Jonah 3 & 4 - How Gracious God is.

 

Jonah 3 & 4 – How Gracious God is.

 

How gracious God is to give us another opportunity after we have failed Him (Ps.103:8-14)! God is as much concerned about the worker as He is the work. He could have sent somebody else to preach to Nineveh, but Jonah would have missed out on the lessons he needed to learn. God wants to work in us as well as through us.

 

How gracious God is to lost sinners! Why would a holy God give the vicious Ninevites an opportunity to repent?  Because “He is not willing that any should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9) but “desire all men to be saved” (I Tim. 2:4). Do you have a burden to share the gospel with a lost world that does not deserve to be saved? Remember, somebody shared it with you!

 

How gracious God is to bless the ministry of an imperfect servant! Jonah did not love the people he preached to, yet God used his message to bring the whole city to repentance. There is power in God’s word; it can convict and convert the greatest of sinners.

 

Jonah 4 – I Delight to do Your Will

 

God wanted to save Jonah from himself. Jonah was an angry man who wanted to see Nineveh destroyed. He vented his bitterness.

 

The problem was that Jonah was not completely yielded to God. His mind knew God’s truth, and his will obeyed God’s orders; but he did not do the will of God “from the heart” (Eph. 6:6). He obeyed only because he was afraid of what God might do to him. His was not a ministry of love.

 

When we are angry with God, everything in life gets out of perspective, and we say and do selfish things. But God is long-suffering and tenderly deals with us to bring us to Himself. It is essential in Christian service to be happy with the will of God. We should be able to say, “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” (Ps. 40:8).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

 

Jonah 1 & 2 Trauma

 

Jonah 1-2 Trauma

 

Jonah was a prophet. His duty was to preach the word to the sinners. Jonah didn’t like the Assyrians, he wanted God’s judgment to destroy them. Jonah ran from God. God’s plan prevailed even through Jonah’s disobedience. His days in the whale were traumatic for him. He lost all his coloring.

Difficult experiences come in many degrees. A trauma would be considered a situation far beyond control, one that shakes a person to the core. Trauma can lead to mental disorders or suicide. Recovery is often slow; flashbacks are common. As difficult as traumatic experiences are, they can lead a person to God.

Jonah had been called to go east to Nineveh to prophesy to the Assyrians; instead, he jumped on a ship and went west. Although he was acting in direct disobedience to God, he fell sound asleep on the ship. His conscience may not have bothered him, but God soon did. God knew that His reluctant prophet would need a traumatic experience to turn him around, literally. When a fierce storm tossed the ship and threated to kill all on board, Jonah knew the reason for the storm and the solution. “Pick me up and throw me into the sea, then the sea will become calm for you. I know this great tempest is because of me.” He told the crew and they reluctantly complied.

Immediately a great fish swallowed Jonah. God spared his life because He still had work for Jonah to do. Trauma upon trauma eventually caused Jonah to pray, “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me.” And this conversation with God led Jonah to promise to obey, “I will pay what I vowed.” Then God rescued Jonah and gave him the opportunity to fulfil his promise.

Traumatic experiences can drive people away from God or to Him. In both cases, a person may ask, “Why would God do this to me?” Those who turn from God ask the question in anger and accusation. Those who turn to God ask the question to learn His lesson for their lives. When traumatic experiences come, turn to God, not away. As Jonah learned: “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You, into Your Holy temple.”

 

Jonah didn’t deserve God’s forgiveness. God had said, “Go” and Jonah had run away. Not until Jonah sank to the gloomy depths and faced certain death did he cry out to God. Mercifully and miraculously, God answered. God saves the undeserving – whether a pagan nation or a wayward individual.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Obadiah - Pride

 

Obadiah

 

When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, the Edomites rejoiced and helped the enemy instead of helping their brethren. It was a repetition of the ancient conflict between Esau and Jacob, which symbolizes the battle between flesh and spirit.

 

The Edomites were guilty of pride and looting, and God said they would be looted. They were violent and indifferent, and they rejoiced at the plight of the Jews; but God warned that they would one day be slaughtered. What they had done to others would be done to them, and there was no escape.

 

But there is a bright future for Israel, for they shall “possess their possessions”. Babylon burned the city of Jerusalem and the temple, but Israel will be a fire to burn the enemy. “And the kingdom shall be the Lord’s”.

 

Definition of pride: Exaggerated Self-esteem, conceit

Proverbs 14:3 – “In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them”.

Proverbs 15:25 – “The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.”

Proverbs 16:5 – “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord, though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”

Proverbs 16:19 – “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

 

The root of pride is really the idolatry of self – worshiping oneself instead of God.

A proud attitude says, “I don’t need God, I can handle this myself.”

Whenever people let pride control their thoughts and actions, they may succeed temporarily but ultimately they are headed for disaster.

 

Proverbs 21:4 – “A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin.”

A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Amos 8 & 9 - The Fourth Vision

 

Amos 8 & 9 – The Fourth Vision

 

Amos’ fourth vision gave one clear message: “Israel is ripe for judgment! As the farmer cuts off the ripe fruit so God will cut off Israel. He had been long-suffering with them, but now the day of reckoning had come. The wealthy had sinned against both men and God. They were weary of their religious duties and only endured the Sabbath, waiting until they could start making money again. They changed God’s standards so that they might exploit the poor, and they cheapened their products and then raised the prices. No wonder God was angry with them.

 

Amos told them to expect an earthquake, an eclipse, a funeral, and a famine. God’s Word is our spiritual nourishment (Matt. 4:4), and there can be no substitute. When God’s people reject His Word, He sometimes judges them by taking away His Word and leaving them to go hungry as they live on substitutes.

 

In the day od judgment, not only would those celebrations be turned into mourning but there would be a famine of the words of the Lord. His truth would no longer be revealed through His prophets. Today the Bible is everywhere, but deaf ears can still produce spiritual drought.

 

Amos 9 – The destruction of Israel

 

Amos saw the Lord at the sanctuary at Bethel, where the people were carrying on their hypocritical worship. He was about to destroy the sanctuary and all the worshipers; nobody would escape. If anyone tried to escape, he would be tracked down and slain.

 

God would destroy the sanctuary at Bethel, but He would not destroy His people. He would send them among the Gentiles and sift out the true from the false. In His grace, God spares a remnant so that the nation might continue.

 

The royal dynasty of David was like a tent or booth that had fallen, but God will raise it, repair it, and restore. His people will return to their land and enjoy once again the blessings of God. Meanwhile, God is calling out His church from both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 15:6-21), and our task is to share the gospel with every creature.

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Amos 6 & 7 Death, Destruction and Defeat

 

Amos 6 & 7– Death, Destruction and Defeat.

 

Israel was guilty of complacency born of false confidence, trusting the military leaders and not the Lord. The people were also guilty of self-indulgence and unconcern for hurting persons of the land. After all, the day of judgment was far away! Or was it?

 

God appointed three judgments for them: death, destruction, and defeat. The banqueters would become corpses, and the great houses would be left in ruins. The leaders boasted of their recent victories, but Assyria would bring defeat.

 

Horses cannot safely run on the rocky cliffs, and oxen cannot plow there. But Israel was not as smart as the animals, for she was attempting the impossible: trying to escape judgment by disobeying the Lord. “We are an exception to the rule!” was the confident boast, but the people did not escape. Their sins found them out.

 

Because Israel relied too much on its military strength and too little on God, they would lose the cities they had overtaken.

 

Amos 7 Visions of the Locusts

 

After the first vision, Amos prays to God to forgive the people. After the second Vision, Amos is so overwhelmed by the coming destruction that he asks the Lord to cease from judgment.

 

Just one person’s prayers can make a difference; the Lord relented, agreeing to spare a remnant because of Amos’ prayer.

 

In the vision of the plumb line, Israel is portrayed as a misaligned wall that is leaning and ready to fall over.

 

Amos’ confrontation with Amaziah, priest of Bethel, leaves no doubt in his mind about God’s purpose in judging Israel.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Amos 5 - Jesus is Coming!

 

Amos 5 – Jesus is Coming!

 

The first three verses are a funeral dirge for a nation that was dead and left unburied. The Assyrians would come, and Israel would be taken captive. Israel thought she was a lovely virgin, but she was only a fallen corpse, left to rot. No wonder Amos wept!

 

Bug God still gives His gracious invitation: “Seek Me and live” The people flocked to their holy places with their sacrifices, but that would not save them. The nation would not listen to the Lord’s servants, so the Lord told them to be quiet. God knows our sins, and yet in Mercy He calls us to come to Him for cleansing.

 

Amos saw the day of the Lord approaching, a day of judgment, darkness, and despair. The people had a false confidence that “the day of the Lord” would bring blessing to the nation, not unlike some believers today who think of the return of Christ only as an escape to heaven. God would send judgment despite their religious activities and generous gifts of sacrifices. God still wants obedience and not sacrifice.

 

When you pray, “Thy kingdom come,” be sure that you mean it. Do you really want the Lord Jesus to return today, or will His coming upset your plans? Some of God’s people will be ashamed when they meet Him (1 John 2:28), while others will welcome Him with joy. (I Thess. 2:19-20).

 

The joyful anticipation of His coming is a great motivation for holy living (I John 3:1-3) and faithful service (Luke 12:35-48).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Amos 4 - You Have Not Returned to Me!

 

Amos 4 – You Have Not Returned to Me!

 

God’s disciplines are for the purpose of restoration, to bring people to true repentance.

 

God used several means of discipline; drought, famine, crop diseases, locusts, plagues, war, and local catastrophes, and the people did not get the message. They had met with God’s disciplines, but the next step was to meet God Himself. He was personally coming to judge them.

 

What a tragedy that the people kept living in luxury and carrying out their religious duties while ignoring the call of God. It took courage for Amos to call the wealthy women “cows” and to picture them being led away to slaughter. In their comfort and prosperity, the people thought they were immune from judgment, but it came just the same.

 

The husbands of Samaria met their wives’ demands for luxury by denying the poor justice and taking their land through taxation and usury. The wealthy women were in turn using their wealth to enrich themselves rather than to help the needy, unaware that they were fattening themselves for the slaughter of God’s judgment.

 

The people had put up a shrine in Bethel so they would not have to travel to the temple in Jerusalem for worship. So, God told Israel to continue their Hypocritical worship.

 

Are you prepared to meet God?

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible