is full redemption.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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PHOTO: What can we learn from the story of Jonah that will alert us to our own foolish and ignorant ways?
Through Jonah's ministry, Nineveh was saved as God counted its people in His flock. A few generation later, however, things would change again. When the city became the proud capital of Assyria, prophet Nahum would condemn its wickedness and prophesy its complete destruction. In 612 BC, some 150 years after Jonah's visit, Nineveh would be destroyed by the Medes; its revival would last only for several generations. This tells us that each generation must hear and respond to God's Word for itself. God has no grandchildren - only children.
We hope that Jonah ended his story by responding to God's grace and surrendering wholeheartedly to His will - not running away nor doing His will half-heartedly, but fully committed to doing God's will in God's way. And we hope that he eventually learned that not only must a prophet's message be from God, but the messenger must also be like God in character and compassion. Perhaps Jonah learned this lesson, and wrote his book in the Bible after allowing God to make this significant change within him, and the Holy Spirit to inspire him. He has left that legacy for us today.
In some ways, Jonah showed himself to be rather foolish in his actions and in his discipleship. But his story challenges us to look at ourselves and ask if we have been equally foolish and ignorant of God's way. Jonah's experience may make an entertaining tale, but it is also a sobering story. We too have a story to complete. Will we open our hearts to God and be a willing mission field? Will we learn not only to do His work for Him, but also to do it joyfully with Him? Will we share His wonderful character and compassion, and become more like Christ? Will we bear fruit for God?
How can we become wiser in the things of God?
God wants us to participate in these stories (parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the Pharisees, and Jonah). He invites us to bring them to their right conclusion in our own lives, just as Jesus invited the Pharisees and the teachers of the law to see how similar they were to the elder brother in the parable, and how different they were from God.
Growing in wisdom
Most of us feel deficient in wisdom. We want to develop more of the biblically based understanding that helps us avoid the ways of wickedness and encourages us to live a life of righteousness and uprightness.
How can we grow in wisdom? The Bible provides sensible and sound guidance:
1. Ask God
The apostle James gives this advice: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). The word ask is translated from aiteo in Greek, and means to speak with an inner desire, to crave for. Our Heavenly Father loves and enjoys giving generously—and wisdom is one of those essential characteristics He gives.
2. Study the Scriptures
But we also have to do our part. As we continue to study the Scriptures, we need to look for areas in our lives where we are falling short of the standard God sets.
Why not read through the book of Proverbs, especially chapters 1-4? Robert L. Alden in his commentary on Proverbs states: “We might say the Book of Proverbs is for anyone who is wise enough to listen. Quite obviously wise people will listen to instruction while fools will not” (Proverbs 11). He continues: “Most of the proverbs are domestic, dealing with choices people make every day … they speak of family relationships, business ethics, moral choices, and inner motivation” (Proverbs 15).
3. Do not justify ourselves of sins
As we discover our shortcomings, we must follow the example of King David in Psalm 51. David did not justify himself, but rather judged himself as being guilty of sin (Psalm 51:4). He understood the principle mentioned in Psalm 51:6: “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” Genuine, inward truth is a hallmark of wisdom!
We are invited to search our hearts and ask ourselves if we are like Jonah. The prophet's story challenges us to respond personally; when we do this, then we will remember that our hearts are God's mission field, and we will allow Him to work in us so that there will be revival, "times of refreshing" (Acts 3:19), and intimate fellowship with the Lord (Revelation 3:20). And then we will become wiser in the things of God, and learn to count as God does.
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PHOTO: How can we become wiser in the things of God?
God wants us to participate in these stories (parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the Pharisees, and Jonah). He invites us to bring them to their right conclusion in our own lives, just as Jesus invited the Pharisees and the teachers of the law to see how similar they were to the elder brother in the parable, and how different they were from God.
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PHOTO:
We are invited to search our hearts and ask ourselves if we are like
Jonah. Remember that our hearts are God's mission field, and we will
allow Him to work in us so that there will be revival, "times of refreshing" (Acts 3:19), and intimate fellowship with the Lord (Revelation 3:20).
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Just as we hope that Jonah, we should also ended our story by responding to God's grace and surrendering wholeheartedly to His will - not running away nor doing His will half-heartedly, but fully committed to doing God's will in God's way. A messenger of God must also be like God in character and compassion.
Jonah showed himself to be rather foolish in his actions and in his discipleship. But his story challenges us to look at ourselves and ask if we have been equally foolish and ignorant of God's way.
Please help us to complete our story with opening our hearts to God and be a willing mission field. Help us learn not only to do His work for Him, but also to do it joyfully with Him. We want to share His wonderful character and compassion, and become more like Christ, bearing fruit for God.
We need to develop more of the biblically based understanding that helps us avoid the ways of wickedness and encourages us to live a life of righteousness and uprightness. We lack wisdom. We ask our Heavenly Father to grant us this essential characteristics. With wisdom, it help us to lead the ways of holiness, righteousness and uprightness.
Please help us to continue studying the Scriptures, and look for areas in our lives where we are falling short of the standard set by God.
When we sin, help us not to not justify ourselves, but rather to judge ourselves as being guilty of sin. Because with genuine, inward truth is a hallmark of wisdom.
Help us to search our hearts and ask ourselves if we are like Jonah. Help us to respond personally; and that we remember that our hearts are God's mission field. Because by allowing Him to work in us there will be revival with times of refreshing, and intimate fellowship with the Lord. And then we will become wiser in the things of God, and learn to count as God does.
As in Psalm 139:23-24, Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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Chapter 10 - Will You Respond to God's Call?
Question 1 - Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - Key lessons, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html [29]
Question 2 - Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - God's question, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods_20.html [30]
Question 3 - Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - God's revelation, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html [31]
PHOTO: Reflect on the key lessons you have learned from the book of Jonah.
God is a missionary God who saves
The chief character of the book of Jonah is God, without whom the story would not be possible. It shows God to be a missionary God: it is He who takes the initiative to save sinners from destruction; it is He who sends Jonah to Nineveh with a message that would make them repent; and it is He who saves everyone - the sailors in the ships, the Ninevites, and possibly Jonah himself.
God is sovereign and gracious, holy and compassionate
God takes the mess of this world and makes something beautiful out of it, simply because He is sovereign and gracious, holy and compassionate - while He hates evil, He shows mercy when sinners repent. Everyone who is trapped in the prison of sin can thus look to God for hope, because He is interested in each one of us.
God is a God of miracles
Many get hung up on the incredible idea of a whale (or more accurately, a huge fish) swallowing a man, who is then able to survive in its belly for three days. It seems impossible, but they forget that God is a God of miracles; the same God who raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:20) is more than capable of rescuing Jonah from the belly of a fish.
Jonah's ordeal is significant to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection
It is significant that Jesus himself referred to the story of Jonah and compared Jonah's experience of being in the fish's belly to His own experience of being "in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40). In referring to Jonah's ordeal as a fact, Jesus was affirming the historicity of the book of Jonah. It is also significant that Jesus used Jonah's story to point to His own impending death, burial, and resurrection. If we take Jesus' word seriously, then we must also take the book of Jonah seriously. In a commentary on Jonah, Bible scholar Homer Hailey notes, "Denial of the historical fact of Jonah's experience becomes a forerunner of the denial of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead."
God is actively working in our world and in our hearts
Besides pointing to Jesus and His work as our Saviour, the story of Jonah also illustrates the mission of God. It shows a God who is actively working in our world and in our hearts as He seek to win us for himself, and who will go to great lengths to achieve His eternal purposes. There are twists in the story of Jonah, one of which is the conversion of the pagan sailors and the people of the city of Nineveh. Jesus observed that the men of Nineveh who repented at the preaching of Jonah would participate at the judgement of the generation to which He preached (Matthew 12:41). As radical as the book of Jonah must have seemed to its first Jewish readers in its implications, it remains so to Christians today.
God will use all necessary resources to fulfil His mission to save the world
The story of Jonah shows us how God will use all necessary resources to fulfil His mission to save the world. Just as He used natural, animal, and human agents to carry out His sovereign will for Jonah and Nineveh, He will go the farthest distance to save us. A look at the cross of Jesus Christ proves this: God did not withhold even His only begotten Son to save us (Romans 8:32). What a merciful, loving, and compassionate God! Indeed, Jonah's story points us to the saving grace of God - the same grace that sent Jesus to die for us, that we might be redeemed and welcomed into the Father's presence.
God's rescue mission is meant for all nations
The book of Jonah also reminds us that God's rescue mission is meant for all nations. Israel, and Jonah, had failed to realise that God's salvation was meant for all human beings; God saved not only the pagan sailors on the ship that was about to sink, but also the wicked people in the city that was about to be destroyed. His mission is global: He is reconciling His creation to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). And it is cosmic: just as all of us await our redemption from the effects of sin, the whole of creation awaits its liberation from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:19-23). The gospel must therefore be preached to all, so that many more will have the opportunity to respond in faith and repentance, and be saved by the grace of God.
God is patient
The story of Jonah teaches us about God's patience. He gave Nineveh 40 days to repent, and He showed great patience in the way He dealt with Jonah. And He does the same with us all. If not for God's patience, the whole world would have been wiped out long ago. As the apostle Peter wrote, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
What does it teach you about God, yourself, and others around you?
Jonah was an unlikely prophet. His heart was not fully in God's work, he had his own issues with sin, and he held a wrong understanding of God and His ways. He was at first an unwilling instrument in God's hand, then a willing but prejudiced one. He was doing His work out of duty, without reflecting His character, harbouring prejudices that are incongruent with being a child of God and a servant of Christ. Bible commentator and theologian Leslie Allen notes in his commentary on this book, "A Jonah lurks in every Christian heart."
Throughout the book of Jonah, we see God working in the prophet's heart. He went after Jonah, pursuing him relentlessly, not to destroy, but to save. It shows us that God's mission field is not only sinners, but also our own hearts. He is working in us as well as through us. We cannot ignore either. The story of Jonah tells us that God has unfinished business, both in the outside world and inside our hearts.
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PHOTO: God is actively working in our world and in our hearts
God who is actively working in our world and in our hearts as He seek to win us for himself, and who will go to great lengths to achieve His eternal purposes.
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PHOTO: The story of Jonah tells us that God has unfinished business, both in the outside world and inside our hearts. He went after Jonah, pursuing him relentlessly, not to destroy, but to save. It shows us that God's mission field is not only sinners, but also our own hearts.
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, we learned from the book of Jonah that:
God is a missionary God who saves
God is sovereign and gracious, holy and compassionate
God is a God of miracles
Jonah's ordeal is significant to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection
God is actively working in our world and in our hearts
God will use all necessary resources to fulfil His mission to save the world
God's rescue mission is meant for all nations
God is patient
We learned that Jonah was an unlikely prophet whose heart was not fully in God's work, and he had his own issues with sin He held a wrong understanding of God and His ways. He was at first an unwilling instrument in God's hand, then a willing but prejudiced one. He was doing His work out of duty, without reflecting His character, harbouring prejudices that are incongruent with being a child of God and a servant of Christ.
We pray for your help because ‘A Jonah lurks in every Christian heart.’ We need you to work in us as well as through us. Just as in Psalm 138:8, we need your right hand to save us. Your love endures forever, do not abandon the works of your hands. We know you can makes us lie down in green pastures, and leads us beside quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2).
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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PHOTO: The book of Jonah ends with God's question, "Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?" (Jonah 4:11).
The story of Jonah is as simple as it is incredible:
God commands the prophet Jonah to go to the Assyrian city of Nineveh to preach against it. But Jonah runs away, only to run headlong into storm and end up in the belly of a large fish. God rescues him and gives him a second chance. This time Jonah obeys, the city repents, and God spares it from divine judgement. Jonah, however, gets angry with God for treating Assyria - Israel's enemy - mercifully. The story ends with God asking the question, "Should I not have concern for the great city on Nineveh?" (Jonah 4:11).
How does it challenge you?
The book ends with that unanswered question. Did Jonah’s attitude change? Did he repent like Nineveh? It’s unknown.
This is how it challenge us: God leaves this question unanswered to challenge us.
This question challenged Jonah, and continues to challenge us today. It demands a respond from us - one which can change us and align our lives to the purposes of God. For the story of Jonah is really a story about God - about who He is, how He loves us, and what He expects of us.
How will you respond?
Do we want God to treat all people including ourself with justice or with mercy?
God has answered that question through the cross of Jesus. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
My response is this: we want God to treat us with mercy. And God is merciful, through Christ Jesus. I will ask for His forgiveness, and that He do not send His wrath upon us, but His Holy Spirits to help all of us to accept the offer of Salvation, so that we all can have joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with Him.
If you were Jonah, how would you have concluded your story?
The book ends without the reader knowing how Jonah answers God's question. So, the question is really, how does the reader answer the question for Jonah? In part, Jonah's problem is that he knows who God is (a Lord merciful, full of loving kindness, ready to relent from punishing sin), but Jonah doesn't like this about God. Jonah wants a God who will punish evil. The question that the book asks the reader then is this: Can we accept and love God as God is?
If I am Jonah, I would have concluded the story by having a better relationship with God, and accept His grace and mercy. I would asked for His forgiveness and help to replace the urge to see Nineveh being destroyed, and instead concentrating on asking Him to relent from punishing our sins too.
The story would then have a happy ending for everybody. Nineveh and Israel, most likely would have accepted each other, living, and growing together in harmony. With Nineveh and Israel repenting from their wilful sins and hidden faults, God would open His heaven and bestow tons of blessing upon us, celebrating our "once being lost but now being found".
We would accept and love God as God is. We would rejoice with God that more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left, have repented, and also many animals, are saved from destruction.
Maybe God would send more plants with flowers, among other things, to where Jonah is. Together with Nineveh and Israel, the world would see the glory of God, and experience His compassionate nature.
As in Psalm 145:16, God opens His hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all he has created. Every creature would then praise His holy name for ever and ever (Psalm 145:21). All the good things will last from "everlasting to everlasting".
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PHOTO: If you were Jonah, how would you have concluded your story?
Jonah's problem is that he knows who God is (a Lord merciful, full of loving kindness, ready to relent from punishing sin), but Jonah doesn't like this about God. Jonah wants a God who will punish evil. The question that the book asks the reader then is this: Can we accept and love God as God is?
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PHOTO: God opens His hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all he has created. Every creature would then praise His holy name for ever and ever. All the good things will last from "everlasting to everlasting".
With God there is no 钻牛角尖 (Zuān niú jiǎo jiān), insoluble problem.
Digital artwork by Dolores Develde uploaded on 03 June 2016.- Knocking On Heavens Door
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, the story of Jonah ends with God asking the question, ‘Should I not have concern for the great city on Nineveh?’ We understand it as an unanswered question to challenge us to respond so that we can be changed and align our lives to the purposes of God. Thank you for letting us know who He is, how He loves us, and what He expects of us.
My response is this: we want God to treat us with mercy. And God is merciful, through Christ Jesus. I will ask for His forgiveness, and that He do not send His wrath upon us, but His Holy Spirits to help all of us to accept the offer of Salvation, so that we all can have joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with Him.
The question that the book of Jonah asks the reader is this: Can we accept and love God as God is? Our answer is a yes, and that would be the same conclusion for the story of Jonah, if we could.
We would have preferred concluding the story by having Jonah establishing a better relationship with God, and accept His grace and mercy. We would like Jonah to seek and ask for His forgiveness. Jonah should forget about the urge to see Nineveh being destroyed, but instead concentrate on asking God to relent from punishing his sins too.
The story would then have a happy ending for everybody. Nineveh and Israel, most likely would have accepted each other, living, and growing together in harmony. With Nineveh and Israel repenting from their wilful sins and hidden faults, God would open His heaven and bestow tons of blessing upon us, celebrating their reunion.
We would like Jonah to accept and love God as God is. He would also rejoices with God that more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left, have repented, and also many animals, are saved from destruction.
Maybe God would send more trees and plants with flowers, among other things, to where Jonah is. Together with Nineveh and Israel, the world would see the glory of God, and experience His compassionate and loving nature.
As in Psalm 145:16, God opens His hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all he has created. God will be our refuge, our portion in the land of the living. Every creature would then praise His holy name for ever and ever (Psalm 145:21).
As in Psalm 144:12-14, then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, and no cry of distress in our streets.
All the good things in the land of the living will last from ‘everlasting to everlasting’.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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PHOTO: Take time to worship God for what He has revealed about himself through your study, and search your heart to see if there is an unresolved issue, prejudice, or disobedience that you need to confess to Him.
Through our studying the book of Jonah we learn the following:
Throughout the book of Jonah, we see God working in the prophet's heart. He went after Jonah, pursuing him relentlessly, not to destroy, but to save. It shows us that God's mission field is not only sinners, but also our own hearts. He is working in us as well as through us. We cannot ignore either. The story of Jonah tells us that God has unfinished business, both in the outside world and inside our hearts.
We search our heart to see if there is an unresolved issue, prejudice, or disobedience that we need to confess to Him. We have the following:
1. Worldly Wisdom
Not attending Church events or reading the Bible. The wisdom that comes from the world is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic (James 3:15). It’s tempting to follow the advice of worldly wisdom because many times it seems to make sense—at least from man’s point of view. Yet the world’s wisdom only leads down the road of disappointment, regret, and pain. Especially the unethical worldly pursue for more power, status, and wealth. There is always the heavy responsibility to maintain them, causing strife, conflicts, and distress. We cannot mock at the justice of God. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7).
Without God's approval, using worldly wisdom to scale to the top may be unstable, and unsustainable. In contrast the wisdom of God brings us peace and direction for our lives.
2. Worldly Passions
“It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
When we were in the world, we had difficulty telling ourselves “no”. Many of us followed after our whims without any idea of the consequences that follow. The passions of worldliness can’t be satisfied even if every desire was granted - an unresolved problem.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are strengthened and equipped to control their passions in order that they may be free.
3. Worldly Characteristics
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).
The characteristic of worldliness encompasses getting what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. The primary focus is on ourselves and not God or other people.
When we recognize the sin of selfishness in our hearts, we need to confess and repent immediately. The lure of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is subtle enough that we may make excuses instead of confessions.
4. Worldly Love
Love the world or anything in the world, especially money. The uncontrollable excessive, obsessive compulsive disorderly love for money may cause prejudice in our decisions. A 10 million dollars 'Total draw' may attract more 'investors'. The appetite for more money cannot be satisfied. We may become disobedient to the instructions to stop gathering only for the self, but begin to think of others too. For once, let others have the opportunity to win the first Total prize.
Unfortunately "If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (1 John 2:15). We can’t love both God and the world. Our hearts are drawn towards what we really want in this life.
The love for the world is born out of an appetite for sinfulness and self-pleasure; whereas, a heart for the Lord is born out of the Spirit. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ to love God with all of our hearts and not the world.
5. Worldly Manners
“Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’?” (2 Corinthians 1:17).
Worldliness thrives in the culture of lies and deception. If we are not careful, sales of certain investment products relies on half-truth and over-positive deception. The risks of investment products are always there. Anything we buy may reap good returns, but the principal may also drop to zero value. This is an unresolved issue due to our ignorant, greed, and gullibility to sales tactics with lies and deception.
The world promises to make people happy with pleasures, materialism, and instant gratification. Yet the truth is that there is enslavement to sin through addictions and failures. God’s word establishes a clear distinction between the truth and lie—we obey His word to avoid the traps of worldly manners.
6. Worldly Eyes
“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5).
In the eyes of the world—believers are foolish to follow after a God they can’t see. Their vision has been skewed by sinfulness so that they don’t see or understand their terrible end of eternal darkness. We could be prejudiced to what we can't see (or do not know), and disobedient to those whom we thought cannot see us.
Only through the gift of salvation do believers see the truth of God’s great love and surrender to His will.
7. Worldly Speech
“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them” (1 John 4:5).
The speech of the world is punctuated by doubt, fear, and unbelief—those who live in worldliness may never recognize how their words separate them from God. We may have the unresolved issue of 'hearing only what we want to hear', which may not be the truth. We are being warned of fake news that appear more reasonable, entertaining, and exciting. These 'honeys' could be poisons. God's believers need to have ears that are quick to hear and understand when worldly speech attempts to entice them.
Worldliness has a different kind of speech than of those who are called by God. Our speech is characterized by words of faith, encouragement, hope, and the truth.
8. Worldly Corruption
“Having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4).
In general, corruption is a form of dishonesty or criminal activity undertaken by a person or organization entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire illicit benefit (from Google). We are also warned that "A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil." (Proverbs 19:28).
Those ensnared in worldly corruption don’t even recognize their captivity. This corruption begins in the mind leading to death. Yet every believer before Christ was enslaved in sinful thinking followed by sinful actions.
We escaped not by our own will, but rather by the grace and mercy of God.
Is He sending you on a mission?
Jesus Sends Us
Christians are sent. Jesus prays to his Father in John 17:18, “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” In identifying with Jesus, we are not only “not of this world,” but also sent right back into it on redemptive mission.
The classic text is Jesus’ commission at the end of John’s Gospel: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). Those whom Jesus calls, he also sends.
We are sent as representatives of the one born in Bethlehem and crucified at Calvary. We are sent to announce with all we are — with mouth and mind and heart and hands — that the Father sent the Son.
We are sent to say and show that Jesus was sent into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). What we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus and the good news about him (2 Corinthians 4:5). We are not the message, but mere messengers.
Think of your "enemies" and people you don't like, and pray for them. And if God sends you to them, go in His name.
The world, the flesh, and the devil
Believers have three main enemies to deal with - the world, the flesh, and the devil. Worldliness is one of the most dangerous enemies of a believer.
Worldliness is a tempting factor in the lives of believers who are engaged in the world. We can live in the world and not become a part of it as long as we stay connected to the Lord. Believers aren’t called to judge those in the world, but we are to love and intercede for those who are deceived.
The flesh is our old sinful nature. It is the nature we inherit at birth. The Bible says that Adam and Eve had sons and daughters in their own likeness. (Genesis 5:3-4). The likeness was in their own nature - a nature that was sinful.
The devil is a personal being who attempts to bring Christians away from Christ. He is an enemy that we all face. (1 Peter 5:8).
People we don't like
Let’s face it, we all have someone… A nasty neighbour or co-worker. A bully at school or contentious family member. Disagreements, misunderstandings and insults abound. Anger. And maybe more… maybe someone took something from us that can’t be replaced, tarnished our reputation or abused us. Maybe we struggle with forgiveness.
Leviticus 19:18 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."
And the message from Luke 6:32-35. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
Because loving like that is stepping out onto a whole different plane. It’s a clearing of the heart, making a way for what’s good. And maybe that’s why Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
So we are left with a stirring in our heart and a gratefulness for this question. Jesus told us to love one another. And so I take that, and I ask God to let me live it.
Don’t Conform, But Transform
Through the transforming of our minds to the Lord Jesus Christ, we can know God’s will and live a fulfilling life. (Romans 12:2).
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, the story of Jonah ends with God asking the question, ‘Should I not have concern for the great city on Nineveh?’ We understand it as an unanswered question to challenge us to respond so that we can be changed and align our lives to the purposes of God. Thank you for letting us know who He is, how He loves us, and what He expects of us.
My response is this: we want God to treat us with mercy. And God is merciful, through Christ Jesus. I will ask for His forgiveness, and that He do not send His wrath upon us, but His Holy Spirits to help all of us to accept the offer of Salvation, so that we all can have joy and real rest for eternity in heaven together with Him.
The question that the book of Jonah asks the reader is this: Can we accept and love God as God is? Our answer is a yes, and that would be the same conclusion for the story of Jonah, if we could.
We would have preferred concluding the story by having Jonah establishing a better relationship with God, and accept His grace and mercy. We would like Jonah to seek and ask for His forgiveness. Jonah should forget about the urge to see Nineveh being destroyed, but instead concentrate on asking God to relent from punishing his sins too.
The story would then have a happy ending for everybody. Nineveh and Israel, most likely would have accepted each other, living, and growing together in harmony. With Nineveh and Israel repenting from their wilful sins and hidden faults, God would open His heaven and bestow tons of blessing upon us, celebrating their reunion.
We would like Jonah to accept and love God as God is. He would also rejoices with God that more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left, have repented, and also many animals, are saved from destruction.
Maybe God would send more trees and plants with flowers, among other things, to where Jonah is. Together with Nineveh and Israel, the world would see the glory of God, and experience His compassionate and loving nature.
As in Psalm 145:16, God opens His hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all he has created. God will be our refuge, our portion in the land of the living. Every creature would then praise His holy name for ever and ever (Psalm 145:21).
As in Psalm 144:12-14, then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, and no cry of distress in our streets.
All the good things in the land of the living will last from ‘everlasting to everlasting’.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods_20.html
PHOTO: Take time to worship God for what He has revealed about himself through your study, and search your heart to see if there is an unresolved issue, prejudice, or disobedience that you need to confess to Him.
Through our studying the book of Jonah we learn the following:
- God is a missionary God who saves
- God is sovereign and gracious, holy and compassionate
- God is a God of miracles
- Jonah's ordeal is significant to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection
- God is actively working in our world and in our hearts
- God will use all necessary resources to fulfil His mission to save the world
- God's rescue mission is meant for all nations
- God is patient
Throughout the book of Jonah, we see God working in the prophet's heart. He went after Jonah, pursuing him relentlessly, not to destroy, but to save. It shows us that God's mission field is not only sinners, but also our own hearts. He is working in us as well as through us. We cannot ignore either. The story of Jonah tells us that God has unfinished business, both in the outside world and inside our hearts.
We search our heart to see if there is an unresolved issue, prejudice, or disobedience that we need to confess to Him. We have the following:
1. Worldly Wisdom
Not attending Church events or reading the Bible. The wisdom that comes from the world is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic (James 3:15). It’s tempting to follow the advice of worldly wisdom because many times it seems to make sense—at least from man’s point of view. Yet the world’s wisdom only leads down the road of disappointment, regret, and pain. Especially the unethical worldly pursue for more power, status, and wealth. There is always the heavy responsibility to maintain them, causing strife, conflicts, and distress. We cannot mock at the justice of God. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7).
Without God's approval, using worldly wisdom to scale to the top may be unstable, and unsustainable. In contrast the wisdom of God brings us peace and direction for our lives.
2. Worldly Passions
“It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
When we were in the world, we had difficulty telling ourselves “no”. Many of us followed after our whims without any idea of the consequences that follow. The passions of worldliness can’t be satisfied even if every desire was granted - an unresolved problem.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are strengthened and equipped to control their passions in order that they may be free.
3. Worldly Characteristics
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).
The characteristic of worldliness encompasses getting what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. The primary focus is on ourselves and not God or other people.
When we recognize the sin of selfishness in our hearts, we need to confess and repent immediately. The lure of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is subtle enough that we may make excuses instead of confessions.
4. Worldly Love
Love the world or anything in the world, especially money. The uncontrollable excessive, obsessive compulsive disorderly love for money may cause prejudice in our decisions. A 10 million dollars 'Total draw' may attract more 'investors'. The appetite for more money cannot be satisfied. We may become disobedient to the instructions to stop gathering only for the self, but begin to think of others too. For once, let others have the opportunity to win the first Total prize.
Unfortunately "If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (1 John 2:15). We can’t love both God and the world. Our hearts are drawn towards what we really want in this life.
The love for the world is born out of an appetite for sinfulness and self-pleasure; whereas, a heart for the Lord is born out of the Spirit. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ to love God with all of our hearts and not the world.
5. Worldly Manners
“Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’?” (2 Corinthians 1:17).
Worldliness thrives in the culture of lies and deception. If we are not careful, sales of certain investment products relies on half-truth and over-positive deception. The risks of investment products are always there. Anything we buy may reap good returns, but the principal may also drop to zero value. This is an unresolved issue due to our ignorant, greed, and gullibility to sales tactics with lies and deception.
The world promises to make people happy with pleasures, materialism, and instant gratification. Yet the truth is that there is enslavement to sin through addictions and failures. God’s word establishes a clear distinction between the truth and lie—we obey His word to avoid the traps of worldly manners.
6. Worldly Eyes
“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5).
In the eyes of the world—believers are foolish to follow after a God they can’t see. Their vision has been skewed by sinfulness so that they don’t see or understand their terrible end of eternal darkness. We could be prejudiced to what we can't see (or do not know), and disobedient to those whom we thought cannot see us.
Only through the gift of salvation do believers see the truth of God’s great love and surrender to His will.
7. Worldly Speech
“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them” (1 John 4:5).
The speech of the world is punctuated by doubt, fear, and unbelief—those who live in worldliness may never recognize how their words separate them from God. We may have the unresolved issue of 'hearing only what we want to hear', which may not be the truth. We are being warned of fake news that appear more reasonable, entertaining, and exciting. These 'honeys' could be poisons. God's believers need to have ears that are quick to hear and understand when worldly speech attempts to entice them.
Worldliness has a different kind of speech than of those who are called by God. Our speech is characterized by words of faith, encouragement, hope, and the truth.
8. Worldly Corruption
“Having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4).
In general, corruption is a form of dishonesty or criminal activity undertaken by a person or organization entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire illicit benefit (from Google). We are also warned that "A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil." (Proverbs 19:28).
Those ensnared in worldly corruption don’t even recognize their captivity. This corruption begins in the mind leading to death. Yet every believer before Christ was enslaved in sinful thinking followed by sinful actions.
We escaped not by our own will, but rather by the grace and mercy of God.
Is He sending you on a mission?
Jesus Sends Us
Christians are sent. Jesus prays to his Father in John 17:18, “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” In identifying with Jesus, we are not only “not of this world,” but also sent right back into it on redemptive mission.
The classic text is Jesus’ commission at the end of John’s Gospel: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). Those whom Jesus calls, he also sends.
We are sent as representatives of the one born in Bethlehem and crucified at Calvary. We are sent to announce with all we are — with mouth and mind and heart and hands — that the Father sent the Son.
We are sent to say and show that Jesus was sent into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). What we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus and the good news about him (2 Corinthians 4:5). We are not the message, but mere messengers.
Think of your "enemies" and people you don't like, and pray for them. And if God sends you to them, go in His name.
The world, the flesh, and the devil
Believers have three main enemies to deal with - the world, the flesh, and the devil. Worldliness is one of the most dangerous enemies of a believer.
Worldliness is a tempting factor in the lives of believers who are engaged in the world. We can live in the world and not become a part of it as long as we stay connected to the Lord. Believers aren’t called to judge those in the world, but we are to love and intercede for those who are deceived.
The flesh is our old sinful nature. It is the nature we inherit at birth. The Bible says that Adam and Eve had sons and daughters in their own likeness. (Genesis 5:3-4). The likeness was in their own nature - a nature that was sinful.
The devil is a personal being who attempts to bring Christians away from Christ. He is an enemy that we all face. (1 Peter 5:8).
People we don't like
Let’s face it, we all have someone… A nasty neighbour or co-worker. A bully at school or contentious family member. Disagreements, misunderstandings and insults abound. Anger. And maybe more… maybe someone took something from us that can’t be replaced, tarnished our reputation or abused us. Maybe we struggle with forgiveness.
Leviticus 19:18 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."
And the message from Luke 6:32-35. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
Because loving like that is stepping out onto a whole different plane. It’s a clearing of the heart, making a way for what’s good. And maybe that’s why Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
So we are left with a stirring in our heart and a gratefulness for this question. Jesus told us to love one another. And so I take that, and I ask God to let me live it.
Don’t Conform, But Transform
Through the transforming of our minds to the Lord Jesus Christ, we can know God’s will and live a fulfilling life. (Romans 12:2).
Picture posted by Shutterstock, Inc. - Woman Confess Sin
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
PHOTO: Worldly Wisdom
The wisdom that comes from the world is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic (James 3:15). It’s tempting to follow the advice of worldly wisdom because many times it seems to make sense—at least from man’s point of view. Without God's approval, being at the top may be unstable, and unsustainable. In contrast the wisdom of God brings us peace and direction for our lives.
Picture posted by cyanthree, Digital Art / 3-Dimensional Art / Scenes / Fantasy, ©2013-2019 cyanthree - Now Thats Just Showing Off!
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PHOTO: "Enemies": The world, the flesh, and the devil
Believers have three main enemies to deal with - the world, the flesh, and the devil. Worldliness is one of the most dangerous enemies of a believer.
Artwork by Jessica Allain, Canadian digital artist - Fantasy woman in mirror art print by Enchanted Whispers
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, from our study, we search our heart for unresolved issue, prejudice, or disobedience, and we need to confess the following.
Not attending Church events or reading the Bible, but rely on Worldly Wisdom which is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Without your approval, using worldly wisdom in our daily life may be unstable, and unsustainable. In contrast the wisdom of God brings us peace and direction for our lives.
We have unresolved problem of our Worldly Passions. Many of us followed after our whims without any idea of the consequences that follow. The passions of worldliness can’t be satisfied even if every desire was granted. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and equip us with the means, so that we can be free from our uncontrollable passions.
The Worldly Characteristics primary focus is on ourselves and not God or other people. We concentrate on getting what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. We confess the sin of selfishness in our hearts, and need your help to repent immediately, especially the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Please provide us with the courage and humanity to confess our sins, and not to make excuses. We need your help not to indulge in pleasures unless it is approved by you.
We have problem with Worldly Love, especially the uncontrollable excessive, obsessive, compulsive disorderly love for money which cause prejudice in our decisions. We learn that the love for the world is born out of an appetite for sinfulness and self-pleasure. We need your help to have a heart for the Lord which is born out of the Spirit. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ to love God with all of our hearts and not the world.
The world promises to make people happy with pleasures, materialism, and instant gratification. The Worldly Manners utilised tactics with lies and deception to benefits from our ignorance, greed, and gullibility. Your word establishes a clear distinction between the truth and lie. Please help us to obey your word to avoid the traps of worldly manners.
To our Worldly Eyes, it is foolish to follow after a God we can’t see. Our vision is being skewed by sinfulness so that we don’t see or understand the terrible end of eternal darkness. We become prejudiced to what we can't see (or do not know), and disobedient to those whom we thought cannot see us. Please help us to accept your gift of Salvation, experience your great love and surrender to your will.
Our Worldly Speech is different from those who are called by God. The speech of the world, especially fake news are punctuated by untruths, doubt, fear, and unbelief. Those words prevent us from knowing the truth, and to understand God. We need your help to have ears that are quick to hear and understand when worldly speech attempts to entice us. Only then can our speech be characterized by words of faith, encouragement, hope, and the truth.
Worldly corruption in general, is a form of dishonesty or criminal activity undertaken by a person or organization entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire illicit benefit. All of us before Christ were enslaved in sinful thinking followed by sinful actions. We need your grace and mercy because by our own will we are unable to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Please forgive our wilful sins and hidden faults. Grant us wisdom, understanding, and the fear of the Lord because they are the fountain of live. (Proverbs 13:14, Proverbs 16:22, Proverbs 14:27 (GNT)).
We pray, also for our “enemies” (the world, the flesh, and the devil), and people we don’t like, to transform our minds to the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we can know God’s will and live a fulfilling life.
Clear our hearts to make a way for what’s good, because a joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Help us to do what Jesus told us – to love God, and one another.
We pray through Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!”
Picture posted by Jessica Allain (jessicaallain), Canadian digital artist on 20 June 2014 - Kindness, beautiul woman in long white dress in forest with deer
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links)
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html
Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon
'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html
"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html
[1] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God's Call - Receiving and responding to His word, posted on Wednesday, 24 October 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-gods-call-receiving-and.html
[2] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God's Call - True and false prophet, posted on Sunday, 04 November 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-gods-call-true-and-false.html
[3] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God's Call - Hearing the word of God, posted on Thursday, 08 November 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-gods-call-hearing-word-of-god.html
[4] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God's Call - Hearing the word of God II, posted on Monday, 19 November 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-gods-call-hearing-word-of.html
[5] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Runs, God Pursues - Running from God, posted on Tuesday, 27 November 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-jonah-runs-god-pursues.html
[6] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Runs, God Pursues - Fleeing from God, posted on Tuesday, 04 December 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/12/reflection-jonah-runs-god-pursues.html
[7] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Runs, God Pursues - with love and grace, posted on Monday, 17 December 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/12/reflection-jonah-runs-god-pursues-with.html
[8] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God Saves - A Non-Practising Theologian, posted on Monday, 24 December, 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/12/reflection-god-saves-non-practising.html
[9] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God Saves - Experience of fear, posted on Monday, 07 January 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflection-god-saves-experience-of-fear.html
[10] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God Saves - Used by God, posted on Friday, 18 January, 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflection-god-saves-used-by-god.html
[11] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Prays, God Delivers - Life of Prayer, posted on Monday, 28 January 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflection-jonah-prays-god-delivers.html
[12] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Prays, God Delivers - Jonah's prayer, posted on Friday, 08 February 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/02/reflection-jonah-prays-god-delivers.html
[13] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Prays, God Delivers - Lessons from troubles and suffering, posted on Friday, 22 February 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/02/reflection-jonah-prays-god-delivers_22.html
[14] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jesus and Jonah - Jonah's story, posted on Wednesday, 27 February 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/02/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-jonahs-story.html
[15] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jesus and Jonah - The sign of Jesus, posted on Tuesday, 05 March, 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-sign-of-jesus.html
[16] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jesus and Jonah - Signboard for Jesus, posted on Thursday, 14 March 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-signboard.html
[17] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Gets a Second Chance - Second Chance, posted on Monday, 25 March 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance.html
[18] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Gets a Second Chance - True Repentance, posted on Friday, 05 April 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance.html
[19] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Gets a Second Chance - True Forgiveness, posted on Saturday, 13 April 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance_13.html
[20] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God 'Repents' - God is unchanging, posted on Thursday, 25 April 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-god-repents-god-is-unchanging.html
[21] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God 'Repents' - God changes His mind, posted on Thursday, 02 May 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-god-repents-god-changes-his.html
[22] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God 'Repents' - Human vs Divine 'Repentance', posted on Monday, 06 May 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-god-repents-human-vs-divine.html
[23] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - Jonah gets angry, posted on Thursday, 16 May 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html
[24] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - 3 questions God asked Jonah indirectly, posted on Friday, 31 May 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html
[25] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - Serve the Lord, posted on Tuesday, 18 June 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html
[26] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart? - Obsession with numbers, efficiency, and Measurable success, posted on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html
[27] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart? - How God counts, posted on Sunday, 30 June 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart-how.html
[28] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart - Jonah's Legacy, posted on Sunday, 07 July 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html
[29] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - Key lessons, posted on Monday, 15 July 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
[30] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - God's question, posted on Saturday, 20 July 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods_20.html
[31] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - God's revelation, posted on Friday, 09 August 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
PHOTO: Worldly Wisdom
The wisdom that comes from the world is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic (James 3:15). It’s tempting to follow the advice of worldly wisdom because many times it seems to make sense—at least from man’s point of view. Without God's approval, being at the top may be unstable, and unsustainable. In contrast the wisdom of God brings us peace and direction for our lives.
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PHOTO: "Enemies": The world, the flesh, and the devil
Believers have three main enemies to deal with - the world, the flesh, and the devil. Worldliness is one of the most dangerous enemies of a believer.
Artwork by Jessica Allain, Canadian digital artist - Fantasy woman in mirror art print by Enchanted Whispers
Picture posted by EnchantedWhispersArt, Digital Art / Photomanipulation / Dark, ©2016-2019 EnchantedWhispersArt - Dark-Reflections
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, from our study, we search our heart for unresolved issue, prejudice, or disobedience, and we need to confess the following.
Not attending Church events or reading the Bible, but rely on Worldly Wisdom which is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Without your approval, using worldly wisdom in our daily life may be unstable, and unsustainable. In contrast the wisdom of God brings us peace and direction for our lives.
We have unresolved problem of our Worldly Passions. Many of us followed after our whims without any idea of the consequences that follow. The passions of worldliness can’t be satisfied even if every desire was granted. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and equip us with the means, so that we can be free from our uncontrollable passions.
The Worldly Characteristics primary focus is on ourselves and not God or other people. We concentrate on getting what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. We confess the sin of selfishness in our hearts, and need your help to repent immediately, especially the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Please provide us with the courage and humanity to confess our sins, and not to make excuses. We need your help not to indulge in pleasures unless it is approved by you.
We have problem with Worldly Love, especially the uncontrollable excessive, obsessive, compulsive disorderly love for money which cause prejudice in our decisions. We learn that the love for the world is born out of an appetite for sinfulness and self-pleasure. We need your help to have a heart for the Lord which is born out of the Spirit. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ to love God with all of our hearts and not the world.
The world promises to make people happy with pleasures, materialism, and instant gratification. The Worldly Manners utilised tactics with lies and deception to benefits from our ignorance, greed, and gullibility. Your word establishes a clear distinction between the truth and lie. Please help us to obey your word to avoid the traps of worldly manners.
To our Worldly Eyes, it is foolish to follow after a God we can’t see. Our vision is being skewed by sinfulness so that we don’t see or understand the terrible end of eternal darkness. We become prejudiced to what we can't see (or do not know), and disobedient to those whom we thought cannot see us. Please help us to accept your gift of Salvation, experience your great love and surrender to your will.
Our Worldly Speech is different from those who are called by God. The speech of the world, especially fake news are punctuated by untruths, doubt, fear, and unbelief. Those words prevent us from knowing the truth, and to understand God. We need your help to have ears that are quick to hear and understand when worldly speech attempts to entice us. Only then can our speech be characterized by words of faith, encouragement, hope, and the truth.
Worldly corruption in general, is a form of dishonesty or criminal activity undertaken by a person or organization entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire illicit benefit. All of us before Christ were enslaved in sinful thinking followed by sinful actions. We need your grace and mercy because by our own will we are unable to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Please forgive our wilful sins and hidden faults. Grant us wisdom, understanding, and the fear of the Lord because they are the fountain of live. (Proverbs 13:14, Proverbs 16:22, Proverbs 14:27 (GNT)).
We pray, also for our “enemies” (the world, the flesh, and the devil), and people we don’t like, to transform our minds to the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we can know God’s will and live a fulfilling life.
Clear our hearts to make a way for what’s good, because a joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Help us to do what Jesus told us – to love God, and one another.
We pray through Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!”
Picture posted by Jessica Allain (jessicaallain), Canadian digital artist on 20 June 2014 - Kindness, beautiul woman in long white dress in forest with deer
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Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links)
Source (book): "God in Pursuit"
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html
Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon
'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html
"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html
Reference
[2] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God's Call - True and false prophet, posted on Sunday, 04 November 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-gods-call-true-and-false.html
[3] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God's Call - Hearing the word of God, posted on Thursday, 08 November 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-gods-call-hearing-word-of-god.html
[4] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God's Call - Hearing the word of God II, posted on Monday, 19 November 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-gods-call-hearing-word-of.html
[5] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Runs, God Pursues - Running from God, posted on Tuesday, 27 November 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/11/reflection-jonah-runs-god-pursues.html
[6] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Runs, God Pursues - Fleeing from God, posted on Tuesday, 04 December 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/12/reflection-jonah-runs-god-pursues.html
[7] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Runs, God Pursues - with love and grace, posted on Monday, 17 December 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/12/reflection-jonah-runs-god-pursues-with.html
[8] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God Saves - A Non-Practising Theologian, posted on Monday, 24 December, 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/12/reflection-god-saves-non-practising.html
[9] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God Saves - Experience of fear, posted on Monday, 07 January 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflection-god-saves-experience-of-fear.html
[10] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God Saves - Used by God, posted on Friday, 18 January, 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflection-god-saves-used-by-god.html
[11] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Prays, God Delivers - Life of Prayer, posted on Monday, 28 January 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/01/reflection-jonah-prays-god-delivers.html
[12] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Prays, God Delivers - Jonah's prayer, posted on Friday, 08 February 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/02/reflection-jonah-prays-god-delivers.html
[13] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Prays, God Delivers - Lessons from troubles and suffering, posted on Friday, 22 February 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/02/reflection-jonah-prays-god-delivers_22.html
[14] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jesus and Jonah - Jonah's story, posted on Wednesday, 27 February 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/02/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-jonahs-story.html
[15] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jesus and Jonah - The sign of Jesus, posted on Tuesday, 05 March, 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-sign-of-jesus.html
[16] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jesus and Jonah - Signboard for Jesus, posted on Thursday, 14 March 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-signboard.html
[17] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Gets a Second Chance - Second Chance, posted on Monday, 25 March 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance.html
[18] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Gets a Second Chance - True Repentance, posted on Friday, 05 April 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance.html
[19] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah Gets a Second Chance - True Forgiveness, posted on Saturday, 13 April 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance_13.html
[20] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God 'Repents' - God is unchanging, posted on Thursday, 25 April 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-god-repents-god-is-unchanging.html
[21] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God 'Repents' - God changes His mind, posted on Thursday, 02 May 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-god-repents-god-changes-his.html
[22] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - God 'Repents' - Human vs Divine 'Repentance', posted on Monday, 06 May 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-god-repents-human-vs-divine.html
[23] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - Jonah gets angry, posted on Thursday, 16 May 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html
[24] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - 3 questions God asked Jonah indirectly, posted on Friday, 31 May 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god_31.html
[25] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Jonah gets angry, God disciples - Serve the Lord, posted on Tuesday, 18 June 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-jonah-gets-angry-god.html
[26] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart? - Obsession with numbers, efficiency, and Measurable success, posted on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html
[27] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart? - How God counts, posted on Sunday, 30 June 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart-how.html
[28] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Do we reflect God's heart - Jonah's Legacy, posted on Sunday, 07 July 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-do-we-reflect-gods-heart.html
[29] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - Key lessons, posted on Monday, 15 July 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
[30] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - God's question, posted on Saturday, 20 July 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/07/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods_20.html
[31] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Will you respond to God's call - God's revelation, posted on Friday, 09 August 2019, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-will-you-respond-to-gods.html
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1 John 2:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A15&version=NIV
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1 John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A16&version=NIV
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1 John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A16&version=NIV
1 John 4:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A5&version=NIV
1 Peter 5:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A8&version=NIV
1 Samuel 12:24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+12%3A24&version=NIV
1 Timothy 1:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+1%3A15&version=NIV
2 Corinthians 1:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+1%3A17&version=NIV
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2 Kings 14:25 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+14%3A25&version=NIV
1 Timothy 1:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+1%3A15&version=NIV
2 Corinthians 1:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+1%3A17&version=NIV
2 Corinthians 4:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A5&version=NIV
2 Corinthians 5:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A19&version=NIV
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2 Peter 1:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A4&version=NIV
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Acts 3:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+3%3A19&version=NIV
Deuteronomy 18:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+18%3A22&version=NIV
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Ezekiel 20:37 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+20%3A37&version=NIV
Galatians 2:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+2%3A20&version=NIV
Galatians 6:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6%3A7&version=NIV
Genesis 1:26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A26&version=NIV
Genesis 5:3-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+5%3A3-4&version=NIV
Isaiah 27:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+27%3A12&version=NIV
James 1:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A5&version=NIV
James 2:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A5&version=NIV
James 3:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A15&version=NIV
Jeremiah 33:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+33%3A13&version=NIV
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Jonah 4:1-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A1-11&version=NIV
Jonah 4:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A2&version=NIV
Jonah 4:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+4%3A3&version=NIV
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Luke 15:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A7&version=NIV
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Matthew 12:40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A40&version=NIV
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Matthew 22:39-40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A37-40&version=NIV
Philippians 3:7-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A7-8&version=NIV
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Proverbs 11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+11&version=NIV
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Proverbs 15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15&version=NIV
Proverbs 17:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17%3A22&version=NIV
Proverbs 19:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+19%3A28&version=NIV
Psalm 23:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23%3A2&version=NIV
Psalm 51 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51&version=NIV
Psalm 51:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A4&version=NIV
Psalm 51:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A6&version=NIV
Psalm 94:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+94%3A22&version=NIV
Psalm 119:165 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+119%3A165&version=NIV
Psalm 124:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+124%3A8&version=NIV
Psalm 130:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+130%3A7&version=NIV
Psalm 138:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+138%3A8&version=NIV
Psalm 139:23-24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A23-24&version=NIV
Psalm 144:12-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+144%3A12-14&version=NIV
Psalm 145:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+145%3A16&version=NIV
Psalm 145:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+145%3A21&version=NIV
Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 5:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+1%3A4%3B+3%3A1%3B+5%3A6&version=NIV
Revelation 2:4 (KJV) - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+2%3A4&version=KJV
Revelation 3:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+3%3A20&version=NIV
Romans 5:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A8&version=NIV
Romans 8:19-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A19-23&version=NIV
Romans 8:29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A29&version=NIV
Romans 8:32 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A32&version=NIV
Romans 12:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2&version=NIV
Titus 2:11-12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+2%3A11-12&version=NIV
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- http://www.webestools.com/animated-images-effect-generator-effects-gif-images-picture-blog-gif-fx-images-animated-effect.html
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- https://i3.wp.com/www.catholicfaithstore.com/Inventory/CatholicFaith/10/Piczee3qn.jpg
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