The Story of Jonah: God Saves!

1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish: 2 "In my great trouble I cried to the Lord and He answered me; from the depths of death I called, and Lord, You heard me! . . . 7 "When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord. And my earnest prayer went to you in Your holy Temple. . . . 9 "I will never worship anyone but You! For how can I thank you enough for all You have done? I will surely fulfill my promises. For my deliverance (salvation, victory, real help) comes from the Lord alone." 10 And the Lord ordered the fish to spit up Jonah on the beach, and it did. Jonah 2:1-2, 7, 8-10 (The Living Bible), see also Psalm 3:8; Isaiah 12:2; Revelation 7:10.

God told the Prophet Jonah to take the message of His love, grace, and forgiveness to some sinful people, the Assyrians, and give the Assyrians an opportunity to repent. The Assyrians were a great but evil and cruel nation and Israel’s enemies (Jonah 1:1-2).  However, when Jonah heard God tell him to go tell the Assyrians to turn from their sins and worship God (repentance), Jonah disobeyed God and went in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3). Eventually, Jonah’s disobedience led him into the stomach of a great fish – buried alive (Jonah 1:17; see also Hebrews 12:6). But inside the depths of sadness, Jonah came to his sense and called upon God for help. Even from inside the fish, God heard Jonah's prayer (Jonah 2).

Like Jonah, we can call-out to God for help from anyplace, anywhere, and anytime and God will hear us (Psalm 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23-24). No sin or disobedience can separate us from God’s rescue, if we genuinely turn away from sin and turn to Him for help (see also Luke 15:11-24). Calling out to God in prayer is God’s life line to His people. William Law said, "He who has learned to pray, has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life."

The story of Jonah reveals that God’s love and compassion is for ALL people – Jews and non-Jews, religious and non-religious, saint and sinner.  The living God is willing to help and save anyone who will repent, turn from their sins, and call upon Him in genuine trust and belief. So, commit daily and fully to God with all your heart, mind, and soul. A wholehearted commitment, allegiance and devotion to God create in you a solid foundation of God’s full and never ending mercy, grace, and love.

 Reference: 
Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary.  Victor Books, 1989.

Jesus’ Longest Prayer

1 After Jesus said these things, He (Jesus) looked toward heaven and prayed, “Father, the time has come. Give glory to Your Son so that the Son can give glory to You. 2 You gave the Son power (authority) over all people so that the Son could give eternal life to all those You gave Him. 3 And this is eternal life: that people know You, the only true God, and that they know Jesus Christ, the One You sent. 4 Having finished the work You gave Me to do, I brought You glory on earth. 5 And now, Father, give Me glory with You; give Me the glory I had with You before the world was made. John 17:1-5 (NCV).

John 17 records Jesus' longest prayer. This prayer is the true “Lord’s Prayer” and is often called “the High Priestly Prayer of Christ” or “the Lord’s High Priestly Prayer” (in contrast to the “Model Prayer” of Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4). In many aspects, this prayer it is a model prayer for all Christians. First, Jesus’ eyes looked toward heaven and prayed to God the Father for His help and need. Lifting one’s eyes to God was a common practice when one prayed in the Holy Scriptures. Also, Jesus prayed for others by praying for His followers (John 17:6-19), including those of us who follow Him in the future (unborn believers) (John 17:20-26). However, Jesus began His prayer by praying for Himself (John 17:1-5), but in praying for Himself, Jesus was also praying for us, our holiness, and our unity. Dr. R.A. Torrey wrote, "A prayer for self is not by any means necessarily a selfish prayer." Jesus’ prayer focused on giving glory and honor to God and help for His followers. Like Jesus, our daily lives and efforts must focus on bring glory, love, and honor to God first and foremost to the watching world (Deuteronomy 4:6; Matthew 6:9). In essences, this prayer reveals Jesus’ spiritual priorities: (1) glorifying and honoring God the Father, (2) the holiness, sanctity and unity of the church, and (3) the winning of a lost and hurting world. This should be every Christians’ priorities too in life!

Reference: 
King James Version Study Bible. Thomas Nelson, 1988.
Spirit Filled Life Study Bible. Thomas Nelson, 1991.
Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
Believer's Study Bible. Thomas Nelson, 1995.
KJV Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson, 1994.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary.  Victor Books, 1989.

Return Your Heart To God!

22 “My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to Me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” Jeremiah 3:22 (NLT).

 

1 “O Israel,” says the Lord, “if you wanted to return to Me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. 2 Then when you swear by My Name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise My Name.” 3 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or My anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. … 14 O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts? Jeremiah 4:1-4, 14 (NLT).

 

God sent the Prophet Jeremiah to tell the people to turn their hearts back to God and stop seeking evil. Their hearts had become hardened and cynical to God's will. The Prophet Jeremiah instructed the people to turn from sin so the good seeds of God's Holy Word could take root and grow in their lives. However, the people continued to worship their idols (e.g., wealth, competition, position, sexual pleasure, and possessions) in secret. So, God announced through the Prophet Jeremiah that if the people continued in sin, He would bring disaster on their land (see 2 Chronicles 36). This punishment would continue until the people turn from their sin and turn their whole hearts to God.

God is true and faithful, and He wants His people to be true and faithful to Him. Even more, God is kind, merciful, and true. In His mercy, God is always willing to welcome you back with open arms (Luke 15). However, God wants you to confess and turn away from every sin and turn your whole heart to Him. So, do not let sin enter your hearts. Instead, find the lasting joy, peace, and love found in God! 

True Meaning of Salvation

Paul stated:  4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the Law was given. As a result, all who believe in Him (Jesus Christ) are made right with God. 5 For Moses writes that the Law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:4-13 (NLT).

Jesus Christ is the most complete revelation of God because He had enclosed within Himself both God the Father and God the Holy Spirit (see e.g., John 1:18; John 10:30, 38; John 12:45; John 14:1-11; Colossians 1:15-20). Therefore, in Jesus we see the complete God-Trinity (God the Father, God the Son – Jesus, God the Holy Spirit) (Matthew 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:18). No one can fully know God apart from Jesus Christ. Even more, no one can find salvation and a right relationship with God apart from Jesus Christ (see John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21).

Good works and religious actions do not make a person saved and in a right relationship with God. But, ONLY faith in God through Jesus Christ can one find God. The Holy Scriptures are clear that if anyone genuinely believes in their heart and say with their mouth that Jesus Christ is the risen Lord, then that person will find salvation, heart peace, and a right relationship with God (Romans 10:8-12). Salvation comes by

1. Faith, which means complete and whole heart trust and belief in God;
2. Open confession of Jesus Christ as God’s Son, Lord, and Savior of the World; and
3. Obedience to God and His Holy Scriptures.

See Joel 2:32; John 15:7; Romans 10:9-10.

Jesus Christ saves us from sin and eternal separation from God to DO good works, show God’s love to one another, and display fruits of the Holy Spirit (see John 15:1-17; Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 5:22-26). Genuine faith in Jesus Christ will result in a changed life and an open confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (John 13:34-35). So remember, first Jesus and then good works!  Now, that is the true meaning of salvation.

Faithfulness

God is not a human being, and He will not lie. He is not a human, and He does not change His mind. What He says He will do, He does. What He promises, He makes come true. Numbers 23:19 (NCV), see also Isaiah 55:11.

 

As we read the Holy Bible, God reveals to readers several key themes that are repeatedly stated. His faithfulness in keeping His promises and love is a consistent theme in the Bible.  God reveals Himself throughout the Holy Bible as One that is always faithful to His people. The Holy Bible tells of God’s complete truth, love, reliability, mercy, and dependability. In all God says, God keeps His promises; therefore, we can always have complete trust and assurance in Him and His Holy Word.  Knowing God is faithful and reliable should create spiritual stability and confidence in our daily walk with God as we also remain completely faithful to Him as our God. 

 

Paul speaking:  What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39 (NLT).

God’s Light

5 This is the message God has given us to pass on to you: that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 So if we say we are His friends but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying. 7 But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin. 1 John 1:5-7 (The Living Bible) see also John 8:12.

The Holy Scriptures are clear that God is Light (1 John 1:5-7; see also Matthew 4:16; Luke 2:32; John 1:4-9; John 3:19-21; John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46; 1 John 2:8; Revelation 21:23).  In fact, when people see God they often describe seeing a great Light, often described as His glory.  That same glory radiated from Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2).

Light is associated with God’s holiness and purity (1 John 1:5). To walk in the Light is to walk with God (Matthew 5:14; Ephesians 5:8)!  The Light reveals good and evil (John 3:19-21). God wants every human to walk in the Light of His goodness (Matthew 6:22-23; John 8:12; John 12:46; Romans 13:12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 6:14).  In fact, every human’s goal must be to seek God’s glory or light and imitate His image (1 Corinthians 10:31). Humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God is holy, perfect and pure (Leviticus 11:44.  Like Himself, God wants everyone to be holy, perfect and pure to reflect His Light to the world (Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Reflecting the image of God distinguishes us from all other creatures on earth and gives us a special relationship with God.  So, let us all walk in the Light!

References:  Frame, John. The Doctrine of the Christian Life. P & R Publishing Company, 2008.

That Gentle Whisper of God

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a Voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV).

The Lord God spoke to the Prophet Elijah and He told Elijah to go out and stand before Him on the mountain. And as Elijah stood on the mountain, God passed Elijah. First, Elijah witnessed a mighty windstorm that hit the mountain with a terrible blast, but the Lord God was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord God was not in the earthquake. Next, Elijah witnessed a fire, but again God was not in the fire. Then finally, Elijah heard a sound of a gentle whisper and God spoke to Elijah through His gentle whisper.

Sometimes, God reveals Himself with great, awe-inspiring, and overwhelming wonder (e.g., Exodus 3:2; Exodus 19:18; Psalm 68:7-8). Or, God may reveal Himself at church events, rallies, or conferences. At other times, God reveals Himself in a gently whisper to a humble and submissive heart.

Often times during Jesus’ public ministry on earth, Jesus escaped to a quiet place to pray and connect with God (see e.g., Mark 1:35; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 3:21; Luke 6:12).  Through those quiet times with God, Jesus would gather His strength and direction from God to carry out His ministry while on earth. In our hectic and frantic day, never forget to take time from the noise and busyness to listen quietly to God’s gentle whisper.  Although God is strong and mighty, He is also full of grace, gentleness, mercy, and tender love for His people and their concerns.